FX5 Media Thread

[josephjeon]

What 3 medias do you guys use in your FX5 media baskets, what order do you put them in, and how are your results?

I just got mine, i'm sort of new at this but here is my order:
bottom basket: fluval bio-max
middle basket: fluval hagen peat granules
top basket: fluval carbon

It seems like my water looks really clean, but it still is murky from the side (long) view. Tell me your guys' combos!

 

[Thee See 5]

Mine is filled with biomax in all 3 trays.

 

[nigaharu]

Mine is filled with biomax in all 3 trays.

Mine too!

 

[josephjeon]

Mine is filled with biomax in all 3 trays.

Yeah? How is that working for you? and how much of it did you put in each tray?

 

[fishnben]

I use JBL micro mec it is extremely pourus in all trays and will put in bio chem-zorb to polish the water up every few months.

 

[aclockworkorange]

All 3 trays substrat pro. I used those blue filter pads made for the fx5 for a while but they clog way too quickly.

 

[K626]

I use the pre-filter in my top, bio media in my second (with some carbon for the well water until it clears up), then on the top of my third basket I use one of the white filter pads, and under that, more bio media.

I have a question, my water is hard and the ph is high, would adding peat to the second basket when I remove the carbon soften my water and lower my ph? I think it will, just want other opinions.

 

[ar0wan]

Peat will bring your pH down but will not soften water
The only way to really soften is to use RO/DI or distilled

 

[vfrstephen]

Bottom Tray: Substrate Pro
Middle tray: Substrate Pro
Top Tray : Ehfimech

 

[Burto]

Bioballs in the top basket with filter floss on top to stop them rattling around, sintered glass nuggets and ceramic rings in the middle, sintered glass rings in the bottom basket.