FX5 Users

[dead wait]

There seem to be a number of fx5 users here. So, I have a few questions before I purchase one. I want to run it on my 190gal. I think this will be plenty enough filteration by itself for about 30 African Cichlids.

My first question is: My tank is drilled on the bottom. I 've been told that fx5's are Useless for this type of application. I fthis is untrue for those of you that use yours this way. Explain for me please.

Second question: What media would you fill it with for this amount of cichlids?

Thank you for looking and any help you can give.

 

[Burto]

Plug the drain hole in the weir, hang your FX5 siphon and heaters in there. Works for me on a 180G.



Fill the three centre media baskets with the ceramic or sintered glass media of your choice.

 

[dead wait]

I'm not following you Burto. You say plug the holes? Are you saying not to use them?

 

[leeishom]

I use bio-bale in all of my canisters applied to my 180G.

 

[calioutlaw1a]

If I were you I would add another large filter, maybe another FX5. I think you will be much happier with an additional filter because not only does it provide additional current and filtration which will keep your tank cleaner and reduce maintenance, but it will also help reduce the chances of getting into trouble if one of the filters stops running for whatever reason.

I would use the white foam pads that come with it on the outside of the trays, then fill the trays with the biomedia of your choice (I use matrix).

 

[Steveo McNello]

2 FX5's for sure. Especially with 30 fish.

Fill it with bio media. Every tray.

 

[Capsaicin]

If you remove the overflows you could utilize the bulkheads with the canister, but that takes away the opportunity to easily hook up a sump later on.

 

[dead wait]

If you remove the overflows you could utilize the bulkheads with the canister, but that takes away the opportunity to easily hook up a sump later on.

I do not have overflows in this tank. It's just drilled in the bottom.

Two fx5??? That's interesting. I didn't think the bio load would be as much with 30 small cichlids compared to some of the other fish keepers here with much larger fish.

 

[aaronb]

I've heard of people connecting their fx5 to a drilled tank that way and I guess it worked out fine. Their made to work on a syphon though so that would probably be best. If you didn't want plumbing in your tank I think you could connect to the bulkhead. Direct your pvc to the back of the tank then run your pvc up a foot and then put a 180 (2 90 degree elbows) then run the pvc back down to the your fx5 and connect it in. Someone else could maybe weigh in on that. That way it still works on a syphon but keeps the inside of the tank looking cleaner.

 

[aaronb]

I guess you'd probably have to have the 180 above the water level or the water pressure would probably just the water through the line. It should remove some pressure and make it less likely your canister would leak though.