How far can a Fluval FX5 pump?

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J

Jim19053

Feeder Fish
May 3, 2009
3
0
0
Bucks County PA
Hey guys and gals- I am new to this site and found it by researching the Fluval FX5 which I should be purchasing. My question is how far will it pump? My 110gallon tank is upstairs and directly under it is an unfinished basement. I was planning on putting it downstairs directly under the tank and feed the hoses thru the floor. A rough estimate of distance would be the hoses will be no more than 10 feet each and almost straight. Should this pose any problems? Before you ask why I am doing this the reasons are as follow: Noise, and if there is a flooding problem it will be in the basement, not the upstairs.

Thanks very much for any and all input.

Jim in PA on a very rainy Sunday- Have a great day! :)
 
That would cut some flow down how much I don't quite know. If anything the pump is gonna have to work pretty hard and may cause some premature issues I am not sure however Ill leave this one to the experts my opinion is I would not do it.
 
The smaller the output the further it will go. Like sticking your thumb over the end of the garden hose. That being said, that sort of head pressure will turn an FX5 down to a 15gph pump, until the pump croaks.
 
Could you build a shelf to keep it as close to the floor above maybe cutting the height to around 5 ft?
 
The TDH (Total Discharge Head) would still be around zero at 60'. As long as your intake and discharge sides have the same head height, the pump will be "circulating" the water through the canister.

Its the pressure within the canister that is the problem. I think 10' is within the limits of the Fx5. I would have to look at the manual. The higher the head, the more pressure is pushing against the seals which means if you exceed the tolerance, the Fx5 will start to leak.
 
I just checked the online manual, it says the max head is 10.8 feet.
 
^In other words, instead of a hedge against two possible problems, you're practically guaranteeing the flooding, plus shortening the pump motor life.
But that's why brainstorming is a good idea, toss the ideas out there and see if, how, and why it gets shot down. Ten feet will cause a godawful amount of pressure. If you do go through with it, use the shelf idea. Then you'll only be a couple feet lower than if it was under the tank in the stand.
 
you're practically guaranteeing the flooding, plus shortening the pump motor life.
Click to expand...
Your not going to shorten the pumps life at all.

Since the manual says 10.8ft. I would go for it. Let the canister fill and if you see any issues at all while its filling up, close the valves.
 
I really don't see what advantage this gives you.

because, there is still lots of potential for flooding of any canister where the hoses are mounted on the tank. a hose can break, come off the tank, leak, etc. its not just the canister housing itself that can cause the problem.

secondly, the FX5 is very quiet. as are most good canisters. people have them in bedrooms and you can't hear them.. I cant hear mine - I have twin renas. noise is not going to be an issue.

so why put added pressure head on the canister if you really aren't eliminating the problems that you are trying to eliminate?
 
A lot of good points. The shelf idea is a good one. My old canister filter was always under the tank and going below the floor on a shelf would give me about a 7ft. distance. That might be the way to go. My friend said since it is going in the basement whay dont I go all the way and make a huge refugium. It could be bigger than the whole tank!

Thanks for the input.
Jim
 
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