Is my FX5 enough?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
pelleeklund

pelleeklund

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
May 23, 2009
1,494
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Pennsylvania
I know people like over-filtration around here, and I don't mind it either, I just don't know how everyone affords it. I was under the assumption when I picked my FX5 up it could easily filter my 220, but based on the results from the last 3 or 4 months I'm starting to believe it can't. My tank currently houses one Jd and one Jag and it is almost always cloudy, any ideas? I do want to admit I have been tweaking the exhaust and am starting to wonder if circulation could be the issue. Right now I have a 3/4 inch plumbing elbow that is shaped like a T connected to the hose. The exhaust is shooting to the two shorter sides of the tank, but it's up in the upper third of the tank and I feel like it's not pushing enough water towards the intake. Also, I do a 20 % water change every week and I have incredibly hard water from my water supply.
 
What are you running for media in your FX5?
 
I'd add another smaller canister. (Craigslist is your friend) and I'd set it up as a Water Polisher. The FX5 should definitely be able to handle your Bio Load in that tank. Circulation on the other hand may need to be tweaked using Powerheads,

Mike
 
Yeah adding a small canister filter or even a air driven sponge filter will get the water moving as well as adding bio support! Its also very handy to have two filters for maintenance and what not
 
As far as media I have all three of those chambers full of the bio and foam, and I do have an old marineland 350 filter I could add if it will help. Im just bent that if I use it I am going to need to buy the sleeves and charcoal again. I was hoping the FX5 would simplify the whole tank, not only in expense but aesthetically, with the extra tubes in back, intakes, exhausts, etc.... But the cloudy water must go, so if it's necessary then out it comes again.
 
Get a couple of koralia power heads. Or build a reverse UGF and mount a mag drive sponge filter to it. It will force water under your gravel and increase flow around the tank. Then your FX5 can catch the particulates.

Mike
 
You might want to consider testing your water and post the parameters as this will be more helpful to assist you in determining what you actually need.

You only have 2 fish in this tank? How big are they? Even with only 2 fish, I would consider 20% water changes a trifle small, IMO.

Is there any reason you chose to not use the FX5 output nozzles rather than using a smaller diameter dual outlet 3/4" PVC 90° fitting?
 
I would use powerheads (wavemakers) to increase the flow in the tank and you might have to work on angle's with them, but get them just right and I believe that will help with your issue.
 
carbon! or purigen!
i have 2 fx5s on my 300 with very large dirty fish and i have ran it for a week or so on just one fx5 without cloudy water.
what kind of bio media do you have in it?
also add some blue filter pad that you buy in the big sheets it works great for water polishing and should last a while with your stock. mine it clogs the filter in 2 weeks and restricts the flow.
but i use the substrat pro for bio and ceramic rings and purigen in my fx5s
chiperf, i think you have to set them up right to get the most out of them. i had the same problem yall are having when i first got mine, i have 3 now
 
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