is my fx5 running good?

[bigcichntwisted]

Yes 900 gph with no media and 0 head height.
Check the hoses and see if there is any kinks or bends. How long are they? What is the distance between the top of the Fluval and the output?

Just set my fx5 up on a 215 gal that is over 60" tall, that's approx. an 8'+ hd run & the output flow is steady, about 2x's that of my 405 (same hd run distance) except coming from 2 outputs. Have seen an fx5 set up w/ about 60" hd run total (2' stand, 2'H tank) & the flow is tremendous, extra 4' hd run or lack of is a huge difference. Make sure as the video & instructions indicate that there is no slack at all on the hose runs, that's about 11 min's. into the DVD, also at the very end (13 min. or so) when they show the start up sequence, you can see that the outflow via the bubbles blowing from the filter on a tank & stand that size (indicating a longer hd run) isn't really just blazin, blowin & goin, but that doesn't mean it's not functioning correctly i.e. at correct gph filtered. If you're depending heavily on a specific flow desired from your filter alone, you could elevate the filter, decreasing the hd run & increasing the output flow, but your probly not going to gain so much that it's worth all that. Last thing, I just moved a Fluval 405 can. from a max hd run of 4' to 2x's that & lost 1/2 the flow I had, had me scatchin for about 2 sec. till I did the math & applied my antibiotic, ha, ha. Do the math, as maseyferguson05 suggested, then just have faith & if not then just take it bck since it's brand new & if there's any difference w/ the new 1 then there you go.


Oh & congratulations on the new fx5, welcome to the club,cheers mate


Anyone still reading this who cares, chk this out: (http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080&highlight=fx5) possibly the best such type review ever!

 

[bigcichntwisted]

The hoses are maybe 4 ft, no bends or kinks. From the top of the filter to the output is about 2.5 ft, a little over

Guess I should have stayed in typing class, just to slow ha, ha. So another ? what size tank & stand is this on cause the distances your saying are well, hard to believe. For a 2.5 hd run from filter to inside tank, that would mean that your tank & stand are less than 12" or so each in height? What am I missing?

 

[BushFishRox]

In the bottom tray I put the biomax rings and then took a sheet of foam from an old filter and cut it up into squares and put it in with the biomax rings

The old filter you cut up is probly what is causing the slow flow of water, it is probably clogged, I bet if you pulled out the trays that one would be retaining water or water would be pooling in there if you will. I dont recommend using additional foam in the FX5 because they clog fast since they turn over so much water...

the FX5 with media pumps around 625gph depending on media used...

 

[john C]

I thought you had a DAS tank don't they have a built in filter? Are you just adding more filtration? Never owned a FX 5 thought about it though. I have three fluval 405's seems that they have sufficient flow rate, good luck.

 

[sixpack_ey]

Total height with the stand is about 52 inches. The stand is about 30 inches. I didn't get to watch the setup video because my toddler just broke our DVD player last week. I guess I could watch it on the computer, I just thought of that. I will watch it and see if I missed something on the setup, but I followed the instruction book.

Try using the backflushing port and then restarting the motor. The motor in the FX5 is computer controled to reduce power in the case of a restriction.

Would this be to clean the filter because it can't be dirty. I just set it up a couple days ago and its running on an empty, bare-bottom tank. Maybe it is the extra foam bits slowing it down. Guess I will have to mess around with it today and try to figure it out. I added those foam pieces because they are from my established aquarium's filter and I'm trying to cycle as fast as I can. I also added a bunch of the sludge I vaccumed from the gravel of the established aquarium and I added some of that Cycle stuff that Hagen makes. I guess I could move my established filter on to the new aquarium to speed things up as well. How fast do you think it could be cycled then?

 

[frasertheking]

way not get 1 gallon bucket , or a bucket you know the volume of and time how long it takes to fill it.

 

[spexmoneymaker]

i just set up a FX5 on my 125 gal. i thought it was a little weak at first also. but then i did a water change and left it running(intake was still far below water line). when the output was no longer in the water it sounds like i had a huge waterfall splashing into my tank. it was impressive. tho it doesnt feel like much if u just put ur hand under the water to feel it

 

[Wolf3101]

well yes and no...the idea is to make the computer THINK youv'e cleaned the filter. you can also turn it off for an hour or so and it should reset.

Personally I always set my canisters up with in line flow meters. Watching the output can be VERY deceptive especially with dual outlets. You can pick them up for under $10.00 each. It's worth it in my opinion.

 

[bigcichntwisted]

So how are things going for you, have to assume better since there hasn't been any additional posts. Just curious what came of it all & what you decided?

Just like to keep that fx5 name in good standing.

 

[Wolf3101]

That's because of the 1" hoses...people mistake speed for volume and assume the FX5 isn't turning water over. I use in line flow meters and mine are running 750 gph with media on a 6 foot long tank set up in a cross flow.