I love my FX5 and I don't think cleaning it is all that bad. I compared several different filters and bought it new for the being the best bang for the buck. Have a Rena XP something or other...pretty happy with it also but not FX5 happy. Shop around for a used one with media...can be found for less than $200. Sorry, but no experience with Ehiem filters.
Long term FX5 owners need your input
- Thread starter silverlude15
- Start date
Does anyone use the backflush option on their FX5? I was reading you could do that to clean it out and do a water change at the same time - does it work?
Sorry OP that you missed the past Cyber Monday deal from foster&smith on the 2217's for $85/each shipped (with full media of course). I got one from the deal. I had an option to buy a barely used FX5 for $150 right before that time, but I didn't for no negative reasons. I only know that I can depend on eheim classics, as I have 5 of them now. And the 2217's consume 20w vs 50w on the FX5's if that matters to you.
Let us know what you end up going with...
Let us know what you end up going with...
They last well. Had mine for 3 years and bought it used. Still quiet and pumps good. Don't run sand in my tanks as i am sure they don't like that but what pump does. Fill all 3 trays with bio media and just use the foam blocks for mechanical.
thanks for the heads up arowdini (sort of..)
the reason why i "kind of" don't want to stray from the eheim classics is that even though i really appreciate the high flow of the fx5, i like that the eheim classics never clog, just lower flow
i have heard stories of fx5 clogging and also some kind of micro bubbles problem.
i figured i might as well just go with another eheim classic and maybe get a hydor koralia aimed at the surface for greater surface oxygenation if needed
the reason why i "kind of" don't want to stray from the eheim classics is that even though i really appreciate the high flow of the fx5, i like that the eheim classics never clog, just lower flow
i have heard stories of fx5 clogging and also some kind of micro bubbles problem.
i figured i might as well just go with another eheim classic and maybe get a hydor koralia aimed at the surface for greater surface oxygenation if needed
I've been running mine with Bio-Media and the blue pads and have never had any problems with micro bubbles.
You won't have to worry about oxygenation, there will be tons of micro bubbles. I have two and my friend has one and they keep the tank misty with bubbles. His is plumbed inline and it still pulls bubbles. Yeah, it's big and it moves a ton of water, but if the tank looks cloudy because of all the bubbles, what's the point?
