new 180 gallon dual FX-6 setup

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

adamsfishes

Aimara
MFK Member
Jan 31, 2016
1,178
789
135
Hi all,

In this thread I'll be talking about my new setup. It's been cycling for a while, and I took some pictures, but I'm just getting around to starting a thread.

Here is how I set up my FX-6s "pimp my filter" style. I put Biohome Plus in the two bottom baskets. They hold about 2 pounds each if anyone wants to try it. I bought 16 pounds. The stock foams were replaced with a coarse/medium pond filter foam stack.

View attachment DSC_0011.JPG

Here is what the pond filter foam sheets look like before cutting:

View attachment DSC_0017.JPG

In the top basket, I decided to use the Fluval Biomax that comes with the filter. It comes with less than half a basket worth of it.

View attachment DSC_0012.JPG

On top of that I put a Fluval fine filter pad. This is going to be a high maintenace item, so I may eventually just stop using these and add more media to reduce service intervals. I want them in there for now to help trap dust and whatnot.

View attachment DSC_0013.JPG

The on top of that I put the Fluval Bio-Foam that comes with the filter. They come with two each, but I'm only using one. They also come with a carbon pad that's similar in thickness to the fine pads, but I'm not using those.

View attachment DSC_0014.JPG

Full stack, not sure why MFK turned it sideways.


dsc_0015-jpg.1385424


And the complete filter.

View attachment DSC_0016.JPG

I'll update more later.

View attachment DSC_0015.JPG
 
  • Like
Reactions: celebrist, Backfromthedead, Stanzzzz7 and 1 other person
I'm seeing all but one image as an attachment. I uploaded them all the same way. Something's buggy in the image embed software.
 
james99 said:
Looks good. I have an fx5 and fx6 on my 125, I realized early that it was alot of work keeping fine pads clean. I just added a rena xp3 and put my fine pads in that since it's way easier to get out and clean.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree. That's why I have a HOB as well, and I have a fine pad in there. I just wanted something in the FX for now as the water is clearing, mostly to keep the bio media from getting clogged up with dust and whatnot. Once the aquarium is established, I only plan to open up the FXs for occasional cleanings.
 
Last edited:
I also have a Seachem Tidal 110 on the back of the aquarium. I added this for the surface skimming and aeration. The extra flow and media volume is nice too.

It comes with the bag and matrix on the right in this picture, about half a liter. I bought the bag on the left as well as a 2L tub of Matrix. I combined both of these into the bigger bag.

View attachment DSC_0002.JPG

Here is the foam that comes with the filter as well as some 50 micron polishing pad I bought. I cut a bunch of pieces as pictured, shaped like the foam.


View attachment DSC_0006.JPG


The fine pad goes on top of the foam. I'll change this weekly. It's very easy to get to.

View attachment DSC_0008.JPG

Here it is with 2.5L of Matrix added:

View attachment DSC_0009.JPG

I also put a small bag of MatrixCarbon in there, but that's probably not something I'll continue long term.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mrrobxc
adamsfishes said:
I also have a Seachem Tidal 110 on the back of the aquarium. I added this for the surface skimming and aeration. The extra flow and media volume is nice too.

It comes with the bag and matrix on the right in this picture, about half a liter. I bought the bag on the left as well as a 2L tub of Matrix. I combined both of these into the bigger bag.

View attachment 1385499

Here is the foam that comes with the filter as well as some 50 micron polishing pad I bought. I cut a bunch of pieces as pictured, shaped like the foam.


View attachment 1385503


The fine pad goes on top of the foam. I'll change this weekly. It's very easy to get to.

View attachment 1385504

Here it is with 2.5L of Matrix added:

View attachment 1385505

I also put a small bag of MatrixCarbon in there, but that's probably not something I'll continue long term.
Click to expand...
How do you like the Seachem tidal? Really curious about them.

As for the FX6’s, I also remove the fine pad but I replace it with floss. It makes cleaning a breeze since I put it in the top basket which allows me to do a deep clean every once in a while.
 
Interested in the Seachem tidal as well, or any hang ons with top water intake. 7 or 8 years ago I had a hang on with a floating "sleeve" and a valve to adjust from mid tank to bottom. At the mid tank intake it would pull water down through the sleeve. It also had a flow adjuster to turn down when feeding. Forgot the brand.
I put sponges over the intakes of canister filters and clean them every month or 2, the canisters get cleaned once a year.
 
You over did it, use the normal sponges it came with minus the “fine” sponges, and use pre-filter sponge on the intake, and you’ll be much happier with much less maintenance.

I typically get 6mos to a year between canister maintenance on my FX’s by using pre-filters.

Also, biohome is a gimmick, dont waste your money. Trust me, this is 34 years experience in aquarium keeping speaking here. Use the most cost efficient media possible (Scrubbies/lavarock/etc...).
 
mrrobxc said:
How do you like the Seachem tidal? Really curious about them.
Click to expand...

Sorry for late reply, forgot about this thread. I'll update with more information about my setup later.

Regarding the Tidal, I like it. I think I could have gotten by without it, but the extra bio capacity gives some peace of mind.

I mostly have bio media in it, but I also have a 50 micron fine filter pad in it (before the bio). The nice thing is that it's really easy to clean, and I change that pad every time I do a water change. It definitely removes a lot of stuff.

I'm thinking about a second tank, a 75 gallon. If I get it, I might just put two Tidal 75 on it. The convenience of how easy it is to clean is great. Also, I would be putting the second tank on wood floors, so I like that there's basically zero chance it would ever dump water on my floor.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom