possible FX5

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ElectricBlueSeanBurch

ElectricBlueSeanBurch

Piranha
MFK Member
Nov 24, 2010
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Panaque Paradise
Ok, here is my delima. On my 220 I have a 55 gallon sump with a mag9.5. It does an amazing job with bio filtration, and a decent job with mech filtration. But I wan sparklin water. Don't get me wrong. My water is clean, and my params are always money. I just wanna fly closer to the sun. I was thinking about an FX5, but I heard the mech aspect makes it a pain because maintinance is not easy. So which canister would be best for me? I'm really not concerned with adding more bio media, as my sump has 20 gallons of bio balls, plus tons of scrubbies. The tank houses CA/SA's and pleco's so its fairly messy. I do 50% wc a week, and I'm not trying to get out of having to vacuum the sand. And also, money is not really an issue, having recently gotten engaged and having spent crazy money on the ring, my honey has no way of complaining about me dropping money on a new filter...just saying:ROFL:
So anyways, you guys gotten any suggestions?
 
Hey I just ordered a magnum 350 for my basement rack. Three of the tanks just have sponge filters, the others have AC110's with 2 sponges. Neither are awesome at mechanical so I figured I could just run the magnum after 50% w/c's. I'm just getting back into the hobby but in the past I have had every vortex filter except the pond one and they were always a pain in the ass. I will repot back when I get it, but people seem to like it on this site.

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a vortex or magnum will sparkle your water...you dont have to run it all the time though...probably just a few hours and your water will look like it came out of a fiji bottle. the vortex will also remove any freefloating algea or parasites, it gets everything. it's a PITA for maintinence (messy), but if you're looking for sparkling water, it's the way to go. i'd kick all kinds of crap up purposely and mess the tank up real bad, and within 2-3 hours the water was crystal clear (of course this is on a 90g tank).
 
Vortex filter sounds like what you're looking for. I never really thought of a Fx5 to be just a Mechanical filter. It probably would clog easily and the flow rate would be compromised if you stuff it full of filter pad and polishing pads.
 
If you are looking for high flow rate, good mechanical, and easy maintenance, then I would go with a couple AC110s. Keep the sponge that comes with it and replace the bio media and carbon with your own choice of mechanical pads.
 
I don't want a HOB, if I get a canister then I can hide the 2 lines behind my overflow boxes. Otherwise id be all for the ac110's. Amazing filters. I've never heard of the vortex canisters, and the more I've read about them the more confused I get. Seems extremely complicated.
 
ElectricBlueSeanBurch;4967546; said:
Ok, here is my delima. On my 220 I have a 55 gallon sump with a mag9.5. It does an amazing job with bio filtration, and a decent job with mech filtration. But I wan sparklin water. Don't get me wrong. My water is clean, and my params are always money. I just wanna fly closer to the sun. I was thinking about an FX5, but I heard the mech aspect makes it a pain because maintinance is not easy. So which canister would be best for me? I'm really not concerned with adding more bio media, as my sump has 20 gallons of bio balls, plus tons of scrubbies. The tank houses CA/SA's and pleco's so its fairly messy. I do 50% wc a week, and I'm not trying to get out of having to vacuum the sand. And also, money is not really an issue, having recently gotten engaged and having spent crazy money on the ring, my honey has no way of complaining about me dropping money on a new filter...just saying:ROFL:
So anyways, you guys gotten any suggestions?
Click to expand...

Try a 50 / 100 micron poly / dacron sheet or 50 micron filter sock depending on your inlet of the sump.
 
Magnum 250/Diatom filter
 
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