Question for FX5 and Sand keepers

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

hbluehunter

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 20, 2007
1,978
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Lynnwood, Wa.
I've never used anything besides gravel and bare bottom in my tank and a friend is giving me a bunch of Black Sand for my ray tank.

My question is i'm running 2 FX5's (along with other filtration of course) in that tank and was wonder how far aff the bottom do i need to keep the Intake Hoses ?? I don't want to be sucking up sand and killing my impeller and filters. Or if anyone knows any tricks to keep the sand out i'm game for that too..
Thanks in advance..
 
Thanks.. I'll have to keep those in mind, will that sponge cut back alot on the flow of the FX5 ?? I know if it gets super clogged of course.. But i just don't want to put un wanted strain on the motor and burn it out.
 
hbluehunter;4117541; said:
Thanks.. I'll have to keep those in mind, will that sponge cut back alot on the flow of the FX5 ?? I know if it gets super clogged of course.. But i just don't want to put un wanted strain on the motor and burn it out.
Click to expand...
That MAX III is riticulated foam and has a larger pore so it will keep the sand out and not restrict flow as much as the MAX I & II...


Remember that the pump on your FX5 is a magnetic drive and restricted flow will NOT affect wear.
As long as there is a tiny bit of water in the pump housing to lubricate the ceramic shaft and bearings, just not "dry".

There is no strain, because these types of pumps are not "positive displacment".
The impeller can "slip" in the pump housing and this is called a
"centrifugal" type pump.
A "positive displacement" pump, is a type that could be strained, because for every revolution of the impeller, a certain amount of water has to be moved, there is no "slip".;)

So basically no worries, other than a slower flow rate, (less filtering) if you do happen to let the foam get super dirty...
 
Thanks for the info, looks like i'll have to grab a couple of these on my next Dr Fosters order..
 
Thanks for the link. I keep the intake of mine between 8"-10" off the top of the sand and never get any in my FX5's. I am keeping goes too so there is a lot of sand being moved around at all times. I use medium to fine grade sand.
 
how about slipping some panty hose over the intakes
 
would a cut up foam filter media work? i have them on some of my other tanks but i dont know how well it will keep sand out
 
I use fx5 in my sand tanks. I even used it to clear up a SW tank that broke two rena xp3's lol. The fx5 was untouched. The side foam pads collect all the sand and the pump is hidden in that side compartment. It still doesn't even make an extra soudn and has sucked up easily 5lbs of sand.
 
Most of my tanks run Sand in them. I also run total of 3 FX5's , some times I get sand in the bottom but I just clean it out good and she is back to running smooth again. Sand to me is easy to use and clean up with .
 
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