question???? fx-5!!!

[mjuniorc]

i have a question... MFK'rs??? how often do you guys do maintenence on these fx-5 cannister filters? they are great cannisters.., may i just add!!
i was only wondering, because i have mine running for two months straight now in a 125 gallon.. keep in mind this is not a new setup!! its been runnig for about 2yrs now,,,.... tank is crystal clear...but i dont know if i should leave all that live bacteria in the media which is always the best thing or just clean it since its been a while...????

need advice ... thanx MFK'rs!!! i really appreciate it

 

[Gr8KarmaSF]

what is your stock?

if its been that long i would clean out about 4 of the 6 foam inserts, leaving some bb to recolonize your filter.

just my .02

 

[mjuniorc]

what is your stock?

if its been that long i would clean out about 4 of the 6 foam inserts, leaving some bb to recolonize your filter.

just my .02

stocked with 4 pbass a aro & pleco...

 

[turbid]

if the filter still has a strong outflow do not touch it. you should use some bioballs in the middle of the the foam inserts. that way when the filter is due for cleaning, you can clean the sponges and leave the bioballs full of bacteria alone, so they can recolonize the filter fast.

 

[Nic]

don't those filters have a back wash feature???

 

[---XR---]

don't those filters have a back wash feature???

yeah they have a special feature that pumps air out of the tubeing and filter for 1 min of every 24 hours of running time.

i've left mine alone for the past 6 months at least and there still working flawlessly, but after 2 years i'd do a bit of clean up work on them, just replace pad's and or change a bit of bio media, not all though.

 

[laura65536]

yeah they have a special feature that pumps air out of the tubeing and filter for 1 min of every 24 hours of running time.

I've left mine alone for the past 6 months at least and there still working flawlessly, but after 2 years I'd do a bit of clean up work on them, just replace pad's and or change a bit of bio media, not all though.

I think he meant that the tank had been set up for 2 years, the fx5 has been running for 2 months.

personally, I would clean out half of the media one week and half in 10-14 days, that way you don't throw your tank into a mini-cycle. If the flow is not impeded, I wouldn't worry about it yet though, I don't have an fx5 but I only clean out my filters when the flow starts to slow down.

 

[---XR---]

I think he meant that the tank had been set up for 2 years, the fx5 has been running for 2 months.

personally, I would clean out half of the media one week and half in 10-14 days, that way you don't throw your tank into a mini-cycle. If the flow is not impeded, I wouldn't worry about it yet though, I don't have an fx5 but I only clean out my filters when the flow starts to slow down.

ohhhh, i see. bad reading comp on myself. i personally leave my canister filter running for awhile to preserve original old bacteria that has been growning on ceramic rings.

 

[cchhcc]

Keep in mind that all the solid waste your tank produces just sits in that filter. I clean my canisters no less than once every two weeks (that is, I clean the coarse mechanical sections no less than every two weeks).

 

[mdspurl]

I set up my first FX5 in early November. After 1 month I noticed that my flow was reduced way down. I wasnt sure if the hoses were clogged so I decided to open it up. I found that the Fluval fine filter pad was completely clogged. I changed it out with a new one and all is back flowing as normal. I left all the other Biomax and prefilter material in as it was. I'll check my filter pads more often from here on out. These pads just clog faster because this thing cleans so well.