I understand many of you love the FX5 as far as filter ratings (on the box) on any filter I never put my full faith in them. Honestly how many of you would run just 1 FX5 on a 400 gallon cichlid tank all by itself? How many of you run this filter with a different configuration than that reccomended by Fluval? If so how? In the end everyone has there equipment and are free to use whatever makes them happy. I just figured there has to be some media options (some mentioned earlier) other than the way the filter comes? That would at least make more sense for me. Do not any of you find the trays on the FX to be very restrictive compared to many of it's counterparts? I swear I not asking these questions what seems to be over and over to be a pain in the ???. I just may not be catching the answers, Im seeing I love my FX5 period which is great but it's the other issues that I'm looking at? I will give credit many of you have given some interesting advice. My hope is that when this thread is all said and done, I can read down threw it and have plenty of options to try? I do not HATE my FX5 I just think there are things about it I don't quite understand?
Still Don't Understand FX5 Mania?
- Thread starter hawkerw
- Start date
This thread seems to be going no where so I will sum it up. For the Money, the FX5 is great. Yes, it's baskets are restrictive but it still holds more than enough biological media for most purposes. With filters, such as everything in life, there are always pros and cons. The FX5 is a great bang for your buck filter. The Eheim 2262 is an awesome filter from beginning to end, but it costs nearly twice as much and you will never need the insane amount of bio that it can hold. The flow rate of the eheim is better, but do you really need 900 gph of flow when you can have 2 FX5's, with equal the amount of flow, but one filter is for mechanical, and the other for bio. It comes down to personal preference and what you can afford. I 'd rather buy a cheaper filter that gets the job done and save my money for more fish.
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
I have been reading this thread off and on for days ,I now come to the conclusion that anybody who rates canister filters on performance per $ is MAYBE missing the point......an fx5 set up correctly is a GREAT FILTER.... so are the big rena's ...same with fluval ,exept for the latches,my point is this....if you REALLY WANT bang for your buck ,a sump or even better big sponge filters on powerheads ,equal or surpass ANY canister...if your really on a tight budget a combo of a big hob or two +sponge filters will work better on almost ANY size tank....if you want to go diy build a sump.....cans are for guys with big $ who want to argue about who's got the "best"...I HOPE I HAVENT HURT ANY FEELINGS..... that wasnt the intention ...but ..this is supposed to be a fun thing ,and I see people getting MAD over CANISTER filters....seems like a waste of energy ....my advice ...do some tank maintenance for therapy ...and SMILE 
I have been reading this thread off and on for days ,I now come to the conclusion that anybody who rates canister filters on performance per $ is MAYBE missing the point......an fx5 set up correctly is a GREAT FILTER.... so are the big rena's ...same with fluval ,exept for the latches,my point is this....if you REALLY WANT bang for your buck ,a sump or even better big sponge filters on powerheads ,equal or surpass ANY canister...if your really on a tight budget a combo of a big hob or two +sponge filters will work better on almost ANY size tank....if you want to go diy build a sump.....cans are for guys with big $ who want to argue about who's got the "best"...I HOPE I HAVENT HURT ANY FEELINGS..... that wasnt the intention ...but ..this is supposed to be a fun thing ,and I see people getting MAD over CANISTER filters....seems like a waste of energy ....my advice ...do some tank maintenance for therapy ...and SMILE
I do in fact disagree with the assertion that canisters are for people that have lots of money and want to show off. You couldn't be more off base with a good portion of the fishkeeping community. Canister are fopr people that need to reduce the amount of O2/Co2 exchange for planted tanks, reduce humidity in their fish rooms, and/or just want something that doesn't have the potential to leak on their current setup.
There are way too many assumptions and singular opinions going on. Look at the whole deal. Look at price in relation to filter function and options. Output flow, ease of maintenance, filtering capacity and bio load capacity. I actually prefer Rena filters over any other filter, but the FX5 still beats it hands down. It's not a matter of opinon, it is fact. I would have to have six Rena filters on my 265 to get as much flow and keep the tank as clean as two FX5s do. I love Rena filters, but for $150-$170, my money is better served buying something more effective.
I won't say that the FX5 is the best filter as I have no experience with Marineland, but I do know that I'd rather buy a FX5 than spend the exptra moeny on an Eheim. Just doesn't seem worth it to me.
I agre on the planted tank issue ...my bad ...lots of fishkeepers dont know they have other options and get caght up buying thousands of $ worth of equipment, when they could spend much less and get EFFECTIVE filtration for their new fish and tanks at a fraction of the cost of a big can........just my 2cents ... no offense intended to ANYONE.... I love canisters for what they can do ....just not the price or the maintainance involved in moving an fx 5 to the sink for cleaning...
I just want to get the best I can from what I have invested in. I may be misinformed as to the purpose of these forums. Maybe in fact they are intended to ask just quick questions( pardon the expression maybe a get in get out type of thing) But as I have mentioned and one of the earlier posters mentioned. I do not live where I have someone right up the street to talk fish with.(and please don't take this as a poor me type thing) When you live in a big city there are many outlets but not that same case for everyone. I figure if someone has read a post made there comment and have no more to say thats great but there are others who may still want to take part futher in the thread. Pharaoh your a admin if what I mentioned above is the case and long debates are not intended, just please let me no and I will refrain in the future.
you have done nothing wrong in what I have read(not ENTIRE thread..but most)...guys just get bent when you question what they spent money on.....I think its good to question some of the myths or unchallenged thoughts that seem to go on LOTS of these forums I think you have brought up good points and things to think about...
For all the experts, who the rest of us rely on:
IMO, this thread isn't about debate, per se, it's truly just that some of us have a harder time understanding these functional filtration details than you, and thus, making choices. Even things like media, polishing results etc can make a fair difference.
Each model may benefit from slightly different polishing choices also. ? I think. LOL
I really appreciate it VERY much when patience is extended in threads with questions.
This one has gone well. Thank the powers that be.
IMO, this thread isn't about debate, per se, it's truly just that some of us have a harder time understanding these functional filtration details than you, and thus, making choices. Even things like media, polishing results etc can make a fair difference.
Each model may benefit from slightly different polishing choices also. ? I think. LOL
I really appreciate it VERY much when patience is extended in threads with questions.
This one has gone well. Thank the powers that be.
+1
Rays are for people with lots or money and who want to show off lol....
And a 230$ filter? That's hardly showing off, maybe the 380$ eheim is what you meant, personally id never pay more then 230$ for a canister, for anything more I could get a big sump, everything included, the thing with sumps are buying the pump, good pumps are generally 80-200$ Atleast ones that don't rape your energy bill.
_________________________________________________________________________
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?504763-Cheap-plants-less-nitrate!-POTHOS
*Go S. Vettel #1 RBR! 3 BACK TO BACK WDC AND CONSTRUCTERS!
