Can't speak for eheim as I've yet to use one.
FX5:
Top tier - 2 foam blocks, 2 fluval blue filter pads, 500g fluval prefilter, 300g bagged gravel
Middle tier - 2 foam blocks, 1 fluval blue pad, 500g fluval biomax,
Bottom tier - 2 foam blocks, 2 fluval blue pads, 500g fluval biomax, 150g bagged gravel
Occaisionally I use a fine fluval white pad in the middle tier when I want a little bit clearer water. But they only last with my little fish for about a month. Bigger the fish and more excess food/poo the less they last.
My largest bunch of fish being 4 inch denison barbs (15), red eye tetra's, 2 different rasbora's, a small pleco, and 2 SAE's.
When I had cichlids, to keep up on super clear water I was using 2 more white fluval pads, and 2 less blue pads, cleaning my filter monthly. I know, it's bad to do, but I also have 175 lbs of gravel in my tank. And was always very very careful to not let any media dry, just soaking and rinsing in tank water.