I have one FX5, two 2260, two 2228, two 404, and one 205. I have no complaints about "ANY" of them. Comparing the FX5 to the 2260? The FX5 doesn't hold anywhere near as much media, but, it is much easier to perform maintenance on. I clean my 2260 (about) every four to six months. I would clean them more often, but, it is truly an ordeal to do so. The FX5? I could clean this every month, if I had to, without too much complaint. I have even cleaned it on a weekday before (i.e. when I had to go to work the next morning). I wouldn't even dream about doing that with a 2260. I wouldn't trade my FX5 for anything (or any of my other filters - to be honest)!!! Each "different" kind of filter that I have, I have for a different purpose. The two 2260s mean that I don't worry about biological - EVER. The FX5 gives me additional biological and, in "my" case, better mechanical filtration. Coupled with the fact that it is so easy to clean, I clean it more often and get the "crap" out of it more frequently than I do the 2260s. I am absolutely puzzled when I see complaints about the FX5.
What is better for "your" setup? A 2260 that you are unwilling to clean more than twice a year, or, an FX5 that you are willing to clean every month -- if need be??? We probably all have a different answer to this question. I think the 2260 is the "better" of the two filters, but, I also think some of that value is negated because I just no longer have the "will" to clean it as frequently as I do the FX5. Ten years ago? Sure!!! But now? Help me Lord.
