Fluval FX5, My new toy

[FishDad]

Alright, I know on an earlier thread I came down in favor of HOB filters. However, I recenty changed my mind. I am pretty fed up with marineland products, I have had lots of problems with them aside from impellers. So on amazon I purchased a Fluval FX5, it came highly recommened. It is due to arrive tomorrow. This is my first experience with any canister filters so it will be a learning experience. So I would greatly welcome suggestions and advice to make it suitable for my 125g tank. Cleaning is more involved to but I think I can handle it. Here is the media I plan on using...

Top layer: Ceramic rings for bio filter
Middle layer: Activated carbon nylon bag for chem filter
Bottom layer: Fine particulate polishing pad for added mech filter

What do you guys think?

 

[FreshyFresh]

I think it's the best option for a tank that large. IIRC, you currently have 3 marineland HOBs running on this tank, correct? That's a lot of equipment to maintain for one tank IMO. Are you going to keep one HOB running as backup to the canister?

 

[FishDad]

Yeah, I'll be happy to widdle the equipment down a bit. The flow rate of the FX5 should allow me to do away with the powerhead too. Its all for sale on craigs list (hint). I thought about leaving one running to assist with the transfer of the bio load. But I am also considering cold turkey on the canister and just dealing with the daily water changes for a time. There should be a good deal of bb with in the tank itself.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Cool stuff!

You'll probably save a couple bucks a month on your electric bill too. Those three big emperors had to pull some combined wattage.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

I hope you have a great experience with the canister, for my saltwater tanks, it was really the only way to go, I plan on adding a guide when I get mine up and going, it still has not showed up yet so I drained the tank until it does. Perhaps it would be beneficial to have a guide for canisters here since there aren't any so far.

 

[FishDad]

What do you mean,"a guide"?

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

Sorry for detracting from the point of the post by the way, what I intended however, you're going to be setting up a FX5 I'll have a 306, maybe something of experiences, quirks, short comings. When I was searching for reviews, the only ones I found were on sites selling the products, I'm more likely to trust the reviews here vs elsewhere, might be helpful for members \ new comers.

Guide is the wrong word.

Back on point, I noticed that your planning on putting your ceramic on top. From what I've read for the 306, and done in the past, the first filter separates large particles, which goes around the edge of the FX5 from what I've read, then on the bottom of return cylinder, goes a filter + ceramic, then filter + carbon, finishing out with filter \ any polishing you like.

That way you do not have to remove or disturb your bio filter every time you clean \ change the other filters. When you do change the bio filter, I usually only change half, leaving some of the bacteria to speed their recovery.

I also read a lot of reviews for the FX5, where many people used it for filtration and a hob for polishing.

 

[FishDad]

I see what you meant. Well with the $ involved I better not have to use a HOB again or it will promtly be returned. As far as the order of media apparently the FX5 (as opposed to others) filters from the top down. So your polishing filtration would have to be at the bottom. This is all theoretical based on what I've read. I believe you wouldn't put the bb at risk as long as you can do a timely maintenance.

BTW Rot, if I am using ceramic rings for bio, would there be a reason to ever change them out, as you said. Do they break down over time or something to that effect? That leads me to another question but I'll start a new thread for it....

 

[FreshyFresh]

The other appealing thing about a canister is in the event you needed to temporarily re-home your critters. You could setup shop in a big storage tote, drop the suction and discharge hoses from your canister in there and be good to go.

Your average HOB wouldn't be so flexible. Air operated bubblers would be good for that too I assume.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

Changing the ceramic rings does a couple of different things. It gives your bacteria culture room to expand and grow, ensuring that it remains healthy, if it is also the first to receive water, the holes will become clogged with debris, which will decrease your return flow, as well as put extra strain on your pump motor.

Eventually it will look like this http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk168/almostapathetic/Fish/DSCI0239.jpg

 

[FishDad]

Awsome info, thanks

 

[FishDad]

So another aspect of this filter that I am looking forward to utilizing is its ability to assist with the water change syphoning process. It boasts a third "purge" valve that can be used to mechanically pump water out of the tank and in my case, out the window. I am always looking for new water change innovations since it is the most laborious part of the hobby (aside from trying to catch a chinese algae eater). For water replacement I use a hose running directly from the kitchen tap and dose the whole tank with prime. So combined with the FX5 purge valve, I think this should dramatically shorten the time spent on changing out about 65 gallons of water a week, right? Thats important to me since I also on the same day every week change out my wife's 72g bow, my son's 30gal and my 10g quarantine. Its a big day.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

Haha, yeah it sounds like a big day. I recently completely drained our 60 gal, since the 306 has not arrived and I was worried about the wrong kind of bacteria growing; I created a siphon and ran hose through the house out the back door. Having a mechanical pump to help sounds amazing, especially at how fast the FX5 shoots water out. Now I wish I had a reason to upgrade from the 306 to the fx5 ... hmm ...

 

[FishDad]

Yep, I know what your thinking. Thats why when I was researching alternative filtration I came across the FX5 and was like 'f*** it, I'm buying it.' Because I knew that if I didn't I would be regretting it for the next few years. I'm learning in this hobby, as with most things, the initial investment will save you in the long run. If you're not first, you're last!

 

[FishDad]

I'm waiting for UPS like a kid on Christmas Eve.

 

[big54bob]

Don't use carbon, when it stops absorbing nutrients it releases them back to the water. Use purigen or chemi pure

 

[se-r altima]

I'm waiting for UPS like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Been there. The Fluval filters and eheim filters are some of the best on the market. Hope you enjoy yours. I actually use the eheim return tube on my Magnum filter because I like the green tube more than the marineland return. I used to own an Ocean clear filter for my old salt water tank but the micron cartridges are so expensive. That thing was a work horse and is probably one of the best and biggest on the market. I agree with not using much carbon. If I do I try and remember to remove it after 5 days. That is one reason I only use the micron filters in my canaster filters.

 

[FishDad]

Thanks guys, but I'm going to repectfully disagree about the carbon. After personal research I concluded that the chemical change that would have to occure would not happen in a typical aquarium. The carbon after a while would just stop working. I've used it for some time and been happy with the results and personally noticed a difference in water clarity,so long as it gets changed regularly. However, I'm big into researching newer and better products so I'll definitly look into those other products. Especially if they reduce maintenace and give the same result. Thanks again for the input.

 

[FishDad]

Its here and installed and man is it friggin quiet! I mean this thing is all but silent. I repositioned the out flow next to a bubbler so I could be sure its running. The install took about 40 minutes and was a piece of cake. I'm very impressed thus far. The only issue I forsee having to work out is with my vers top lids. I really chopped up the plastic flaps to accomodate my 3 HOBs. So now when the FX5 does its air purge every 24hrs the bubbles splash water out of the tank. Not a big deal. I have duct tape.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Nice!!

I wonder if replacement back portions of versa-tops can be ordered?