Fluval FX5
- Thread starter mikersof
- Start date
farslayer
Active Member
I have one and it is the only filtration I use (save the skimmer and UV sterilizer) on my 125G reef. It has three baskets and does some serious water movement. I put activated carbon and phosgard in my canister, may opt to add something else at some point. It is easy to set up and clean, never had a bit of trouble.
anonome
Active Member
Not sure I would go with a FX5 in an 80g tank. It is like the ultimate "Tim the toolman in overdrive".
It does 924gph!!! An aweful lot of flow in one area of the tank. I love Fluvals, always have, but 924gph is one heck of a lot of flow for a canister. I feel that the FX5 would be way too powerful for your size of tank. I may be wrong, but in one area of the tank to have that much power would create a whirlpool effect.
Have you looked into the 405? This does 340gph. With added powerheads where you want them, it should be good enough flow for any corals that you may want. I run a 404 with chemi pure and this does the work of a champ!! I couldn't be happier. Just be sure to change out the filter once a month for sure.
I would like to hear more about Farslayers set up with it in.
Have you looked into the 405? This does 340gph. With added powerheads where you want them, it should be good enough flow for any corals that you may want. I run a 404 with chemi pure and this does the work of a champ!! I couldn't be happier. Just be sure to change out the filter once a month for sure.
I would like to hear more about Farslayers set up with it in.
N
nereef
Guest
you can always hook up a spray bar to the return. i'd just buy powerheads and a good skimmer though.
farslayer
Active Member
Yup, lots of flow baby! Actually, the 924gph is without any media, you know, for those of us who spend $200 on a canister and opt not to put any media in there. Anyway, I loaded this thing up with activated carbon and phosgard and it still creates a freakin' tide pool. I originally had the inlet on one side of the tank with the outlet on the other, but quite frankly the outlet blows so hard that I just have them on the same side now; the outlet shakes in the tank!
So on the right side of my 125 (6'), near the front, is the inlet, moving down to the canister sitting at the side, then coming out of the back facing forward and to the left is the outlet of the canister, blasting any who dare tread to closely. To the left of that is my coralife super skimmer and to the right is the maxijet 1200 connected to the PVC pipe leading out to the wall mounted 18W UV. On the far left is my Seio M2600 powerhead from hell, and on the far right I did have a Seio M1500, but that was just crazy now
I highly recommend them for larger tanks, but smaller tanks, uh, no, you're gonna kill your fish.
So on the right side of my 125 (6'), near the front, is the inlet, moving down to the canister sitting at the side, then coming out of the back facing forward and to the left is the outlet of the canister, blasting any who dare tread to closely. To the left of that is my coralife super skimmer and to the right is the maxijet 1200 connected to the PVC pipe leading out to the wall mounted 18W UV. On the far left is my Seio M2600 powerhead from hell, and on the far right I did have a Seio M1500, but that was just crazy now
I highly recommend them for larger tanks, but smaller tanks, uh, no, you're gonna kill your fish.
anonome
Active Member
Originally Posted by Farslayer
Yup, lots of flow baby! Actually, the 924gph is without any media, you know, for those of us who spend $200 on a canister and opt not to put any media in there. Anyway, I loaded this thing up with activated carbon and phosgard and it still creates a freakin' tide pool. I originally had the inlet on one side of the tank with the outlet on the other, but quite frankly the outlet blows so hard that I just have them on the same side now; the outlet shakes in the tank!
So on the right side of my 125 (6'), near the front, is the inlet, moving down to the canister sitting at the side, then coming out of the back facing forward and to the left is the outlet of the canister, blasting any who dare tread to closely. To the left of that is my coralife super skimmer and to the right is the maxijet 1200 connected to the PVC pipe leading out to the wall mounted 18W UV. On the far left is my Seio M2600 powerhead from hell, and on the far right I did have a Seio M1500, but that was just crazy now
I highly recommend them for larger tanks, but smaller tanks, uh, no, you're gonna kill your fish.
Wow---That's all I can say. You certainly don't have a problem with circulation. What size fish do you have in there? I see the trouble my fish have when they are fighting over an algae strip and get too close to my maxijets. (Both are 900's). My rabbitfish is a good 6-7", and sailfin is dessert plate size. Both of these get blown about pretty good, I can only imagine them in a FX5 stream.
mikersof
Member
WOW, there seems to be the opinion that I might have overdone a bit by ordering the FX5. Well, here's why. I found the FX5 for $149 and the 404 was $119. 400 gph vs 900. Well, as it is, I have 4 maxi-jet 1200s in my 80. i had planned to lose two of them when adding the FX5. The return head splits into 2 directions.
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
stdreb27
Active Member
Originally Posted by MikerSof
WOW, there seems to be the opinion that I might have overdone a bit by ordering the FX5. Well, here's why. I found the FX5 for $149 and the 404 was $119. 400 gph vs 900. Well, as it is, I have 4 maxi-jet 1200s in my 80. i had planned to lose two of them when adding the FX5. The return head splits into 2 directions.
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
Man go with the fx5 if you're going to do a can filter, that isn't that much flow. At all. You'd be fine on a 100 gallon tank. I know a person who has it on a 75 gallon. I have 2 seio 1100, 2 sieo 800 and that on my tank. You'll be fine. Especially loaded up with media, that and a few feet of head will eat up your flow very fast.
WOW, there seems to be the opinion that I might have overdone a bit by ordering the FX5. Well, here's why. I found the FX5 for $149 and the 404 was $119. 400 gph vs 900. Well, as it is, I have 4 maxi-jet 1200s in my 80. i had planned to lose two of them when adding the FX5. The return head splits into 2 directions.
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
Man go with the fx5 if you're going to do a can filter, that isn't that much flow. At all. You'd be fine on a 100 gallon tank. I know a person who has it on a 75 gallon. I have 2 seio 1100, 2 sieo 800 and that on my tank. You'll be fine. Especially loaded up with media, that and a few feet of head will eat up your flow very fast.
maxalmon
Active Member
If you found the FX5 for $149 I would seriously have to question if there wasn't something wrong with it or I would question the history of the site, that price is way below wholesale cost.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
stdreb27
Active Member
Originally Posted by maxalmon
If you found the FX5 for $149 I would seriously have to question if there wasn't something wrong with it or I would question the history of the site, that price is way below wholesale cost.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
yeah, I'd maybe sell you my used one for 150, They sell from around 300 to 450 dollars usually.
If you found the FX5 for $149 I would seriously have to question if there wasn't something wrong with it or I would question the history of the site, that price is way below wholesale cost.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
yeah, I'd maybe sell you my used one for 150, They sell from around 300 to 450 dollars usually.
farslayer
Active Member
Originally Posted by Anonome
Wow---That's all I can say. You certainly don't have a problem with circulation. What size fish do you have in there? I see the trouble my fish have when they are fighting over an algae strip and get too close to my maxijets. (Both are 900's). My rabbitfish is a good 6-7", and sailfin is dessert plate size. Both of these get blown about pretty good, I can only imagine them in a FX5 stream.
The only fish I have is a 7" Foxface, false perc, yellow watchman goby, dusky jawfish, dragon goby, and lawn mower blennie. I've also got a fire shrimp and a cleaner, plus a big gray cuke, some nass snails, turbos, hermits, sun conch, typical stuff. I'm not much of a fish guy
farslayer
Active Member
Originally Posted by MikerSof
WOW, there seems to be the opinion that I might have overdone a bit by ordering the FX5. Well, here's why. I found the FX5 for $149 and the 404 was $119. 400 gph vs 900. Well, as it is, I have 4 maxi-jet 1200s in my 80. i had planned to lose two of them when adding the FX5. The return head splits into 2 directions.
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
If flow becomes a problem, try angling the return nozzles towards the tank glass, get a nice buffering effect.
WOW, there seems to be the opinion that I might have overdone a bit by ordering the FX5. Well, here's why. I found the FX5 for $149 and the 404 was $119. 400 gph vs 900. Well, as it is, I have 4 maxi-jet 1200s in my 80. i had planned to lose two of them when adding the FX5. The return head splits into 2 directions.
I'm now thinking that if it is way too much coming from the same place, WYEing the return line into two different lines and making two return heads that can be placed at each end of the tank might be the solution.
One more thing. <do I dare say this> this FX5 may have to go in my new 55> But, the way things are being said here, that may be a bit much. WHEW!!
Much to think about. Keep the advice coming! It is soaking through!
james =)
PS: I plan to post a new thread regarding my conversion from 29 to 55. Coming soon!
If flow becomes a problem, try angling the return nozzles towards the tank glass, get a nice buffering effect.
farslayer
Active Member
Originally Posted by maxalmon
If you found the FX5 for $149 I would seriously have to question if there wasn't something wrong with it or I would question the history of the site, that price is way below wholesale cost.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
I'd question that price too, I thought $200 was a steal!
If you found the FX5 for $149 I would seriously have to question if there wasn't something wrong with it or I would question the history of the site, that price is way below wholesale cost.
.
Just remember that you will need to constantly keep any filter media clean, not just every 30 days, but once a week IMO.
I'd question that price too, I thought $200 was a steal!