Equipment Review and Discussion :: FX 5

[Mom2RES]

Never really sure where to post questions equipment that will be for an indoor habitat, so I am going to start here.

I'm getting ready to order my FX5. I've decided to order from Amazon, because it is only about $1 more than the best Buy It Now price on eBay (not very patient with the whole auction thing). Given that I feel better going with Amazon. So I go to Amazon and am getting ready to order. When I search Fluval FX5 on Amazon the first thing in the listing is the filter itself. I decide to scroll down to see if there might be a better price. Then I start seeing things like Fluval FX5 Ribbed Hosing, Fluval FX5 Lock Clamp, Fluval FX5 Rim Connector, 2 piece Clip, 1 piece O-Ring, Fluval FX Rubber Connector, etc. Here's the link to my search on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_ ... ix=fluval+ So my question is do I need all the extra parts, or just the filter itself? I have all the media and the blue pads. I just need to know equipment wise what I need.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[happycamper]

I just got the fx5 for christmas! Amazing filter, great choice! Mine was ordered on Amazon too, it came with everything you need besides the media

[PridgNYC]

The only thing extra you will need is the media, it takes a lot of media to fill it. Order the blue filter pad from amazon too, the fluval brand for the FX5. You only need one, but comes in a pack of 3 so you have extras if you ever decide to change it. You'll need a lot of bio media, This is probably the best deal you'll find, and 4 liters will be enough. http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x-1L-Odyssea-G ... 5887126140

You'll probably also want purigen and carbon. Buy carbon in bulk, and use new knee high nylons, or buy a media bag. Purigen, I went with 2 of the 100ml bags, so I can recharge one while the other is in the filter.

[Mom2RES]

Thanks! I ordered it and should have it Friday. Can't wait!

I have all my media. I ordered the bio media you gave the link to Pridg awhile back. I also have already bought the blue filter pad from Amazon. I've got my bulk carbon and two 100 ml bags of purigen, so I think as soon as I get the filter I should be ready to get started setting it up. Oh, I have media bags and the stuff to recharge the purigen too.

So this is probably not the place to ask this, but I've seen you all talk about "cycling". What is that exactly? Should I not put Angelina in the new tank while it is "cycling"? If I shouldn't how long will it take a 125 gallon to cycle? I'd like to get her in there ASAP, as the 10 gallon is really too small for her and all her poo... LOL

[PridgNYC]

You need Angelina in there to cycle the tank.

Cycling refers to establishing the nitrogen cycle in the tank. This is all the various forms of beneficial bacteria that will colonize the bio media in your filter.

The cycle starts with ammonia, which is produced by the turtle and decaying waste. That allows the nitrifying bacteria to grow which convert the ammonia to nitrites.

Once the ammonia drops and the nitrites increase, you get a growth of bacteria that convert the nitrites to nitrates.

When both colonies are fully established to handle the bioload your tank is fully cycled.

That is why you need her in there to cycle the tank, turtles will be fine with the ammonia/nitrite swing, but fish could die.

[VeipaCray]

If you have a kit to measure Ammonia / Nitrrite / Nitrate... I'd start measuring every few days and keep a log. As Pridg said, when ammonia and nitritie measure 0 and stay there your tank is cycled.

Don't do any water changes during the initial cycle or you'll just prolong the process.

[Mom2RES]

I do have the API test kit (the one with test tubes and drops) that checks all that along with PH levels.

So should I use the bio media that is in my existing filter, since it has some of the beneficial bacteria established? By using what I have in the existing filter I mean using it AND adding the new to it. Also would there be any benefit to using the water Angelina is in now? I could get the new tank filled and heated and then add Angelina and the water that is in her current tank. Would that be helpful at all or not really? Obviously it wouldn't be much old water compared to new, because she is going from 10 gallons to 125.

Any guesses on how long it will take to heat the water, since I'm going to be filling it with cold water? Should I let it get to room tempature and then add the heater or let the heater start running immediately?

Think I probably need to start a thread over in indoor habitat for these questions.

[PridgNYC]

Yes, throw in your existing biomedia, it will speed up the process. Put the heater in immediately, plug it in after it has been submersed for a little while so it won't break. You don't really need to reuse the water, although it certainly wouldn't hurt. How long it takes to heat the water will depend on the wattage of your heater and how much water is in the new tank, and the difference in temperature between your room and the desired water temperature. There's a calculator here that factors in all the variables and tells you the minimum wattage required to maintain the desired temperature... http://www.kernsanalysis.com/HeaterCalculator.cgi The closer you are to the minimum wattage, the longer it will take to heat up to that temperature. If you exceed the minimum wattage, your heater will bring the water temperature up much faster, and won't need to be on all the time to maintain the desired temperature.

[Mom2RES]

I bought a 300 watt heater for the new tank. I think that will be plenty, but if not I can add the 50 watt heater I'm using in the current tank. I'm just anxious to get Angelina in the new tank. I hope the water heats pretty quickly once I get it in there.

[steve]

This is for a 125 gallon tank? I'm using a 250 watt heater in my 125 gallon, it should be fine.

[Mom2RES]

Yes, it is 125 gallon tank.

[VeipaCray]

If you put your heater near the filter intake or the filter output, the increased water circulation near the heater will help distribute the warmer water and make your heater a bit more efficient.

[Mom2RES]

So I am hoping to FINALLY get Angelina's new home set up this weekend. The stand has been completely primed, and partially painted. Just a little more painting to do. I do have another question about my filter. I was going to do the optional setup with just carbon and filter floss for the first 24-48 hours. My question is can I reuse the carbon I used for the optional setup in the normal set up? I realize I will use more carbon in the optional setup. I'm just wondering if when I reconfigure to go to normal if I can use some of the carbon that was used during the optional time.

[VeipaCray]

The answer is... "probably".

With carbon, after a period of use it becomes "exhausted" and won't do any more. It sort of traps stuff until it's full. Unfortunately we have no way of visibly telling if the carbon has become exhausted. There's no real scientific way to say yeah it's good for exactly x-amount of time. Much of how long carbon lasts depends on how much crud is in your water. The more stuff in the water the shorter the carbon will last. Some people say it lasts a few days, some say a few months. I personally suggest you change your carbon monthly. That being said, the optional setup is two fold. 1- to help clear up new sand quickly (The carbon does nothing for this). and 2-to remove chloramine and chlorine from tap water (carbon is excellent at this). So how much of your carbon's life will be used up during your initial optional filtration? Again that depends on how much chloramine is in your water supply. LOL... this is stupid I know. Can you re-use the same carbon from the optional to the normal setup..... "probably". Sorry I can't give you a more definitive answer on this one.

[Mom2RES]

Gotcha. Thanks for responding. I'm thinking maybe after the use of the carbon for the optional filtration, I'll just use new when I reconfigure.