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I am looking to upgrade my filter. From what I read the FX5 and FX6 seem to be a good choice. I am wondering about the ease of cleaning? I had the Fluval 405 and most recently the G3 (which I bought for the easy access to clean and replace cartridges - I did not realize that I would be cleaning it every other day). I have a 90 gallon tank with one 15yr old RES.

I don't have the FX but I have other canisters. Generally, a canister requires less frequent cleaning but can take some time if you are thorough. It can be done fast if you just empty it out, rinse it, and put new or regenerated media in. It you want to reuse the sponge media, it's take a bit more time (I hose, squeeze, and repeat a few times). Some people disconnect and clean the hoses too. I've found that it's not worth the time in most cases.

The fx5 and 6 are great filters and very easy to clean.

I moved from the Fluval 405 to the FX6.

All in all, I'm pleased with the FX6 and glad I moved, but cleaning it is a bigger pain for me than the 405.

The 405 actually has a larger media capacity in the baskets. The FX5/6 has a larger volume, but much of that is taken up by sponges. I'm certain it does a better job filtering, but when I switched, I could not transfer all the biomedia from my 405 to the FX6. I did have biomedia/carbon in all the 405 baskets. I had ditched the basket sponges.

With the FX6, the basket/sponge combinations must all be removed as a unit for cleaning--and that unit doesn't fit in a five gallon bucket.

When cleaning my 405, I could put the baskets in a five gallon bucket filled with aquarium water. I'd swish the biomedia and squeeze the sponges out.

With the FX6, I have to lay out plastic as I pull all the units out and they can't be easily cleaned with one five gallon bucket like the 405.

Don't get me wrong. I love the FX6, but it is a bigger pain to clean than the 405.

Easiest to clean would be some type of sump system with all your media in mesh bags. Never had one, but they seem a bit more involved in setting up. Take a look into it and see if it's something you want to do.

devilduck wrote:Easiest to clean would be some type of sump system with all your media in mesh bags. Never had one, but they seem a bit more involved in setting up. Take a look into it and see if it's something you want to do.

Actually, I have a 55 gallon as a sump on there as well.

There's more biomedia in that than in an FX6 and a 406 combined. I've nvee cleaned the media. It is in bags, but despite my attempts to keep them out, both the shrimp and the snails got into the return area.

They seem to do a decent job of keeping it clean enough.

It does make refilling the tank super easy. I just add water to the return. For the main tank, it's just like the normal return nozzles are running.

I've had most every filter you can think of over the years. Fluval 03,04,05 FX5, Eheim classic, Eheim Pro, Sump, Rena XP4, submersible, marineland magnum, HOB styles from Aquaclear and others, biowheels, various skimmers for saltwater.

The sump is by far the easiest to clean. It's also by far the most expensive. Surface skimming isn't ideal for freshwater fish / turtle tanks as the waste does not float like it does in saltwater. Sumps are great for marine tanks and freshwater planted tanks where you want the waste to remain as plant fertilzer.

For turtles... it's really tough to beat the FX5/FX6 filters. I'm running the FX and a Rena XP4 on my turtle tank right now and I've come to hate the Rena.... nothing but problems and constant maintenance. The FX just runs and runs.

For turtles... it's really tough to beat the FX5/FX6 filters. I'm running the FX and a Rena XP4 on my turtle tank right now and I've come to hate the Rena.... nothing but problems and constant maintenance. The FX just runs and runs.[/quote]


I couldn't agree more!

I appreciate all the feedback! I also decided it was worth mentioning the issues with Hagen about the Fluval G3 since I am not the only one that is disappointed with the airflow and constant cleaning of the pre-filter cartridge. They had responded with since it was for a turtle tank that most people do not have the water filled to top which is why my airflow is bad. Of course, I responded with the fact that I have my tank filled since I have an above basking platform. Hagen asked for pictures and I am waiting for the next response.

I had never heard of a g3 until you mentioned it. That's one crazy looking filter!

Kansasslider wrote:I had never heard of a g3 until you mentioned it. That's one crazy looking filter!

The Fluval G series has been on our avoid list for a couple of years.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145#p294598

It's the nicest looking high tech filter available. Shiny gloss black plastic, LCD display... that goes in a cabinet never to be seen.

Factoring in expensive proprietary filter media, it doesn't hold very much media, the flow rate on it sucks, water + electronics generally don't mix, and a high price tag.... it made our list.

VeipaCray wrote:

Kansasslider wrote:I had never heard of a g3 until you mentioned it. That's one crazy looking filter!

The Fluval G series has been on our avoid list for a couple of years.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145#p294598

It's the nicest looking high tech filter available. Shiny gloss black plastic, LCD display... that goes in a cabinet never to be seen.

Factoring in expensive proprietary filter media, it doesn't hold very much media, the flow rate on it sucks, water + electronics generally don't mix, and a high price tag.... it made our list.

I watched some videos on it and was thinking for the price of 250 it looked like a pain to clean. To be honest I've never heard of it. For 300 you can buy the fx. Just saying. Nice to know tanks for the info.

I thought I would post an update since I went back and forth with Hagen via email over the past few weeks on the G- series and the disappointment. Originally bought for easy access to filter and cleaning. I could of cared less about the displays or overall look. They first stated that I probably do not have enough water in the tank since it was being used for a turtle and asked for pictures. I sent them pics as requested showing the above tank basking area and the tank being filled to the top. The only thing they came back with was a suggestion to buy the 406 or the next fluval 6 in that G series (which will never happen). As for the concern of cleaning the filter every other day, I was told changing the filter every other day should not damage or put extra wear on the parts. I am pretty sure the plastic lever will not withstand that much use nor my patience.

Thanks for the update. I did have an older 304 model that couldn't take regular cleaning. When I ordered new housing for it, they changed the design for the locking handles. I guess they still have these issues years after.