Equipment Review and Discussion :: FX5 Media Inquiry

[Turd]

Hello. I have a 125 gallon tank with a 9" RES living there. Bare bottom with rocks to play with. I need to know what is the best to put in the baskets of the FX5 from top to bottom. Filter media floss, carbon impregnated foam pads, blue pads, white filter polishing floss etc? Very confused with all the things I have seen in the past.

Presently I have 3 carbon bags in top basket which need to be taken out as they have been in there for ever it seems.

2nd/center basket bio rings

bottom basket filter floss.

Should I modify to place 2 blue pads in top with one carbon impreginated foam pad. center the same bottom more blue pads or the filter floss?

Please help me with what I need to keep my RES healthy and happy.

[steve]

Have you seen this?

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145#p288910

[Turd]

I have seen but the question is I have 2 boxes of fluval carbon impregnated foam pad. total of four. are these good to place in the canister top basket? 2 blue pads and 1 of these? take out the old bags of carbon? Then bio media in the center and the bottom floss or just like the photo with more bio rings?

[Kansasslider]

First off all don't use the floss. It becomes clogged too fast and just sucks. The carbon pads can be used in the bottom tray. I own 3 of the fx filters and that's what I recommend you do. Since you have the carbon pads use them up but don't buy any more. Carbon put in a bag is cheaper. Hope this info helps. And bio in all 3 baskets is also fine. Only one blue filter in the top of the top basket.

[Turd]

so how many carbon pads 1 or 2 in bottom basket? how often they need changed?

[Kansasslider]

Only one and if I had to guess change it every 2 weeks or maybe 4. I really don't know how long they last? Call hagen and ask them. In my opinion they are not worth the money. I just threw mine in the trash. Sorry!

[Turd]

do I need carbon at all? some folks on another site said don't need it. was thinking of placing on ebay to get rid of them anyhow.

[Kansasslider]

That's not an easy question to answer. Some say yes some say no. It does remove chlorine. That's bad for turtles and fish. I would say its ok to use them but I don't know how long they last? There is a big debate on carbon use in tanks and for now I continue to use it. If you don't use it you will need to use a water conditioner/ chlorine remover. Some are harmful to turtles. Its really up to you. I I wish I had a better answer for you.

[Turd]

k thanks. will use up the stuff and then get the bags from Pet Smart or elsewhere and buy carbon to dump in them.

[Kansasslider]

Like I said I choose to use it. It does more than remove chlorine. Google it and rraserch it for yourself and decide if its something you want to use. As for myself, I will continue to use it. How do you like your FX5?

[Turd]

love the fx5. Pain to clean but I like it.

[Kansasslider]

That's funny your not the first to s ay that. I find it real easy to clean in my bathtub! Lol.

[Turd]

the onlt thing with the fx5 is heavy to take to garage. got a sink in garage I clean it in. so once I get it there no problem. just old and bad back to haul it out from under the tank. about time to clean again. Was looking on ebay for a spare to clean at my leisure and just replace / swap when time.

FX 6 you say with your message. how does that differ and does that work? Same as FX5 just newer model.

[Kansasslider]

They no longer make the fx5. Its now called the fx6. The differences are now it comes with 2 foam pads,ceramic rings an adjustable strainer/intake tube and it turns itself off 2x a day to let the air out. Your fx has a valve on the bottom to drain out water before you have to pick it up. Don't you use it? Its easy to carry when its not full of water.

[Turd]

yeah I do but not patient to wait. it really isn't that bad to clean. probably do this weekend since it has been a while