Habitat - Indoor :: Water quality

[turtlesrmom]

I just found a whole bunch of info on the forum here, under equipment discussion . If I have any problems understanding it and finding the stuff I need, I'll write again but for now, I think I'm good. Thanks so much for just being here for me; I know I can count on you all to help me set up Krush's tank properly.

[steve]

Sure thing

This link to VC's posts will also be helpful for all things FX5: search.php?st=0&sk=t&sd=d&sr=posts&author_id=7270

[turtlesrmom]

Thanks, Steve. I've bookmarked VC's posts link and yes, he has been very helpful! I looked at the area of the canister where the media goes and kind of winged it as far as the amount to order. I figured ordering more was better than not enough. I checked prices and think I got the best deals. I got 4 boxes Purigen 100ml and a 250ml bottle of Prime from Pet Supplies.com for $33.61. U.S. Then from Amazon.com, I got 3 3-packs of 100gr Fluval carbon since they are hard to determine when used up and I might need to change them more often. I got a 3-pack of Fluval Foam Blocks and a 500gr. box of Biomax rings all for $37.55. What I need to know now is how much of each media type to use in each basket. For now, I'll use purigen, carbon and biomax rings and see if I get clear water. Did I do good?

[steve]

Sounds great.

[VeipaCray]

I'm glad you find my posts helpful. How much media to use in the FX5...

Top basket: 1 blue sponge pad, 1x 100mL package of Purigen, and a small media bag full of carbon. Fill the rest of the top basket with bio media
Middle Basket: Fill entirely with Bio Media
Bottom Basket: fill entirely with bio media.

To fill a FX5 basket, you need TWO of the fluval bio max packages.. Fluval BioMax, 500g (17.63oz) - so to setup the FX5 properly with all Fluval media, you need 5 of those 500g boxes.
That's expensive. The cheaper way is to use the link I posted in the deals section about the odyssea generic media... 4L for $20.

[turtlesrmom]

Okay then on the blue sponges (which I need to get) and the extra bio media. I didn't know I would be needing that much. I will order the Odyssa generic via the link you gave me. Thanks so much!

[VeipaCray]

Yeah the FX5 eats a lot of media. But the trade off is that you can go months without cleaning it. If you choose.

[turtlesrmom]

I WOULD choose that. Thanks. I'll write again when everything comes in and I get it all set up. Unless something else comes up in the meantime.

[turtlesrmom]

Husband and I just installed the fx5 a while ago. It doesn't seem like it is doing much. Is this suppose to be a drastic display as it sucks in water and spits it out cleaner? I don't see bubbles, I don't feel suction from the intake, and it's noise-free.....what the heck? It it even working? I used the exact media that VC recommended. It's been going now for about an hour and it's just kind of gently letting water flow from the two little funnely thingys and Wayne says what goes out must come in so I imagine it must be sucking up water too but I can't feel the suction. Wayne thinks it's okay but I'm just wondering.....

[turtlesrmom]

P.S. I kinda have this thing about spending a few hundred bucks on something and expecting it to work.....

[turtlesrmom]

Yay!!!! After two days, the water's clearing up noticeably. It seems to be working and quite well! After using my smaller filter, this one is so quiet, I didn't know if it was doing anything. It's pretty amazing. Krush is lying under the intake as we speak and from about ten feet away, I can see him clearly. Before I would have had to go up to the tank to be able to spot him. So glad I found this forum and happy that everyone's ready to help!

[steve]

Glad to hear it's working! I heard it's a quiet filter. What was your previous filter?

[turtlesrmom]

I had a Fluval C4 Power Filter/ The people at the pet shop sold it to me for my 65 gallon tank. I found out pretty quickly that it wasn't up to the job.

[VeipaCray]

The C4 would probably work for some freshwater fish. The big problem is that most pet shops don't have a clue how much waste a turtle produces in relation to fish. A single turtle poop from a medium sized turtle is more waste than a very well stocked fish tank produces in a week.

I'm glad the filter is working out for you. (I knew it would) And your initial observations are correct... it breaks in. When you first turn it on, the fx5 sputters, and very slowly begins to increase flow. Its actually working out the trapped air pockets in all of the various media. Make sure your valves are fully open. The FX5 once broken in (sounds like yours is) puts out quite a bit of water. It's 600+ GPH at head. pretty amazing filter for around $200.

Post some pictures if you can.

[turtlesrmom]

Both valves are open fully. The water gets a little clearer every day. Krush is a happy camper. He lets me hold his hands and feet with my thumb & finger and puts his head up for a pet. So cute. The filter is so quiet! I will try to take photos and post tomorrow. I'm feeling better about Krush's health now. Can't be too healthy being a turtle in cloudy, dirty water. Thanks again, Steve and VeipaCray !