Habitat - Indoor :: set up of my canister filters

[waterloo]

ok thank you, where can we get bulk carbon?

[steve]

There was a recent deal on Amazon, I usually get mine from Big Al's when they have a sale. Some people use bulkreefsupply.com

There's also this: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=33171

[CBurgaretta]

I know this conversation took place a few years ago but it was very helpful. I'm just have a few questions. Everyone has so many different ways to set up the canister filter. I just don't know the difference between a few things. For instance: do all of these serve the same purpose?

[steve]

I'm not the filter expert but in most cases you don't need any of the items you posted. I think they are similar and they would need more frequent replacing or they will clog.

[Kansasslider]

Veip, there is a lot of debate about if you should use carbon in a filter at all. On your media thread you say that fx5 should have the chemicals in the top tray. Well Fluval recommends it set up much differently.They changed a lot of things in the FX6. Media like carbon and purigen should be on the bottom tray. ? I just bought an fx6 and they made a lot of changes to media layout . I think they might be right. The way you tell people to set up the fx5 is totally different than what fluval recommends now. I'm going with fluval on the fx 6 and if it works I'm also doing it to my fx5. Your thoughts?

[ljapa]

If you look at the water flow in the filters and VeipaCray's suggested layout, you'll see he puts carbon before biomedia. I believe the idea is to add an additional trap for debris after the sponges--because you'll be changing that monthly and to pull any chemicals out that may affect bacteria.

Fluval has carbon after biomedia, because it will help in clarifying the water.

My guess is the recommendation here of carbon first is because of the heavier waste load of turtles. My suspicion is that it likely doesn't make that big of a difference.

[Kansasslider]

Your carbon is going to get filled with crap if its in the first stages of filtration. That's just stupid! In my opininion!

[Kansasslider]

No offence to anyone but...Fluval spent a lot of money on research for the fx6. No its not for turtle tanks but I think they know filtration. I'm going with what they reccomend and we will see what happens. My guess is its all good . He he!

[steve]

Has there been an internal layout change between the fx5 and fx6? I am lacking in the fx department

[Kansasslider]

Set up from the factory the fx6 has 2 bio pads in the top basket. Ceramic rings in the center basket. And a carbon pad and 2 media bags in the bottom basket.

[steve]

I don't mean how they have it ordered, but the structural layout... placement of baskets, impeller, ect ... if that makes sense.

[Kansasslider]

Steve, Its all the same.Motor is still in the bottom. My point is I'm going to try their set up other than what Vep recommends. The big difference with the 6 is it comes with new media. Bio sponges, ceramic rings that are real porous. And a carbon pad. Also the motor uses less electricity and turns off 2 times a day to purge. And the intake stem is now adjustable. They also did something to the impeller just not sure what.Sorry if I came off rude. My point was Fluval say"s to have carbon and purigen etc in the bottom basket where the cleanest water flows for maximum efficiency. That sounds completely logical to me. So I'm trying the 6 that way and if I'm happy with it I will change the 5 to run that way also. If its in the top tray as suggested it will get clogged with waste a lot faster making it less useful.

[steve]

Was their recommendation the same for the FX5 or is this new?

[Kansasslider]

Its different.For the 5 they recommended ceramic rings a fine filter pad or polishing pad on top of any chemical used in the bottom basket and they recomended carbon for the top tray. Now they just say chemical media such as carbon should be in the bottom tray. I'm also using the bio pads in the top of the filter. These are new and I want to see how they work.

[steve]

Hmm, I wonder what prompted the change.