Habitat - Indoor :: What media do you use in your fx5?

[lunabebe4]

I'm getting mine in a few days and I don't know what media to get?

[meltedspork]

You can really use whatever you want... whatever works best for your tank. I've had my FX5 going for about 2 months now and I have 1 chamber filled with a mix of pre-filter and bio-max (that had already established bacteria in my old filter), 1 chamber with carbon/ammonia remover, and 1 chamber with bio balls. I'm trying out the bio balls, not sure how well they are working yet.

[lunabebe4]

I dont really know anything about filters, I have only ever used hang on tank filters with those carbon filled filter slide-ins... So I have NO clue what so ever to put in it lol....

[BullDog]

In mine, I've got:

Top: Prefilter + coarse filter pad
Middle: Carbon + Bioballs
Bottom: Biomax


My suggestion is that you DON'T get prefilter. The holes are too big for it to really filter anything out. I used it because I bought it before I knew better

Like Jayme said, you can pretty much use any media you like. Try a few different configurations to see what works for you.

[meltedspork]

My suggestion is that you DON'T get prefilter. The holes are too big for it to really filter anything out. I used it because I bought it before I knew better

I'm using my prefilter as bio media now... seems to work pretty much the same as biomax.

Luna - for a start, here's what you might want to try:

Bottom basket - BioMax or Bio Balls (this is your biological filtration)
Middle basket - Carbon and/or ammonia remover (this is your chemical filtration)
Top basket - Pre-filter, filter pad, or filter floss/fiber (aka "fluff") (this is your mechanical filtration)

See how that works out. If you are having problems with your water, post back here what media you are using and you can get some help with fine-tuning what should go in your filter.

[lunabebe4]

Ok, thanks will try that when I get it up and running. I should have it thursday. Then I am moving my turtle tank back to my house instead of my bf so I will set it up and see how it does and then add the turt =)

[lunabebe4]

Are the bio balls supposed to have anything in them or are they just these?


http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/23 ... WIWaxIaV7J

[meltedspork]

Are the bio balls supposed to have anything in them or are they just these?


http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/23 ... WIWaxIaV7J

That's what they look like... They get gunky when the bacteria start to grow on them, which is what is supposed to happen.

[lunabebe4]

I am still so confused by what to get there are so many things....

This is what I have thought to get. Please let me know if I am on the right track


For the top -http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214888/product.web

For the middle-http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/214817/product.web

for the bottom-http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/237618/product.web



Am I on the right track here? Or can I just find things specific for the fx5 and is that easier?

[BullDog]

The polishing pads you posted aren't the right size. There are special FX5 polishing pads that fit properly in the baskets. Also, polishing pads should have the cleanest stream of water, so that means the bottom basket. Polishing pads get clogged pretty quickly though, so you may want to consider skipping them all together, unless you don't mind taking the filter apart every couple of weeks.

The carbon is good. 2 bags will fit in one basket. I used to use that carbon that you posted for years, but I recently switched to bulk carbon, because it's cheaper.

And the bioballs will be fine for biological filtration.

[lunabebe4]

I AM SO CONFUSED!!!

Im sorry but maybe I am just filter stupid lol, I have never seen so many different options for a filter before... I have always just used cheap hot filters and their slide in carbon pads so for all this I am just like "uh........"

Are any of these better options for the top basket??

http://www.opentip.com/Home-Garden/Hage ... 52170.html

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/rep ... ck-3-pack/

[BullDog]

That first one is a fine filter pad. It might work for the top, I've never used it. The second one is again the polishing pad, the one that fits in the FX5.

You don't need to limit yourself to the Fluval brand, or even "filter media" for that matter.
My coarse filter pad on the top is actually an air filter, but it's done quite well in the water. You can also use filter floss (which is usually sold in big bags), or cotton batting, which you can find at a sewing store. There is also coarse filter pads for pond filters (and you can cut them to size). I know a few people who use pony beads for prefilter (the holes are smaller than Fluval's prefilter).

You can be creative with filter media