fx5 possiblity-anyone any opinions on it?

[kelly82]

i have just come into a small amount of cash unexpectedly, and i have wanted to replace my extremely noisy rattley humming rena xp4 for some time (well my husband has more than me as it drives him nuts), so i am jumping on this chance. has anyone got one of these? if so can you answer a couple of my questions please.

1.are they noisy?
2.they have high turn overs so do they come with a spray bar i can fit to the return to stop my fancy goldfish being whizzed up in a whirlpool?
3.ive heard there are 2 outputs on this filter, is this true? if so would i be able to get spray bars for each?

if you own anything different that would have a decent turn around like this filter for my 6 x 2 x 2 tank let me know and please add any opinions on which to go for. thanks for reading.

[Navyscuba]

You may want to contact CW04GUNNER i believe he has 2 of them. He may have some good info for you.

[kelly82]

:) thanks for that, i have been reading lots of reviews of them since posting and so far it looks like il be getting one. very few people i have found have problems with it. i just hope it will create plenty of surface agitation as my goldies seem to really need a lot of oxygen in their water. i will still be running my air pump either way :) i so cant wait to get my hands on one now! a filter without the noise pollution!

oh and navyscuba, is that fish for real in your avatar??? i cant make up my mind lol.

[mott]

If I'm not mistaken the noise level is about the same as an xp. The fx5 does not come with a spray bar. You could probably make one yourself out of some pvc pipe and a few elbows.

The most quiet canisters by far are Eheim. If noise leve is your biggest concern than you may want to look into an Eheim.

[CWO4GUNNER]

I own a two Magnum 350's, two Fluval 404, two AquaClear 500/300, and three Fluval FX5's.

Noise. I can tell you that I was very surprised that such a large canister filter like the FX5 with an external pump could possible be a s quite as the Fluvial 404. The only way you can tell if its running is by looking at the outflow tubes which vibrate back & forth inside the aquarium due to the high GPH, and even though the 1 inch outflow nozzle is split into two 1 inch outflow ports, I still have to point the outflow nozzles at the corner to help defuse the flow. But yes dead silent not so much as a hum, buzz, or gurgle.

Satisfaction. Very satisfied, so much so I d like to get two more for my 60 and 80 tank but cant justify it since I already have a doubled up Mag 350 and fluval 404 on each.

Performance. You just cant beat the duel capacity filtration this canister has, almost 300 square feet of industrial style circumference filter surface area which can accommodate standard poly polishing quilt material as the first stage of filtration, followed by a top to bottom 3 level basket filter stage each with its own sealing O-ring to absolutely prevent filter bypass. Each of the 3 baskets basket holding 1/2 gallon of loose water treatment media (bio balls, carbon, ceramics) as intended for the ultimate canister filter capable of providing the bio & water treatment of a stack-only canister filters (Ehiem) while capable of true non-bypass polishing due to its 1st stage enormous 300SF filter footprint which scrubs the water clean before proceeding to the basket stage eliminating the early clogging experienced with stack-only canister filters which had a small footprint to size surface area most only between 35-80 square feet. The FX5 simply provides the best of both circumference industrial strength mechanical filtration and the stylish convince of removable basket media for bio and chemical filtration.

All of this backed by a 600 GPH pump flow and with a price that cant be matched. I bought each of mine on Ebay auction NEW for between $200 and $230 which included shipping. If you read the head to head reviews with its competitor carefully, 3 key areas the FX5 was exceptional and blew away the competition was in total media surface area, ability to capture dirt, GPH almost twice the competition's, and price almost 1/2 the competition.

You can pay more but you wont buy a better performing in house aquarium canister filter hands down and box stock.:thumbsup:

[Navyscuba]

:) thanks for that, i have been reading lots of reviews of them since posting and so far it looks like il be getting one. very few people i have found have problems with it. i just hope it will create plenty of surface agitation as my goldies seem to really need a lot of oxygen in their water. i will still be running my air pump either way :) i so cant wait to get my hands on one now! a filter without the noise pollution!

oh and navyscuba, is that fish for real in your avatar??? i cant make up my mind lol.

Yes is a real fish. Is an Red OB Peacock. Basically a hybrid between a Red Zebra and a Electric Blue Peacock(Both African Malawi Cichlids)

[kelly82]

I own a two Magnum 350's, two Fluval 404, two AquaClear 500/300, and three Fluval FX5's.

Noise. I can tell you that I was very surprised that such a large canister filter like the FX5 with an external pump could possible be a s quite as the Fluvial 404. The only way you can tell if its running is by looking at the outflow tubes which vibrate back & forth inside the aquarium due to the high GPH, and even though the 1 inch outflow nozzle is split into two 1 inch outflow ports, I still have to point the outflow nozzles at the corner to help defuse the flow. But yes dead silent not so much as a hum, buzz, or gurgle.

Satisfaction. Very satisfied, so much so I d like to get two more for my 60 and 80 tank but cant justify it since I already have a doubled up Mag 350 and fluval 404 on each.

Performance. You just cant beat the duel capacity filtration this canister has, almost 300 square feet of industrial style circumference filter surface area which can accommodate standard poly polishing quilt material as the first stage of filtration, followed by a top to bottom 3 level basket filter stage each with its own sealing O-ring to absolutely prevent filter bypass. Each of the 3 baskets basket holding 1/2 gallon of loose water treatment media (bio balls, carbon, ceramics) as intended for the ultimate canister filter capable of providing the bio & water treatment of a stack-only canister filters (Ehiem) while capable of true non-bypass polishing due to its 1st stage enormous 300SF filter footprint which scrubs the water clean before proceeding to the basket stage eliminating the early clogging experienced with stack-only canister filters which had a small footprint to size surface area most only between 35-80 square feet. The FX5 simply provides the best of both circumference industrial strength mechanical filtration and the stylish convince of removable basket media for bio and chemical filtration.

All of this backed by a 600 GPH pump flow and with a price that cant be matched. I bought each of mine on Ebay auction NEW for between $200 and $230 which included shipping. If you read the head to head reviews with its competitor carefully, 3 key areas the FX5 was exceptional and blew away the competition was in total media surface area, ability to capture dirt, GPH almost twice the competition's, and price almost 1/2 the competition.

You can pay more but you wont buy a better performing in house aquarium canister filter hands down and box stock.:thumbsup:

:thumbsup: thank you so much, you have cemented my decision on an fx5. sounds great, exactly what im looking for.


Yes is a real fish. Is an Red OB Peacock. Basically a hybrid between a Red Zebra and a Electric Blue Peacock(Both African Malawi Cichlids)

amazing fish :D

[CWO4GUNNER]

:thumbsup: thank you so much, you have cemented my decision on an fx5. sounds great, exactly what im looking for.



amazing fish :D

Your welcome, the only place I goofed in my comments is on the measured area, so anywhere I said square feet should be replaced by square inches LOL.

[jackpot21n]

If it were me... and I had the money... I would DEFINETLY go with the Eheim 2262. 18 liters of filter capacity @ 900 gph flow rate!

http://www.bigalsonline.com/edealinv/servlet/ExecMacro?nurl=control/StoreItem.vm&siId=3522309&catParentID=17290&scId=17290&ctl_nbr=3684&utm_source=Froogle&utm_campaign=FroogleUSA+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping&CAWELAID=388704872

[nc0gnet0]

I own both the FX5 and the rena xp4, as well as a Ehiem 2028. I can conclusively say the fx5 is quieter than the RENA, but it sounds like you got a bad rena xp4 as well. My Rena gurgles from time to time but I can't say I have ever heard it rattle. In terms of total quiet the Eheim wins, but then again its half the filter the fx5 is so it's not apples to apples.

As far as the dual outputs, i am not sure what you are refering to, the fx5 has one output hose that has a dual head on the end. I don't really consider that a dual output, but maybe others do.

[DrgRcr]

Don't forget that the FX5 also comes with an extra valve that you can hook a hose to and and then to the output of the filter for fast water changes. The filter also has a pirge valve so you can drain it and make it easier to carry for servicing.

[CWO4GUNNER]

As far as the dual outputs, i am not sure what you are refering to, the fx5 has one output hose that has a dual head on the end. I don't really consider that a dual output, but maybe others do.

Your right, its only duel in so far as diffusion and my point was that even after going from 1 inch to two outputs (diffuser) the pressure and outflow are still impressive, so much so I turn it to face the corner to keep the current down from pushing plants down or making bald spots (remove sand) from the bottom.

I wish now that some of my tanks (twin 80's) were drilled in the back so I could hook them up in series for 1 FX5.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Don't forget that the FX5 also comes with an extra valve that you can hook a hose to and and then to the output of the filter for fast water changes. The filter also has a pirge valve so you can drain it and make it easier to carry for servicing.

Your right also, that extra hose connector comes in handy for a variety of applications including the ability to drain the canister by just using the already connected outflow hose back into the tank by using a purge valve to let air in but no water out as the pump drains filtered water back into that tank, and my sump (Tom's PS4) responds by taking up the extra water into the sump temporarily.

In fact if you choreograph the valve correctly you don't even need to install a purge valve to drain the canister back into the tank, all one has to do is install the extra aqua-stop valve provided into the intake side without a hose, then when the pump is turned on and negative pressure builds open the outflow valve then crack the intake valve open to allow air to replace water as the pump removes water from the tank.

Using this method I have been working on is how to service my FX5 like a sump from inside the cabinet. If a sump which collects sand and debris in its tank can be left while the media and baskets are only serviced why cant the FX5 since the canister body stays much cleaner due to the high pressure. So I'm working on replacing the two lift out T handles with crossed carry strings for each individual basket so that the lid can simply be removed like a sump and just the baskets which include the built in circumference sponges can be removed individually cleaned and replaced just like on a sump eliminating the need to remove the canister except every year or so.

[Jaykit]

I have an fx5 on my 80g cichlid tank and its been running great for me although I still prefer my eheim 2026s for my smaller tanks.

I'm picking up a 6x2x2 tank this weekend hopefully. Would you recomend 2 of the fx5s? Im thinking an intake in each corner and the 2 outputs in the middle aimed oppopsite each other or the outputs in each corner and the intakes 2' in from the side walls.

[fwiffo]

i second the eheim 2262. quality build there, plus those pumps they build for their filters last ten plus years. don't know of any company yet to boast differrent.

fx5 should be good. i would go with that if the decision was to get one.

also, look at this for comparison too:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68458

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=282691

[CWO4GUNNER]

I have an fx5 on my 80g cichlid tank and its been running great for me although I still prefer my eheim 2026s for my smaller tanks.

I'm picking up a 6x2x2 tank this weekend hopefully. Would you recomend 2 of the fx5s? Im thinking an intake in each corner and the 2 outputs in the middle aimed oppopsite each other or the outputs in each corner and the intakes 2' in from the side walls.

I know my FX5 is more then enough filter capacity for my 244 tank even though I also have a Tom's PS4 sump on it as well. This became evident after cycling when I had to remove allot of slime from the aquarium walls and driftwood ornaments inside the tank. at the time the slime was free floating in the tank my sump had just been cleaned and the FX5 was in the sink getting a cleaning as well. More then an hour had passed with the sump running and the free floating slime as I was also doing other things but once I got the FX5 hooked back up and turned on it only took 15 minutes for the FX5 to eliminate all the free floating slime from the 244 tank while the sump had hardly put a dent in it after almost 2 hours. In all fairness probubly due to the sump using a skimmer and not a deep intake, something I intend to change.

No matter how you decide to arrange your intake and out flow hoses remember its ideal to place the outflow hose directly above the canister and as short as possible since the pump has to work to pump the water out , the shorter and straighter the distance between the outflow and canister the better. The intake on the other hand can be as far from the canister as you like as gravity and water pressure provide all the free force necessary to carry the water back to the canister. This of course is true with any canister or sump, something allot of people overlook and wonder why their canister performance suffers.

[nc0gnet0]

In all fairness probubly due to the sump using a skimmer and not a deep intake, something I intend to change

Do you have any powerheads in the tank to bring the free floating debris to the surface? Make sure you plan for a power failure with a deep intake on a sump.

But I digress i run a simular setup on my 200g with a 30 gallon wet-dry of a pre-drilled skimmer setup pumping 1000 gph and a eheim 2028 drawing water 2" above the bottom.

[Jaykit]

cwo4gunner thanks for the info, I remember reading through your tank post about the slime and cleaning it up. I had forgotten about putting the output closer/with less hose to the filter as this is easier on the pump(ie more output). I will change that on my 80 as it is currently set-up as the longer of the 2 hoses.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Do you have any powerheads in the tank to bring the free floating debris to the surface? Make sure you plan for a power failure with a deep intake on a sump.

Free floating debris only seems to be a problem with gravel and not so much fine sand. I only use power heads to oxygenate as my O2 test have shown that they make substantial difference over air wands and surface areas alone and as new studies have shown air bubble rupture in streams, rivers and oceans play a much bigger role in water oxygenation then what was previously believed with regard to the old surface area only theory.

The Toms PS3 & 4 series skimmers have a unique auto water lift system that automatically stops the flow of water in both directions during a power outage and then automatically restarts the priming in the HOB skimmer using that same small skimmer pump called the aqua lift. So it makes no difference how low the skimmer is set or how low I install a down tube to the bottom of the tank becasue the system is designed to automatically stop & restart the HOB siphon during power outages.
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl3684/cp19172/si2219838/cl0/tomskimmerboxautostopandstart

[kelly82]

:goldfish: well ive got my fx5, its 2nd hand, but it made it affordable after the car failed its mot the first time :irked: but ye it works well, its a bit noisy but its not as bad as the rena was, and so far its seeming to do a great job. im happy :cool: so are the fish i think :goldfish:

[CWO4GUNNER]

:goldfish: well ive got my fx5, its 2nd hand, but it made it affordable after the car failed its mot the first time :irked: but ye it works well, its a bit noisy but its not as bad as the rena was, and so far its seeming to do a great job. im happy :cool: so are the fish i think :goldfish:

If its used and noisy get that manual so you can lean to access and clean the pump impeller and impeller housing which mat have sand grit and slime in there. The FX5 should not be making any noticeable noise. In fact at every cleaning (3-6 months for me) you should power how water wash every part of that filter including all the passages, valves and hoses, pump removing all the slime,grit and sand. Then Vaseline all moving parts ( impeller, valve gates, and seven O-rings) and you will never have noise and leak issues.

[kelly82]

wow, thanks for that, im planning on a gravel vac and pwc tonight when hubby gets in, possibly, if he ever gets in! i will see whats what and go in for a clean, i was surprised it was so noisy to be honest, it sounds a bit rattly in the pump part. when i switched it on (did it in a clean sink of water) it kicked out a hell of a lot of debris, loads of black/brown mess. i kept running it with clean water running through it until the water came out clear.

[CWO4GUNNER]

Just make sure you never get any untreated facet water on your reusable media, use old clean aquarium water (usually what inside the canister) or treated water.

But all the hardware from basket to pump wash out thoroughly. Be careful when you remove the pump screws not to over tighten them just barley snug as the O-ring does all the water sealing. Same for the canister lid lug screws only hand barely snug evenly in a crisscross pattern. Never force the auto stop valves on and off if tight add a dab of Vaseline with a q-tip from the inside onto the gate will make them much more easy to turn, but if stuck always use a rocking pressure motion back and forth until it brakes loose never forcing in one direction until it snaps in two.

[mott]

If you hear rattling clean the impeller and housing as clean as you can get it like gunner said. I had a used Eheim that was rattling pretty bad what no way my Eheim was noisy!!! I then cleaned the impeller and housing and the noise was gone.

[Fresh250]

i love my fx-5 and as gunner stated above, with proper preventative maintenance there should be no noise pollution at all

[kelly82]

i think i know what the rattling is, but im not 100%, ive taken it apart and the flange is moving up and down about 1/4 inch on the spindle between the white part and the magnet, is this normal :huh: the whole magnet, impellor etc and the housing is clean already. please help asap as i have my filter in pieces :irked:

[CWO4GUNNER]

As a general rule on any motor and I have seen allot of them damaged. Damaged ware and tear will occur side to side on the impeller shaft, impeller hole, and magnet making contact with the walls of the housing. In other words of you see gouges then there is probubly a loss of clearance side to side that may have occurred prematurely due to sand contamination that was allowed to grind away tolerance. Hopefully the ware and tear is on replaceable parts and a simple rebuilt kit comprised of a Impeller, magnet, and shaft will make things like new.

Sometimes as has been the case with me a simple cleaning and a coat of Vaseline will quiet things down and will actually make less noise over time as the gouges caused by sand smooth out, however this is the exception rather then the rule and I would buy a rebuild kit regardless, running the pump as is for now. By the time the parts get to you if it becomes silent replace with new parts and save the old as spare parts.

Who ever sold it probubly sold it for this reason and never repaired the damage they caused. Unfortunatly the parts are not cheap but then again they last forever if taken care of i.e. cleaned out if sand enters and not allowed to cause damage over days and weeks. Some people are lazy and don't thoroughly clean out their canister upside down with hot water spray. They just replace media nd keep running it. Like my daddy told me, son you have to take care of your machines.
http://www.theaquaticdepot.com/r-fluval-fx5--magnetic-impeller-assembly-.html