Fluval FX5 - First Impression

[bzboy]

I just set up my FX5 on my 90 gallon tank and so far I am very impressed. I am replacing my Fluval 404 and two Emperor 400 with this system. These are some of the main points I noticed.
1. Set up was very easy. The self priming pump is very handy. On start it takes 2 minutes to prime then 2minutes to clear all air out of system, then full start.
2. Has 3 large trays for media surrounded by 2 foam blocks which are diffrent from the foam blocks from 404.
3. The two large plastic clips that hold your hoses in place over the tank was very difficult to squeeze on due to the surrounding edging on my tank.I think most large tanks have this plastic edging on top. I think they designed the clip with just glass in mind. But it did fit.
4. Hoses were long enough to just make it but I wished they would give a little more hose length just in case.
5. It has a large output nozzle that splits into two streams that are adjustable. Very nice
6. Havent tried them yet but the valves on the proximal end of the hoses will definitely make cleaning the canister very easy as you can disconnect and leave the hoses where they are.
7. There is also a purge valve at the bottom of the canister to purge the canister of water before moving it if you are so inclined.

I'd be happy to answer any questions on this canister as best i can. This is not a fluval vs. eheim discussion please.

 

[SubluxT7]

I saw this filter tonight at my LFS..i was wondering how it would work out. Thanks for the info.

Sandy

 

[YoFishboy]

Hehe...I'm glad ya took the hit for this one! I'm curious to see how this works out for ya in the next several weeks...I'm considering one for my 110 gallon tank.

 

[bzboy]

I'll give another report after this weekend when I will clean the canister just to see if the valves really work and to check ease of cleaning.

 

[Toirtis]

3. The two large plastic clips that hold your hoses in place over the tank was very difficult to squeeze on due to the surrounding edging on my tank.I think most large tanks have this plastic edging on top. I think they designed the clip with just glass in mind. But it did fit.
4. Hoses were long enough to just make it but I wished they would give a little more hose length just in case.

Between myself and everyone else I know that has been using them for nearly a year now, these are the two main complaints.

Another bonus...the design is such as to force the water through the media instead of permitting some to pass it by.

 

[Dixon]

i bought one a couple of months ago and like it so much i bought another.
i wanted the pro111 eheim but it would not fit in my cabinet so i bought the FX5 nstead and made a good choice.
i was advised by someone who uses these filters to use tidy ties to secure the tube to the plastic hose holder as his came away and the hose came out of the tank and emptied most of the water on the floor.
i sorted mine asap

 

[bzboy]

Well it has been 1 week since I switched to the FX5 and so far I am very happy with it. No water change and ammonia, nitrate, nitrite are still 0. Water is crystal clear. 2 problems however. my ph has dropped from 6.8 to 6.6 - I dont know why. And on day 2 my fish acted very air hungry. They were breathing fast. I did a water test and all parameters seemed fine so I added a bubble wand for some extra oxygen and they seemed to like that. I wonder if there is not enough agitation inside the FX5 to oxygenate the water. Just my theory. Wondering what others think about the dropping pH and the oxygen levels.

But overall very happy with the FX5