Fluval fx5 leaking!

[Manafel]

Could be user flaws, the OP stated that it was overtightened. I dont know exactly how they go together, but it wouldnt be that hard to figure out how many turns is the right number, and just always turn it that number of turns.

I guess I am just use to things that cost money to fix, sometimes often. Aquaclear hob filters are known to become loud at some point and you have to lube the rotor, or just totally replace it. I knew that before buying my 30 and ended up running into the problem, but a quick diy fix and the only noise I hear is the water going back into the tank. Even the most expensive things can still have design flaws. Nobody is perfect, and most products normally have one flaw, be it major or minor. Many of them people would never know about unless they opened them up.

Something such as a filter is prone to failure at some point in its life, may be something simple like a clamp breaking, or a little more troublesome of the motor stopping.

Well, it seems that I have opened a can of worms that I didn't mean to, lol. In my defense, they were already cracked when I bought the filter used, I thought it was a little odd. But I gotta put my word in.
I really like my fx5. Other than it obviously leaking, I haven't had any other issues with it.

 

[fshfanatic]

Could be user flaws, the OP stated that it was overtightened. I dont know exactly how they go together, but it wouldnt be that hard to figure out how many turns is the right number, and just always turn it that number of turns.

I guess I am just use to things that cost money to fix, sometimes often. Aquaclear hob filters are known to become loud at some point and you have to lube the rotor, or just totally replace it. I knew that before buying my 30 and ended up running into the problem, but a quick diy fix and the only noise I hear is the water going back into the tank. Even the most expensive things can still have design flaws. Nobody is perfect, and most products normally have one flaw, be it major or minor. Many of them people would never know about unless they opened them up.

Something such as a filter is prone to failure at some point in its life, may be something simple like a clamp breaking, or a little more troublesome of the motor stopping.

I can remove completely every other clamp on my Eheim 2260 and it will not leak. I have done this for testing as it is a PIA to tighten and then loosen 8 clamps. The FX5 is flawed, that is why I sold mine.

 

[reflexhunter]

Heard alot of good things about eheim filters, guess the biggest difference would be the gph where the fx5 has twice as much flow than the biggest eheim 2080.

 

[fshfanatic]

Heard alot of good things about eheim filters, guess the biggest difference would be the gph where the fx5 has twice as much flow than the biggest eheim 2080.

The FX5 flow rates are a myth. In real life they are 1/2 what they claim, if that.

Flow isnt everything when it comes to efficient filtration. Most eheim filters have lower flow rates than comparable sized filters yet sustain the same fish load.

 

[reflexhunter]

Ok, I buy that but how do you tell which filter is doing a better job filtering your tank? By the amount of debris in the tank? By the clarity of the water? By the chemistry of the water? If so, if both filters provide good to great results on all of these, then dosent it just boil down to cost and preference?

I don't own either one of these filters so I am not biased, but I do believe that flow rate or better said the amount of water filtered per hour is still pretty important, and even if you cut the numbers in half, the fx5's numbers are considerably higher.

 

[nerdyrcdriver]

Well, it seems that I have opened a can of worms that I didn't mean to, lol. In my defense, they were already cracked when I bought the filter used, I thought it was a little odd. But I gotta put my word in.
I really like my fx5. Other than it obviously leaking, I haven't had any other issues with it.

Oops, didnt mean to cause any argument, just kind of take back that $14 is so much to spend to keep an over $200 filter running.

Things break, thats just the truth. I am so use to paying $15 monthly, sometimes weekly to keep my rc cars running (not much into racing, more bashing and seeing what the vehicle can take before it needs parts).

I see this kind of like our refrigerator problem. The thing cost several hundred dollars, but has had so many service calls (while under warranty) that they just quit servicing it even though we still have the warranty. Some times there are stupid designs, like the ice machine in our fridge, or in this case, the clamps on your filter.

That is where I will leave this topic, stuff breaks, $14 to keep an over $200 filter running isnt too bad.

 

[fshfanatic]

All I know is I have a tank that is 6X24X24 that was being filtered with an FX5 and a 2217. It is a heavily stocked African Tang tank. I wasnt pleased with the job the FX5 was doing so I took it off and replaced it with a 2260.

I immediately noticed the clarity improve and when I maintained it the first time there was a lot, I mean a LOT more gunk in it.

I sold the FX5 I had. IMO the FX5 doesnt do near as good a job at filtering the water as the 2260 does. Like I said, the water was noticeably clearer, there was more debris in the filter AND the water tests return better results.

To me it is a obvious that the 2260 is superior. Plus, if I want to I can replace the motor with any Eheim Hobby pump that either pumps more or less water to adjust flow, if I want to.

 

[reflexhunter]

Not really any argument, just discussing the issue and trying to learn from others!:thumbsup:

Like I said, I don't own either of these filters but will probably be wanting to buy one in the future so I'm taking in all the info I can.

 

[Manafel]

All I know is I have a tank that is 6X24X24 that was being filtered with an FX5 and a 2217. It is a heavily stocked African Tang tank. I wasnt pleased with the job the FX5 was doing so I took it off and replaced it with a 2260.

I immediately noticed the clarity improve and when I maintained it the first time there was a lot, I mean a LOT more gunk in it.

I sold the FX5 I had. IMO the FX5 doesnt do near as good a job at filtering the water as the 2260 does. Like I said, the water was noticeably clearer, there was more debris in the filter AND the water tests return better results.

To me it is a obvious that the 2260 is superior. Plus, if I want to I can replace the motor with any Eheim Hobby pump that either pumps more or less water to adjust flow, if I want to.

IMO you get what you pay for. You pay more for a filter, you should get more. That being said, I think you are being a little biased here. Though yes, the turnover rate for a filter is important, so is the amount of contact the BB has with the water passing through. With such large media baskets, the FX5 gives the BB more time to filter through the water. If you pump water through the filter too fast, the BB won't have time to do it's job. All of the filter rates that they put as GPH on the box are false. Thats how the filter runs without any media.
The water being murky does not necessarily mean that the filter sucks. the gunk being in the filter depends on what media you used. My fx5 has kept my water crystal clear for as long as I have had it. I can't count how many times I have looked through my tank from the side and have been amazed at how clear it is.
In essence what I am saying is:
The fx5, being the cheaper filter, will have cheaper parts, thus will most likley break more often. Compared to an Eheim, there is no comparison. The price tag is more, but the quality is better. Though an Eheim is better, that does not mean the the fluval fx5 is as much of a pile of junk as you say it is.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

For fixing one of the 6 original lid "Nut & Bolt setup" where the little round orange bushing that locks under the lid is cracked in half, you simply go to Lowes and the white PVC plumbing section and buy a 6ft length of 1/4" PVC ($3) which is the smallest size white PVC pipe and rigid. Take it home and cut a small piece evenly that is the same length as the original orange pushing. The drill a hole through the center of the cut off piece of 1/4" PVC to the same size as the original lid bolt, slide the new PVC bushing onto the bolt and lock it into place. If the orange bolt/nob cannot reach, take the nut out of the orange nob and use it bare with a small washer, or go buy a longer bolt to the same size 1/8" with a wing-nut. In any-case it worked great for me and I have enough pipe to make dozens of bushings. Or you can buy a new OEM lid bolt on ebay for about $10.