mooseman1 Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 i'm thinking of buying an FX5 what are the con's or what should i know about before i buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishful Thinking Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I personally like my FX5. I would like a bigger canister volume, but you can do a mod for that if you really want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digital-monk Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I haven't used one, but they are a louder than most other cannisters, and use more electricity (I think it's about 50W). They also stop for a period of time every 24 hours to purge any air, and then it starts back up. I haven't come across anything about them that would stop me from buying one though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
African_Fever Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 Biggest problem I have with them is the hose attachment clips and how the hoses are supposed to 'clip' to tanks. They don't work for large tanks, and I'm always worried that the hoses will pop out while I'm gone. They're supposed to be made for large tanks, but I haven't found the clips to fit anything (well) over 50 gallons without modifying them. Once I have them secured, I've been happy with them otherwise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvision Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I found THIS SITE shortly after buyin an FX5. The first mod I did was hard-line intake and returns - solved the clip problem, and was a relatively easy mod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I have 5 of them running and love them. Have had no problems in the last 4years. And they are great for water changes, makes water changes fast and easy. They are #1 in my books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayfong Posted August 12, 2009 Report Share Posted August 12, 2009 I'm running two of them and they are really quiet. I really like them as well and haven't had any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooseman1 Posted August 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 WOW IS THIS THE FILTER TO HAVE OR WHAT ??? NO REAL CON'S EXCEPT THE PRICE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynoch Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 The only con with mine is if your using the round fluval filter pads they clog to easy and the flow is greatly reduced Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Westle Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 I run 4 of them with no problems at all . I think the price on them is reasonable you just have to look around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fshkpr4evr Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 I run 4 of them with no problems at all . I think the price on them is reasonable you just have to look around I agree. I have 2 of them and no problems at all. Compared to Eheim...a great value for your dollar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted August 24, 2009 Report Share Posted August 24, 2009 I Think that they are great, I bought mine second hand and it runs like new. CON: Needs to been cleaned more regularly then most canisters... This also depending on whether you have a planted tank, number of fish etc. But really what's 10 minutes in return for a well cycled tank clear tank. CON: Expensive, I suggest buying second hand every once and a while people post them for a couple hundred. Be patient it will turn up. CON: When the filter is full of mechanical waste etc. The power of the filter will eventually blow the gunk back into your tank and no longer hold any more material. Solution Water change 20 min. Clean filter 10 min. CONCLUSION: None of these are that big of a deal, they have to be taken care of any ways. DANGERS: The clips may unhook. DANGERS: If the drain valve loosens or is not put on properly it will siphon your tank. PROS: Quiet PROS: Turns off to release air bubbles: Saves you a pain in the arse. PROS: Lots of GPH, steady flow, clears a tank of substrate cloudiness quickly PROS: A sponge can be put into the intake to prevent fry and unwanted gunk from being sucked up. PROS: Tons of media diversity. I used my square sponges from my XP3 in the center round pieces, and put polyester wool along all the side baskets. PROS: Outtake is convenient there are two heads and you can move them up down and side to side PROS: I CAN KEEP GOING. THEY WORK WELL AND CLEAN YOUR TANK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted August 25, 2009 Report Share Posted August 25, 2009 I Think that they are great, I bought mine second hand and it runs like new. CON: Needs to been cleaned more regularly then most canisters... This also depending on whether you have a planted tank, number of fish etc. But really what's 10 minutes in return for a well cycled tank clear tank. CON: Expensive, I suggest buying second hand every once and a while people post them for a couple hundred. Be patient it will turn up. CON: When the filter is full of mechanical waste etc. The power of the filter will eventually blow the gunk back into your tank and no longer hold any more material. Solution Water change 20 min. Clean filter 10 min. CONCLUSION: None of these are that big of a deal, they have to be taken care of any ways. DANGERS: The clips may unhook. DANGERS: If the drain valve loosens or is not put on properly it will siphon your tank. PROS: Quiet PROS: Turns off to release air bubbles: Saves you a pain in the arse. PROS: Lots of GPH, steady flow, clears a tank of substrate cloudiness quickly PROS: A sponge can be put into the intake to prevent fry and unwanted gunk from being sucked up. PROS: Tons of media diversity. I used my square sponges from my XP3 in the center round pieces, and put polyester wool along all the side baskets. PROS: Outtake is convenient there are two heads and you can move them up down and side to side PROS: I CAN KEEP GOING. THEY WORK WELL AND CLEAN YOUR TANK No they do not have to be cleaned more then other canisters. I just cleaned all mine , frist time in a year, and they still had lots of flow, Its all with what you put in the middle compartments. The xp3 cut to fit is a good thing, have that on a few of mine. The blue pad that they come with is the frist thing to throw away, Fill the centre with ceramic rings or pot scubbers, or XP3 pads, cut to fit. Have never had a clip come unhooked. Have never had a problem with the Drain Valves leaking. I run them on my 120 gal , my 180 gal and on my 240 gal, never had a problem. They are great. Water changes thake a bit longer then 20 mins. brcause of the tank size, but draining them takes about 5 to 10 min,s. Can not go wrong with a FX5, just wait for the right deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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