Fluval FX5

[gm72]

I am looking at this filter and am concerned about the flow. From reading the specs it looks like it should turn smaller aquariums into whirlpools! Does anyone know if it has a flow restriction valve on it? That is, something that lets you slow the rate?

[Lady Hobbs]

reptileguy will be the one to answer that one without blinking.......

oops.more edits

[Lady Hobbs]

I was looking at the filter today on line and see one place has it for over $400, another $213 and Ebay has it for $163. So check around before buying for the best price.

[Fishguy2727]

The water shut off valves could restrict flow. Use the one after the pump though, restricting water before the pump can burn it out sooner. This is a great filter.

[TracyUK]

We're buying one of these this weekend!

[Fishguy2727]

What size tank is it? What type of fish are you planning for? (gm72 and TracyUK)

[gm72]

Not sure if I know where I would put the filter yet. Just doing some preliminary research. I wonder if it would be too much for a 55? Bowfront 72? I am planning on a huge tank for Christmas, a 180 with oscars/terrors/dempseys. Honestly at this point just researching the hardware. Are you asking because of high flow?

[Fishguy2727]

I was just curious. I thought maybe you had a certain size tank and maybe had a specific fish in mind that you were concerned might not be able to deal with the full flow of an FX5. Go with the biggest you can afford. If you can afford to do a 125, do it. The last thing you want is to think you will do it later, let me just start with a 55 for now, then life happens and you can't get another tank for a long time. So are you thinking mainly of the larger new world cichlids?

[TracyUK]

What size tank is it? What type of fish are you planning for? (gm72 and TracyUK)

187 US gallons and fish are as listed on my signature.

[Fishguy2727]

It will be a good addition to that tank. Do you have a pic of the unidentified catfish?

Is a UK gallon equal to four liters?

[gm72]

Yes, thinking of larger cichlids for the proposed "Christmas" tank. Either a 125 or, preferably, the all-glass 180.

[Fishguy2727]

I like the Africans better, I love the 150 peacock tank. I personally would not go with the big ones from the Americas. If I had a second 150 I would probably give freshwater stingrays a shot. They are actually hardier than their reputation would lead you to believe. As long as the water quality is high (lots of filtration and frequent water changes) and the pH is stable (not necessarily low) and you feed them well, they should do great. Another good option is a semi-aggressive community. This would be things like medium cichlids, bichirs, silver dollars, tinfoil barbs, Synodontis catfish, eels, and things like that. What fish do you have now?

[gm72]

My signature gives you a rough idea, but I'll break it down:
55--gouramis, clown loaches, pleco
55--green tiger barbs, giant dannios, zebra dannios, gold tinfoil barbs, pleco
35--tetras: lemon, black skirt, red serpae, snails, upside-down catfish
40-long--corys, mollies, swordtails, red eye tetras (treating for ick right now, darn swordtails)
10--neons, glowlight tetras and one grumpy black skirt
10--fancy guppies

[Lady Hobbs]

Tracy, are you talking liters to gallons? 155 liters=about 41 gallons

[TracyUK]

Tracy, are you talking liters to gallons? 155 liters=about 41 gallons


No. Its 155 UK gallons, or 187 US gallons. Its 6ft x 30" high x 20" wide. Its just over 700 litres.

[Fishguy2727]

Have you had big cichlids before?

[TracyUK]

Have you had big cichlids before?

No, but I've kept various fish for years. This is my first go with Oscars and we are following info from here very closely ie regular water changes, water tests every week, correct food etc

[Fishguy2727]

What are you feeding? What filtration is on there now? What is your current water change schedule?

How about you gm72, ever had big cichlids before?

[gm72]

Nope, big cichlids will be a first for me, too. I'm amassing my research currently and hope to feel comfortable with their needs over the next few months.

[Lady Hobbs]

Thanks Tracy. I was confused on that one.

[gm72]

Yeah, Tracy and I are both answering the questions I think. Great advice as always though! I am one to research everything to death first (usually). Hence the reason that I am planning the big tank so far in advance. Reptileguy, do you think in a 180 gallon tank that dual FX5s would be appropriate?

[TracyUK]

What are you feeding? What filtration is on there now? What is your current water change schedule?



I feed them Hikari Cichlid Gold pellets (mainly) and the occasional frozen bloodworm/mussels/cockles for a treat. I currently have a Fluval 403 which is not enough I know, hence the FX5 purchase, and I do a 25% water change mid week and a 50% water change at weekends. I check for amonia, pH, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate once a week and all levels are fine.

[Fishguy2727]

I think two FX5s on a 180 with large cichlids would be a good idea. The one in my 150 does a great job with the peacocks, but if I had bigger fish in there or a bigger tank I would need more.

For the diet I would highly recommend Hikari Cichlid Bio-Gold+ and New Life Spectrum (either Extra Large or Jumbo Fish Formula). NLS is the best brand hands down, but this is probably the one time I would suggest something else along with it. These will allow for the best growth, colors, and health. Very high quality foods also help keep wastes in the tank to a minimum (debris and nitrate wastes).

Any pics of that unknown catfish? (TracyUK)

[TracyUK]

My oscars are relatively small at the mo, but will bear that in mind for as they grow. I'll take a pic of the unidentified catfish at the weekend when I'm not working.

[Fishguy2727]

I would get them on the better diet asap, they will be much better for it. You will probably see a noticable improvement in no more than a month.

[TracyUK]

I would get them on the better diet asap, they will be much better for it. You will probably see a noticable improvement in no more than a month.



Thanks for that, I will look out for them next time I go to the fish shop.

[TracyUK]

I've found my unidentified catfish!!!! He's here...

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

He's a Cuckoo synodontis which is totally different to my other synodontis

[gm72]

Cool catfish!

[TracyUK]

Cool catfish!

Yeah, he's a right little character too. He lives in an 'ancient' vase that we have in the tank. This is his home below but he is hiding so you can't actually see him!:hmm3grin2orange:



[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[gm72]

Cool tank!