Just got a Fluval FX5....

by Sandman1969 Fri Sep 08, 2017 1:33 am

Got a great deal on this and it's only been used for 2 years. Came with around $150 worth of accessories such as spare parts & lots of foam blocks/pads.
I am going to use it to replace the current 10 gallon tub filer on the shark tank. But I need to know, what is THE fastest way to get the FX5 cycled so that I can stop using the old filter?

by Repteel Fri Sep 08, 2017 6:27 am

You could run both filters until the fx5 matures if you have space. Or if you had room put some of the foam in the tub filter for a bit so the bacteria can seed it.

by Fores41 Fri Sep 08, 2017 8:58 am

I agree with Repteel just use old filter media to seed new filter leave for a awhile and go with new filter.

by Sandman1969 Sat Sep 09, 2017 12:27 am

The old tub filter uses a black course foam along with a lot of those plastic pot scrubbers.
I will be adding Seachem Matrix to the FX5 as all it has now is various foam media.
Should I take some of those foam pieces and put them in with the scrubbers?

by Sandman1969 Sun Sep 10, 2017 7:06 pm

Ok, now have it running using foam and Ehiem's version of Seachem Matrix in 2 of the trays.
I guess I shoulda rinsed out the hoses. Shocked

Lots of weird white flakey stuff came out. Not too bad as the outtake is right above the intake of the other filter.
But am now running 1925GPH. 925 with the FX5 & 700 with the original for now.