Billaney Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I'm thinking of buying a new FX5 filter , who's got one and what do they think of it ? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 i have two fx5.i got them when they first came out and thought very cool but after owning them for awhile i'm not 100% happy and here is why cons Eheim Substrat Pro media drops though the filter tray Eheim Substrat Pro media gets clogged pretty quick the screw/fasteners plastic stays gets worn out from opening and closing the lid due to cleaning the clogged media cleaning the motor is annoying as you have to unscrew it with screwdrivers (make sure you have the seal in the right place before re-screwing the motor back in otherwise you make a pond in your room pretty quick) pulling off the tap connectors can be very hard if you dont have alot of room above/around the filter bottom purge valve sometimes leaks if you move it filter feels like a cheap bucket never get the fluval polishing pads for it as it will just clog in one day pros very powerful filter which does alot of litres good price, best bang for buck good size hosing adjustable twin output head huge intake strainer the con list is pretty long that is why i'm going to upgrade to the eheim pro 3 2080 very soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billaney Posted November 5, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 i have two fx5.i got them when they first came out and thought very cool but after owning them for awhile i'm not 100% happy and here is why cons Eheim Substrat Pro media drops though the filter tray Eheim Substrat Pro media gets clogged pretty quick the screw/fasteners plastic stays gets worn out from opening and closing the lid due to cleaning the clogged media cleaning the motor is annoying as you have to unscrew it with screwdrivers (make sure you have the seal in the right place before re-screwing the motor back in otherwise you make a pond in your room pretty quick) pulling off the tap connectors can be very hard if you dont have alot of room above/around the filter bottom purge valve sometimes leaks if you move it filter feels like a cheap bucket never get the fluval polishing pads for it as it will just clog in one day pros very powerful filter which does alot of litres good price, best bang for buck good size hosing adjustable twin output head huge intake strainer the con list is pretty long that is why i'm going to upgrade to the eheim pro 3 2080 very soon Is all the cons because of the Eheim media being the wrong stuff of the filter and would it have been fine with the correct media though ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 cons Eheim Substrat Pro media drops though the filter tray Eheim Substrat Pro media gets clogged pretty quick the screw/fasteners plastic stays gets worn out from opening and closing the lid due to cleaning the clogged media cleaning the motor is annoying as you have to unscrew it with screwdrivers (make sure you have the seal in the right place before re-screwing the motor back in otherwise you make a pond in your room pretty quick) pulling off the tap connectors can be very hard if you dont have alot of room above/around the filter bottom purge valve sometimes leaks if you move it filter feels like a cheap bucket never get the fluval polishing pads for it as it will just clog in one day Wow! I love my big sump.... :lol: Whats the price like on the Eheim in comparison to the FX5? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 Is all the cons because of the Eheim media being the wrong stuff of the filter and would it have been fine with the correct media though ? its not just the media that bugs me the most, its the quality of the product and how easy it is to use i have a range of filter that i run fluval - 204,304, 404, fx5s and the eheim pro 2 2028 is the best one like i said before the fx5 is the most valve for money selling from $450-$700 (excluding media) when the eheim pro 3 2080 is about $1140 but includes eheim media Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I know there are others out there with FX5s - what do you think? I too would be interested as I was considering one but am now thinking 2 smaller filters (like Jebo 819) would be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayci Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 fx5 is the most valve for money selling from $450-$700 What about 4 to 6 cf1000 for that price. If one brakes down, you got the others backing it up. And 4 to 6 cf1000 equals alot of filter media. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 You guys sure have a variety to choose from. I've seen 2, yep T W O, kinds sold here :lol: :lol: :lol: :evil: Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firenzenz Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 I have an FX5 and absolutely no worries or complaints. I don't no if you can call your eheim media not working well in your Fluval Filter a flaw or "con". No doubt the Eheim is a awesome piece of kit and if you were doing a comparison without factoring in the costs, the fluval would perhaps be left wanting. But value for money I think it's hard to beat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 no worrie at all i have one, mywater is so clear you would struggle to find particles even if you look close. the fluval fx5 is by far the highest output and best filter i have ever used. i find the pipes and clamps easy to manage, the extra water change clamp is good, i can change the water on my jardinii tank in 10 minutes, used to be 30 mins, 3000lph pumping out water out of your tank for waterchange is pretty fast. my eheim bio balls fits perfectly, no need for fine sponge, i dont use it at all, it cleans it dramatically. and looks cool, looks like a cryo-stasis chamber for an alien....ok too much star trek:P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 oh and its way cheaper than eheim, bang for your buck you cant beat it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted November 5, 2007 Report Share Posted November 5, 2007 You can beat it, I'd pick a sump/wet-dry filter any day! when the eheim pro 3 2080 is about $1140 but includes eheim media I won't even be spending that much on my tank with overflow AND setting up the wet/dry!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 yes you can beat it with a sump and overflow agreed, but i mena canister wise and that kinda volume, its pretty good but over flow is definatley the best way to go in terms of mass filtration. thats different though, not a canister:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewelz Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I agree with with firenzenz. For a canister, its absolute value for money. Maintainence on my big display tank used to be a nightmare until I got an FX5, now I look forward to it. I did muck around with the filter media in the begining but once I got that sorted I never looked back. Water clarity is amazing. Cleaning a filter this size is pretty yuk tho...but it certainly does the job its designed for. I wouldnt hesitate to buy another one especially on my african tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_elmo Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 after writing about my fx5 i went out and got the 2080 today....hands down its a machine and the quality of the filter is top notch who wants pictures??? the amount of media it takes is crazy and if you think the fx5 is big the 2080 is bigger :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilknieval69 Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/view ... highlight= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplecatfish Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 I've just set up my third FX5 this evening. I use the JBL Micro and Sinto media as well as polishing pads and fine filter pads. I can easily go a month without having to replace the polishing pad and my tanks are overstocked. The tips that I do have are 1) make sure that the course sponges have the corners pushed in so that the ends of the two sponges meet, if there is a "V" then water/gunge can bypass the course sponge. 2) Putting a fine filter pad on top of the polishing pad is worth doing to extend the time between cleaning. My experience is completely different to evil elmo's but I don't have any experience with Eheims so I can't make a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henward Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 polyester wool , your a verage stuff, i put that under the bio media or above it, it seems to do the trick, water pressure is still strong as ever and polishes up nicely,i only have one thin layer, i dont get a problemwith clarity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nemines Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 here is a very good link concering an evaluation of both the eheim 2080 and the FX5 http://biotope.multiply.com/reviews/item/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billaney Posted November 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 Thanks for all the great advice my new FX5 arrived today , a little before needed as the replacement tank and stand for my leaking 215L has not even began to be built but its a start , now if only the insurance can be that quick...... thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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