Fluval Fx5 Help

[Wills]

Hi there I've got a bargain deal on tank and FX5 only problem is the tank and filter were used for a marine tank and I am keeping FW in it obviously I will wash it out well along with the tank but I am just going to chuck all the media out as it will be clogged up with salt etc.

So I have been out today to get all the sponges and the polishing pads but I am a bit lost with what to use for the bio balls in the central chamber? Someone suggested a JBL product that sounds good but it was expensive but I'm looking to do this on a shoestring so I was thinking of using pond balls or a cheaper brand can anyone reccomend me a brand or a type of media and also if anyone has an FX5 can you let me know how much I will need like for example 1 box or 2?

Thanks Wills

 

[indigoj]

Pond balls or any type of ceramic hoops or plastic bio-balls will be fine, I use a combination of both. For foam I'd use pond filter stuff and cut to size - almost certain to be cheaper and you'll have some spare.

 

[Wills]

Hi thanks, yeah I bought the Fluval stuff to start with but in the future I will cut the other pads down. Ill get hold of some kind of pond balls as the JBL stuff and the Fluval stuff is ridiculously expensive.

Thanks Indigoj

 

[OldMan47]

Another option for lots of biological media on a shoestring is the plastic pot scrubbers. They have more surface to volume than typical bioballs and are dirt cheap. In my Rena, they were a tight fit so I cut one in half to fill the space in one of the trays like this.

 

[bitteraspects]

Another option for lots of biological media on a shoestring is the plastic pot scrubbers. They have more surface to volume than typical bioballs and are dirt cheap. In my Rena, they were a tight fit so I cut one in half to fill the space in one of the trays like this.

agree 100%

scrubbies are your best bet for bio media. they offer a ton of surface area at a very low cost. if you are working with smaller areas, a more dense media like bio-max, substrat pro, matrix, etc. are a better bet, but are pricey. the FX5 has large areas for media, and you can pack a bunch of scrubbies in there.

 

[Wills]

Wow cant believe they work!! I have heard crazier though I heard of one guy using old freezer filaments. Are there any that I need to be careful of? Is it common to find them with chemicals and stuff in?

Thanks Wills

 

[bitteraspects]

freezer filaments can contain harmful chemicals. not a good idea.

scrubbies on the other hand are 100% aquarium safe. essentially its just plastic, much like bio balls, but has a higher surface area.
there are a bunch of other, and far "stranger" diy media options, but scrubbies are by far, the best bang for your buck. better and cheaper than bio balls.

 

[one_eyed_wonder]

so glad i read this, got a brand new fx5 turning up tomorow for my new tank and need media, where do you get these scrubbies from?

 

[bitteraspects]

locally you would find them at a "dollar store" type of place. (they usually sell for a few bucks in a package of 6 or so). if you cant find them locally, LMK and i can put you in contact with my scrubbie guy. lol

 

[OldMan47]

I find scrubbers at a grocery store in the cleaning aisle or at a dollar discount type store.

 

[bitteraspects]

scrubbies from the grocery store will likely have some kind of detergent in the scrubber, this will be deadly to your fish. Check the packaging to make sure it doesn't have any additives.