Fluval Fx5 In A 50 Odd Gallon Tank

[brewyn]

HI guys.

do you think an FX5 would be too strong for my 50 odd gallon marine tank? I had 2 and sold 1 but the other I have offered a friend. today I had an idea that maybe it may be better on my marine tank alongside the sump.
I have fish, soft corals, toad stools, cleaner crew, etc.

Need to know quick please as he will be collecting it soon.

cheers all.

 

[Lynden]

I think an Fx5 would blow your tank from here to hell...

Though it probably would be cool to have just the Fluval on one side of the tank and then no other sources of flow. It would be real natural too, like the ocean waves.

-Lynden

 

[brewyn]

HAHAHA, cheers Lynden, thought that may be the case.

 

[andywg]

Actually you would probably find that it would not be enough on its own.

The FX-5 is rated at 924 US GPH.

With media in it gives out about 525PGH

They give you 18.5 and 10.5 times per hour turnover on a 50 gallon. So If you run it with media you will need other powerheads to supplement it to get the desired 20x turnover that most aim towards. Even empty, you will probably find you want extra turnover as the 924GPH is with no media and no hoses attached.

Downside is you would be using over 50W of power for 924GPH max. Tunze do that for about 16W

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I'll have the fx5 off ya brewyn if you don't want it

 

[brewyn]

The Fluval FX5 has an output of 1500 us gallons an hour, I've pulled out of the sale and its going onto my marine tank at some point today.

 

[andywg]

The Fluval FX5 has an output of 1500 us gallons an hour, I've pulled out of the sale and its going onto my marine tank at some point today.

That's just wrong. The Hagen website only claims 607 GPH (US)

This review pits it against its main rival (for FW filtration) and shows how Eheim still rules the roost when it comes to filtration.

1500 US gallons per hour is just nonsense figures. I can only assume you have mis-read where it says it is suitable for aquaria up to 1500 litres in size.

 

[brewyn]

not really wanting it for its flow rate but more for its filtration power, this is already my filter from my 105 imperial gallon tank that I have recently closed down, my concern is it would push the rocks and soft corals all over the place, the cleaning power of these machines are superb, and if the flow rate wont be a problem, then I'm a very happy chappy.

cheers andy for pointing that out to me, I must get myself down the optitions LOL



just copied this from the user manual.

aquarium capacity 400 gallons 1,500 liters

pump output 925 g/h 3,500 l/h

filter circulation 607 g/h 2,300 l/h

 

[andywg]

I would never use a fluval external period. I have had too many fail, and the above link shows that they are far inferior to Eheims. It may colelct more mechanical stuff, but that just means it will need maintenance far more often (think once a week minimum to prevent a nitrate build up)

The Live rock is the filter, you don't need a cannister at all on a reef tank.

I certainly wouldn't want a huge sponge on a marine tank collecting detritus to be cleaned out. Certainly not a 50W one made by a company that historically makes such poor filters.

But then people still buy Rio powerheads, so I guess any product will be bought by some, no matter how awful

 

[brewyn]

I cant dissagree and that link did say they were both good filters. I only want to use the filter as the marine tank has loads of crap floating around it, and having a clear tank is worth more than the £100 I can get for my filter. its only an xtra, and the maintenace on the filter is the easiest I've ever done.

cheers Andy.