Fx5 In Rio400

[njstockley]

I've finally upgraded my Vision 260 to a Rio 400 meaning a lot more swimming space for my RBP's. But I want to up the filtration - currently running two EX1200s but want to swap one for an FX5 for more power!

I've found enough people that say it will fit in the stand which is good. But with the 1" pipes will it fit through the cut out in the back of the tank without having to cut the lid flap?

My second question is about inlet / outlet placement. The way my EX1200s are set up at the moment is that each filter is looking after one end of the tank - so inlet and outlet both in the same cutout, with the outlet pointing towards the middle of the tank. Would the FX5 pipes fit that as again they are bigger? and is there any advantage / disadvantage of setting them up like this?

Hope this all makes sense - not the easiest thing to put in writing! but thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.

Nick

 

[dbanner]

Hi i just got your message.. I have a rio 400 that came with an fx5 filter but i didnt actually use it. I sold it for 2 tetratec ex1200's as i find them better all round. The fx5s are just too big. Looks like a giant dustbin lol the previous owner did have the fx5 running on the tank and the tank lid has been cut so i would think you would need to cut yours for the pipes to fit. Have the 2 filters also means i have a backup if 1 were to break. I also use a 300watt external hydor heater which fits perfectly onto the pipes of the ex1200 so for me this is a better set up.

As for how youve explained have the ex1200's... seems to me like you have them set the same as mine.

And the last part of your message.... yes the flowerhorn is fine. Currently a little over 6 inches in length including the tail, very aggressive, wont let me put my hand in the tank to clean it so he has to go in a 40 gal when i do tank maintenence. Which i actually did earlier today. Full tank and filter clean and a little rescape. Not much just got a bit bored lol. Iv had him around 4-5 months now so grown just over an inch per month

 

[njstockley]

Cheers mate. Got an eheim 2260 instead. Its incredible. 80 quid too so a true bargain! 3x media capacity of the fx5 and after a day running my tank is pristine and params spot on

 

[dbanner]

Good choice over the fx5 I really dont like the fx5... way too big as i said and way overpriced imo

 

[Liam2368]

Was the 2260 second hand? Been after one for a while.

 

[njstockley]

Yep. 80 quid and loaded with usable media which ive added my mature stuff to. Felt sorry for the guy i brought it off as he didnt know what it was and coulsnt understand why so many people had contacted him about it. Cant fault it though. And can use the external heater still as uses a smaller return pipe.

Am also thinking of lowering the outlet to mid way down the water column with some extra tubing - cant see this being an issue but thought id mention it just in case.

 

[Liam2368]

yeah thats the reason i would like one is because i could still use the Hydor, are you using it with a spray bar? they hardly ever come up for sale in this area.

 

[njstockley]

yeah thats the reason i would like one is because i could still use the Hydor, are you using it with a spray bar? they hardly ever come up for sale in this area.

No not bothering with the spray bar. My piranha love the current. Well worth holding out until you see one for sale. Actually, almost worth the RRP! Simple to rotate the pump so that it fits in the cabinet (and bin the grey plastic lid). Is a huge bit of kit though so measure your cabinet space before committing.

Am going to use some spare tubing to extend the outlet though so it sits deeper in the tank and flows down the middle - can't see this being problematic as similar to having a spray bar, but what do you reckon?

 

[Liam2368]

Do you mean like using the outlet deeper in the water like you would a power head? IF so i can't see that being a problem but what will you be agitating the surface with for the gas exchange?

 

[njstockley]

Yeah thats the plan. Drop the outlet so theres really good flow down the midle of the tank and then use a powerhead for surface agitation. Will try it out over the weekend

 

[Liam2368]

i see what you mean but why go to all the effort when you have a powerhead anyway? You can choose how powerful you want the flow by getting different powerheads and if you buy something like the aps ones then they are quite inexpensive.

 

[njstockley]

i see what you mean but why go to all the effort when you have a powerhead anyway? You can choose how powerful you want the flow by getting different powerheads and if you buy something like the aps ones then they are quite inexpensive.

My issue is that the eheim outlet doeant sit very low in the water and with the flow on 2260 sounds like i have a fast flowing river in my living room. If the outlet sat just an inch lower it would be perfect!