2 FLUVAL FX Canister Filter Tips that Make Life Easier [These WORK FOR ME!]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ต.ค. 2024
- If you're a Fluval FX owner, here are a couple tips that will make vacuuming and water changes much easier. If you own a Fluval FX series canister, or plan to, you are going to want to watch this!
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(You get a great deal by using these links and help to support the channel because Amazon gives me a small percentage without it impacting your cost one cent, thanks!)
Filters:
SunSun 302-B (265 gph): amzn.to/2Y6Ylhy
SunSun 704-B (525 gph with UV): amzn.to/2YFbHjV
SunSun HW 3000 (793 with UV): amzn.to/3hCm54W
Filter pads for all SunSun filters: amzn.to/30Ieg7E
Cut your own filter pads: amzn.to/2zD6SiP
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Flexible hose cleaning brush: amzn.to/2N5x8p7
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SunSun Canister O-Ring replacement: amzn.to/2BhU7uf
SunSun UV 9W replacement bulb: amzn.to/2N0eoHB
Suggested Bio Media that I use in my canisters:
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CNZ sponge filled bio-balls: amzn.to/3e7aitd
Pumice stone: amzn.to/2Y6vk5t
Crushed coral/aragonite: amzn.to/2N6DYKM
Chemical Filtration I've Used with Good Results:
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Seachem Matrix Carbon: amzn.to/2Y6sOft
Mesh bags: amzn.to/2AJb4hj
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My favorite LED lights: amzn.to/2N0YrRd
Inexpensive Powerheads: amzn.to/2N5dTMu
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Fritz Turbo Start: amzn.to/3d7UXr1
Dr. Tim's One and Only: amzn.to/2CdEFju
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For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here:
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For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here:
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For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here:
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Having only had the FX6 for 3 weeks your videos are great for tips Ben . Love my FX6 and its much appreciated you're taking the time to show us , being a New Chiclid owner myself I need all the help I can get 😃 . Many Thanks from the UK 👍
You are welcome and I'm very happy that you have found them useful. I'll open up the filter and show how I'm using the inside trays in an upcoming video. Stay tuned.
First and foremost great video, I really appreciate your tips, your tip about placing a container under the canister filter saved me from cleaning the floors but even more importantly not hearing my wife yelling about the the water . I did my weekly maintenance on my 220 I was rushing I clean my canister filters and I came back an hour later I noticed that the water level was down about 2 inches. When I looked under the cabinet I seen water in 2 of the 3 containers under my filters just about ready to overflow with water dripping from my filters and mess up the floor oh my God.... You saved me Been....thank you.
Happy wife, happy life my friend, LOL!
I hope you figured out and fixed that filter.
Appreciate you stopping by.
Hi Ben,
I enjoy your videos and the way you understand the love of having aquariums. ONE is NEVER enough.
The fact that the FX4 was able to remove water from the tank was my purpose for buying it. It has sat in my floor for a week and I am super afraid to open it. I will do it tomorrow and I don't think that new gadget filter is in there, but we will see. Keep up the good work. You are a great help to many of us, especially me!
Have 2 FX6 filters on the way to me. I am going go juse them in my 540liter tank. Thanks for all tips. Wery juseful tips and trix. Love your channel. Keep up the good work. 👌👊
You are welcome. I have another fluval video coming out on Thursday.
That is super cool. Great set up also. Where did you get the that at. I haven't seen one that stops the sand and waste.
Hello Ben, this is Cheng. I'm new to the Africa cichlids world. I just started a 165 gallon African hap tank about 2 months ago. I saw your channel and I appreciated you for all of the great informations that you posted. Under my 165 gallon I have 2 canisters filter and 1 of a aquen for 75 hanging filter. The 2 canisters are an fx6 and a cascade 1500, which filtered for 200 gallons tank. I really like the fx6 canister. I appreciated you for your video on how to use the fx6 to do water change. One quick question, I know you shared on how to drain and get water out of the tank, but how do you use the fx6 to refill the water back to the tank? By the way, your videos are great. You have some great cichlids. I love watching your videos. Thank you for all of the great informations and helpful tips.
Hello. When you say "to refill the water..." I don't use the FX for that. The water that is filling the tank is coming in through a Aqueon / Python style hose that is connected to the tap. Does that answer your questions?
The owners manual shows how it's super easy just the reverse of emptying
I need to start thinking of some ways to improve my efficiency with water changes. I spend almost 4 hours every Friday on them. It’s fun but sometimes I need the time for other things. Thanks for the tip Ben.
I hear you. My Sat mornings are usually all about the tanks.
If you let the filter run for about 10 seconds after you close the intake before you close the out, it will create a pressure void in the filter that will allow for disconnection WITHOUT any water leaking out. I enjoy your videos alot buddy. Thanks for the posts. Also the filter of the gravel unit is only useful if you are redirecting the flow back into the tank. If not just let the dirty water be removed with the water change. God bless.
Thanks for the tip, I will do that, and thank you for watching the videos, much appreciated.
thank you man u dont know how much u save people time
Tommy, that's really good to hear! Thank you!
The longer i go without substrate, using instead Aquadecor bottom mats, the more happy i am with this change. The elimination of crushed coral substrate did affect my mineral balance as did the hydroponic grow bed. I have remedied these impacts by adding crushed coral to my sump in flow through nylon bags. This was my final step to no more gravel/sand vacuuming and no more visible detritus
I love watching them move the substrate around, especially the sand diver that takes a load up and dumps it on top of other fish.
I don't use aragonite or coral in the 100 so I instead use something similar to you, crushed coral in a mesh bag.
Thanks for stopping by John.
Ben I've never seen that fluval attachment that must also flush out the filter I will be purchasing one of those thanks for the tip
You are welcome. Look for sales. Here in So Cal Petsmart has FX 6's for $250
Hey Ben, I have a FX4 in a 75 gal tank. The flow is pretty fast. If I tone down the output by turning the valve half way am I going to burn up the impeller? Great videos by the way. Thanks!
Thank you and no, I don't think so. Turn both the in and out down.
I picked up an FX4 and really like so much more than the SunSun.
They are well built
Great video!!!!! I’m planning to make same hose with attachment. What diameter size of the hose should I get from hardware store ? Thanx
I believe it was a 1", but you better measure to be sure.
Hi Ben, another great tip on the Fluval. It looks like you have mastered that filter. The fish and the tank look fantastic! I have the older, original model FX6, so I didn’t get a gravel vac with mine. Keep up the great work with your videos 👍.
Hi Dennis, you can purchase the gravel vac from fluval if interested.
Thanks for stopping by, always appreciated!
You did good as always wish I had your experience . Any way you could list the parts for that contraption and where you purchased it especially the sock canister . I have a python gravel and cleaning unit . Maybe I like yours because it's simple and I can stand in one spot instead of running to the sink to shut water off . Until next time .
Great tips. I just got a used fx4 and will look into the fluval water changer to try this.
Hey Ben. Where do you get that pre filter attachment for your vac ?
I’ve looked everywhere for something similar.
Thanks.
Great video by the way. 👍🏻
Another tip, take off the strainer replace it with a whole house replacement sediment filter, $8.00 on Amazon. You will have to stop up one end but the original hose will fit the other end of the filter. That will keep out all of the debris and the canister will stay cleaner for a whole lot longer. You can actually take out the sponge filters and replace with media. Also I installed an Undergravel Filteration Bottom Circular Bar Under Gravel Filter Tube Aquarium $31.00 and installed a AquaTop PH-35 Power Head 600 gal an hr. $30.00. Run a hose on the outlet of the powerhead, which is the same size as the clear hose which came with the canister, longer piece is needed, to the drain connection on the Fluval FX . Start the powerhead, open the drain valve and you are ready to go. There is enough water circulation that you can turn off the intake on the Fluval and unplug it and you will not notice any change in the circulation. I run both because it is filtering the water at different levels. The drain is connected to the intake side of the Fluval so it works perfectly. Note, running this way you will have to leave in the sponges to filter the undergravel flow
Just out of curiosity, how often do you gravel vac? I used to do it every water change (once a week) but now I do it once a month.
I vacuum with every water change, once a week.
Wouldn’t it be easier to just turn of the intake hose to the canister and open the small plug on the bottom to do a grave clean? Then just run your gravel vac out the door turn on your intake and shut off your out. And drain said tank that way?
Nice tip brother!
Thanks you Gaia!
Hi my friend I'm back had problems with my internet contract . Nice vid Ben hope you are doing well. uploaded a vid its just one I never got a chance to share.
And another reason why those are the best filters out there and First !!!!!
No, eheim is the best and less work.
Oh boy, here we go ... LOL!
@@BenOchart but it's true.
Hey Ben Nice flowers.. Great tip do u recall the diameter of that hose rhanks
Thank you. Yes, they are 1" hoses. I suggest taking an FX attachment to the hardware store to ensure you get the right size, and buy a metal fitting that you can screw down.
Ben, 1" hose (OD or ID). I have to ask....this old man made fun of me trying to makeshift my own customizations....he was of no help. Because im a woman, he didn't think that i did my own work. (Well do you know how to cut the pvc?)
Best video!! Thank you BEN
Thank you James
I haven't seen that gravel cleaner before. Did you make that.
No. Fluval was including it with the FX-6. It attaches to the purge valve at the bottom of the canister.
I got the 306 from someone and it was filled of water and probably was sitting for a long time. Should I bleach everything, throw all the media away or just rinse it? The filters in replacing but not sure in the ceramic part.
How long. If you open it up and it smells horrible, that will tell the tale. If it's polluted (very bad smell) I would suggest a very light bleach, like a few tablespoons in a canister full of water, for 24 hours, then a good rinse, then 24 hours with water and some conditioner like Prime and it should be good to go. If really smelly I'd toss the all the media (but the ceramics should clean up okay if you let them sit in the bleach process).
Good stuff Ben
Thanks Scott!
What a great idea thanks
Thank you MrExofan1!
I’m gonna have to give this a whirl... I’m thinking polyfil instead of a filter sock though
That would work. Thanks for watching.
What parts did you buy to make the really long hose that leads to your plants?
Two 10' 1" clear tubes, a connector and two metal lock down bands. I think it's covered in this video: th-cam.com/video/yjk8luPA-GQ/w-d-xo.html
Aahh pretty good i like that
What kind/brand of sand did you choose for your tank? It looks like it cleans nice without stirring up much and creating a cloudy haze.
If you're talking about the black sand that is a product called "Imaginarium" that I got on-line.
Do you have a link for it?
Do you have a link for it?
Do you have a link for it?
Do you have a link for it?
Thanks for the tips
You're welcome my friend.
What kind of black substrate is that? I have a black sand but it can not be used with a gravel vac
Imaginarium black sand. I try to skim above the surface because sand can get into the canister and that's not good.
How big is your tank and how long does it take you to drain your tank to 50% this way
Hi Herbert, When this was filmed I had that FX-6 on a 100 gallon tank. Draining was VERY fast, like 5 - 10 minutes.
@@BenOchart which one is faster the valve at the bottom or this way?
Good Morning
Please Help me I would like to buy Fluval FX 6 for my 240 liters tropical fish tank.
Do you think it is good or it is to big for 140 L?
Can I reduse water flow ?
Do the water flow is to much and will misup my aquarium?
Is FX 6 easy to use and maintain and is it quite in operation?
Thank you
An FX-6 will be too much for a tank that size. You can turn it down a bit but you'd be better off (in my opinion) with a nice HOB or even a sponge filter.
When you're using the fluval pump to do a water change, does the water go through the actual filter or does it get bypassed?
OmegaChar throughout the filter . 😖
@@dieterpiron9952 I was confused with his use of the filter sock, but that explains it then. Thanks!
The filter sock removes detritus from the "ecosystem". No need to keep that poop around if you can get it out of there, right?
Great 8
Thank you
What type of sand is that?
Just a black sand. I go over all tank components in my "Big Reveal" video here: th-cam.com/video/R0rej9hdJ6s/w-d-xo.html
Good Evening
Thank you very Much for your advise i orderd the FX 6 since i have a heavy stock of fish , please explain for me how can i do the HOB idea
Lots of good HOBs out there (hang on back filters). From inexpensive "Whisper" to high end fluval models. I've had good luck with a Marineland Emperior 400 biowheel. Pick one that suits your budget, attach and you're good to go. Here's a link on my Marinelind: th-cam.com/video/iDFf_aVgSbw/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the video but it looks like a lot of connections and turning valves…
Takes a few minutes but gets the job done.
You should never close the inlet completely on these. Good way to ruin the impeller. Look at all the air that came out of the hose when you turned the vac off and turned the inlet back on
ben, you're wearing flip-flops aren't you.
I was going to say that lol
California life. Lol
Those are my cold weather winter flip flops, LOL!
Fx6... Keep their impellers clean or they will eventually not start up.. The impellers even when not clean will stop spinning. Using the fluval attachment to clean your tank will allow sand substrate to get into the bottom of the fx6's filter which I do not like. Good idea tho Been on making another output connection to do water changes and not using the bottom drain. I always have to prime the fx6 before turning it back on, the input never seems to fill it enough to get it to turn over and run correctly. They are great filters but I've had multiple issues after cleaning them where I have to take everything apart disconnect them and screw with a stuck impeller (this had happened with new impellers as well) not 100% reliable starting after being cleaned and reconnected.. In fact a pain in my ass at times.. Frustrating.. Contacted fluval about this (multiple times) with zero response.
The best tip for a Fluval is to yank that sucker it out and replace it with a sun sun. That's what I did, and now I have so much more time to look at my fish instead of mess with that stupid Fluval
Why would you pull out a great filter? It would be better to leave it and add another filter. I used both the Flaval FX6 and the Sun Sun hw3000 on my 125. Both great filters.
That's like putting the Porsche in the garage and driving a Kia instead.
Too much work. I have too many tanks. The python is more simple.
Gotta love that python!
Can I just shut off my output and hook up a hose to the drain ?