Fluval FX6 Makes Water Changes EASY (and a 24th day tank update)

Here's how (in case you haven't seen) a Fluval FX6 can make a water change quick and easy. Also, 24 days into the new setup, I have the tap/RO ratio figured out for keeping the tank water around 3 degrees of hardness which is ideal for the discus, tetras, and plants. Discus are sensitive and don't like sudden changes to the water. I am showing how I get the new water to be the same hardness and temperature as the tank before doing the water change. Finally I briefly review the initial water cycle of ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, spiking and declining as reflected by regular water testing every few days. It should be interesting to see how the water testing trend goes after adding 50 cardinal tetras and 7 discus. Finally, as always, the types of plants I added tend to go through a serious adjustment to being submerged, with a lot of die-off and new growth. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because the decaying plant matter helps the nitrifying bacteria to propagate throughout the tank and filter.

[@AquaLady153]

I think this is what makes the fx6 worth the money. Thanks for showing us.

[@tentennet]

What a channel you have! I subbed!

[@curedham2963]

This is the coolest setup i’ve seen

[@AlameenConstructionltd]

What a great video in detail 👌

[@brianskies]

Awesome setup!

[@hugheymorrow]

Thanks!

[@peterschulties3258]

You are very intelligent. Very impressed.

[@bloun003]

You are a straight beast. I love your set up. My God.....

[@MattyP650]

Sweet music dude! Thanks!

[@hugheymorrow]

Thanks Matt

[@brianhahn3296]

Good vid, subbed you up

[@onlyfins5729]

Great video . How did you connect the fx6?tubing to your python??

[@leoncoleman2221]

who is that music played by at the end of your video i like that

[@justinaash2979]

What size is the drain hose? Mine does not have one.

[@ambercarrell4219]

What would you call the brass hose connector piece inside of your trash/water container?

[@hugheymorrow]

Brass hose barb. Hardware store should have it.

[@dad3562]

Any advice on a dripping valve that’s used at the bottom to drain the filter? I think it’s called the water change drain valve.

[@hugheymorrow]

replace and have an extra on hand. I keep spare parts ready for that very thing. Keep an extra inlet/outlet valve as well.

[@dad3562]

@@hugheymorrow thank you so much! Got some on order now :-)

[@AlameenConstructionltd]

The set up I see thus far

[@tsmporti7652]

Hi anybody knows the hose diameter for drain valve on fx5 or fx6 ? Thanks

[@hugheymorrow]

16mm ID

[@detoro16]

What is the size of the drain hose that comes with the filter?

[@philhare7851]

5/8

[@franciscomartinez359]

Hey what’s is the hose you have in the filter fx6

[@hugheymorrow]

1" maxx flex pvc

[@WolverineXXX21]

So the screw thing on the drain valve is basically used for tightening the hose for draining right? Not necessarily holding the cap in place? I’m just having a brain fart I’m not having any issues but as long the the valve is closed there shouldn’t be any leakage and such

[@hugheymorrow]

Yeah I think the cap seems mainly an additional level of precaution, should maybe the o ring inside the valve leak or something

[@WolverineXXX21]

@@hugheymorrow like I was saying I was having a brain fart u would basically put the cap on then unscrew it and it tightens around it lol

[@jacobjones3628]

why do you need the python piece? or is it just serving as a connection point?

[@hugheymorrow]

Yeah I use the python for certain jobs so I keep it attached to the hose

[@willeymunda]

What is the longest hose you can use on the FX6 to drain water? I want to run it through to my bathroom

[@hugheymorrow]

As long as it needs to be. I drain through a hose that runs through the house to the back driveway. You can drain through any lengh.

[@willeymunda]

@@hugheymorrow so it will have enough power to syphon at a longer distance?

[@hugheymorrow]

@willeymunda it mainly needs gravity and displacement so the length doesn't matter for draining. For filling, I push it into the FX6 using a pond pump in my water aging barrel.

[@willeymunda]

@@hugheymorrow that’s why I was asking because my FX6 is on the floor and wasn’t sure whether gravity would carry it 20 feet then up into my bathroom etc

[@hugheymorrow]

@@willeymunda Fluval states maximum headroom is 10.8 feet, didn't realize you were talking about draining to upstairs.

[@dhiyaesmail1297]

When i use my fx6 to refill and ive filled completely. Why does the filter drain the tank down even though water was being entered through the canister and should be full?

[@hugheymorrow]

It's hard to say without knowing a little more, fx6 fills from the bottom and returns from the top so there shouldn't be much air in there if you fill from the service valve. I'd look at other areas as well such as does your overall plumbing have alot of volume and does it get drained when servicing etc., probably more on the return side of the plumbing. I tend to cut off the return side plumbing via a valve when draining.

[@dhiyaesmail1297]

MAybe bec there is air coming in from the return? I have two fx filters I was thinking putting the in tank attachment from in the other as I’m doing water changes will that stop air from coming in?

[@hugheymorrow]

@@dhiyaesmail1297 I dont think I understand the question. But the easiest way to shut off the return is just close the flow valve. I also use a valve upstream from the filter return valve for times when I have the whole thing disconnected.

[@dhiyaesmail1297]

When I refill using the fx it seems the water goes to the tank though the fx and the fx and doesn’t stay in the filter so when you open in the input the fx refills from the tank dropping the level in the tank

[@vivienleigh4640]

This is the nerdiest I've seen in a long time (in the good sense)

[@hugheymorrow]

compliment accepted.

[@maheshkumarmayya]

Using drain valve water from only cannister will be removed or even we can drain water from tank too?

[@hugheymorrow]

I also use it to drain from tank when doing water changes.

[@maheshkumarmayya]

@@hugheymorrow do we need to keep the filter running while we turn on drain value to remove water?

[@hugheymorrow]

@@maheshkumarmayya no I turn it off. I turn it on when filling the tank back up. Through the same valve.

[@maheshkumarmayya]

@@hugheymorrow I didnot get exactly how you refill Ying same value?does water go back to tank through inlet valve only or outlet?

[@maheshkumarmayya]

If you turn it off how water will get sucked back thought drain valve

[@TheMadfish83]

What are you using for hoses on your FX6. They look like pvc or rubber?

[@hugheymorrow]

I am using 1" ID flex PVC

[@coolie81]

Hi All, Is it the fx6 or the pump in the bucket that does the real work when filling the tank?

[@hugheymorrow]

I think the pump in the new water container helps increase the rate at which water is returned through the filter.

[@truthfactreality6814]

Make sure you aerate the RODI water for a day to get its proper ph then set it

[@hugheymorrow]

I run a pump through a tube inside the container to do just that for a day

[@mmbbsqw1d]

Please don't put cories in there :-/

[@zachary121701]

Should have titles this "me flexing my RO system" and wtf is with that music

[@hugheymorrow]

Thanks

[@neilfrasersmith]

'The water is great for plants'
Picture of water going down the drain.

[@hugheymorrow]

Both true facts. Thank you. 😊