Fluval FX5 External Canister Filter by Hagen

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Fluval FX5 External Canister Filter by Hagen is a high performance, canister filter for aquariums up to 400 gallons. The Fluval FX5 A218 offers unparallel filtration power, maximum versatility and incredible control in fine-tuning water characteristics. Fluval FX5 Smart Pump Technology ensures a quiet, efficient operation. This self-priming system provides plug-in-and-start convenience. The multi-stage system allows you to stack filter media in the precise combination of layers that will work best for your planted aquarium. This Fluval FX5 filter will provide you infinite flexibility in creating and maintaining the ideal environment for your fish and plants.

The Fluval FX5's massive capacity and powerful integrated motor processes and recirculates 563 gallons of water every hour, enabling you to precisely manage water conditions for aquariums as large as 400 gallons. It will hold up to 1.5 gallons of media, yet it's compact enough fit under almost any aquarium cabinet.

The Fluval FX5 Filter siphons water and suspended debris through its clog-proof intake strainer, and then sends it through three levels of foam, which traps most particulate matter. The powerful pump then sends it through the multiple levels of media for the cleaning and processing sequence. As water flows back into the aquarium the flared design of the adjustable output nozzle disperses it in multiple directions, agitating the water and creating currents that help break down wastes and prevent them from settling. The Fluval FX5 ensures a continuous flow of pure, precisely treated water.

Fluval FX5 A218 Key Features

Fluval FX5 External Canister Filter was designed with Fluval’s unique Smart Pump technology. Here are some of the Fluval FX5 key features that make this canister filter become the absolute Best filter ever...

AquaStop Valves
The AquaStop valves make maintenance easy by allowing you to stop the water flow with an easy 90-degree turn of the valve lever. This means you can separate the hosing from the FX5 filter in one step. The valve lever can also be used to regulate water flow with no harm to the motor or its components. Three valves are provided: one for the intake, one for the output and one to be used to drain the filter under certain circumstances during the maintenance process.

Clog-Proof Intake Strainer
The wide, rounded mouth of the FX5 intake strainer is shaped to siphon water quickly. Covered by a fine screen that’s beveled to repel debris, it is virtually clog-proof, so there is never a build-up of solids that could impede water flow.

Self-Priming Instant-Start System
With the FX5, there’s never any need for manual siphoning. Simply fill the canister filter with 2 gallons of water, plug the filter in, then the filter will complete the filling process from your aquarium. It pumps for 2 minutes, pauses for 2 minutes to evacuate air then restarts immediately.

Purge Valve
The FX5 canister filter features a purge valve drain at its base. This makes it possible for you to empty the canister for maintenance before moving it.

The Fluval FX5’s superior performance and capability are backed by Fluval’s well-earned reputation for the best fish and aquarium care. Hagen Aquatic Research Station certification is your assurance of the most up-to-date and reliable research in aqua-care science. The use of the Fluval FX5 will help provide your fish with the aquatic home they deserve. *The FX5 helps meet the desired objectives of any aquarium. For the best performance, the Fluval FX5 Filter should be placed completely beneath the aquarium.

Lift-Out Stack of Media Baskets
The lift-out stack of media baskets is at the heart of Fluval multistage filtration. These large capacity baskets enable you to stack filtration media in the precise combination of layers that will work best for your aquarium. Use one type of media in each basket, or layer two or three types to suit your aquariums needs. Each basket is lined with a foam insert for effective mechanical pre-filtering. The instant-release T-handles let you lift, then separate the basket stack quickly and easily, making routine maintenance simple.

Multi-Directional Output Nozzle
The flared spout of the adjustable twin output nozzles sends multiple streams of purified water toward all corners of the aquarium, creating currents that agitate the water to break down wastes and help hold them in suspension until they can be drawn into the filter by the intake strainer. With more waste solids kept afloat, fewer settle, which means that bottom surfaces, and in fact the entire aquarium, is kept cleaner.

SMART PUMP™ Technology
Designed and engineered for reliable filtration of delicately balanced aquarium environments, FX5 Fluval's Smart Pump technology employs an electronic circuit board to continually monitor the pump. Impeller speed and force are constantly measured to ensure powerful output and energy efficiency. Smart Pump technology is also critical in evacuating any air that may build up in the system. Once every 24 hours, the filter will pause and allow any trapped air to escape, thus maintaining maximum filtration efficiency.

Fluval FX5 Canister Filter Specifications

• Wattages 230-240V/50Hz: 48W
• Wattages 120V/60Hz: 50W
• Biological Volume: 1.5 gallons, 5.9 L
• Pump Output: 925 gallons/hour
• Head Height (max.): 10.8ft
• Filter Circulation*: 563 gallons/hour
• Filtration Volume: 5.28 gallons, 20 L
• Aquarium Capacity: 400 gallons 1,500 liters
• Mechanical Area (Foam): 325.5 in.2 2,100 cm2

*Note: Flow rates were measured with intake and output hoses of the same length and without media.

FLUVAL FX5 Filter Media Options

Fluval FX5 Media Option

• Fluval Polishing Pad – Screens out fine particulates
• Fluval Ammonia Remover – Effectively removes ammonia before it can harm fish.
• Fluval Foam – Effectively traps and retains solid waste and particulates, allow biological and chemical media to function better.
• BioMax – Porous ceramic rings that provide a huge surface area for beneficial bacteria to colonize.
• Fluval Carbon – Research-grade carbon removes colors, odors and toxins from water.

Fluval FX5 External Canister Filter Review

The Fluval FX5 A218 canister filter is a great aquarium filter but requires regular cleaning - every 1-3 months full filter clean. However, you don't need to replace all of the media each time you clean the filter which can get really expensive.

A few things to note on Fluval FX5 External Canister Filter :

The Fx5 filter has incredible suction, it's made for a 400 gallon tank. Do not place aquarium plants or bubble makers anywhere near it or it will suck the plants against and in and the bubbles up that will make your filter noisy.

If you are breeding anything in your tank, expect to find babies in the filter. Thin skinny fish like loaches may be sucked up into the filter if they can't swim fast enough so you may want to put a breeding basket around it to keep them away but not hinder the filter intake.

The FX5 filter, when full of media and water is heavy but not too bad. It weighs around 40-50 lbs depending on your media. The filter media of Fluval A218 FX5 canister filter is expensive, but you can make your own rough filter pads (open hole filled black filter media), and carbon bags much cheaper than buying the premade media. However, the rest you'll want to buy real "Fluval parts" - Search for best prices »

Remember to fill it until it's about 1-1.5" from the top before attaching to to the hoses. You don't want the FX5 filter to have to work too hard to finish filling. It is self priming but needs that much help to make it work effectively.

If you hear it struggling after you hook it up (and you added enough water) it's because there's too much air in the system, turn it off, wait about 15 seconds, turn it back on. You'll see a huge mass of bubbles come out then it will work fine.

Remember to open the valves once you have it hooked up to the hoses - before plugging it in. Overall the Fluval FX5 is a highly recommended External Canister Filter for planted aquarium and any tanks 100 gallons and greater.

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How do Freshwater Aquarium Filters work?

Any types of aquarium filters really worth its salt really should be able of doing in all a few ways mechanically, biologically and chemically. A fourth way also exists known as germicidal or algaecidal, this type of filtration is usually utilized for a certain purpose like acquiring rid of green drinking water and utilises a UV steriliser.

Large particles like food squander and fish excreta are taken out mechanically by foam and/or fibre filtration media. The filter medium differs in texture from coarse to good, significant particles are eliminated initial by the coarse filter and then modest particles are eliminated by the very good filter.

Two sort of excellent bacteria are used in biological filtration. Fish squander speedily turns into ammonia which is really toxic to the fish. Between the two sorts of bacteria ammonia is transformed to nitrite and then nitrite is converted to the much less toxic nitrate. Drinking water alterations then maintain the nitrate levels down to an acceptable degree.

Activated charcoal or ion trade resins are employed in chemical filters. When the tank is initial setup chemical filtration is needed but it is not usually needed right after that.

The Five Major Types of Aquarium Filters

1) Among the first filters to show up on the market place ended up the in-tank also know as box or corner filters. Most of the modern day filters utilised right now are based upon these filters. They work by pulling water by means of many distinct filter media utilizing an air pump. Compared with other filters available they are not extremely effective but they are reasonable in cost. They are generally utilised today in breeding and hospital tanks.

2). Undergravel filters (UGF) consist of a grid of plastic pipes with tiny holes every 50 % inch or so. A space of drinking water is created underneath the gravel because the grid sits there. Up to four 'air lifts' little by little pull the squander down through the substrate into the pipes. The theory is that bacteria will break it down there. Below gravel filters use an 'air lift' to pull water by way of them so oxygenation is higher other positive aspects are that they are cheap to purchase and straightforward to set up and operate. One disadvantage is that they normally do not do chemical filtration. Also the small holes in the pipes are easily blocked and then squander tends to build up in the substrate. So you have to remove the filter two or 3 times a calendar year to give it a great clean as well as routinely use a siphonic hoover on the gravel. This indicates that you have to remove most of the substrate to get at the filter. For this purpose on your own, undergravel filters are becoming less typical.

3) Electricity filters hang on the exterior of the tank and use a pump to pull h2o up into the filter. The h2o falls again into the aquarium right after getting handed by way of mechanical, biological and quite possibly chemical filter media. These filters are quickly gaining popularity with aquarists due to the fact they are productive, marginally less costly than canisters, and a dream to maintain. Because they are exposed to the air they help oxygenate the drinking water.

4) Wet/dry or trickle filters. They are only integrated for completeness. Their use is normally constrained to quite significant tanks. They are pricey and have been known to empty aquariums of their water if they go mistaken!

5) A much better selection of the top major types of aquarium filters are Canister Filters. A siphon tube connected to a canister and pump pulls water out of the tank and by way of the canister and a return tube places the h2o back again in. Normally the canister consists of coarse ceramic 'donuts' or a coarse fibre, probably some chemical filtration medium like charcoal, porous glass or stone for biological filtration completed with a quite fine filter fibre. A canister filter consequently performs all three kinds of filtering.

Canister filters are great at maintaining your tank water crystal apparent. The downside to these filters is that they have a tendency to be pricey, use high-priced media, and want to be preserved every month. If they are not maintained properly they can grow to be nutrient traps.

The end result is that nitrogenous waste is pumped again into the tank since of the dirty filter media. Inadequate h2o top quality and algae bloom are induced by it! Also, since canisters are fully closed, they do not oxygenate the h2o so it gets to be essential to include an airstone or possibly a small water pump to agitate the water floor. General though, when correctly taken care of, a great canister filter is difficult to conquer.

Conclusion
It is important that you supply efficient filtration in addition to normal water alterations to quit a toxin construct up which will at some point trigger your fish and plants to die. Canister filters perform filtration by way of a canister chamber that sits typically underneath the fish tank. It is the most costly sort of filter but it performs outstanding filtration. There are a range of different possibilities which have been outlined above. It is your choice.

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Aquarium filters is essential to keep your aquarium water clear and healthy. However, without regular maintenance of the aquarium filtration will not function efficiently. This condition can lead to decline the water quality level and cause problems to the fish and plants which live in it. This also provides a form of insurance in case one of the filters stops working.

Today's aquarium filters offer a wide variety of options for maintaining clear and heathy water in an aquarium. When choosing filtration, base your decision on the size of your aquarium, as well as number of fish you hope to keep. To achieve the absolute best water conditions and for the fish that require extremely clear water, such as cichlids, more than one type of filter should be considered.

Top Filters

The form of Top filters could blocked the light entering into the aquarium. Whereas light is the essential thing for the plants to growth. Especially if using a spray system (water falling out over the water surface). In addition to supplying oxygen, the spray will get rid of carbon dioxide (CO ²). Top filter is not for aquascaping, its more appropriate to maintain the ornamental fish only.

Undergravel Filter

Undergravel filter is a type of aquarium filter that is still popular until now, mainly to keep the fish alone. As their name suggests, Undergravel filters are placed underneath a layer of aquarium gravel. These filters move water through the gravel to create conditions favorable for biological filtration. Once the beneficial bacteria colonize the gravel, they begin to efficiently break down waste materials. Undergravel filters are relatively inexpensive and rely on either an air pump or powerhead to function.

Undergravel filters are primarily biological filters. However, many models feature a replaceable cartridge placed at the end of the rigid tubing to provide supplementary chemical (activated carbon) or mechanical filtration (filter floss). These filters are available for small or large aquariums but are best suited for aquariums with a light fish load.

Because the flow of water filtered through sand at the bottom of the aquarium, then the use of primary fertilizer can not be applied. If potted plants in sand media is inserted, then the nitrate which is absorbed by the plant will be returned back into the aquarium water. Consequently, the moss will grow. Undergravel filter can not be used for aquarium aquascaping.

Canister Internal Filter

Canister internal filter usually placed at the inside corner of the aquarium. This filter is suitable for small aquariums or for beginners, because of easy installation and maintenance - no installation required the pipes or hoses. The venturi utilization or the air bubbles from the pipe output is not allowed, because it would remove the CO ² gas needed by aquatic plants.

Canister External Filter

The canister external filter which placed under the aquarium has function as a mechanical and biological filter. Types of filters that are very popular in the past 30 years have many sizes in accordance to the volume of aquarium water. Noteworthy to the Canister External Filter are:

• If the filter media used in tightly form, such as filter wool and rarely cleaned, so the filter will be clogged and as a result the decomposition bacteria which already exist will be deprived of Oxygen and the Nitrogen cycle will be disrupted.

• If the filter pump is not working more than three hours (e.g. due to power outages), the whole of degrading bacteria within the filter media will die because there is no water flow and Oxygen supply. As a result, Ammonia and Nitrite that has been broken down into Nitrate will turn back into Ammonia. If the filter pumps run again the ammonia will entered into the aquarium and cause disaster. To avoid this condition filter media should be cleaned first before the filter pumps run again.

Trickle Filter (Wet / Dry Filter)

Trickle filter is a type of filter is located inside the aquarium cabinet and made with the 'open systems', so that the oxygen contents can be much more to increase the performance of bacterial decomposition. Excess of the trickle filter when compared with the canister external filters are:

• It is easier to clean the filter media.
• The level of the water surface in the aquarium will not down if there is shrinkage due to water evaporation occurs in the filter.
• If the pump does not work (power outages or damage to the pump), the bacterial decomposer in the filter media will not die quickly or drastically as well as the canister types filter. This is because there are many air cavities and trickle filter still have direct relationship with the air.
• The large capacity of the space of filter media compared to the canister filters even could be 8-10 times greater.

The weakness of Trickle filter type is, it could be removed some carbon dioxide (CO ²) because the water falling inside the filter tank and in the surface skimmer. To compensate this, then the dose of CO ² which entered should be greater than the external canister filter system.

Surface Overflow Skimmer

The Surface Overflow Skimmer is a tube associated with filter. Taking the advantage of this tool are:

• Droppings of which are in surface water such as dust, fine moss, and a layer of oil will be sucked into the filter, so that gas exchange in the surface water is not obstructed.

• Maintaining the oxygen levels of aquarium water so not under minimal, because the water that falls in the tube surface skimmer to produce the oxygen.

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