how many pads do tou use in your fx5?

I don't use any but it did come with 4 one for each basket.. With Oscars they just get too dirty too fast!

what do you put in yours then? the reason im asking is i had 3 water polishing pads in the top bio max in the middle and 3 pads in the bottom along with the side pads, but yesterday it started making a loud swishing noise like there was air inside the filter, there was virualy no flow coming out the output hose, i phoned my LFS today and he said i was probably because the polishing pads being compressed, so ive removed them and it seems to be working better

I use Scrubbies... in all 4 baskets, along with biomax..

These scrubbies are course enough with enough holes to allow BB to grow, but compact enough to filter out the small crap too...

I get the scrubbies in a 6 pack at the dollar store and they can be rinsed and reused so they last forever!

Here is a pic...

i use all the supplied foam that surounds the baskets,and one blue fine filter pad in my fx5. the rest baskets is filled with biomax................

what basket do you put the blue pad in?

the bottom...the fx5 flows from bottom to top. so in order to have the cleanest water flowing over the bio media the pad has to be in the bottom basket....

Hi there!

Reviving this old thread because I'm pondering media for the new FX5 that's coming to me this week - want to be ready for it so that I can get my 120 set up as fast as possible!

I'm looking for effective but affordable and locally accessible media options. I've read a lot about scrubbies, but then on other forums I've seen that idea dissed, and lots of people recommending ceramic rings, or other relatively expensive bio-media.

I also want to confirm what I think I understand - that the water flows up through the FX5 first from the bottom, through the included outer coarse sponges, then back down through the center baskets before hitting the output. Yes?

This means that any additional mechanical media should be in the upper basket (makes sense, since that's what you have to clean more frequently) and bio in the lower baskets (cleanest water makes contact with bio media before exiting filter).

I've also been reading about a hydroponic product called Hydroton, which can be used as a bio media. Because oscars are so messy, I was thinking of adding a combo of scrubbies and other sponges to the upper baske0t (mechanical), with the lower 2 baskets filled with a combo of Hydroton and maybe another more expensive bio-media, like the Eheim stuff.

Does this sound like a well rounded media set up? My goal is excellent mechanical and bio filtration, low risk of clogging (maintain good flow), easy regular maintenance.

Alternately, I'm debating between top two baskets of scrubbies, lower basket with high-end bio media. Will this combo give me enough surface area to handle the bio load, though?

This is really fun but also confusing! I know, trial and error, but it would be so helpful if folks could share their experiences and preferences. Thanks!

The FX5 will come with sponges on the outside of all baskets... So you wont have to add those...

I have scrubbies in the top baskets, a combo of scrubbies and ceramic rings in the middle, and then biomax by fluval and bio balls in the bottom baskets...

I hope this helps!

Ehfimech in the top basket, ehfisubstrate pro in the middal and bottom basket and a fine filter pad in the bottom basket and the six pads that go around the sides.

Should I reply to a thread that hasn't been touched in 6 days? Hmmmmmm?

Erica, a nice thing about a filter like the FX5 is how flexible it is as far as media choices and how to lay them out. There are many different opinions and all seem to work.

Until recently, I had all 3 baskets stuffed with scrubbies. I found them to do a fine job of biological filtration, but felt I needed some additional mechanical filtration. I had little floaties in my water. So, I took the scrubbies out of the top basket and filled it with fiberglass pillow stuffing that I picked up at Walmart of like $1 for a large bag. Certainly seems to have solved the issue.

And here's a little trick to use when it is time to service your filter.

I have mine under the tank and it is a bear to get out of there when it is full of water. I adapted what I learned from the instruction manual (do read that). I shut my filter off and drain the tank about half down. I then close the INLET side of the filter and remove it. Then, turn the pump back on and the water from the pump will flow into your tank. Shut the filter off when it quits spurting water and behold how light the filter will be then.