Hi all im new to the sight so go easy on me lol....
problem i have is i set up a fluval305 yesterday the priming and circulation is running fine and the spray bar is pumping out water,problem i have is could my filter work more effecient if the intake and outtake tubes were side by side in the centre of my aquarium ????? this is what fluval pictures on the box recomend.i have mine situated at each end of my aquarium which by the way is 48"x15x18 not big i know but looking to upgrade next year. anyway is it advised to have it strictly in centre of the tank or can i keep it the way it is as i dont really want to have to make holes in the middle of my fish tank lid to put the tubes through .if anyone could give me proffesional advise i would be extremly happy indeed.

personally, I would have the spray bar and intake pipes at opposite ends of the tank, obviously if your pipes will reach that far which they might not. You'll find that the current will help push any crap towards the other end of the tank where it will be removed. Whatsoever you do, your filtration will not be enough to remove all of the dirt, you have to do that whilst cleaning the tank.

cheers

as ofl said either end is best......i run a 305 on one of my tanks with the tubes exactly like you have them ...its been running like this for 2 years and i belive is verry efficient this way .........hope this helps,oh and hello and welcome to the forum

hi bigamehunter yeah i thought this would be best way to can i ask another question though my cannister is not in the centre of my tank as its to big to fit in my cabinet so i have had to put it to the left of my tank and how my tubes run are as follows the outtake tube runs in a straight line from the cannister upto the tank and the spray bar sit 4" below the water level ,this tube is the shorter of the two. The 2nd one which is the intake stretchs from the cannister acroos the length of my 4ft tank and into the water bottom of the intake tube where the black end and white ball is sits 4" from substrate in tank. as my outtake tube runs straight up from canister tank and intake goes not straight up and more like a hill or mountain from cannister to tank and the tube for this is double the length of the outake one will this affect the performance of my filter?????? and should both of my tubes be identical in length and straightness when going from a to z????? also my cannister is 14" in length from the base of the tank should i drop this to the floor and have the cannister further away from the tank or is 14" ok
SORRY TO WRITE AN ESSAY BUT ITS MY FIRST FILTER AND COST ME A LOT OF MONEY AND THE SHOP I BROUGHT IT FROM HAS NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL .........

no mate your fine to ask anything as many times yo like here ....my filter is also on the left of my tank as it does not have a cabinet....and my pipes/tubes are of exactly the same configuration as yours except for the spraybar ,i use the end that came with it ..my tubes on ALLmy fluval cans are unequal length and nearly every person who uses cans have one tube shorter or longer than the other ...in my opinion the best tube to keep as the shortest is the OUTPUT as the filter hadoed not have to push the water as far lightening the load on the motor ,the intake tube works on a syphon ,so even if this one is long the syphon created by the filter draws the water from the tank not actually the pump itsself .....so i beleive your filter configuration is "perfect"...hope this answers your question

Yes i feel so much better now thanks for your help . absolute legend

Is it possible to lay these filters on their side? I ask because I am getting my FX 5 tomorrow and I know it will not fit in the cabinet upright! Just wondering.

no they must be upright ....unfortunately the fx5 is a big one but hey are quiet enough and tidy enough looking to leave by the side of the tank.........or get your saw out !!!!!!!!! LOL LOL and thanks seveneleven007......always here for any questions anytime!!!!!!!! for any members

the end of the month im getting the fx5 i love my 305. great filter systems. great choice

Thanks Im sure I will love it! I just don't know how to use it!

my buddy has one. very simple. just remember the way it goes back together when you clean it. thats his advice to me. said it took him like 45 min to put it back together the first time, cuz he rushed.