Topic is pretty explanatory, I have an FX5 coming soon and I need to fill 3 cases I think im not entirely sure since is my first time with my canister.

I have a 55 gallon with 2 HOB AquaClear 110 and now the FX5 is coming for a ... OMG 55 gallon I KNOW I KNOW... I am upgrading my tanks soon and looking at graiglist for a possible upgrade... how should I approach the FX5 in terms of filling the cases?? thanks.

put the media from the HOB into the FX5

That fx5 is going to rape the 55 gal

I definitely know the fx5 is going to rape that 55gal for breakfast. If I dont want to move the media from the HOB, do I just fill the 3 cases with BIOMAX and call it done??

WHich ones do you guys recommend, FLUVAL BIOMAX??

Well, you will need to either use the media from the HOB or run the fx5 while you run the HOBS.

i would take the bio media out of the ac 119's and put it into the fx5 and then fill the remaining baskets with more bio max.

just my 2 cents

necromancer4 wrote:

i concur with cris... the best option to have instant cycled new filter
by seeding approach..

rauljimenez wrote:


The 2 posts above give good advice if you don't mind removing media from a existing filter. just take out any media you have in them, put it in the top basket of the fx5 and top up the others with enough media. this will give you a working filter.

if you don't want to risk removing the media from your current filters then yes you just fill the 3 baskets full with new media.(wash new media 1st) fill with water, screw down the lid and away you go.

there are some very good media on the market. all seam to state in one way or another that there's offer the largest surface for bacteria to grow. most do this by comparing different size media so are not offering a fair comparison. 2 of the best makes are Etheim and Fluval. any of these are going to work fine. I have just used Etheim pro media in 1 of my fx5's, but have also got fluval in another fx5. Thats not to say that you need it. its not cheap at £45 for 5L. some members are having good results from all sorts of media from pot scrubbers to hose pipe, broken flower pots etc. almost anything will work as long as it dose not contain nastys for fish(toxic)that said a good quality media will give a larger grow surface area and more bacteria in a smaller space. in turn a better more effective filter. if you use a home made media that contains small dust or particles you will need to bag it in a net bag to stop any small parts reaching the impeller. the fx5 has a high flow rate and hence a large hole for water to reach the impeller.

Thanks you guys for the advice , marcus do you know how much media I need if I buy say from ebay FLUVAL BIOMAX?? how much do I need to buy like 2-3 bags?

Any media will do- fluval bio max would be good.

You will need a lot of media, an FX5 is massive. An FX5 is too big and powerful for a 55g

Think it will be counterproductive for my 55gal? Im graig looking for a 150 or 200gallon tank but I dont know when Ill get it so yes it will be a raping for the 55gal

delboybully wrote:


I disagree here... The filter will be fine on your tank... keep an eye out for fin damage... If the flow is too high, you can adjust the in flow, and the out flow on the filter... this way you have it up and running and cycled for the bigger tank. JMO