General Care Discussion :: Fluval FX6 Popping?

[socialmonsters]

Hey guys,

I took the plunge and switched out my Rena XP3 (a priming nightmare) for a Fluval FX6 last week and it seems to be doing a solid job so far. However, I noticed that about 20-30 minutes after being plugged in, it starts making the sound of popcorn in a microwave. I found this video of someone having the same issue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGP5tYHGHNo

The consensus seems to be that air is getting in somehow and I agree. After unplugging it or after it purges itself of air, it sounds normal for a bit. My only guess is where the intake hose goes into the strainer, since that is above water. I tried using teflon tape on the outside of these two pieces but the popping sound hasn't stopped.

Any tips on where the air might be getting in? I can explain my outdoor pond setup better or take a picture if necessary. All help is much appreciated! Thanks guys.

[steve]

Very weird. Does it eventually stop or will it always come back? Is there a lot of surface agitation? I recall there being "micro-bubble" issues with the FX filters.

[socialmonsters]

It always comes back about 20-30 min after it either purges the air itself or I unplug it to make it purge the air. The output is underwater, only a couple inches, but it doesn't provide a ton of surface agitation. However, I also have a powerhead just a few inches under the surface as well that creates a decent amount of agitation. Here's a pic of the setup, minus his lamps. You can see the "size" of the surface agitation with the powerhead being on the left (blowing right) of the pic and the output in the far center.

Is this likely the cause of it?

[steve]

Maybe if they were further apart? Hard to tell from the picture. Was this a new-in-the-box filter or was it previously used?

[Kansasslider]

The new intake strainer is adjustable and needs to be completly under water. I ditched it for one off of my fx5. Other than that its probably micro bubbles. I have the same exact setup you do with no issues. Maybe your power head needs adjusted so it won't agitate the water so much.

[herpin'hippie]

I had that exact same sound after switching my crew into their new 125 gal and adjusting my hose positions and lengths. The problem was air was getting in via the connection from the tube to the intake strainer. I fixed mine by disconnecting both the strainer and the hose from the rubber connector piece. Then I connected the hose first as much as I could into the rubber piece, and then put the strainer on second. This seemed to make a better seal and best of all no more noise! Hope this helps.

[ljapa]

I had that exact same sound after switching my crew into their new 125 gal and adjusting my hose positions and lengths. The problem was air was getting in via the connection from the tube to the intake strainer. I fixed mine by disconnecting both the strainer and the hose from the rubber connector piece. Then I connected the hose first as much as I could into the rubber piece, and then put the strainer on second. This seemed to make a better seal and best of all no more noise! Hope this helps.

If that's the issue, you could also cut down the plastic on the strainer, so the hose connection to it is underwater.

[socialmonsters]

Thanks so much for all the help guys! I ended up turning the intake/strainer horizontally so the spot where they connect is underwater. So far, so good!

The big issue I had with the XP3 was priming it became almost impossible, likely due to my setup. Since my filters aren't that much lower than the pond itself I know that makes these things a big challenge, but thankfully the FX6 has had zero problem starting and stopping when unplugged. It seems a little odd that significant air was getting in through the connection spot since there was zero water leaking, but hey, I'll take what I can get!

[Kansasslider]

Its a pretty common problem. Glad you fixed it.

[socialmonsters]

With that being a common (but small) issue, is the general consensus still that the FX6 is one of the best filters you can get for RES?

Also, I know everyone's setup is different but how often are you guys typically changing/checking/adding to your FX6?

[Kansasslider]

The fx is the best filter for the money out there. Its a powerhouse and easy to maintain. I clean mine about once a month but then again I do own 4 turtles and fish. I change purigen and carbon when I clean it.

[socialmonsters]

Yeah, it definitely seems like a workhouse with pretty low maintenance. Is there any surefire way to tell when the carbon should be changed other than everyone seems to say about once a month? Does the simply eye test work (ie. if the water isn't as clear) or do you change it monthly regardless of how the water looks?

[Kansasslider]

I have gone as long as 2 months without changing it and the water is still clear. From what I understand top quality carbon might last a month but most of the carbon we use is probably exhausted in about 2 weeks. Its really not that big of a deal. Some people use it some don't. I like to use it myself. I also prefilter my water with carbon before I add it to the tank.


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[socialmonsters]

What method do you use to prefilter the water before filling up the tank? We have very hard water in Arizona and it just gets unsightly on his the walls of his black pond.

[Kansasslider]

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