Equipment Review and Discussion :: Fluval fx5's, Airstones, Gravel Vacs, Algae Magnets, Oh My!

[lilsisofwwf]

So..I've been working on Koopa's diet and getting her used to swimming in a larger body of water than what she was used too. (She's like 4.5 inches, about 3 years old.) So we bought a 75 gallon glass tank, made a stand for it, and then..I've been at a standstill.

I knew I wanted to add sand but I didn't know what kind so my mom (without me, because she likes to try and help) went out and bought a bag of the all purpose really rough sand from the hardware store and I didn't really like it...so I think we're going to go get Quickrete playsand this time. I have my water heater, light fixture and t-rex uv flood bulb..and I went to buy the filter only to realize I had no idea what to put in it. I decided on a fluval fx5, which I got alot of reccomendations from here and in person.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_Fluv ... _s/227.htm
http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_Fluv ... _s/228.htm

Now it says on this site it comes with 6 foam blocks - big square white ones. Where is that going to go in the filter? All I know is that it has 3 baskets..and in the top basket I want prefilter. And I know in the bottom basket I want biological media. And that I'm supposed to put a polishing pad on top of it? So does that mean in the third basket or the second one? They talked about putting a fine filter pad after the polishing pad, but I didn't know if I was supposed to put all of that in the last one or what...plus where does the carbon go? It looks just like dust, does it come in a pouch or just loose?

Basically, I have no idea what goes where.

Onward, I was reading the forums and alot of people have airstones? I tried looking for them in the petstore but I was very confused. I know I wanted something that makes bubbles in her tank because her current filter has like a waterfall and she loves going after the bubbles...but I couldn't find a waterfall decoration big enough to put in a 75 gallon tank, so I figured this would be better because it gives the water oxygen...so, in this case, also have no idea what to get.

Um, next thing, would be a gravel vac. I saw a bunch of people had those (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3895 for example) and I was wondering if that would be useful if I have sand as the substrate in my tank? I read the FAQ that Chrisbarnett posted, but I still wasn't sure how to clean it. I was originally going to just use a mesh net to clean off whatever sits on the top..would this vac be easier? And can it be used for anything else? I'll buy it if it's worth it, I just wasn't sure the best way to clean.

I also had on my list of things to buy an algae scrubber since that's going to be a pretty big tank to clean..and I know I still have to get that for the walls and probably for her dock and ramp and stuff...but I came across these magnets that say they get rid of algae and I was wondering if anyone could tell me how they worked and if they were beneficial/useful?

(I gave myself a big budget out of guilt for not taking care of my turtle properly for so long, it's a good thing I don't really need a new car for another couple years..go Hondas.)

I know I ask alot of questions (if anyone saw my last post under general care they would know, I can't help it I'm inquisitive ^^; ) but I also read about those infared guns that you can just point it at the spot and it reads the temperature..where would I buy one of those and does it work for water temperatures also? I couldn't find it on the pet store websites..but it seems like a better idea because Koopa likes to gnaw and rub on everything so it would solve the multiple thermometer issue.

The last thing I was just wondering if anyone has a problem with their turtles getting stuck in their tank decorations? I wanted to get her an underwater log to chill on since she needs to rest, as well as some plants, and some cork bark for an underwater dock...I just can't find a log or something that's not hollow and I'm afraid she'll try and swim in it.


I think that's all. Really sorry >.>

-Coryn and Koopa Troopa

[Chrisbarnett]

Okay, since i don't know much about the FX5 other than the basics, I'll let the people who actually have them answer those questions because I'm not sure which way the water flows the media.

To run an airstone you also need an air pump and airline tubing.
Heres a good airpump http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2753029
heres tubing that youll need http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.j ... Id=2752198
and then just type in airstone on petsmart or petco.com or another aquarium website

About the gravel vac, you don't need that one for sand substrate. Daniel has one, he'll chime in about it, but i think you should either get a Python, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3910 or just a simple tank vaccum. I like the tank vaccums, i have the extra large for my 55 gal, and it works great. The motorized tank vacs could get damaged if they suck up sand grains, which can and will happen when you are trying to pick up little waste bits.

Those tank cleaning magnets are basically a tank sponge held together through glass with a handle on the outside of the tank, one pieece goes inside and the other goes outside the tank. I find them extremely handy, because when you want to wipe algae off the glass it is extremely easy and you don't have to even get your hands wet. Unlike a sponge inside the tank, which you have to dunk your arm.

You can get the infrared thermometer aka Temp Gun, at any hardware store usually, for arounf $20. yes it works on water temps.

drowning is a problem with tank decorations. they have to be large so that your turtle cannot get stuck in them, I just opted not to have any tank decorations with holes, too risky for me.

Also aboiut the underwater dock, cork bark floats, big time. I would buy a clear suction cup soap dish at Target or the local hardware store, they are only a few bucks. I have one for squirt and he sleeps on it every night and rests on it.

[lilsisofwwf]

Thank you Chris! I hope more people see this, I need help with the filter

[mat012]

I indulged in another gadget purchase and bought a battery operated tank vac. I bought the Eheim one. I really like it. It does suck up some sand, but not much and it is really good for spot cleaning. I have a good many fish in the tank with the turtle and got tired of looking at the fish poop. It takes a couple of minutes to swipe the bottom of the tank and it nicely gets rid of the poop piles. It doesnt remove any water so there is no tubes or buckets of water to lug around. I actually think it does better than my python with less work.

It is small, light and very portable. Easy to clean too. I recommend it. But this is a splurge purchase, not a necessity. Our time is stretched, so this was worth it to me to have something that keeps the tank looking nice in between cleanings. But definitely not something you have to have. Frankly with just a turt I dont think you would need it at all.

[meltedspork]

For the filter, this is the official manual: http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/FX5_user_manual_EN.pdf

I was looking at it because I plan on buying one when I upgrade to a bigger tank. They are different than other Fluval filters...

The foam is actually rings, not blocks. There are 3 baskets for media and the foam rings go around each basket (so you would use 3 foam rings at a time).

For media, you were right about the order. Here is what I would recommend (it is the media I currently use):

Top basket - Fluval Pre-Filter
Middle basket - Aquarium Pharmaceuticals AmmoCarb or Fluval ZeoCarb (Don't just get carbon, get the AmmoCarb or ZeoCarb because they have carbon AND ammonia remover. AmmoCarb is cheaper than the Fluval stuff and you can get a huge carton of it)
Bottom basket - Bio media such as Fluval Bio Max

For the AmmoCarb, you will need to get filter bags to put it in. They are just little mesh bags that you pour the media into and then they have a drawstring to close them. They have them at petstore for a couple bucks each. And make sure you wash the ammo carb after you put it into the bags... BEFORE you put it into the filter. (And it is not like dust, it is more like gravel.)

And... just a hint... it is way cheaper to buy filter media online than in stores.

[Daniel3507]

ive had the eheim battery vac for awhile now. it works really good for spot cleaning like mat012 said. the reason i got it was so i could clean up the occasional mess without having to get out the python and suck water out. you can just use a net though. once you scoop it all up just move it around till all the sand comes out of it.

[lilsisofwwf]

I found these bags http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?sku=123625 for the zeocarb..I was wondering if the bags were reusable? And I know the biomedia shouldn't really be washed and that prefilter can be washed an reused..but thats all that I can reuse correct? Everything else has to be replaced?

[Chrisbarnett]

The zeocarb cannot be reused, but the bags can be emptied out and rinsed well, then filled with new media.

[Daniel3507]

i have zeocarb in my fx5 and it came in its own mesh bag. i bought a 3 pack box

[meltedspork]

i have zeocarb in my fx5 and it came in its own mesh bag. i bought a 3 pack box

It's way cheaper to buy a big carton of Aquarium Pharmaceutical's AmmoCarb (same thing as ZeoCarb just different brand) and the re-fillable bags then to buy the bags of ZeoCarb.

For example: On Big Al's - a 3-pack of ZeoCarb is $5.49, while the largest size (37 oz) of AmmoCarb is $5.29. The 37 oz carton will fill up at least 6 filter bags.

So after you spend the $1.50 or so on each bag as an "investment," it's way cheaper to refill them then buy the pre-filled bags.

(There are other brands that also make carbon/ammonia removers... Marineland, PetCo has their own brand, etc... You could also buy a big thing of carbon and a big thing of ammonia remover and fill a bag with each or mix them together. I prefer to get the pre-mixed kind cause I am lazy )

[mat012]

You can also reuse the filter pads inside the canister. Eventually they will need to be replaced, but you can go at least 3-6 months depending on the type of pad. Usually a good rinse is all you need and then you can replace them in the canister. In terms of canister media here is what you need to replace and what you keep (well IMHO)

*ceramic rings, bio balls, etc. - rinse only in tank water, replace very infrequently (2-3 yrs?)
*filter pads, sponges and foam - I rinse in regular hot water, replace every 3 - 6 mths depending on wear and tear
*carbon, ammonia remover, etc. - rinse when you first use, replace monthly
*any bags you use to hold filter material (I have heard of some folks even using clean nylon stockings) rinse and use until they need to be replaced (are falling apart basically)

[lilsisofwwf]

well i bought the big container of zeocarb which is 2100 grams because i was tired and too lazy to go find ammocarb on another site since i was already ordering from marineandreef.com . i did get 2 filter bags though at the store today. i have no idea how many oz 2100 grams is but i paid like 18 bucks..so whatever. live and learn

and thank you mat, that helps alot!

[grey goose]

I wouldn't over-do it with the Ammo-Carb....Keep in mind that the nitrifying bacteria lives off of ammonia. If you use too much of it (I don't use it at all) you may starve the good bacteria in your rings. If your filter is set up and working properly, you shouldn't need it at all.