Found this vid while trying to figure out how to clean the filter, first time buying it. Great video! Funny that I actually read the instructions over and over again yet somehow still missed the part about the filter turning off everything 12 hrs 😅. Wish I would have seen this vid a while ago lol 😅
Thanks for the great tips/mistakes. I just bought a used FX4 got home set it up and plugged it in and then a few seconds later it would shut off. That's when I stumbled to this video. I have to learn to read the manual ;)
Same! I came back to this video after 6 months of having my Fluval FX4 because I remembered him saying something about this. It’s only my second time servicing the thing and I got worried when it shut down after plugging it in. Thanks for the peace of mind Ben! 🐟
Ben you are so awesome! Honest and passionate about your work! I have learned so much from you, now mind you I’m a 75yo. Male! I have had aquariums for >50 years! Old men do not like changes! You just got to humorous all the time!
Dude, #4 is exactly what I was experiencing. I just plugged it in. I'll give it the chance to purge itself till tomorrow and see how it's going. I'll check back in with an update. Thank you!
Ben!! Thanks a million for this very straightforward, clearly spoken, and not rushed info! I just bought the Fluval FX4 as my Eheim Ecco kicked it's own bucket after 18yrs of operation! I could NOT find anywhere how the water flows through this thing so I can set up the baskets properly and your step #3 is invaluable. Thanks bud from Calgary Canada.
I definitely panicked because mine shutoff right after i plugged it in thanks man 😭😭😭, you explained exactly what i did to a tee. I unplugged it and looked at this video asap trying to find answers.
Hi there. I was wondering after 12 hrs of shut of time. How long does it shut down ? I had morning for almost a day. I noticed it shut down. So I went ahead and changed the water again anyway. An it fired back up an running. Thanks
Hi Ben, this video was very well done!!! I like how you discussed measuring the hoses. I also like how you clean the sponges to save money and improve performance. I don’t use any chemical media, so I just put more bio media in the bottom tray. Also, there is also 4 metal clips that the screws to the motor go into attached to the plastic ears on the housing. Great job my friend! I will share it and congratulations on 13 K.
Have to say that I love the cap you wearing! :) Got two FX6, Sunsun 704 & 703 and a CrystalProfi E902 to my 190 and 80 gallon tanks. Both the Sunsun canisters started to leak within a year, and for me the leak on both filters came from the Inlet and Outlet Connector, took everything apart and used plumber tape behind all orings.. that did the trick. Also had an issue with the FX6, but in that case it where a leak in the middle of the hose that started to spray water and not the pump itself. My apartment have newly laid parquet floor so I don´t want anymore leaks.. I´m going to put each canister in a small container and then put a WiFi water-detector (puck) at the bottom of each container, if there is a leak the sensor will both sound an alarm and send a warning to the phone, it´s a total cost of about 250€. Like your videos, keep it up.. regards from Sweden!
That’s the best way to have a canister. There is from my son who played baseball in Sweden one summer. He fell in love with the people and the country.
Thank you. I washed mine with tap water too. It has never been a problem at all. Been using mine for over nine years. Never needed a sump and it’s quiet.
Hi, Ben great tips dude. Yeh I guess these are the mistakes that beginners do. They you said, not many fish keepers bother to read the instructions booklet. The last few dats my fx6 filter has been pumping crap back in to my 6 ft American cichlid tank, so it’s time to remove the hoses and clean them out which is very difficult for me to do because I’m a disabled ex army veteran, so the plan is to replace old hoses and then get someone to clean out the old hoses. Loved your cichlid tank, awesome fish dude. Keep sending out your great tips dude.
After my servicing, I had forgotten to open my input valve. When I plugged it in, nothing... no attempt to start or anything. I thought that was pretty awesome that it sensed a no flow without attempting a start; prevented some damage, I'm sure.
Great stuff! Also have seen people put ceramic ring media in the lower level about1" high to catch the initial crud as it flows in before the outer sponges(in the bottom)...have had that in all three of mine for some time and does work very well!
Thanks for the tip on the sponge material. I was about to order some. Even if you replace instead of rinsing the sponge in tap water, there will be no good bacteria either way. Also, you could rinse half in tap water every other cleaning to keep half of your beneficial bacteria in the filter.
Thanks for the video. Just picked up the fx6 today to upgrade my 307 since it's struggling with my new 75. Only issue I seem to be having, doesn't seem like it pushes much more water opposed to my 307.
Maybe the split outputs on the FX6 make it seem like it’s pushing less water than it actually is? If it was one output it would be super high pressure.
Great tips Ben, when I first ordered my fx6 I ordered extra hosing just in case . Guess what ? I cut the hose too short on the output 😂 , not only that I also cut my finger with the Stanley knife resulting in 7 stitches to my index finger. The hose tip is the one everyone should remember , I made that mistake and I'm sure many others have . Great video Ben 👍
Hii Sir please giv me ur what'sapp number or email ID to discuss about my African Chichlid tank fish are dying I tried every thing. Iam cleaning tank every month temperature Iam keeping 26 to 28 is it Okie. Please giv me ur num I'll send pictures alos. I live in q8. Thank you very much. My num is o 00965-67772291
@@aribsulaimani1620 Hi Sir, the best idea is to go on Facebook Ben O'Cichlid-All About African Cichlids and The Aquatic Lounge or Northfin USA (Jay Wilson) there are tons of experts that can help you, good luck my friend.
Thank you for stopping by and watching Pamela. Another tip that helps (covered in a later video) is to place canister filters in platic containers. That way if they do start to leak the water is contained. You can even get sensors that set off an alarm if there's water detected. It's covered in this video: ruclips.net/video/blpw1Jo9fgM/видео.html
That’s helpful . Why is my FX6 making a noises like there are rocks running around the side and like a water swishing noise. Please help I’m all most done with it I clean it out as per instructions and now it’s making all these funny noises
Ben, I just came across your video - well done sir! I set up a 180 gallon tank in February with an FX4. I am curious how do you deal with surface. Also, do you have an videos or picture of the depth settings of the filter's input and output and how they are directed/located in your tank... are there advantages/disadvantages of how these are adjusted?
I point one FX output slightly up and toward the intake in the far opposite corner and the other slightly down. I also have 2 powerheads pushing a lot of water around. One under the Fluval output, also pointed toward the input, and one on the other side pointed slightly up and forward, breaking surface tension and helping to create a circular water movement pattern.
What are your thoughts on changing the coarse sponges for different ones? I have noticed a lot of the UK RUclips FX6 improvements suggest using one blue sponge on the outside and a green one on the inside sandwiched together (egg-crate style) in lieu of the Fluval white one. Since I don't want to advertise anothers' site on your page I won't link the youtube page. If you can't find what I'm referencing I can give you the title of the youtube site.
Hello question,I have a few fx6,the other day the power went out on my house since it came back just one of the filters is acting up,the out hose is like shaking and I heard like a weird noise coming from inside the filter,like pushing the water something like that,and is just that filter
I'm thinking about going to fx4 or fx6 for my 100 gall. Right now I'm using 2 304b Sunsun do you have an video on how you setup your fx6. Question would you just keep 2 sunsun on a 100 gallon or would ypu just go with a fx4 or fx6
I have a 220gl fresh water tank for 20 years the FX5 finally stopped working so I bought the fx6 installed it let it get rid of the air plugged it today and it’s not working.Pretty lost at what to do
Hello first of all thanks for your video it really helps me a lot But I have a question Can you put more the one different chemical media on the las stage of the fx6
I use 2 bags, one with charcoal, and one with a purigen type media. As long as the bags don't prevent the baskets from piecing together properly, you're good.
Hi. Just set one up. Was working fine for about 4 hours and then started marking a clunking noise from the canister. I am wondering if this is trapped air. Unplugging and plugging in sorted it.
I had success with Seachem Purigen. Also products like Fritz Monster 360 and Seachem Clarity can help. If it’s a new tank it will eventually clear up on its own.
Ben I have loved all your videos on the fx6 really showed me how to set it up I did a ton a research before I bought it over a year and half now and yours was the best thank you going to get a tee shirt real soon
I've been trying to get some help with this but I get no replays to the comment. So hopefully you can help. I set an fx6 up a few nights ago. Now I'm watching it in the tank and it doesn't seem to have that great of suction. I'm watching small particles that should get sucked up or that would have gotten sucked up with my Fluval 110 float right by. Any ideas to why?
My directions say to put the rings bio in the bottom basket. Also some time I noticed that the thin filter at the bottom will stopped the water flowing out, why. If I rinse out the new filter first, it does not do it
@@BenOchart thanks for the quick response...working on my channel..to be able to get to Ben O Cichlid Legend status! Lol...would love some feedback on it..if you get a chance.
I have my Fluval 5 for many years, I just clean my last week. I rotate medium, I will not replace everything at the same time. I do clean the foam filters , the way you do it. But I bought a bulk polish filters and cut them up, to used it in my system. My question is, after I clean it and put it back together. My problem is, it sounds like it constantly filling up. It gets quite for awhile and then sounds like it trying to fill up. Is there anything wrong?
If you put a conditioner in the tap water to rinse the sponges you won't loose the bacteria. Use Safe and its very cheap to condition the water when you need to clean the sponges.
I had to laugh at this, I bought an FX6 recently, used but nearly new with new media. Firstly the guy I bought it off did the cut in half hose thing! I had to sort it. 🤨 Then when I finally set it up I did the plug and play, guess what! I did exactly what you said, pulled the plug, tried again then went on google! 😂
Great video! I always rinse my pads in tap water. I guess my biomedia have at least 90% of the nitification cycle bacteria, so loosing the 10% or less from the spunges is no big deal. They will be replaced within a few hours and the ammonia and nitrite spikes isn't even measurable with any standard water test kit, so it will not harm the animals in the tank. Of course, for anyone who have spunges only as both mechanical and biomedia, this method doesn't apply, one shouldn't rinse them all in tap water (or aquarium water, for that matter) at the same time. Rinse the foam from one media basket each service of the filter. It will reduce service intervalls, but keep the fish safe.
Me too granted my water is from a well not a city source. While I don’t have a nice FX6 (too poor) I run a sun sun canister filter and a bunch of HOB filters. All filled with bags of lava rocks! Easy to rinse when they eventually get clogged. Works well and I save a fortune on replacement filters.
Ben, I have a FX4 and it started to make this loud vibrating noise. Fluval said to change the impeller which I did and it still there. Have you run into this problem? Have you ever cleaned the hoses? Thanks.
Before cutting the hoses you should decide on the placement of the unit and where the input/output will be hanging on the tank. It might require different lengths, not 50/50. Don't let the hoses sag or have a lot of extra or you'll get air bubbles coming out of the output.
Hey my man. I put the premium activated carbon bag in the middle canister and one on top canister. It turned my water blsck..o cleaned the fish tank and it was cloudy so I bought these bags..war I didn't do is clean any of the sponges..I'm knew to this and I got a 125 gallon tank..please help..lol
For more fish keeping tips, check out these playlists: For "Best Fish Keeping Tips" click here: @t For tips and tricks with Fluval FX canister filters go here: @t For tips and tricks with SunSun canister filters go here: @t For videos on water changes and controlling nitrates, click here: @t For videos on general canister filter maintenance, click here: @t My Top 10 most popular videos of all time: @t
My Wife's FX4 stopped working after we moved. It was working fine, then at the new house once plugged in, didn't come on at all. The OTHER FX4 on the OTHER tank came on for a few seconds, then shut off for a little bit, came back on as expected but the first one mentioned never came on at all and we waited nearly ten minutes before giving up and unplugging it for fear of fire or something from it's motor. Any thoughts? We only moved an hour away from the first house and, again, it was working fine for 4 years.
My only guess would be not enough water in the unit at start up, but you would have heard the unit trying to move water before shutting off. I’d open up the pump housing and scrub down the impeller. Maybe it’s gunked up? Try contacting Fluval (Hagen North America?). Maybe their support team can help?
@@BenOchart Great suggestions, but we ended up simply going to the Pet Store and buying another one, so that we could get that tank going for her turtle. It's working fine. We're keeping the old one, and will follow your advice. Thanks!
I'm not sure that I understand the question??? If the canister is not working, be sure that you filled it with water before plugging it in. If you start it with not enough water in it, it will just hum and then overheat and burn out.
Hi The orange shaped barrel nut on the bottom of one of my cover locks is broken. I was going to replace the whole lock but have seen that you can just purchase the orange bit for the bottom. I am unable to figure out how to put a new one on as I cannot seem to get the metal pin to seperate from the round tighten it up thingy (ha! sorry for the descriptor there). Can anyone tell me how to do it please.
Purchased this canister filter after failed attempt to build my own off a RUclips video, I have my 200gal aquarium plumbed in 1” pvc , do you know if I can connect from the fx6 to the pvc?
I just bought my fx6 about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it’s throwing out micro bubbles and big bubbles, Hoses are both submerged, no bubbler or air stone near intake, I have plumbers tape around the end, could it be I put to much media in the filter
cleaned impeller and still fluval fx6 stops running for days less than 1 yr old but bought on EBay with no warranty. Sometimes works when replugged but shuts off shortly and will not restart and no vibration or noise so I assume motor is not running. Any suggestions????????
It’s supposed to stop running shortly after being plugged in to purge air. When it does that, if you unplug and plug back in it starts the process over again. Do it several times and it messes it up. I suggest you contact fluval. They can tell how old the unit is and maybe you’re under warranty (there’s a serial # somewhere on the unit). You might need a new motor.
@@BenOchart Thanks for your reply. It is so nice to hear back from you. The unit is 9 months old and when I contacted Fluval about a warranty I was told that since I bought it off EBay and the seller was not a Fluval dealer there is no warranty on it. I understand about the purging as I have 4 Fluval FX6's on my setup which is a 350 gallon in the back sunporch. Since I keep Koi I drain the water about 1x a wk and unplug the pumps, drain most of the water, clean the filters and plug all the pumps back in. This bad pump will shoot out water a couple of times and never restart so after about 12 hr I unplug it as there is no vibration or noise coming from the unit and I am not 2 sure what 2 do.. Sometimes the next day I plug it in again and it does the same thing so not 2 sure what the problem is.
Great video! I made the mistake of starting my fx4 up with only a gallon of water in it.... I wonder why the filter wasn't pushing any water through it after 20 minutes.... Lol! I mis read the directions and had to add about another 1.5 gallons of water to the canister. Then magically it began working properly!! Lol! But, in my defense I just got done working a 16 hour shift. And I was extremely tired but excited to set it up and I did so. To my dismay. But, everything turned out great when realized what I had done. I hope everyone learns mistake! 😁😁😂🤣
Ben! Could you please do a video on properly closing the lid so that it's not too loose, or too tight. I can't seem to find this happy medium that doesn't allow air in.
Had to comeback and show love to this video. All of my comments were deleted when my channel was hacked.
Thank you my friend!
Thank you I got the canister and did not get instructions. I panicked man you are a lifesaver once again thank you.
Glad I could help
Awesome video. I'm setting up my first FX4 tomorrow, so I'm glad I stumbled across this first. Woulda freaked out after it shut itself off.
Found this vid while trying to figure out how to clean the filter, first time buying it. Great video! Funny that I actually read the instructions over and over again yet somehow still missed the part about the filter turning off everything 12 hrs 😅. Wish I would have seen this vid a while ago lol 😅
I glad you found it helpful 😀👍🏻
Thanks for the great tips/mistakes. I just bought a used FX4 got home set it up and plugged it in and then a few seconds later it would shut off. That's when I stumbled to this video. I have to learn to read the manual ;)
SSTRIKER I’m glad this helped
How long before it comes on again?
Just plugged it in, it shut down, panicked, then found your very helpful guide, phew!!! Thank you Ben, very helpful!!
Same! I came back to this video after 6 months of having my Fluval FX4 because I remembered him saying something about this. It’s only my second time servicing the thing and I got worried when it shut down after plugging it in. Thanks for the peace of mind Ben! 🐟
Ben you are so awesome! Honest and passionate about your work! I have learned so much from you, now mind you I’m a 75yo. Male! I have had aquariums for >50 years! Old men do not like changes! You just got to humorous all the time!
Dude, #4 is exactly what I was experiencing. I just plugged it in. I'll give it the chance to purge itself till tomorrow and see how it's going. I'll check back in with an update. Thank you!
This was soooo helpful! I bought my fluval second-hand, with no booklet. Thank you!
I’m glad it helped 😀👍🏻
The fact that I did exactly what tip 4 was is embarrassing… thanks for the tip hahaha
Ben!! Thanks a million for this very straightforward, clearly spoken, and not rushed info! I just bought the Fluval FX4 as my Eheim Ecco kicked it's own bucket after 18yrs of operation! I could NOT find anywhere how the water flows through this thing so I can set up the baskets properly and your step #3 is invaluable. Thanks bud from Calgary Canada.
Best video i found for automatic shutoff without any knowledge
Thank you Ben
I definitely panicked because mine shutoff right after i plugged it in thanks man 😭😭😭, you explained exactly what i did to a tee. I unplugged it and looked at this video asap trying to find answers.
There should be a cover on the plug with a big note: Filter will turn itself off - DON'T PANIC!
LOL!
I just got my fluval a few hours ago, thanks for this :)
I hope it helps, thanks for watching.
lol me too
Hero ♥️ plug and player here, found out canister was switching off was normal, thank you ☝️
Articulate and concise 👍 thank you, I’ve spent way too long trying to find clear info and I’ve finally succeeded😁
Thank you brother! Haha I definitely panicked when it shut off and is why I watched this vid. I'm glad it was the first one I found!!!!!!
Hey Scott, so did I! But I went and read a little more carefully and realized that I hadn't broken the canister, LOL. Thanks for watching.
This was my issue too. Thanks for this video. Very helpful. Godspeed
Same here! Saved me a night's sleep lol. I guess there is actually engineering value in the high price tag haha
Hi there. I was wondering after 12 hrs of shut of time. How long does it shut down ? I had morning for almost a day. I noticed it shut down. So I went ahead and changed the water again anyway. An it fired back up an running. Thanks
Your chuckles are well timed with regard to having leaks... great vid
A little pain in those chuckles, LOL. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video, setting up my first aquarium soon and I got the FX6, trying to study up before I open the box :)
Smart move 😀👍🏻
Hi Ben, this video was very well done!!! I like how you discussed measuring the hoses. I also like how you clean the sponges to save money and improve performance. I don’t use any chemical media, so I just put more bio media in the bottom tray. Also, there is also 4 metal clips that the screws to the motor go into attached to the plastic ears on the housing. Great job my friend! I will share it and congratulations on 13 K.
Thanks Denny, you helped me out originally with both the FX-6 and the sump set up, if you recall! Thanks!!!
Have to say that I love the cap you wearing! :)
Got two FX6, Sunsun 704 & 703 and a CrystalProfi E902 to my 190 and 80 gallon tanks.
Both the Sunsun canisters started to leak within a year, and for me the leak on both filters came from the Inlet and Outlet Connector, took everything apart and used plumber tape behind all orings.. that did the trick.
Also had an issue with the FX6, but in that case it where a leak in the middle of the hose that started to spray water and not the pump itself.
My apartment have newly laid parquet floor so I don´t want anymore leaks..
I´m going to put each canister in a small container and then put a WiFi water-detector (puck) at the bottom of each container, if there is a leak the sensor will both sound an alarm and send a warning to the phone, it´s a total cost of about 250€.
Like your videos, keep it up.. regards from Sweden!
That’s the best way to have a canister. There is from my son who played baseball in Sweden one summer. He fell in love with the people and the country.
Swedish coat of arms. 🇸🇪
Great video!!
Thanks for the video...and cool hat!
You're welcome. My son brought me that hat from Sweden.
That's a nice hat my man. And I appreciate you work, thanks.
Hey Ben. Good tips for the FX series. Another great video. Have a great Sunday.
Thank you. I washed mine with tap water too. It has never been a problem at all. Been using mine for over nine years. Never needed a sump and it’s quiet.
Thank you for the great video.
I have had the same fx6 for almost ten years and never once have I taken apart the motor housing still runs fine
Thanks for the tips
Hi, Ben great tips dude. Yeh I guess these are the mistakes that beginners do. They you said, not many fish keepers bother to read the instructions booklet. The last few dats my fx6 filter has been pumping crap back in to my 6 ft American cichlid tank, so it’s time to remove the hoses and clean them out which is very difficult for me to do because I’m a disabled ex army veteran, so the plan is to replace old hoses and then get someone to clean out the old hoses. Loved your cichlid tank, awesome fish dude. Keep sending out your great tips dude.
I’ve been watching everything from you to figure out how to build my set up, thank you so much for all of the help!
You are so welcome!
After my servicing, I had forgotten to open my input valve. When I plugged it in, nothing... no attempt to start or anything. I thought that was pretty awesome that it sensed a no flow without attempting a start; prevented some damage, I'm sure.
New to your channel. Thanks for the fantastic presentation.
Thank you
Great stuff! Also have seen people put ceramic ring media in the lower level about1" high to catch the initial crud as it flows in before the outer sponges(in the bottom)...have had that in all three of mine for some time and does work very well!
I used to do that in my SunSun canisters off of a recommendation from Pond Guru.
You two are Awesome!!!
Great tips! Will come in extremely handy when I get the used aquarium and FX4 I'm picking up next Sunday!
just picked up the fx4 for 224 on sale at PetSmart today get it while its good
@@louis7775 224 what Louis? I'm assuming you are in the USA and it's $?
yes dollars , $224
All very good tips Ben.
Thanks 😊
Thank you Michael
Thank you for the video
You're welcome
I'm glad I watched this. Just bought the Fx6 for my 55 gallon turtle aquarium and it's pretty intimidating lol.
Guilty Of Panicking Because My new Fluval shut off 😂😂😂 ... thanks for your help!
🤫 I did too 🤣🤣🤣
Thanks for the tip on the sponge material. I was about to order some. Even if you replace instead of rinsing the sponge in tap water, there will be no good bacteria either way. Also, you could rinse half in tap water every other cleaning to keep half of your beneficial bacteria in the filter.
Thanks for the video. Just picked up the fx6 today to upgrade my 307 since it's struggling with my new 75. Only issue I seem to be having, doesn't seem like it pushes much more water opposed to my 307.
Maybe the split outputs on the FX6 make it seem like it’s pushing less water than it actually is? If it was one output it would be super high pressure.
Great tips Ben, when I first ordered my fx6 I ordered extra hosing just in case . Guess what ? I cut the hose too short on the output 😂 , not only that I also cut my finger with the Stanley knife resulting in 7 stitches to my index finger. The hose tip is the one everyone should remember , I made that mistake and I'm sure many others have . Great video Ben 👍
Extra hose? You are a smart guy. Sorry about the finger cut, that sucked.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Nice explanation given
Plan to use it soon😊👍
Best video I have ever seen thank you
I knew like 2 thanks for the info great great I formation 👍🏿 thanks
Great video Ben, and yeah tap water is the best to clean those sponge filters every month, also shirt looks good, I will get one for sure 👍
Hii Sir please giv me ur what'sapp number or email ID to discuss about my African Chichlid tank fish are dying I tried every thing. Iam cleaning tank every month temperature Iam keeping 26 to 28 is it Okie. Please giv me ur num I'll send pictures alos. I live in q8.
Thank you very much. My num is o
00965-67772291
@@aribsulaimani1620 Hi Sir, the best idea is to go on Facebook Ben O'Cichlid-All About African Cichlids and The Aquatic Lounge or Northfin USA (Jay Wilson) there are tons of experts that can help you, good luck my friend.
@@efrainscichlids9038 thanks alot sir, appreciate but if I'll more happy if can get ur what'sapp number🙏🤗
Love my FX4 and FX6 but the intake and out put valves are super hard to turn to adjust flow rate. I’m afraid they’ll break. Is this normal?
I’m glad I watched this before I bought one. I’d have made most of those mistakes. Just had a bad flood/ leak with an All ponds filter( sun sun)
Thank you for stopping by and watching Pamela. Another tip that helps (covered in a later video) is to place canister filters in platic containers. That way if they do start to leak the water is contained. You can even get sensors that set off an alarm if there's water detected. It's covered in this video: ruclips.net/video/blpw1Jo9fgM/видео.html
This video is definitely on point!!!!
Well Done!!
Hey Jack Jill! Thanks for stopping by and the great words of encouragement.
would not see any points.. )))
That’s helpful . Why is my FX6 making a noises like there are rocks running around the side and like a water swishing noise. Please help I’m all most done with it I clean it out as per instructions and now it’s making all these funny noises
Great tip with the hoses I just saw it 5 years to late
Damn, I knew I should have gotten this video to you sooner 😉
I appreciate you watching!
Love your videos and I’m from Memphis lol what’s the name of the lubricant?? Thank you
Nice Swedish hat 😃😃
Thank you Olof, it was a gift from my son who played baseball for a summer in Sweden. He loved the country and the people.
Ben, I just came across your video - well done sir! I set up a 180 gallon tank in February with an FX4. I am curious how do you deal with surface. Also, do you have an videos or picture of the depth settings of the filter's input and output and how they are directed/located in your tank... are there advantages/disadvantages of how these are adjusted?
^To clarify, how do you deal with surface protein?
Love your vids!
I point one FX output slightly up and toward the intake in the far opposite corner and the other slightly down. I also have 2 powerheads pushing a lot of water around. One under the Fluval output, also pointed toward the input, and one on the other side pointed slightly up and forward, breaking surface tension and helping to create a circular water movement pattern.
@@johnsoncraig2230 freshwater aquariums don't really have a problem with proteins.
Not like saltwater setups
What are your thoughts on changing the coarse sponges for different ones? I have noticed a lot of the UK RUclips FX6 improvements suggest using one blue sponge on the outside and a green one on the inside sandwiched together (egg-crate style) in lieu of the Fluval white one. Since I don't want to advertise anothers' site on your page I won't link the youtube page. If you can't find what I'm referencing I can give you the title of the youtube site.
(Blue) 20PPI, (Green) 30PPI sponges I believe.
I’ve been happy with the performance of the filter using the factory outer sponges, especially after adding a pre-filter to the intake.
Hi again Ben and fish friends We have a FX5 that’s surging , we are at a loss as too why any ideas would be great tia
Thank you!
Hello question,I have a few fx6,the other day the power went out on my house since it came back just one of the filters is acting up,the out hose is like shaking and I heard like a weird noise coming from inside the filter,like pushing the water something like that,and is just that filter
Sounds like some air got in there. Unplug it for 5 minutes. After you plug it back in it will stop to purge air. After that you should be fine.
great topic ben thank you !
I'm thinking about going to fx4 or fx6 for my 100 gall. Right now I'm using 2 304b Sunsun do you have an video on how you setup your fx6. Question would you just keep 2 sunsun on a 100 gallon or would ypu just go with a fx4 or fx6
I have a 220gl fresh water tank for 20 years the FX5 finally stopped working so I bought the fx6 installed it let it get rid of the air plugged it today and it’s not working.Pretty lost at what to do
Question what wouls be the cause of the fluval not to suck in water and kick it out? Im so new to this...
The FX-6 turns off every 12 hours to allow air to purge. It's off for a few minutes then turns back on. Is that what you're talking about?
Hello first of all thanks for your video it really helps me a lot
But I have a question
Can you put more the one different chemical media on the las stage of the fx6
I use 2 bags, one with charcoal, and one with a purigen type media. As long as the bags don't prevent the baskets from piecing together properly, you're good.
Thanks a lot for for the information truly appreciate your
Hi. Just set one up. Was working fine for about 4 hours and then started marking a clunking noise from the canister. I am wondering if this is trapped air. Unplugging and plugging in sorted it.
I’m glad it sorted out. It can drive you crazy.
@@BenOchart it did it again a few hours later, it is the air bubbler too close and sucking air in to the FX6 instal pipe
Any tips on how to get rid of white particles I'm using fx6 have floss init aswell
I had success with Seachem Purigen. Also products like Fritz Monster 360 and Seachem Clarity can help.
If it’s a new tank it will eventually clear up on its own.
Thank you for your tips sir
Ben I have loved all your videos on the fx6 really showed me how to set it up I did a ton a research before I bought it over a year and half now and yours was the best thank you going to get a tee shirt real soon
Great to hear that Ry! And, in advance, I thank you for picking up a tee, enjoy it my friend.
Before you it post the title read video 😁 great advice though, thank you 🙏
I just talked to fluval rep he said that water comes up thru bottom center and the last filter before going out was the top middle filter???
Not on this model. There’s nothing there, at the top center, that could pull the water.
I've been trying to get some help with this but I get no replays to the comment. So hopefully you can help.
I set an fx6 up a few nights ago. Now I'm watching it in the tank and it doesn't seem to have that great of suction. I'm watching small particles that should get sucked up or that would have gotten sucked up with my Fluval 110 float right by. Any ideas to why?
My directions say to put the rings bio in the bottom basket. Also some time I noticed that the thin filter at the bottom will stopped the water flowing out, why. If I rinse out the new filter first, it does not do it
GREAT VID! Question- i use bubblers but i notice your partial to powerheads...any reason...OR you just dont like bubblers??
Bubbles are great, but for aesthetic reasons I choose not to use them. I do have a massive airstone in my sump.
@@BenOchart thanks for the quick response...working on my channel..to be able to get to Ben O Cichlid Legend status! Lol...would love some feedback on it..if you get a chance.
Great video
I have my Fluval 5 for many years, I just clean my last week. I rotate medium, I will not replace everything at the same time. I do clean the foam filters , the way you do it. But I bought a bulk polish filters and cut them up, to used it in my system. My question is, after I clean it and put it back together. My problem is, it sounds like it constantly filling up. It gets quite for awhile and then sounds like it trying to fill up. Is there anything wrong?
If you put a conditioner in the tap water to rinse the sponges you won't loose the bacteria. Use Safe and its very cheap to condition the water when you need to clean the sponges.
Great Advice
I had to laugh at this, I bought an FX6 recently, used but nearly new with new media.
Firstly the guy I bought it off did the cut in half hose thing! I had to sort it. 🤨
Then when I finally set it up I did the plug and play, guess what! I did exactly what you said, pulled the plug, tried again then went on google! 😂
Interesting video, very nice.
In this video about Fluval mistakes I notice a sump next to it. please explain that setup. Thanks...
That's a 20 gal quarantine tank you're seeing. However, I do have a large sump and a SunSun 704-B on my 150.
Thanks for the info Ben!
Great video!
I always rinse my pads in tap water.
I guess my biomedia have at least 90% of the nitification cycle bacteria, so loosing the 10% or less from the spunges is no big deal.
They will be replaced within a few hours and the ammonia and nitrite spikes isn't even measurable with any standard water test kit, so it will not harm the animals in the tank.
Of course, for anyone who have spunges only as both mechanical and biomedia, this method doesn't apply, one shouldn't rinse them all in tap water (or aquarium water, for that matter) at the same time.
Rinse the foam from one media basket each service of the filter.
It will reduce service intervalls, but keep the fish safe.
Excellent points Daniel, thank you!
Me too granted my water is from a well not a city source. While I don’t have a nice FX6 (too poor) I run a sun sun canister filter and a bunch of HOB filters. All filled with bags of lava rocks! Easy to rinse when they eventually get clogged. Works well and I save a fortune on replacement filters.
How often should you maintain the impeler?
Twice a year I remove the cover/pump and give it a good cleaning.
Ben, I have a FX4 and it started to make this loud vibrating noise. Fluval said to change the impeller which I did and it still there. Have you run into this problem? Have you ever cleaned the hoses? Thanks.
Which one should be a third the length? I did the 50 50 cut :(.
Before cutting the hoses you should decide on the placement of the unit and where the input/output will be hanging on the tank. It might require different lengths, not 50/50. Don't let the hoses sag or have a lot of extra or you'll get air bubbles coming out of the output.
Will the micro bubbles eventually go away
Hey my man.
I put the premium activated carbon bag in the middle canister and one on top canister. It turned my water blsck..o cleaned the fish tank and it was cloudy so I bought these bags..war I didn't do is clean any of the sponges..I'm knew to this and I got a 125 gallon tank..please help..lol
Great video!
What are the plastic clips on top of the fx6? You made me purchase the fx6 Ben!
I think they are there for the siphon hose included with the unit.
@@BenOchart thanks! I have been wondering what the purpose of these since I opened the box.
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Please help- no idea what I’m doing but it makes so much buzzing noise it’s driving me nuts! Don’t even know how to turn it off 😬
My Wife's FX4 stopped working after we moved. It was working fine, then at the new house once plugged in, didn't come on at all. The OTHER FX4 on the OTHER tank came on for a few seconds, then shut off for a little bit, came back on as expected but the first one mentioned never came on at all and we waited nearly ten minutes before giving up and unplugging it for fear of fire or something from it's motor. Any thoughts? We only moved an hour away from the first house and, again, it was working fine for 4 years.
My only guess would be not enough water in the unit at start up, but you would have heard the unit trying to move water before shutting off.
I’d open up the pump housing and scrub down the impeller. Maybe it’s gunked up?
Try contacting Fluval (Hagen North America?). Maybe their support team can help?
@@BenOchart Great suggestions, but we ended up simply going to the Pet Store and buying another one, so that we could get that tank going for her turtle. It's working fine. We're keeping the old one, and will follow your advice. Thanks!
Hi sir
. I have fluvale x5 .I just cleaned then I got pressure of the pumps.can you give ideas thanks you
I'm not sure that I understand the question??? If the canister is not working, be sure that you filled it with water before plugging it in. If you start it with not enough water in it, it will just hum and then overheat and burn out.
Hi The orange shaped barrel nut on the bottom of one of my cover locks is broken. I was going to replace the whole lock but have seen that you can just purchase the orange bit for the bottom. I am unable to figure out how to put a new one on as I cannot seem to get the metal pin to seperate from the round tighten it up thingy (ha! sorry for the descriptor there). Can anyone tell me how to do it please.
Purchased this canister filter after failed attempt to build my own off a RUclips video, I have my 200gal aquarium plumbed in 1” pvc , do you know if I can connect from the fx6 to the pvc?
I just bought my fx6 about 2 or 3 weeks ago and it’s throwing out micro bubbles and big bubbles, Hoses are both submerged, no bubbler or air stone near intake, I have plumbers tape around the end, could it be I put to much media in the filter
Ben, I wonder if the flow can be turned down a bit on the FX4.
Robert Brennan Sure. Turn the input output down a bit. Should work, but check with Fluval to make sure it will not harm the motor/pump
cleaned impeller and still fluval fx6 stops running for days less than 1 yr old but bought on EBay with no warranty. Sometimes works when replugged but shuts off shortly and will not restart and no vibration or noise so I assume motor is not running. Any suggestions????????
It’s supposed to stop running shortly after being plugged in to purge air. When it does that, if you unplug and plug back in it starts the process over again. Do it several times and it messes it up. I suggest you contact fluval. They can tell how old the unit is and maybe you’re under warranty (there’s a serial # somewhere on the unit). You might need a new motor.
@@BenOchart Thanks for your reply. It is so nice to hear back from you. The unit is 9 months old and when I contacted Fluval about a warranty I was told that since I bought it off EBay and the seller was not a Fluval dealer there is no warranty on it. I understand about the purging as I have 4 Fluval FX6's on my setup which is a 350 gallon in the back sunporch. Since I keep Koi I drain the water about 1x a wk and unplug the pumps, drain most of the water, clean the filters and plug all the pumps back in. This bad pump will shoot out water a couple of times and never restart so after about 12 hr I unplug it as there is no vibration or noise coming from the unit and I am not 2 sure what 2 do.. Sometimes the next day I plug it in again and it does the same thing so not 2 sure what the problem is.
Great video! I made the mistake of starting my fx4 up with only a gallon of water in it.... I wonder why the filter wasn't pushing any water through it after 20 minutes.... Lol! I mis read the directions and had to add about another 1.5 gallons of water to the canister. Then magically it began working properly!! Lol! But, in my defense I just got done working a 16 hour shift. And I was extremely tired but excited to set it up and I did so. To my dismay. But, everything turned out great when realized what I had done. I hope everyone learns mistake! 😁😁😂🤣
Cap, we've all been there, LOL! I'm just glad you didn't burn out that pump. Thanks for stopping by, much appreciated.
Hi
My fx4 motor housing unit gets really hot is this normal
No. The water circulating through should keep it cool. Might need to get in there and give it a good cleaning
Ben! Could you please do a video on properly closing the lid so that it's not too loose, or too tight. I can't seem to find this happy medium that doesn't allow air in.