fx5

[matt2426]

Hi was hoping I can get your guys help I found a used fluval fx5 in my area on craigslist for sale says everything works fine and all parts are there what do you guys would think would be a good price on it hes asking 150 kinda debating on getting it because you just never know. do the fx5s last a long time thanks

[Kyla]

i have had my fx5 since 2009. still running smoothly, and i love it. i sold one last year for $150, my friend sold hers for $200, so thats reasonable (canadian dollars). i would want to see and hear it running before buying. afterwards i would also remove the motor and pull the impellar apart and see what kind of wear it has, if any. i took out my impeller and cleaned the gunk off it last week and its still nice and smooth.

all my o-rings are still working great too, but i lube them regularly. i'd check the
o-rings for cracks etc, u may need to buy replacements if they r worn out.

its always a risk buying 2nd hand tho. after this filter dies on me i will prob upgrade to an fx6 because ive been so pleased with the fx5 in general.

[cjvdhx]

Petsmart just had a sale on the FX6 for $255 I am pretty sure. I'd check that out

[hdhong]

i have had my fx5 since 2009. still running smoothly, and i love it. i sold one last year for $150, my friend sold hers for $200, so thats reasonable (canadian dollars). i would want to see and hear it running before buying. afterwards i would also remove the motor and pull the impellar apart and see what kind of wear it has, if any. i took out my impeller and cleaned the gunk off it last week and its still nice and smooth.

all my o-rings are still working great too, but i lube them regularly. i'd check the
o-rings for cracks etc, u may need to buy replacements if they r worn out.

its always a risk buying 2nd hand tho. after this filter dies on me i will prob upgrade to an fx6 because ive been so pleased with the fx5 in general.

Kyla, what do you use to lube the O-rings? I'm trying to figure out a product that would be safe to use for discus. Thanks in advance Kyla.

[nc0gnet0]

Kyla, what do you use to lube the O-rings? I'm trying to figure out a product that would be safe to use for discus. Thanks in advance Kyla.

I've always used chapstick, burts bees is best.

[matt2426]

Ok thanks for the responses im thinking im just going to bite the bullet and buy a new fx6 instead of a hand me down I didn't see that deal at petsmart I must of missed out but what o rings do you recommend lubing from time to time I don't thave the filter yet so im not sure. what lube the o ring around the cover thanks

[matt2426]

never mind im sure your talking about o ring on the impellar how often do you take off the motor to clean the impellar

[Kyla]

yes the o ring on the impeller, and i lube the o ring on the main lid as well.

i take the motor off and clean the slime out every couple months. when i had sand in the tank i cleaned it every time i cleaned the filter because during cleaning of the canister i would often somehow push the accumulated sand in the motor and when i plugged it back in i could hear a grinding noise. no idea how the sand got into the filter....

[Kyla]

i picked up a little bottle of lube from some online site. it was so long ago i dont remember where i got it. ill take a pic of it later and post it.

[matt2426]

yes the o ring on the impeller, and i lube the o ring on the main lid as well.

i take the motor off and clean the slime out every couple months. when i had sand in the tank i cleaned it every time i cleaned the filter because during cleaning of the canister i would often somehow push the accumulated sand in the motor and when i plugged it back in i could hear a grinding noise. no idea how the sand got into the filter....

Ok thanks for the help Kyla so how often do you clean the whole filter

[Kyla]

right now im cleaning it every 3-4 weeks. last time i opened it up there was hardly anything in it, so i could prob leave it longer. the way i have my outputs directed, most of the crud accumulates on the back floor of the tank instead of being pushed around and sucked up by the filter, so i siphon it out when i do wc. i think turning off the filter during feedings has made a big dif too. i could go one step further and use the sponges i bought for prefiltering but i havent gotten around to it.

[Leland F.]

Silicone lubricant, sold for plumbing parts, works great, and is safe for fish. Ive used it on o-rings in my saltwater and freshwater aquariums for many years. You can buy little shoe polish shaped cans at Lowes or Home Depot.

-Leland

[Kyla]

this is the lubricant i use.

[hdhong]

Thanks Kyla. How often do you apply the lubricant to the o-ring? every time you clean the filter?

[hdhong]

Silicone lubricant, sold for plumbing parts, works great, and is safe for fish. Ive used it on o-rings in my saltwater and freshwater aquariums for many years. You can buy little shoe polish shaped cans at Lowes or Home Depot.

-Leland

Leland could you provide a link to the one that you're currently using? Thanks.