How do set up your FX4 or FX6 canister?

[dooner248]

I use the above two canisters for my filtration on a 210 reef tank. Set it up less than a year ago but the parameters are doing okay. I hope to get by without setting up a sump. There really are not any great HOB protein skimmers if any the would work, at least not that I get any feedback on from members here.

I am thinking about a third canister or take a wait and see approach with just the two. If you are using FX4/6’s how are you setting up the media within and how often are you cleaning them out?

Has anyone ever modified the intake on a canister so it rests near the surface at a 90 degree angle sucking surface water rather than going straight down?

 

[exnisstech]

If you have room for a sump rather than add a 3rd canister ditch them and run a hob overflow. I ran 2 hob overflows on my 180g with a 125g basement sump for 8 years. It would make life much easier IMO

 

[zwalter38]

I use the above two canisters for my filtration on a 210 reef tank. Set it up less than a year ago but the parameters are doing okay. I hope to get by without setting up a sump. There really are not any great HOB protein skimmers if any the would work, at least not that I get any feedback on from members here.

I am thinking about a third canister or take a wait and see approach with just the two. If you are using FX4/6’s how are you setting up the media within and how often are you cleaning them out?

Has anyone ever modified the intake on a canister so it rests near the surface at a 90 degree angle sucking surface water rather than going straight down?

Take everything I have to say with a grain of salt since I’m a newbie into the saltwater hobby. However I am running two fx4’s on my 135g. I also have plumbed in a display 30g fuge. I’m still working out the quarks in the plumbing between the two tanks but that’s besides the point. I run the standard foam blocks on the sides of the media trays in each of the canisters. And the centers are totally filled with ceramic media. Except the very top tray I have the red circular tray insert in each of the filters. I have that filled with filter floss. I’ve had it running for about a year. I clean it roughly every month or so, just cleaning the sponges and replacing the filter floss. At some point down the road I am going to ditch the filter floss and honestly not clean the filter very much. Ideally it creates some nitrates for the macro algae display tank that’s plumbed into the system. But this is all in theory so take it as you will. I also don’t have any protein skimmer as like you said HOB are not really a viable option for larger tanks.

 

[FUNGI]

Running 3 FX6's and a HOB skimmer on a 120g. Removed all sponges except the last one into the motor (bottom one). Filled with LR rubble. Clean out is a quick rinse once a year one the bottom sponge.

 

[purpfish]

You could do a external recirculating skimmer

 

[FUNGI]

I use the Icecap K3-250 HOB....beast...running through a CO2 scrubber with outside air.

https://store.coralvue.com/icecap-k3-250-hob-protein-skimmer-open-box

 

[FUNGI]

In regards to surface skimmer, try these. Fully adjustable as far as water in....

or the other option is this:

AquaClear HOB Filter Surface Skimmer Attachment

 

[dooner248]

Thanks, these are both attachments to filters I don’t have but fluval also has a standalone unit. I am going to look at it.

 

[tll88]

Running 3 FX6's and a HOB skimmer on a 120g. Removed all sponges except the last one into the motor (bottom one). Filled with LR rubble. Clean out is a quick rinse once a year one the bottom sponge.

You run any filter floss in them etc?

I’ve done bottom 2 sponges, bio balls in top trap along with mixed media inside the trays.

Currently high nitrates (40ppm) and think it’s down to filter floss. Looking at removing this and dosing Zlements blizzard and see how I get on with that before adding chemi pure / purigen

 

[FUNGI]

You run any filter floss in them etc?

I’ve done bottom 2 sponges, bio balls in top trap along with mixed media inside the trays.

Currently high nitrates (40ppm) and think it’s down to filter floss. Looking at removing this and dosing Zlements blizzard and see how I get on with that before adding chemi pure / purigen

I dont run any floss