A SHOCKING DISCOVERY Inside My Fluval FX-6 after Running it for 6 Months 24/7!

No video

A SHOCKING DISCOVERY Inside My Fluval FX-6 after Running it for 6 Months 24/7!

Рет қаралды 21,689

Күн бұрын

#cichlids
#africancichlids
#southamericancichlids
#benochart
#fluval
#fluvalfx6
#canisterfilter
#prefilter
Let's open up the Fluval FX-6 that has been running 24/7 on my 210 gallon African Cichlid tank, providing mechanical filtration and water polishing. What I found inside shocked me and was not what I expected!
Let's take a look inside that canister filter and after watching this video please feel free to share you tips working with Fluval canister filters in particular and canisters in general. We all learn from each other on this channel!
Many of you have asked, so here’s a link to the pre-filter I use: www.aquariumco...
Note that I removed the FX intake grill and drilled a few holes in the pipe, then just slipped the sponge into place.
Remember to always be learning and don't ever forget that you reading this right now - YOU ROCK!
If you like the content of this channel please don't forget to hit that sub button. It tells KZfaq that you're enjoying the channel and encourages KZfaq to share the channel with other fish keepers like you and me.
Lighting of the 210 African Cichlid tank is provided by JC&P and AQQA. For JC&P LED lights and the other aquarium products they offer use this link:
jcpaquarium.com?sca_ref=936021.gPiOsPIQTH
For AQQA lights use this link:
www.amazon.com/dp/B09LQN76Q4?ref=myi_title_dp
For 10% off AQQA use code: AQQA2022
Some of you have asked for a way to support the channel. I thank you for asking. Here are a couple ways you can help to keep the content coming:
- Join the "Garage Gang" by becoming a Patreon member and get early access to videos and behind the scenes content not available to the public. Use this link for more info: www.patreon.com/user?u=13754188
- Do you shop on Amazon? Use this link to visit my Amazon store (and for all of your Amazon purchases, fish or non-fish related): amazon.com/shop/benochart
Any qualified purchase, after using that link to get to Amazon, will provide the channel with a small percentage. You still get the best price on all goods, so it's a true win-win!
- Visit my TeeSpring store here: ben-ocharts-st... and consider purchasing some channel merchandise. The store offers coffee mugs, tees, hoodies and other cool stuff. All purchases pay the channel a small percentage. Use "LIVESTREAM" for a 10% discount at check-out.
- Watch, like, share, sub and hit that bell. Growing the channel is truly the best way to show support and I thank those of you who have done this.
Live Streaming
Join me and a great group of fish keepers on Saturday's at 11am Central (that's 9am Pacific / Noon Eastern) for The Cichlids & Coffee live stream. It's a great hour of fish fun and gets into everything from setting up a tank, proper filtration, fish selection and everything in between. I hope to see you there.
A big shout-out to my channel sponsor THE CICHLID SHACK, a provider of top quality fish and fish keeping food and supplies. Visit the shack at thecichlidshack.com and use "shackattack10" for a 10% discount on all products (including food) and use "shackattack15" for a 15% discount on all fish purchases that total over $100.
Thank you to key vendors that have helped with my new fish room including:
Aquarium Co-Op, a top provider of both products and knowledge for all types of fish keepers.
Elite Cichlids, providing the best looking artificial plants available.
Sicce, a top quality manufacturer of aquarium pumps and filters.
Hygger, maker of a variety of aquarium products such as tanks, lights, pumps and heaters.
JC & P, providers of lights, rocks and other quality aquarium products.
Underwater Galleries, makers of the most beautiful ceramic caves available.
Xpertmatic, maker of good quality hang-inside filters and air pumps.
Many of their products are listed in my Amazon Affiliate store at:
www.amazon.com/shop/benochart
For a behind the scenes look and access to photos and videos not posted anywhere else, please follow on Instagram at: ben.o.cichlid
If you're looking for a very helpful, knowledgeable and supportive group, check out: Ben O'Cichlid on Facebook. Cichlid is in the name but all types of fish keepers are welcome. Be sure to answer all the join-in questions or the group moderators will not let you in. It's how we keep the trolls out.
Thank you for the on-going support and encouragement!

Пікірлер: 151

@BenOchart Жыл бұрын

Here’s a link for the Aquarium Co-Op pre-filter: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/pre-filter-sponge?sca_ref=3301874.0yH4KEHjB2

@kerrygold6494 2 жыл бұрын

I am off work this week, and here I am watching aquarium videos. Can't help it.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Why not? Thank you for spending some of your vacation here 😀👍🏻

@kingjeffishere Жыл бұрын

I'm at the beginning of a 125 saltwater build and NOW you have me thinking about a sump & FX6 combo. Great vid!

@EpicConspiracy 2 жыл бұрын

I can’t get enough of these canister filter opening videos. Love it!

@kerrypitt9789 2 жыл бұрын

Geez if you didn't have a Pre-Filter, I might think this wasn't working! That is pretty crazy Ben! You may have no problem cleaning it once a year, unless something changes. Thanks for sharing this!! Your point about filtration being an argumentative topic is well proven here, but nobody is getting too disrespectful here. The easiest way to check detritus level in your substrate, is to stir up a little bit to check particle build up. To say a Pre filter is just more work, is to say you are going to clean the main filter even if it is clean. Lots of controversy on this subject but respectful discussion is healthy!

@MrUpliftingjoe 2 жыл бұрын

I just used a coarse sponge from the co-op as my intake sponge for my fx also and I am very excited after watching this reveal video. Love the content and thanks for the knowledge and experience you bring with you.

@joshhopper6109 2 жыл бұрын

I bet if you run that without the pre-filter even in combination with the sump it would be far dirtier in one month. That pre-filter is definitely doing some good work

@c.a.t4607 2 жыл бұрын

That is one clean filter for 6 months. Looks like it is doing a good job buffering the water while the sump does the majority of the cleaning. I noticed that when I run multiple filters, usually a hob and sponge one of the filters will do more cleaning then the other like a 60/40 to 70/30 type of cleaning ratio. A pre filter saves me a lot of cleaning maintenance on my hob filters.. and even on ones I don't have a pre filter I for a coarse sponge first that catches a lot of gunk before hitting the finer filter material. Even then the finer filter pads were cleaner than I expected. So much so I could reuse them for another month before replacing. A Pre filter will save you a lot in time and money as long as you regularly clean the pre filter, you can most likely double or triple the life of the filter pads in the filter..

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Good points

@ahmarkarimullah715 2 жыл бұрын

Ben sir, thanks to you, after looking at your videos, I started using a pre-filter a few months back and have experienced a similar outcome. The frequency of cleaning the cansiter filter has definitely reduced. Much appreciated.

@windowlicker532 2 жыл бұрын

Coop pre filter….work AWESOME…wouldn’t run a canister or HOB with out one👍👍👍👍👍

@jordanlabelle7697 2 жыл бұрын

I haven’t serviced two of my FX6 is almost a year on my 180 gallon. the only thing I do about every month is change out the white polishing pad in the very top that’s it. I don’t remove any trays except the small red one on very top replace white pad and put it back in service. Great video idk why but I enjoy watching these videos lol

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you do 😀👍🏻

@migueleespinosa2632 2 жыл бұрын

With the pre-filter the remaining detritus is fairly solvent. The the amount of flow through the fx5 will dissolve particles to much smaller than those medium sponges can hold. Your bio and gravel will hold the super small debris until it becomes solvent and bacteria eat it. If you use fine filter media through your sump then that is what is removing fine particles along with what settles in the substrate. PS; you can back flush the hoses into a bucket to clean out the excess debris.

@brianp6180 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that’s amazing how clean that filter is after 6 months. Maybe you don’t even need it with the sump running. I run 2 FX6 on my 125g and alternate changing them every 2 months. So each filter is cleaned every 4 months. Much dirtier than your filter but not horrible. Maybe I need to try using the pre filters. They seem to help.

@cichlid_kings 2 жыл бұрын

That's an awesome canister cleaning, especially for the 6 month run time 😀 Personally I run pinky floss as my final stage of mechanical filtration before the bio-media and no pre-filter on my display tank FX4s. With running the floss, I service each filter every six weeks. I've found that when servicing each filter, once the inlet and outlet valves are off, backflush them into a 5 gallon bucket reduces the amout of buildup in each hose. This also reduces disturbing the inlet and outlet hose by not removing them from the tank and breaking a seal on any of the hose couplings in the tank. Just started backflushing the hoses last service and has proven to work well. Kudos on the content and setup 😎

@cichlid_kings 2 жыл бұрын

I should also note servicing every six weeks, only one filter at a time. So my schedule is every other week one gets serviced. And that Husky Silicone Lubricant is top notch 😎

@brettcoyle2399 2 жыл бұрын

Where do i order pinkie floss I use poly fil but don’t use canister filters

@cichlid_kings 2 жыл бұрын

@@brettcoyle2399 Amazon carries it. Just search pinky floss. A 10 foot roll runs for around $15 - $20. Great water polisher.

@TJ-ht3jb 2 жыл бұрын

Ironically I cleaned out my fx6 yesterday also. No pre-filter.. it was way dirtier. It still was flowing fine and the water was very clear. The tank it is filtering is a 200 gallon . I have an additional sunsun filter on the tank with a pre-filter with a lower flow that doesn't get nearly as dirty. I only clean the sunsun about once a year. The Fluval is such a work horse that I feel like I'm getting my money's worth this way. Ps. Time since last fx6 cleaning about 5 months. The sunsun is packed with biohome media. It was setup to test full cycle nitrate removal claim. Even with lower flow Aquarium nitrate=Sunsun output =Fluval output. No noticeable change.

@jwdegeorge1655 2 жыл бұрын

I've been running prefilter also for 2 yrs. now for canister, HOB they make world of difference extending the life of main media and prolong the time between cleanings.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

and as a side benefit, the less you mess with these canisters the better. So you're right, it will extend the life of the media and the canister, o rings, valves, etc. 😀😀😀

@bigjay1970 2 жыл бұрын

Why is it everywhere I look they say a deep substrate is the worst thing to have. They say it's harboring bad bacteria? Something to do with pockets of bad gas that if you stir the Deep substrate can kill your fish. I even believe I was a victim of this years ago and now only have minimal substrate. Great video and yes pre-filters are the only way to go. And yes, like everyone else, I found about pre-filters from Corey at Aquarium Co-op although I use a different pre-filter.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve read that gas pockets can’t kill fresh water fish, only salt water has gas pockets that are truly dangerous 🤷🏼‍♂️

@bigjay1970 2 жыл бұрын

@Ben Ochart If true regarding saltwater and I'm definitely saying that's of course very possible, brackish water is closer to salt water than regular freshwater. The tank that I had a problem with years ago happened to be a brackish water cichlid tank. One day I went to town and siphon through deep crushed coral and the next day a lot of dead fish? I now use A fine grain sand so I don't even have to even touch my substrate.😇

@theblindfishkeeper 2 жыл бұрын

I follow your type of filtration method as well. Every tank in my Fish room with a filter that has an intake port has got a pre-filter on it. I run a total of two odyssey CFS 700 canister filters, one Fluevog FX six canister, and a Sunsun 704B canister amongst the various tanks in my Fish room. I don’t have to service them but once a year. With the aid of the pre-filters, and just having the tanks dialed in with water movement, my canisters stay amazingly clean and therefore are doing exactly what I need them to do in my tanks. My canisters and most all of my filters are solely in the tanks for the purpose of water movement. I had to run a deeper substrate, but also I don’t think I’ve ever had a tank that couldn’t handle my stocking load just because the amount of bacteria on everything in your aquarium is more than sufficient. Love the video my friend! And sidebar, thank you so much for checking out the live stream I really appreciate the support my friend!🐠🦯

@ibelieve96 2 жыл бұрын

Careful with those Sun Sun filters . I had a brand new one that leaked everywhere when I lost power ! Thank God I was home

@melilu2845 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that is impressively clean! I am about to set up an FX6 on a new tank and will definitely be using a prefilter.

@dennisruedel 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Ben!, those pre filters from Aquarium Co-Op are the real deal. I am currently using them now on all four of my tanks, and they really. make a difference. Thanks for sharing bud. I’d like to take a ride over again when you have the 300 up and going

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, you are always welcome here 😀👍🏻

@a-aron1550 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart I only see the Large ones on there. Are you sure you purchased a XL?

@brianmizway9324 Жыл бұрын

That is Amazing! Normally after 3 months everything would be wayyyyy nasty more so than that. Wow...maybe the pre filter is a good idea.

@dvang9034 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! Love watching your videos, it always reassures me that I'm doing something right. ☺

@GSP-76 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Ben. 6 months of not opening a canister is a long time! It didn't look bad at all. Go for a year next time, lol. Prefilters really do keep canisters clean...your winding up cleaning most of the junk out of the prefilter instead of the canister. How did your filter socks cleaning go? I used to machine wash them but now I just put 3-4 socks into a small 2 gallon container and fill it with about 20-25% bleach and water for the rest. Leave the socks soaking in that fir 4-5 hours and you can just rinse them under tap water and they're like new.

@troyhutchinsii4543 2 жыл бұрын

Ben king of the O rings. I clean my FX6 in my 75 gal Tanzania Cichlid and it's a 1000 % worse than this. This is my stand alone filter and even though I run sand too the Bichardi turn the sand over like crazy. I don't know if it's your sump or the preffilter but I have to give the prefter a try.

@Steve0272. 2 жыл бұрын

Great update 👍 , if your running the pumice as biological media always best to have it in the last basket so the waters clean and doesn't fill the pours with mechanical waste

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

And for those who don't know, the last basket is the bottom middle basket in a Fluval (unlike a SunSun where the last basket is the top basket).

@alisonorigel573 2 жыл бұрын

That’s amazingly clean! I just put an fx6 on my 75 gallon.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Are you going with a pre-filter?

@travdacichlidkeeper6101 2 жыл бұрын

Good morning, FX6 looks good Ben I hope mine looks that good this weekend when I service mine!!!!

@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR 2 жыл бұрын

I am blown away by how clean that is . I clean mine every couple of months or so and mine is like mud in there. I cannot believe that if that's the result of a pre filter !!!

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

The problem with prefilter sponge's is that they clog fairly quickly and if you're not on top of it, they will greatly reduce the flow of water. Maybe try using a sponge that is coarse instead of the finer sponge's?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I have not found that to be the case. Don't use a "fine" sponge, it has to be medium or coarse and with a weekly or every other week rinse the flow is very strong.

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart well, I'm sure that if I used a canister filter, a prefilter would be the answer, but I only use hob's, so a prefilter, in my experience of course, seemed to be extra work by having to put my hands in the tank to pull it off and whatnot. I can see a coarse sponge working better though, as it will not impede the flow of water like a fine sponge does. Prefilter sponge's do work. I'm not saying they don't. I just didn't see the point with my set up. I may experiment with a coarse sponge in the future though.

@garrett_9092 2 жыл бұрын

Personally I would I'd some marine pure spheres or a brick and just get rid of the fx6. Seems like you really don't need it. A quart of marine pure spheres would cover alot more than those sponges bacteria wise. Awesome vid ben!

@mraquaticnews5676 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting findings ben!

@frankiefingerz8047 2 жыл бұрын

Wow what a diff that prefilter makes im doin that for sure to my 704b’s

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

It’s easier to get one to fit a 704-B intake. You can slip right over the intake and not have to do the modification I had to do.

@DAVEK1234 2 жыл бұрын

When I open my 2 fx6 after 4months there completely covered in waste etc ,yours looks like a few weeks of running I'm amazed .good job

@GSP-76 2 жыл бұрын

Put a small prefilter sponge on your canister intake. The inside of your canister will stay clean too. Prefilters are awesome if you don't want to do monthly cleanings.

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

@@GSP-76 you won't have to clean the filter so much, but the prefilter sponge's, in my experience of course, were constantly needing to be changed or squeezed clean at least once a week. I also didn't enjoy pulling them off the intake tubeas they always made a mess in the water column. They do keep your filters cleaner though.

@GSP-76 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffalbillar7625 yup, that's what happens with prefilters...you will never be able to catch all the junk they collect. You could try using a net to catch any loose debris.

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

@@GSP-76 I just stopped using prefilters altogether. I use hob's, not canister's, and all I do is take the media out every couple of weeks if need be and squeeze the foam a little and put it back in the filter. I don't even need to turn the filter off. The outflow from the aquaclears are thickly coated with algae from never stopping the water flow.

@m.d.bishop1244 2 жыл бұрын

I think you have way more good bacteria in that fx6 than you might think. That was shocking to see it that clean. Nice to see someone so close doing so well. Cookeville TN. I like running two of these. I pack the centers full of bio balls. With yours being that clean I bet it's acting like one huge bio filter. I am thinking about getting back in the hobby. I sold everything a few years ago and all it took was a random video to hook me back in. Love your set up. I have never used prefilters but I sure as hell will now.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I sold everything before leaving Calif for Nashville. It’s been a fun adventure getting back into it.

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

You will have to clean or change the prefilter sponge's every week or so. They are very efficient at collecting detritus and whatnot. I just didn't enjoy having to stick my hand in the water to get to the prefilter. Make sure to have a net to place the prefilter in as soon as you pull it off of the intake tube or it will release a ton of detritus back into the water.

@jennydelgado5618 2 жыл бұрын

I actually haven’t clean my canister filter in over a year when I finally did it wasn’t even really dirty I was so surprised and shocked I thought it would be disgustingly filthy but it wasn’t.

@migueleespinosa2632 2 жыл бұрын

The waste denigrates and becomes solvent after a while due to flow and bacteria feeding . Only when fine sponges are used do you see true accumulation as the waste is trapped and the flow is slowed.

@jeepsblackpowderandlights4305 2 жыл бұрын

Canisters are ok for certain things i suppose... but most have poor sucktion compared to HOB's.. if you want powerfull mechanical filtration nothing really replaces a high flow HOB (im speaking for most tank sizes not behemoths).. for example an emperor 400 will take out way more particles in the water than a eheim classic, and alot more than any FX filter. Been doing this for 30 years nearly... I have nothing against canisters so im not being biased.. im just going off personal experience doing this longer than most people have been alive in this hobby.. The only thing i use canisters for these days is to remove the trays and everything entirely and just stuff them top to bottom in seachem denitrate.. and then i use the ball valves or install one and cut the water flow to 30gph... to eliminate high nitrates in my tanks. And no a sump doesnt remove nitrates.. water flow is too high.. so dont even try that... Skimmers are also useless, all a skimmer does for salt is remove the stuff your corals need.. I dont even use filters anymore on any tank except a mechanical HOB which i keep off 95% of the time. i only use it if i need a quick mechanical filter or something for carbon... the beneficial bacterial scam these companies try to sell you isnt in a filter.. its in your substrate and rocks and decorations and plants you install. Think about it.. do you think a filter that holds 500ml or less of rocks or bio rings or sponge is going to out compete or help with 40-60-80-100 lbs of sand or rock for substrate ? nope.. Same for sumps.. sumps are useless for anything other than acting as refugiums if you use that.. Or to hide heaters and so forth. Do you think another 50lbs of rock for say a salt water aquarium is going to help over the already 100lbs in your tank ? Really honestly.. think about it. Unless your tank is completetly bare bottom with nothing in it these types of filtration are stupid and a waste of time, i have a 180g reef aquarium with 5 tangs, 2 fox face, 4 dwarf angelfish, 10 green chromies, and 5 wrasse along with 130 types of corals.. i have 10,000$ in fish and corals.. and i have no filter or sump.. gimme a break people and wake up.. You also are not using polishing filter pads.. sponges that you use do nothing but for big chunks... i garuntee if you put a polishing filter in that fx it would be clogged in 1-2 months. Sponge filters like that are so poures they let everything go.. Your prefilter is doing nothing but stopping the initial pellet of food.

@caseyruegsegger282 2 жыл бұрын

Another great video…. Please explain how you modified the intake of the FX6 to fit a pre filter. Keep up the quality videos!

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I removed the grill intake, drilled a few holes in the intake pipe and slipped on the sponge. Very easy actually. I got the sponge here: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/large-pre-filter-sponge?_pos=2&_psq=pre&_ss=e&_v=1.0

@caseyruegsegger282 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart thank you! I’ve got the aquarium coop prefilter. I will be utilizing it this weekend. Thanks man!

@HalfManHalfCichlid 2 жыл бұрын

I suspect your substrate is capturing the majority of the detritus and keeping it from being removed to the filter. Unfortunately, with little water flow in the substrate, detritus breakdown via nitrification is much slower which can cause a buildup of nitrates. The other thing I found is that the intake guard/strainer for these large filters like FX6 are undersized, and any type of blockage, biofilm, snails, plant matter, etc., will result in a major reduction of flow through the canister filter. Are you sure the FX6 was running full out? My flow on my eheim improved by 30% when I greatly enlarged the intake strainer. I am going to cover this in an upcoming video on my channel.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Nitrates tension low in this tank, so, no, that’s not the case. The 3500 gph wave maker (on a timer) suspends the detritus until it gets sucked into . Sumo socks have to be swapped out every 3 days, so I know that’s working.

@alfredvara1385 2 жыл бұрын

John you are reading my mind🤯🧐Freddie Vara

@tedtownsend8933 2 жыл бұрын

Sponges are biological filtration as well as mechanical. Sponges are arguably the best biological media you can get. I clean my FX6 once a year. I use a sponge on my intake filter and a HOB filter with filter floss that I change once a month.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Been pushing that for years. My sump is all sponges😀👍🏻

@tonycannell7939 2 жыл бұрын

10 months in on one of fx6s just swap out top pad every few weeks, 7 months on my 2nd one. Push 12 months easy.

@sairvinginthestacks 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! That's really clean. My Seachem tidal on my 10 gallon Betta tank gets dirtier faster. I blame my nerite snail.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I thought snails helped to keep things clean?

@sairvinginthestacks 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart nerites poop a lot. I also have a tendency to let Adler cones and indian almond leaves break down in the tank. My driftwood is still leaching some tannins too. Everything not black in my filter is stained brown.

@mosespinon1803 2 жыл бұрын

Wow

@mexicalifishkeeper 2 жыл бұрын

Very informative video

@aquarialife8418 2 жыл бұрын

Not bad… not bad at all 😉

@51inches 2 жыл бұрын

ITS DEFINITELY THE PRE FILTERS THAT KEPT THAT FX6 CLEAN...YOU COULD PROBABLY GO A YEAR WITHOUT OPENING THAT FILTER UP

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Daniel!

@claytonbixby4966 2 жыл бұрын

2 questions... What company and model prefilter? About how much flow does it restrict?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Aquarium Co-op “large” pre-filter and there’s no noticeable drop in flow

@wonderfulworldofwater370 2 жыл бұрын

Your already in there, so you might as well clean it. Cleaning a filter every 6 months would be nice.

@tastyfishsauce4410 2 жыл бұрын

Lol, forget the FX6, what kind of prefilter did you used? Brand and link would be appreciated. Thanks Ben.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Here’s a link to the pre-filter: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/large-pre-filter-sponge?_pos=2&_psq=pre&_ss=e&_v=1.0

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

You can find a boatload of prefilter sponge's right here on KZfaq. Just search and you will have a bunch of choices.

@charlessloop1552 2 жыл бұрын

As clean as that was I bet you can almost go a yr, I have open mine and the thing look like it’s got sludge in it

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Tempting...

@katrose1701 9 ай бұрын

I want my husband to drill holes for me and I want to start using a pre filter also……what size drill bit / holes did you use on yours ? Thanks

@destinyskipper6322 2 жыл бұрын

Omg I'm sold my fx6 is pitch black after 4 months

@christ806 2 жыл бұрын

Just opened mine fx4 after 6 mnths and it was filthy,,,, you sure you had that switched on Ben.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣

@TheFittedRockStar 2 жыл бұрын

Great video as always question witch is better pinky floss or polyfil?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Poly-fil is cheaper but I stopped using it because it was breaking apart and getting little white strands all over the filter and stuck in the sponges, so I switched to pinky floss and love it. That being said I have gone with sponge material whenever possible. You can’t beat the cost savings of being able to rinse and reuse filter material practically forever.

@teamramey 2 жыл бұрын

Ben. Did you take off the large FX6 intake grill to add the pre filter. I had to purchase a large sponge to fig over my grill. It looks like yours is more streamlined if maybe you added a smaller grill. TIA.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Removed the grill and drilled a few holes in the intake pipe.

@teamramey 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart can you recommend a pre filter that fits the tube?

@KoiRun50 2 жыл бұрын

I was extremely shocked how clean those sponges were. To be honest I really wanted to see a lot of muck after six months of not cleaning.

@frankiepitt9135 2 жыл бұрын

You don’t need the fx6, it’s doing nothing if it’s only for mechanical cleaning.

@jeffalbillar7625 2 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same.

@troyhutchinsii4543 2 жыл бұрын

You had to pull the supplied strainer for the intake off to fit the preffilter, right?

@danrude5418 2 жыл бұрын

Ben shows this in another video. I found a old whisper 3 filter intake worked for me.. Or dril holes in the pipe that goes in the sponge. I have 4 months on a fx4 I am going to clean tonight. I will check and see how it does.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, then drilled a few holes in the pipe and added this: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/large-pre-filter-sponge?_pos=2&_psq=pre&_ss=e&_v=1.0

@HighPriestVaticanAssasin 2 жыл бұрын

Ive always wondered if the bacteria requires light?

@stussy28 2 жыл бұрын

Ben, how do you clean the prefilter without all the accumulated detritus and stuff dropping out into the tank?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Put a plastic bag around it (with filter on) then pull off

@irecruitfish7410 5 ай бұрын

Do you happen to remember what size tote you used to keep the FX in?

@BenOchart 5 ай бұрын

I believe it’s a 40 gallon

@irecruitfish7410 5 ай бұрын

@@BenOchart thanks!

@Roland2307 2 жыл бұрын

Pre filter is a great idea for sure. I have one on an FX4 and I get similar results. Question: Is Elite Cichlids out of business? I went to their website to look for some plants and the site was down. I hope that isn’t the case because I haven’t found anything even close to their quality anywhere, panicking a little.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

They shut down after a death in the family. Mom made the arrangements and she passed suddenly. The dad and son decided to shut it down😔

@Roland2307 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart I’m very sorry to hear that. But we have to do what’s best for us and ours. It’s a shame because they were the best. Do you have any suggestions on where I can buy some realistic plants????

@colony7591 Жыл бұрын

Hi Ben I thought the pre filter on my fx6 I have black spots on The plastic trays it can be scrubbed off but man the whole filter is that bacteria or slime ? Should I scrub it or just rinse it.

@BenOchart Жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t worry too much about it, either way it’s fine.

@chrispalmer9802 2 жыл бұрын

Which co op pre filter fits the fx6?

@chrispalmer9802 2 жыл бұрын

Nevermind. I see you showed the size. I've looked at doing this before but the size of the hole in the pre filter seems way too big to me. If I recall correctly it's over 1 inch inside diameter hole

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I drilled holes in the intake pipe and the suction holds it in place. I have also used a 1” cut hose to make the pipe wider and that helped hold the sponge in place.

@franciscolara2367 2 жыл бұрын

Those pads are clean because those filters are so so so over rated, definitely not worth the money!! Great video though like always

@migueleespinosa2632 2 жыл бұрын

The sponges are not fine enough to really filter out fine particles. Dense bio does a great job at a cost of a little slow down in flow.

@wesleystaff4476 9 ай бұрын

What size pre-filter did you use on the fx6?

@BenOchart 9 ай бұрын

I use this one in large: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/pre-filter-sponge?sca_ref=3301874.0yH4KEHjB2

@scotttucker8127 2 жыл бұрын

Use light coat tho

@lakemalawifishkeeping2599 2 жыл бұрын

Y do u like the 704b more then the 304b when they both push 525 per hour is there something the 704b offers that the 304b doesn't. ( Help )

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I believe the 704 gives you more media capacity and a UV light.

@lakemalawifishkeeping2599 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart I don't want to be a pain in the but lol I just value your opinion but the 304b also has a uv light could u tell me witch is the newest model out of the 2 an what's your opinion on the newest 3000 digital sunsun with 7plus gph for only $30 more

@donnakollen8518 2 жыл бұрын

my fx6 has a wide sort of rectangular boxy intake. I am looking for a prefilter that will fit, any recommendations would be much appreciated

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I removed the grill and drilled a few holes in the intake pipe then the pre-filter slips right on.

@donnakollen8518 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart right on, great idea!

@reggiewilliams1176 2 жыл бұрын

I don't think Ben liked what he saw. I'd be more concerned than shocked at how well the prefilter is working. The prefilter is probably reducing the flow and effectiveness of the canister. After 6 months that thing should be nasty and beautiful.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

I didn’t like what I saw … I LOVED it. The entire reason for using a pre-filter was to extend time between servicing that heavy bulky can. By capturing waste and my rinsing out that pre-filter every 2 weeks I can extend the time from 3-4 months to 8-9 months. That’s HUGE!

@reggiewilliams1176 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart I appreciate your channel. You've saved me alot of time and money.

@walterotiepka1460 2 жыл бұрын

Ben what do you use for a pre filter?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

This: www.aquariumcoop.com/products/large-pre-filter-sponge?_pos=2&_psq=pre&_ss=e&_v=1.0

@dant6616 Жыл бұрын

It’s clean because the filter is shit, I have one and hate it, only way to get it to filter anything is to full it with filter floss, pillow stuffing, then it’s a pain in the arse to clean, with all those lugs that come off and break, not to mention the purge valve at the bottom leaked from day one. High flow but useless at actually keeping water clear. It’s always clean because it only turns water over.

@BenOchart Жыл бұрын

Very different from my experience my experience with this filter. In Calif it was the only filter on a 100 well stocked AC tank and this fish were “floating in air”

@adler819 2 жыл бұрын

All a pre filter does is move where the debris gets trapped. Just adds more maintenance.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

The pre-filter is a bit lighter and easier to clean than the canister 🤣

@Ian-qw1zb 2 жыл бұрын

Are you sure it's working the water inside is crystal clear no way it was running six months, especially with that many fish I've got pre filters on all my filters and you still get dusty detritus through the prefilter.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Works perfectly (or outputs wouldn’t be blowing out so much water). It is hard to believe, but it is exactly as stated. I drilled the intake tube and the pre-filter is huge. That set-up might be why my pre-filter performs so well.

@luckydog5650 2 жыл бұрын

How many pounds of sand in your substrate,you have a 210 correct?

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

200 pounds of CaribSea aragonite (Chewy’s), 120 pounds of CaribSea EcoComplete and 40 pounds of Imaginarium black sand (PetCo), 360 pounds total.

@sage6336 2 жыл бұрын

I always drink the water from my FX6

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Very nutritious

@buckydoedowner7598 2 жыл бұрын

ya, im not buying it. If this is true its not right. The filter doesnt seem to be doing anything.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Try a correctly set up pre-filter and compliment your canister with a 2500 gph sump and get back to me

@naegwut 2 жыл бұрын

It didn't smell like death? That's because I have turtles

@joeprovenzano4362 2 жыл бұрын

I cleaned my fx6 yesterday after 2 months. Boy did it look like a shit show. Pun intended.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

That’s what mine used to look like.

@davidadkins8805 2 жыл бұрын

I wouldn’t go 8 months. Your fish are getting bigger, producing more waste.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

It’s certainly a fluid situation 😀👍🏻

@davidadkins8805 2 жыл бұрын

@@BenOchart I suppose sludge is fluid. 🤣

@fload46d 2 жыл бұрын

Six months? Sumting wong.

@BenOchart 2 жыл бұрын

Actually something very right. The entire reason I put a pre-filter on was to hopefully extend the time between servicing of the canister. It’s not an easy chore. By trapping waste at the pre filter I will be extending the time between servicing from 3-4 months to 8-9 months. It not just did what I was hoping for but actually exceeded my expectations😀😀😀👍🏻