FX6: First Cleanout + Fine Filter Review

I have had my FX6 for 40 days, and in this video I tear it down, clean and do maintenance, and see whats inside. I also review the Fluval Fine Filter Pad to try and determine how long it could last.

[sartoaj]

One of the only honest, detailed reviews of the FX filters I've watched. Great job!

[robertrosson]

I'm still using the FX5 in my 220gl.But after seeing some reviews on the FX6 was still undecided until seeing this video.My FX5 has been doing a awsome job ever since I installed in on my tank 7 or 8 yrs ago never any kind of a problem.With that said seeing the video has help me to go ahead and get the FX6 after all their systems do hold up and are reliable.Thanks for sharing

[chrislock]

Why did you not use the purge valve to drain the filter first ? That's what it is designed for. You can also use the purge valve to empty and refill the aquarium. I drain the filter first to clear most of the brown gunk into a bucket, i then drain some more from the tank into a clean bucket, when the filter is empty you can remove the media and rise it in the water you just removed to keep the bacteria from being killed off like tapwater would do. Some folks would yell about this but my personal choice is to use tankwater, unless you plan to replace the foams then it is not a topic to discuss. Put back together and use the purge valve to draw water back into the tank. Water changes and filter cleans are simple with this top quality filter. Takes me a very short time to maintain my 750l cichlid tank

[alltankedup]

Great video 👌. My friend changes his twice a year. He does however have a back up cannister in his tank plus wavemaker

[shanes.]

Nice video. Like the thoroughness of the review. I have an fx6 for my 75 gallon. Waiting for my cichlids to get larger before hooking it up. Keep up the good work.

[DJ_LittlePea]

I'd be super impressed too after 40 days it looked pretty clean 🤗🤗

[DebTim]

Morning AL.. can't go wrong with the FX6.. I don't think I have ever heard any "cons" on them yet. Very well done review.. =D
FYI..you really need to be rinsing your filter media with used tank water. Using tap water will kill any beneficial bacteria. If you aren't concerned with the colonized bacteria then it's ok. Very good video.. =D

[LonghornInOmaha]

Nice video! I find using the drain port on the FX6 will aid in getting most of the sediment out from the bottom of the canister. I love our 2 FX6's and I'll probably pick up a few more this year on Black Friday.

[CharlesLales]

Yep you should empty the filter before to move or open, makes things easier. Take care the red sticks are reverted this is why you had to push them to close. You can deeper in washing filter media, bio as mechanical ones. The more stuff you put away the less nitrates you'll get to deal with. And do not worry with bacteria.. They are aerobic and particularly resistant..

[WRDNER]

pretty clean with all those fish in that tank, I have a great filter but I think I want one of these.

[shanes.]

I’m keeping my first mixed Malawi tank. All my cichlids are juvinile and tried to pick all males. My local store is really good to work with.

[EriksWorld]

I kind of expected there to be more detritus built up inside of the canister after 40 days considering your stocking levels haha. I have used those blue pads before in my FX6 and have even stuck them inside other canister filters like some of my smaller Eheim classics and they do a phenomenal job. I think I actually managed to get 3 or 4 months of use out of one of them! I could have probably have gotten more but I started to experiment with other "fine" mechanical media solutions. I found the best way to clean them was to beat them against the side of my bathroom tub hahahaha needless to say my girlfriend wasn't to happy about the mess.

[goopman]

So you just washed the blue pad and didn't mess with anything else??

[thektmkid]

I would love one of these but as I use sand as a substrate I'm scared of destroying the impeller

[Afeeq]

I know regular canister water movement is from the bottom to up the pump, how does the water movement in fx6? From the outside in? Or from the outside chamber flow up and then in going down to the pump? Hence why the polishing floss is at the top?

[KixDPrints]

Good video, I love my FX6 as well. Something that may be more of an opinion or my OCD, is your red sticks/handles should be in the same direction as the trays. In the video you have them facing the opposite direction. Easier to handle when facing the other way. I tend to clean the impeller every other cleaning if anything to insure build up isn't affecting the impeller, or worse the motor. Something else, the power strip, you may want to have that higher than the filter or at least 6 inches above the bottom of the filter in case of leaks. Keep up the great work!

[monomansmda]

Great video but for me next time you clean the filter I wouldn’t do it on you kitchen bench where you prepare your meals 👍

[ants]

I've had my fx6 for 2 years. never had to replace any sponges.

my bottom tray is full of lava rock media pieces. middle is bio rings. because i have so much media, i just rinse all my sponges out in tap.

[XvREByrdvX]

I run two black sponges in each tray, bio load is managed and minimal rinsing every 6 months. Just did my second cleaning after having it a year. Any update on filter soon?

[kingston]

Do I have to drain the water from the fx6 when I do regular maintenance ? I have hard time lifting this heavy beast ! I was planning to put the filter outside of the stand so I don’t hAve to carry it out from the stand for maintenance . Also I wish I don’t have to lift it to the sink ? I really don’t have the strength ! Can I just take out the baskets and rinse it in tank water without draining the water from the filter ??