Fx5 air bubbles problems? test this,

[Jean-F]

Salut

I have a serious problem with the fx5 fluval. (fresh water)
I install the filter in February, and starting to have problems a couples weeks ago.
After testing, searching, verification of all the gaskets, and observation, I found what cause this situation.
I talk with someone at hagen, and we pinpoint the problem. I am testing some modification to the filter. It is not finish, so I cannot give you instruction, the modification is not final, and it is creating another problem when priming, the filter. (but problem is only when priming, and not so problematic).

But before, you have to make a test.
Make sure your filter is not clog.

Close the lights for one day, if you still have bubbles, it is a gasket or leak problem or any mechanic problem, air stone near inlet, etc..).
If you did not have air bubbles the day you close the lights, I can tell you:
You have a heavy planted aquarium, with very good lighting system, and good chance you have also automatic injection of co2.

Let me know if it is your case.

Jean-F

 

[Jean-F]

Salut

I have a serious problem with the fx5 fluval. (fresh water)
I install the filter in February, and starting to have problems a couples weeks ago.
After testing, searching, verification of all the gaskets, and observation, I found what cause this situation.
I talk with someone at hagen, and we pinpoint the problem. I am testing some modification to the filter. It is not finish, so I cannot give you instruction, the modification is not final, and it is creating another problem when priming, the filter. (but problem is only when priming, and not so problematic).

But before, you have to make a test.
Make sure your filter is not clog.

Close the lights for one day, if you still have bubbles, it is a gasket or leak problem or any mechanic problem, air stone near inlet, etc..).
If you did not have air bubbles the day you close the lights, I can tell you:
You have a heavy planted aquarium, with very good lighting system, and good chance you have also automatic injection of co2.

Let me know if it is your case.
Jean-F


Well, look like I am the only one here, that have this proble!!!! hummm

Here is a simple solution:
But this solutions create another problem, you will have a hell of a time to start and remove the initial air from the filter. But after, no more micro bubbles, air noises in the filter. (you will have air for a couple of hours, but after that, it is perfect)
You have to remove the transparent plastic tube, that is fit into the cover, and going down in the filter. (inlet tube in the cover).
Let me know if it is working for you.
This will only solve the problem of degaze in the filtre, clog filter, will stay clog, hi.

JF

 

[Twicksisted]

The problem is not the CO2, lights, plants etc...
I have no plants, only sand and had the same issue.
The problem is that you clogging the filter with polishing pads etc...

All you need in there is ceramic bio chips and prefilter ceramic chips... (and the foam pads on the outside of the filter)...

Try it with just that and youll see you wont have anymore noise.. as soon as i put a bag of carbon, zeolite, or one of the fine polishing pads, i get air trapped in the system... I think its becuase of the pressure of the filter inside and the fact that the air cant escape through the pads.

Its kinda a pity becuase with a polishing pad it really keeps the water clean, but then I just have another filter for that now.
This does work so give it a try when you next change the filter... and buy a whole lot of bio ceramic chips to go in all the baskets

 

[johnptc]

make sure the top is tight.........this can cause the filter to suck air

common problem

 

[Jean-F]

Well, like you said, it is not the same problem.
Clog filter will stay clog. My problem, was a problem with the gaz in the water. No seal, no mecanic, no air leak, nothing, just to much gaz for the filter. And it is working for me.
I was in relation with someone at Hagen for all the tests. Problem was know, for a very small number of customer.
Still working to solve the start problem with this mod.

 

[Jean-F]

I forgot, now I am using in all 3 basket, biomax, and one polishing pad, and one fine pad.
Before, I try with only foam and 2 basket of biomax, and still have air bubbles and noise.

 

[señor_pescados_felices]

I will never buy an FX5 again,eheim only from now on.

It does whats its supposed to I guess but the last two I have owned made so many micro bubbles that my tank looked like a snow globe,even after buying so many new parts that I can almost build a new fx5 from scratch.

So people say "oh its maybe picking up air bubbles from some aeration device in the tank!"...no its not thnx it still does that If I turn of all the bubblers and venturis.

So then it gets said that "oh well your filter media is clogged and trapping allot of air!"....no its not thnx it still does it even if I run the fx5 with the baskets completely empty.

So then it gets said "oh well you are not tightening the lid all the way,or have removed the impeller for maintenance and did not tighten the screws all the way!"....no thats not it thnx Ive tightened the knobs on top to the point where I once broke one of the small orange pieces holding them in place.

Finally it is said "oh well you need new hoses or new fittings on the end of your hose maybe they've worn out"...no thats not it thnx I have probably $200 of FX5 hose around here and enough of those clip fittings that I could start replacing them once a month.

No more FX5's for me.I realize allot of people love them and never have a single problem but at the same time this micro bubble problem is far from uncommon.

 

[Jean-F]

I have the same story, except that I get in contact with Hagen. We pass all the check list, before, we get to the conclusion, that the filter, for some reason, it's degasing (degazage in french)the water, (separate gaz from water) inside the filter.
But, he, just try it, if it is not working, just reinstall the tube.
But let me know your result.

 

[Jgray152]

I have been working with the Fx5 for some time now and have done some extensive modifications to it with some very satisfying results.

Priming is a bit tough with the design of the top cover if you remove the baskets like I did but with some additional modifications the filter will prime perfectly when modified the way I have it.

After doing some modifing to the canister I noticed it was not priming and after hours the air noise would go away. Although if you shake the filter you will still hear air in the filter.

Here is a picture of the cover with the work I did to.

And the modded canister.

The modded flow pattern

 

[Jgray152]

The micro bubbles seem to come from cavitation of the impeller from what I understand. Only when the media is excessivly clogged though will you get micro bubbles. Unless you have a gasket that is leaking.

Since the moddification, I can leave a 100micron pad in for a month or so without it clogging to much and without the filter producing micro bubbles.

Unmodified Fluval Fx5 Stats
Media Capacity: 5.9 Liters (im going to measure this since I think its wrong too..)
Mech capacity: 294 sq in; 369 cu in; 6 Liters
Measured Flow Rate: 525 GPH
Max Head Height: 3.3m (10.8ft)
Filtration Volume: 11.2 (Hagen says 20L. I call BS)

Modified Fluval Fx5 Stats.
Media Capacity: 12 - 14 liters. (Depends on depth of mechanical filtration)
Mech Capacity: Est 108 sq in surface area. 325 cubic inches; 5.3 L (2" prefilter foam and 1" fine filter foam.)
Filtration Volume: 19.3L
Measured Flow Rate: ??

Ehiem Statistics
Eheim 2080 Media Capacity: 12 liters
Eheim 2080 Estimated Mech Capacty: 1.5L; 92 cu in
Measured Unmodded 2080 Flow: 318 GPH
Max Head Height: 2.2m (6.6ft)
Unmodded Filtration Volume: 13.5 L