The significance of an efficient filtration system within an aquarium setup cannot be overemphasized. As you might have already known, having a filter will be valuable in building a healthy aquatic ecosystem as the accumulation of toxic substances is effectively checked. Owing to this, it is important to exercise some care when selecting a filter to make the investment worthwhile.
Talking about an efficient filtration system, the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter ranks among the very best for many reasons. So, in this review, we shall be taking a closer look at a masterpiece produced by a revered brand in the aquarium goods sector. Integrating the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter into the aquarium will give your pets a conducive home to dwell in, and the features and attributes that make this possible are among the thing we will be discussing in this article.
Look and Specification
The Fluval FX6 Canister Filter has a robust design with a cylindrical shape. It is constructed from a tough plastic material that imparts considerable sturdiness. You should take note that there is also a smaller version, the FX4 in the market – so, be careful not to confuse one for the other.
The Fluval FX6 Canister Filter has a multi-stage filtration system, with the biological, chemical, and mechanical filter media incorporated. This strong system is bound to ensure that the aquarium is free from particles and/or toxic substances of any kind. It is equipped with distinctive technological innovations evident in the features that the filter possesses. Some of the other features on the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter include:
Specifications
This is indeed a high-power filter that would work for an aquarium with a carrying capacity of about 1500 litres, and it has a pump rate of 3500 litres per hour. It utilizes 41 watts for optimal performance. Additionally, the flow it generates comes at a rate of 2130 litres per hour. It will work perfectly in any large aquarium to give clean, clear water. The media basket this filter carries can take up to 5.9 litres of water.
The Fluval FX6 Canister Filter has a dimension of 40 X 40 X 53 cm, and a weight of around 9 Kg. It is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.
Housing (Canister): The functional components of the filter are contained with this cylindrical body which has a sturdy lid affixed to it. The lid is held securely to the housing by a set of 8 fasteners attached to it. Another notable feature on the lid is the set of 2 AquaStop valves which are meant to prevent leakage while the filter is in operation.
Smart pump: The smart pump is in place to monitor and ensure that the filtration system functions at an optimal rate. Apart from this, it also imposes self-starting capability on the filter. It is interesting to know that the smart pump is equipped with microchip technology.
Multi-directional output nozzles: These have been designed to help you generate the flow rate that you prefer or one that is needed for your pets to thrive in the aquarium.
Multi-indicator dials: These are the separate dials found on the top lid and they will help you keep track of the last filter change and water change you carried out.
Utility valves: The utility valves can come in very handy at the point where you wish to get rid of the water in the filter. It is also valuable when carrying out water changes or refilling the water in the aquarium.
Additionally, rubberized feet are worked unto the base of the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter to ensure stable positioning. Plus, there are media baskets, suction cups, as well as a host of other accessories included in the package.
Set-Up
After you must have purchased the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter, your next line of action will probably be on running the installation, connecting the equipment to the aquarium. We shall dedicate this particular section to shedding light on how you can set this sophisticated and high-efficient filter.
Before moving on, you must carry out some checks to see if you have all the accessories that are required for a successful set-up. You should identify the following accessories:
Housing (canister), top lid, O-ring, lid fasteners, AquaStop valves, T-bar handles, utility valve, utility valve hosing, magnetic impeller assembly, media baskets, 1/2 media baskets, drain cap, strainer, strainer suction cups, nozzle output assembly, top lid click-fit O-rings, metal clamps for hosing, rim connectors + clips, rim connector suction cups, intake stem, rubber connectors, ribbed hosing.
For the media; you should have foam, bio-foam, ceramic rings, carbon pad, media bags.
Do note that the items listed above are what you need to set up Fluval FX6 Canister Filter for optimal operation. Some of these accessories have spare parts that have been included in the pack.
You should also be mindful of the fact that you will be needing a tape measure, razor knife, and Phillips head screwdriver.
Procedure
Before proceeding, make that the filter canister is positioned below the aquarium with the utility valve facing inwards. Â Â Now to the installation proper:
- Preparation of filter: You will need to untighten the top lid fasteners and take off the cover thereof. After this, bring out the set of 3 media baskets from the canister with the aid of the T-bar handles. Take note of how the media basket combination is placed in the canister. Again, the mechanical media basket is at the top, the biological media basket is in the middle while the chemical media basket is at the base.
You should remove the T-bar handles, and then take the media baskets apart. Thereafter, you can run each of the baskets through tap water to rinse off whatever particles or dust that may be present. The media baskets should then be stacked back, secured with the T-bars, and returned into the canister.
After this, you should pour 7.6 litres of water into the canister – you can let the water go through the media baskets. This is done to prime the filter, and it is important to stress here that the aforementioned volume (7.6 litres) must be strictly adhered to. You can now cover the canister with its top lid and secure it with the lid fasteners. The AquaStop valves should then the affixed to the respective – ‘IN’ and ‘OUT’ – top lid click-fit O-ring.
- Preparation of intake connection: The next port of call is getting the intake connection ready. To do this, cut the ribbed hosing provided into the desired length based on the distance between the aquarium and the canister filter – on no account should this ribbed hosing exceed 2 metres. You should be mindful of the fact that this hosing must be straight – no loop, no slack – as you will be connecting it to the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter. You should do the cutting in such a way that you will have about 15cm length of the hosing beyond the rim of the aquarium.
You should now move to prepare the intake connection’s rim connector by affixing suction cups to the insert points along the length [of the rim connector]. Thereafter, you should fix the ribbed hosing unto the rim connector, bending it to conform to the curved shape of the rim connector, attaching the 3 clips – to the two ends and centre of the rim connector – to hold the hosing in place.
The prepared intake connection hosing can then be placed over the rim of the aquarium – at the back. You should ensure that the intake hosing is positioned at the point that will correspond with the ‘IN’ connection on the filter. You will need to apply gentle pressure to ascertain that the hosing is secured to the wall of the aquarium with the aid of the attached suction cups.
You can now proceed to attach the intake assembly with its strainer to the cut end hosing affixed to the rim connector to complete the process of setting up the intake connection. There is, however, a precautionary step that needs to be taken in this direction: you should ensure that the strainer is at least 7.5cm away from the bottom of the aquarium on the inside before securing it to the wall.
- Preparation of output connection: Safe for some variations, the process of preparing the output connection is pretty much similar to what has been described for the setting up of the intake connection. But let us just run through it – albeit briefly. After you have obtained the length of output hosing – this should probably be the same as that of the intake hosing – required and attached this to the rim connector, you should position it over the aquarium’s rim at the back in the corresponding position with the ‘OUT’ connection on the filter. Thereafter, you can attach the output assembly to the cut end of the output hosing.
- Linking the filter to the intake and output connections: Firstly, you may need to rotate the AquaStop valves to have a good angle for attaching both the intake and output connections to their respective spots. You can now gently push the intake tube down the AquaStop valve at ‘the IN’ side of the top lid, securing with the clamp on the hosing rubber connector. The output tube should also be attached to AquaStop at the ‘OUT’ side of the filter and secured therewith.
You can now fill your aquarium with water, and plug the filter into a power source. The ‘IN’ valve should then be opened, and this should be followed by the opening of the ‘OUT’ valve. That concludes the setup of the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter.
Performance
There are a lot of positives to the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter; for one, its comprehensive 6-stage filtration reassuringly preserves the quality of the water in the aquarium. Coupled with this, you can be sure that the inhabitants of the tank will not have any issues with air bubbles as the filter has been designed to eliminate such (air bubbles).
More importantly, good water circulation is a certainty with the high pump rate generated by the filter. The efficiency of this compact product has been further enhanced by the advanced features incorporated into it – talk about the smart pump, telescopic strainer, AquaStop valves, and so on.
The Fluval FX6 Canister Filter has not only been built for high performance but to also ensure your convenience while keeping a community of aquatic pets. A lot of aquarists that have experienced the filter can attest to this. Moreover, there have been positive comments about its reliability, quality, and construction. In short, the Fluval FX6 Canister Filter scores very high on customers’ reviews, and this is down to the fact that it does tick the right boxes when it comes to performance – a great value for money without an iota of doubt.