Equipment Review and Discussion :: Is the FX5 too big for a 29 gallon tank?

[jwinters]

My boyfriend ordered an FX5 canister filter for me. The biggest tank I currently have is a 29 gallon. Is the filter too much for a tank that size? Thanks for your help.

[n00bEmpty]

Depends. I personally have a Rena XP4 which cycles 450 gallons per hour on my 20 gallon tank with no current on full. At long as the Fluval doesn't create a blender in your 29 gallon tank then I think it'll be fine. Keeps your tank squeaky clean. If it has something to adjust it's flow then try turning it down. A FX5 will cycle 607 gallons per hour so with your 29 gallons it'll cycle it 21 times. My XP4 cycles my water 22 times so I think it'll be fine, and I think I got about 18-19 gallons of water but I calculated 20 gallons.
The main point is to make sure your tank isn't turned into a blender and your turtle doesn't get sucked up in the input and still swim normally.

[jwinters]

Is there any way to adjust the flow? I have the tank full since there is as ATBA, so it's the full 29 gallons. The filter actually comes in today, so I figured I might as well ask before I try installing it.

[n00bEmpty]

Yeah, try installing it. I don't have an FX5 so I wouldn't know but most filters do. What I would do is put the filter together, start it up and if it disrupts your water (As it makes it seem like the ocean) too much then turn it off. If it's just water moving a bit and your turtle can swim in it then it's fine.

[mikee]

jw-s As much as I like a lot of water exchange the Fx5 is too large for a 29 gallon. I have a 350 gph on a 29 and it makes a little swirl in the water. The FX5 is about 800 to 900 gph which will make your tank a blender. Good Luck!!

[n00bEmpty]

mikee, a FX5 does 607 gph and cycles the water 21 times in an hour and if pump does it a little over 22 times per hour then I think the FX5 will be good for that 29 gallons but it's up to the OP if she feels like testing it out. Things happens.

[jwinters]

Lol, now that I actually have it in my possession and have read the manual, it seems that the valves on it can be easily adjusted to change the amount of water flow. XD

[coreyvht]

eehh i would would turn it on lol xD

[mikee]

OOOO K!!

[Sir Max]

Yea haha most filters you can adjust the water flow

just like mine because it is a biiittt noisy

i turn the waterflow down at night

and turn it back up when i wake up

[mikee]

jw-s More than likely you will not have the tank full. It will be less than the 29 gallons that you tank will hold. The FX5 is rated at 924 gph in my manual. That would be over 31 times turn over in one hour. That is too much for your tank. If you insist, Good Luck!

[rsour24]

why dont u just buy a bigger tank?

[jwinters]

jw-s More than likely you will not have the tank full. It will be less than the 29 gallons that you tank will hold. The FX5 is rated at 924 gph in my manual. That would be over 31 times turn over in one hour. That is too much for your tank. If you insist, Good Luck!

I do have it full. ATBA for the win.

rsour24: I'm working on it, but it will take some time.

[steve]

It is a bit much. How big is the turtle?

[n00bEmpty]

The Fluval FX5 is rated 607 gph from what I looked up. It'll cycle the 21 times. I wouldn't think it'll make much of a currant but it also depends on how large your turtle is too. For my Rena XP4, it cycles my water a little over 22 times per hour and my turtles can safely sleep on it and they're only 2-2.5'' inches. Here's a picture (I just wanted to test out my new camera).

I think they'll be fine. Also, if it has that flow adjustment feature then it'll help you a lot.