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I just bought a fluval fx5 and I am trying to figure out the best media selection. Saw in some posts that VeipaCray broke down the media for the FX5 as follows:

Top basket: 1 blue sponge pad, 1x 100mL package of Purigen, and a small media bag full of carbon. Fill the rest of the top basket with bio media
Middle Basket: Fill entirely with Bio Media
Bottom Basket: fill entirely with bio media.

My questions:
1. How much carbon needs to be used and how often does it need to be changed?
2. What is meant by a small media bag and where would I find one?
3. Will the carbon and media bag need to be thrown away after every use?
4. Is it best to buy 200mL of Purigen and swap out/regenerate every 6 months
5. What is the best generic brand of bio media to use?

Any help is appreciated. Once I have these questions answered I can buy the right materials and set up my filter!

Thanks!!

1. A small media bag full.
2. Any pet store. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... atid=13961
3. Carbon yes, media bag is reusable. Carbon needs to be replaced monthly.
4. Buy 2x 100ml bags and swap them out every month when you clean your filter.
5. Cheapest ceramic media is best. Aquatraders.com or eBay for cheap bio media.

Any specific brand of carbon suggested to use?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/p ... catid=3599
OR
http://www.aquatraders.com/ProductDetai ... 2&CartID=2

Carbon is carbon. This is again cheapest is best. Some of the better quality carbon will have a little less dust, but you still need to rinse it. You may spend a few seconds less rinsing the better carbon, but in the end it's not worth the price.

I buy my carbon in bulk from bulkreefsupply. 1 gallon carbon bucket for $17 USD is a great deal. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/bulk-medi ... arbon.html

Ok thanks again for all your help!

Anytime. I hope it works out for you. Please share with us your FX5 experience once you get it up and running.

Will do. As soon as I build my basking area I will get the filter up and running and let everyone know how its going.

One last question about the eheim jager heaters. Is it ok to put it in the tank horizontally rather than vertically since its fully submersible?

Yep no issues with the eheim heaters going in horizontal. The only downside is you'll have more of the cord in the water. Technically there's no issue with having more cord in the water. I only mention it in case your turtle likes to nom nom on the cord.

which works best with the Purigen, the Fine Mesh or Self-Fastening bag?

If you buy the 100mL of purigen...I believe it already comes with a bag.

Mine didn't =(

I've been using fine mesh (and a few still get out of the bag).

Purigen sells a 100mL That comes in a pre-sealed bag for about $8. I'd go that route.

I'm using bulk purigen in the Fluval brand bags now. Works well enough.

Seachem sells "the bag" but it's stupidly priced.