Equipment Review and Discussion :: FX5 Acting strange

[Kansasslider]

Not sure if anyone has had this problem? My fx is turning itself off twice in a row every 24 hrs? The first time it turns off and back on its spewing all kinds of junk into the tank. It then runs again for a few min turns off and on again and then only air comes out like its supposed to. I cleaned the whole filter a month ago and it is under warranty . Anyone heard of this?

[MEandYouPhoto]

I know the FX5 is supposed to turn its self off periodically to allow air bubbles to rise to the top so that they can be expelled. This is supposed to help stop the impeller from being damaged. However The gunk I suspect is just leftover stuff that was in your hoses. you said you cleaned the whole filter a month ago. Maybe its time to clean it again and the hoses.

[Kansasslider]

I just cleaned it and hoses today. it has always shut off once per 24 hrs but it was doing it twice in a row just minutes apart? I will see it it continues to do it.

[Kansasslider]

Just called fluval customer service and what they said was kinda strange. They asked how the media was set up I told them and they said to take out the blue pad they also said it can not be rinsed out or reused? If a new pad or doing away with it does not work its the micro chip in the motor . My bet is the chip.

[Diamondbacks4Life]

Id say its the chip too. Only one way to find out.

[MEandYouPhoto]

Just called fluval customer service and what they said was kinda strange. They asked how the media was set up I told them and they said to take out the blue pad they also said it can not be rinsed out or reused? If a new pad or doing away with it does not work its the micro chip in the motor . My bet is the chip.

If course the pads cant be rinsed out and reused according to them. How else are they going to convince you to buy new ones every month? lol

[Kansasslider]

Ha ha You know the shirts that say I'm with stupid. Well big shock I'm the stupid one. I had it plugged into a timed socket!! That explains why it was putting all that waste back into the tank. Someone just shoot me I think I had the same thing happen before! Kinda funny really.

[steve]

Glad it wasn't a serious problem

[Kansasslider]

Me too.

[VeipaCray]

If course the pads cant be rinsed out and reused according to them. How else are they going to convince you to buy new ones every month? lol

+1


The filter manufacturers will also tell you the bio media needs to be replaced periodically along with all of the media. The media is where their highest profit margin is.

Eventually the pads get so gunked up they won't rinse clean or they start to fall apart. Yes, then it's time to replace them. Until then... rinse and reuse

[Kansasslider]

If course the pads cant be rinsed out and reused according to them. How else are they going to convince you to buy new ones every month? lol[/quote



The filter manufacturers will also tell you the bio media needs to be replaced periodically along with all of the media. The media is where their highest profit margin is.

Eventually the pads get so gunked up they won't rinse clean or they start to fall apart. Yes, then it's time to replace them. Until then... rinse and reuse

Yea mine was do to be changed. I found them on E-bay for $20 for 21 pads. At that price one can afford to replace every now and then. Heck at a buck a piece I could replace instead of rinsing .

[VeipaCray]

Yeah that's a great deal for those pads.

[Kansasslider]

They are made in China aftermarket but I have used them for a while now and they are just like the ones fluval sells. I figure it like this, fluval told me they get clogged so when do you know its slowing down flow? I just put a new one in when I do a filter cleaning. No guessing if its impeding water flow. And why not they only cost $1

[VeipaCray]

Don't kid yourself... the Fluval OEM pads are probably manufactured in the same place on the same assembly line If the ones you found are working well, would you mind posting a link to the ebay seller or something on the deals section?

[Kansasslider]

Don't know ho post links from E-bay on my phone? I just searched fx5. If you find them please post! The best I can do is a screen shot.They also sell polishing pads and foam filters cheap!