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Salt water filter.

5.5K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  mk4gti  
#1 ·
I've just purchased a 180 gallon tank and I am wondering will the fluval fx-5 filter be enough for a fish only saltwater set up.

Geoff
 
#3 ·
yes it should be enough, but canisters are really for big cichlid tanks. wet/dry's and protein skimmers are the more often for saltwater, but a canister will work just fine if u do a simple reef with really hardy fish like damsels and dottybacks-which, sadly, don't make a big presence in a 180g. What fish r u planning on keeping? groupers, eels, and puffers can also work.
 
#6 ·
Hey, dear guys what a nice sharing i like to share my ideas about your matter , You must have an adequate biological base, the appropriate choice of animals, not over-populate, and don't over feed. Get one of these factors wrong, and you most likely will have problems with your saltwater tank.
Thanks again for this nice sharing.
 
#8 ·
I have the FX5 on my 90 gallon fresh water planted tank. Its a powerfull filter but i think that for a large salt water tank you prolly want a wet/dry set up with some sort of sump. The main issues with the FX5 are the stock out put comes with this funny nozzle that causes an akward flow, i replaced mine with a 3/4 inch pvc elbow, if you decided to go with the buffer pads in the media trays be prepared to change them like ever week, they get clogged up and slow the flow down. Right now all 3 trays in my fx5 have ceramic bio rings in them, no buffer pads and no activated carbon bags.