Fluval FX6

[tankoftangs]

So I picked up a second hand FX6 with some fish and have been using it on my quarantine tank temporarily.  It is the first time have used a FX6 I think I will move it over to my main 125 once quarantine is over as I am really liking this filter.  I have a Eheim 4+ on the tank now which I really like as well.  It is quiet, high quality, and easy to break down.  What the FX6 adds to the equation is water flow - my 4+ can't compete here.  The intake is what I really like too as I can get high water flow in the tank other ways besides a canister filter.  Junk that goes anywhere near the intake of the FX6 seems to get sucked right up whereas more seems to get by the Eheim intake.  I can see why these filters are so popular.   

[...]

The eheim is geared more toward providing good surface area for biological filtration. Flow rate across the media is crucial when dialing in biological efficiency. Eheim have perfected it. Not to discredit the FX filters at all, but they definitely have a higher flow rate, and therefore do a better job of mechanical filtration. Just make sure you clean the FX4 canister every 2-3 months, and every 4-5 months for the eheim. Alternate the cleaning do you don't get ammonia spikes.
When you can, put up a YouTube vid of your set up for us to see 👍🇦🇺

[rare]

Eheim 2262 * 

[frantic]

I have 4 fx6 and I like em. Keep the tank very clear.i use matrix and pinky filters for clarity and does the trick.

[brianyelick]

I run exclusively Eheim filters on all of my tanks I had an FX4 and had problems with it and I've gone back to strictly Eheim canisters they are reliable I've never had one problem with any of them super easy to operate and they have more biological area than any other filter I see I also pair them with a seachem tidal hob filter.

[tankoftangs]

Thanks for the info everyone.  I guess what I was really impressed with on the FX6 was the mechanical filtration although I admit that the biologic is the more important of the two.  I have never had any trouble with my 4+ filters or with water quality in my tanks that use them.  I do mechanical cleaning during my weekly water changes as well as sporadically with a Eheim quick vac. 

I wasn't very familiar with the 2262 but I can definately see one of those in my future after looking it up- it looks like a beast!  Will take some savings though as those things are pricey.    Will be interesting to see how the 125 does when I move the FX6 over (still over a month away).  I will try the cleaning schedule as kapadaddy recommended.  Makes sense to clean the FX6 more frequently if it is doing more of the mechanical filtration.  So far it is keeping the 75g quarantine tank pretty clean and water quality has been good.  

Will work on eventually getting a video up once I have tanks consolidated and reorganized.  I am making a few changes - taking out some rock and hopefully replacing sand with a more more coarse sand/fine gravel.  I will have to preface it with the disclaimer that I am NOT a professional.  There are some really impressive videos on this site. 

[...]

Sounds like a plan mate . Looking forward to seeing your a vid. The FX series filters do provide biological filtration it's just that the increase flow rate that they have makes them have better mechanical filtration then the eheim. Like I said before Eheim did a lot research into surface area and flow rates and the emphasis is on the biological but the FX series filters do do both. All right mate take care :-)