Fluval FX5 3rd valve & drainage hose

[twong727]

Does anyone with Fluval FX5 ever use the 3rd "AquaStop" valve to do water change? Since the drainage hose is not supplied, what kind of hose did you buy? Do you like this way of changing water?

I had a hard time finding cheap 1 inch (inside diameter) hose to fit into the valve. I need at least 20 feet. But I would like to step back a little and ask if this is a good method before searching for the drainage hose further.

Thanks for help in advance. Tony

[twong727]

Anyone has any advice for me?

[Raven20]

I never use mine....

[dsap92]

I tried using it once. Doesn't really flush out any muck from the filter. Didn't really see any sdvantage to using it.

[QuarterMiler]

I use mine on occasion when I want to do a quicker water change without vacuuming the sub. I made a short 3' adapter hose out of 1" ID(from HD or Lowes),and put a barb by hose end adapter on that to connect to my normal drain hose. It takes about half the time or less vs. siphoning to my sump pit.

[twong727]

Thanks for the comment. I may give it a try when I have access to an adapter to my regular water changer hose or a cheap 1 inch hose.

[TerenceH]

I use mine all the time. It will drain the tank as low as your if you get a vacuum started. The hose from the aqueon water changer is a perfect fit.

[Andrewtfw]

The hose on the python and also on the Lees gravel vac will fit the FX5. I use this method from time to time. I am not sure if it truly flushes the FX5, but it does make WC easier if you are not gravel cleaning.

[Terminal Cichness]

I have used my 3rd valve in the past. I connected it to ~12 inches of 1"ID dishwasher drain hose and then reduced down to a garden hose so that I could run the waste water outside.

Another option is that you can get some 1.25" ID sump pump hose that costs $11 for 25 feet and use a section of 1" with a coupler to get from the 1" to the 1.25".

[twong727]

I bought a original Fluval FX5 13 feet hose to connect to this 3rd valve plus a few more feet of old hoses. I just used it and the speed of draining the water was amazing which took about 5 minutes to drain half of my 125g tank (approx. 60 gallon) I was also stirring the sand lightly so crap on the floor could be caught by the filter intake.

With this Fluval FX5 and it's 3rd valve to drain water, I will be more comfortable upgrading my 125g in the near future....