In order to keep your Fluval FX2 running efficiently without any issues, we recommend that you perform occasional maintenance. You can check out this guide at Aquarium Blueprints to see how often you should be cleaning the canister filter.
Fluval FX2 Canister
Fluval Recommendation:
When it comes to the canister, Fluval recommends that you check and clean the inside of it monthly.
Our Recommendation:
We also recommend that you inspect and clean the canister on a monthly basis. In most cases, a weekly water change is good enough to keep your tank water suitable for your fish and other aquatic pets.
So, a thorough cleaning once a month should help with keeping the nitrate levels from building up over time as long as you are diligent.
Fluval FX2 Intake Stem/Strainer
Fluval Recommendation:
Fluval suggests that you check and clean the intake stem/strainer every three months.
Our Recommendation:
The intake stem/strainer is a crucial part that you don’t want to get clogged up as it can easily cause water flow issues and even damage the impeller.
If you are planning to take apart the FX2 to clean it every month, then we recommend that you clean the intake stem/strainer at the same time as well. If you see that this part starts to get clogged earlier, then we recommend that you clean it more frequently.
Fluval FX2 Ribbed Hosing
Fluval Recommendation:
When it comes to the hosing, Fluval suggests that you check and clean them every six months.
Our Recommendation:
The hosing shouldn’t get clogged unless you have an extremely high bioload. Therefore, you shouldn’t need to clean them as often. So, waiting six months or longer in between cleanings should be fine.
Fluval FX2 Bio-Foam
Fluval Recommendation:
Fluval suggests that you check and clean the Bio-Foam sponges monthly. After six months, the company recommends that you replace half of the quantity.
Our Recommendation:
If you decide to clean the canister monthly, then you should also clean the Bio-Foam sponges at the same time.
When it comes to replacement, we found that aquarium sponges can last for many years. So, as long as the sponges Bio-Foams aren’t breaking down and/or getting clogged up easily even after a thorough cleaning, then you should be able to continue using them for a long time without a replacement.
Fluval FX2 Bio-Foam+
Fluval Recommendation: When it comes to the Bio-Foam+, Fluval states that you should check and clean every three months. It is also recommended that you replace this specialized sponge every 6 months.
Our Recommendation:
Just like the regular Bio-Foam, we suggest cleaning the Bio-Foam+ whenever you decide to clean the canister.
As we stated above, you don’t need to replace the specialized sponge unless it starts to break apart and/or gets clogged very easily.
Fluval FX2 BioMax
Fluval Recommendation: For the BioMax media, Fluval recommends checking and cleaning once per month. The company also states that you should replace half of the quantity every 6 months.
Our Recommendation:
A monthly cleaning also works well for this biological filtration as it prevents its surfaces from getting clogged up.
When it comes to replacement, BioMax should last for a lifetime as long as the media isn’t fully clogged up. Therefore, you most likely don’t need to replace this part if you have been keeping up with your monthly cleanings.
Fluval FX2 Carbon Pad
Fluval Recommendation:
According to Fluval, the carbon pad of the FX2 should be replaced monthly.
Our Recommendation:
The replacement frequency for the carbon pad depends on your fish tank.
We don’t personally use carbon in our fish tank unless we are trying to remove the medication from the tank water. What we ended up doing was remove the carbon completely from the FX2 and then use the extra space to add more biological filter media.
Fluval FX2 Magnetic Impeller
Fluval Recommendation:
For the magnetic impeller, Fluval states that you should check and clean this crucial part every three months. It should also be replaced every year.
Our Recommendation:
The magnetic impeller part of the FX2 is the most prone to failure. Thus, we recommend following Fluval’s advice to check and clean it every three months.
If you keep up with the cleaning, then the impeller can last more than a year. So, you shouldn’t replace it until you notice that it is starting to get less effective at pumping water in and out of the canister.
Fluval FX2 Motor Seal Ring
Fluval Recommendation: For the motor seal ring, Fluval also recommends that you check and clean every three months and then replace this part every year.
Our Recommendation:
The motor seal ring is there to protect the magnetic impeller. So, whenever you decide to clean the impeller, make sure you also clean the ring as well.
As long as you don’t notice any leakage, then you won’t need to replace the motor seal ring. With that said, you might want to have a replacement on hand so that you can quickly deal with leakage coming out of the impeller unit of the FX2 if the original ever breaks down.
