Aquaclear setup Qs

[cowgirluntamed]

Opinions needed on which size/how many/locations and the like....Lol.

Stats of tank
55 gallon planted glowlight tetra/harlequin rasbora tank. Playsand substrate.

My thoughts...I think I would like to have a sponge filter running in the tank as well(I like bubbles so figured maybe just put a sponge on it. Lol.) It will probably be rated for either a 30 gallon (dual sponge, like this best) or rated for a 75 gallon(one big sponge). Number 2 and 4 respectively in link below. (I like the tubes on them best)

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3584+3954&pcatid=3954

Anyway, I was thinking either the aquaclear 70 or 50. Either 2 of one of them or one of each. Though if only one was needed, which? The reason I was thinking two....Was to have a couple of their sponges plus the biomedia in one...And the other can have a sponge...Polyfil(filter floss), and even more biomedia.

If I had two...Would one go at each end of the tank? In the middle? Which? Lol. Just looking for the best setup so curious as to what everyone thinks!

 

[Keswick]

A lot of keepers are really into over filtration, absurd to me in many cases.

I took an Aquaclear 70 off my 75 as the flow was so strong, it was ravaging my plants.

IMO I think a single Aquaclear 50 and a 30 gallon sponge would be ideal..... in addition to consistent weekly water changes...








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[cowgirluntamed]

I wasn't really thinking of over filtering the tank really. I just wasn't sure which would be best for it, hence the questions! Lol. The thought on having two filters instead of one was to have one have a lot of the polyfil in it to help polish the water. Would a 50 and a 30 be ok for that then or is that still too much do you think? Or do you have a different idea for helping to polish the water? I want the sponge filter regardless. Lol. And I will hopefully keep up with water changes weekly when it gets set up! Lol.

 

[Keswick]

I didn't mean to infer that you were an "over filterer"... what I meant was I have seen folks recommend an exuberant amount of filtration and swear by it!.. so that was kind of a warning in case some reccommmend 2 Aquaclear 110's! [emoji4]

But I do know understand through your latest post what you are trying to accomplish and I think either an Aquaclear 50 or 30 would be fine as a polishing filter - it would be easy to frequently change out the poly so that seems like a good idea to me!

I've seen your posts, I know you keep up with water changes.... [emoji2]


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[cowgirluntamed]

I didn't take any offence, don't worry! Lol. I just wanted to be sure you knew what I meant. Lol. So...One 50 for main filtering and I would think we'll...Either another 50 or 30 for the polishing. I would probably have the last one turned all the way down for longer contact with the water, I think that would work better? One at each end of the tank or side by side on one end? (I'm thinking each end?)

As for water changes, I was having a real hard to time due to physical issues, hence breaking the tanks down. But for the big tank I'm going to get one of those water changer things(aqueon I think is what I wanted to go with). So that will help if I have no buckets!!!Thanks for the tips!

 

[AbbeysDad]

I have 2 AC70's on my 60g with AC50 impellers. They both run at 3/4 flow as set by the inlet tube position. They are both filled ONLY with bio-sponge material (sometimes maybe a layer of polyester filter floss).

Following the weekly water change and tank maintenance, I often run a Marineland internal Polishing Filter with the micron cartridge for several hours to further ensure crystal clear water.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

I have 2 AC70's on my 60g with AC50 impellers. They both run at 3/4 flow as set by the inlet tube position. They are both filled ONLY with bio-sponge material (sometimes maybe a layer of polyester filter floss).

Following the weekly water change and tank maintenance, I often run a Marineland internal Polishing Filter with the micron cartridge for several hours to further ensure crystal clear water.

Does the smaller impeller just slow the flow down more? Is the sponge the one that comes with it?

 

[AbbeysDad]

Does the smaller impeller just slow the flow down more? Is the sponge the one that comes with it?

Yes, The motor is the same for the AC20, 30, 50, and 70 filters - they all just have different sized impellers. So using an AC50 impeller in the AC70 filter will produce slightly less flow than the slightly larger AC70 impeller. (Even with this configuration, I usually have the inlet tube positioned halfway for additional reduced flow. Why do this? - The AC70 simply has a bigger body for more media.
I originally just had one AC70 but later added another filled with Matirx/DeNitrate with an AC20 impeller. After realizing that this combo did not reduce nitrates, I migrated to using the two filters with the AC50 impellers and both filled with bio-sponge. In the bottom of the filter I use a scotchbrite pad to trap larger particles. This is followed by a standard AC70 sponge. After that I use sponge marketed as bio-sponge. It is a bit denser than the standard AC70 sponge (although filling the AC's with 2 1/2 - 3 standard sponges would also work). Finally, sometimes I'll have some polyester filter floss last to polish the water (although most of the time, they're just filled with sponges.
So basically, these are "HOB Sponge Filters".

Note 1: After many years of experimentation I came to realize that what is being sold as bio-media is more marketing hype than factual increased surface areas. And although the filter is a great place for beneficial bacteria, there is far more BB in the substrate and other surfaces in the tank. Further, sponge material alone is an excellent platform for BB, it's inexpensive and lasts virtually forever.
Note 2: Most producers of many of the bio-medias suggest it should be replaced every 6 months or so. This is typically because their tiny micro pores become clogged with detritus, making it relatively ineffective.
This is not the case with sponge material as it easily rinses clean.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

Thanks for the tips! Now even more to think about. Lol.

 

[DutchMuch]

A lot of keepers are really into over filtration, absurd to me in many cases.

then you need to do some more research, don't doubt peoples knowledge. Under filtration is wrong, a 70 on a 75 is to much because you either have the water level in your tank To low, or that isn't the filter for your liking. Flow doesn't matter.

 

[cowgirluntamed]

then you need to do some more research, don't doubt peoples knowledge. Under filtration is wrong, a 70 on a 75 is to much because you either have the water level in your tank To low, or that isn't the filter for your liking. Flow doesn't matter.

DutchMuch I think you need to do a bit more research. With a 75 gallon tank with substrate, decor, and the like, you don't actually HAVE 75 true gallons of water. Heck most tanks say they are a certain size and even empty they don't necessarily hold what they say they do.

And flow does matter. It matters a lot to fish that don't live in fast moving streams. There are a bunch of fish that live in nice slow if not still waters that do not want flow.

Then....There are also live plants. Live plants help with filtering the water anyway. If your tank is heavily planted with a very low stocking level, you may not even need a filter. Just water changes would probably work.

Every tank is different. Each filter is different. You have to look at everything, not just what the filter "says" it can do. (Which, by the way, is usually an empty filter reading, not one with media).

 

[AbbeysDad]

I actually think the whole notion of "over filtering" has been very confused. It seems that somehow, folks in the hobby have come to believe that the more gallons per hour (GPH) we force through a filter (or filters), the more filtration there will be. In fact, good (or more) filtration is about how well we filter the water, NOT how many gallons we force through a filter.
I think that unless you're simulating the directional flow of a fast river, you want good circulation in a tank, but not necessarily a lot of flow.
I use sponges and sometimes filter floss in my filters, but for superior filtration, following the weekly water change, I run the Marineland Internal Polishing filter with the micron cartridge for a few hours. This ensures super crystal clear water.
(Disclaimer note: I have no affiliation with Marineland so this is not a commercial plug.)
But test for yourself. If not already, put a good layer of polyester filter fiber as the last stage in your filter(s) and see how dirty it gets...loaded with material that would otherwise just pass on through...regardless of how many filters or GPH's !!!

 

[DutchMuch]

don't actually HAVE 75 true gallons of water

that's obvious, considering substrate and other solids in the tank

About the flow, that's not what I meant. Flow doesn't matter in this situation, in a not overwhelming sense

 

[DutchMuch]

Every tank is different. Each filter is different. You have to look at everything, not just what the filter "says" it can do

Another obvious thing, I have a hydor canister filter for my sixty five, works miracles and it does "what it says"

 

[StevenF]

I am not failure with the filters you guy are talking about but I would look for a filter with an adjustable valve or can be adapted so that one can be installed on the outflow. That would allow you to adjust the flow downto suit your fish or move more water around if you decide you want more flow.

If you like bubbles you might want the outflow to go into a pipe positioned 1/2" ore more above the water. The falling water would pull air down into the water one or two incase below the water surface. How fast the air is pushed down will depend on the flow.