Habitat - Indoor :: [HELP!] 2 Questions for AQUACLEAR'S SERIES

[redearcoma]

Hi, ANYONE USING THE AQUACLEAR SERIES IS WILLING TO ANSWER THESE TWO QUESTIONS FOR ME?

1) DOES THE LENGTH OF THE INTAKE TUBING IMPROVE THE CLEANINESS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK? If the intake tube is extended to the very bottom, will the bottom debris be eliminated, I'm having this problem.

2) FILTER MEDIA - Just interested in what filter media you use, I currently have 2 sponges on TOP and BOTTOM plus an activated carbon bag in between. Is ammonia remover significant for filtering purposes?

Thanks in advance!

[flutterby]

When my mom gave me scooter, she got us a Aquaclear 50. It keeps the water clear, but I have to us a net (gonna get a turkey baster) to help keep the bottom clean. I have the sponge, carbon, and the ammonia remover as media.

I think the bottom of the tank will have to have regular mantainence to keep it clean, regardless of what kind of filter you have in it.

[marisa]

I currently am using the AquaClear 110 (was the 500). It's doing a very good job of keeping the water in a 40-gallon stock tank clean, and I don't use an extra extension tube with it. Having the intake lower would probably help, but no filter is going to pick up all the crud in the tank, although, there is very little, if anything at the bottom of my turts' (turts could be helping, I don't know). If you're looking to find a filter that will pick up absolutely everything, though, I doubt you'll find one (if you do, let me know, I want one).

Do you have an older model Aquaclear? If so, the filter was recently repackaged to include bio-media (Bio-max), which you can buy separately. I'm using exactly what came with the filter when I bought it not too long ago--the sponge, the carbon (which should be replaced at least monthly in the 110) and the Bio-max.

I think you said you're using the Aquaclear 200 in the 30-gallon? This is too small for the tank. I'd get the 110 for it. BUT, if the tank is too small for the size of the turts you have, any filter is going to have problems...

[bradhart]

I have an old aquaclear 200 in a 40 gal long tank. I fit a piece of tube on the intake, just beacuse the tube wasn't long enough to reach the water. I also have 1 sponge and 1 carbon media. tank is as clean as it can be

[redearcoma]

I have an old aquaclear 200 in a 40 gal long tank. I fit a piece of tube on the intake, just beacuse the tube wasn't long enough to reach the water. I also have 1 sponge and 1 carbon media. tank is as clean as it can be

Wow, you I use an AC200 also for my 30 gallon tank, so it's capable to deal with so much more water?

[redearcoma]

Thanks for the advice. By the way, is there a great difference between the ammonia remove of the older packaging and the BIO-MAX of the newer packaging? Thanks once again.

I currently am using the AquaClear 110 (was the 500). It's doing a very good job of keeping the water in a 40-gallon stock tank clean, and I don't use an extra extension tube with it. Having the intake lower would probably help, but no filter is going to pick up all the crud in the tank, although, there is very little, if anything at the bottom of my turts' (turts could be helping, I don't know). If you're looking to find a filter that will pick up absolutely everything, though, I doubt you'll find one (if you do, let me know, I want one).

Do you have an older model Aquaclear? If so, the filter was recently repackaged to include bio-media (Bio-max), which you can buy separately. I'm using exactly what came with the filter when I bought it not too long ago--the sponge, the carbon (which should be replaced at least monthly in the 110) and the Bio-max.

I think you said you're using the Aquaclear 200 in the 30-gallon? This is too small for the tank. I'd get the 110 for it. BUT, if the tank is too small for the size of the turts you have, any filter is going to have problems...

[marisa]

I think there is. The ammonia remover (this doesn't come with the "new" Aquaclears) is for chemical filtration (as is carbon, BTW), the Bio-Max is for biological filtration (the sponge is mainly for mechanical filtration). The most important kinds of filtration for turtles are the biochemical and mechanical filtration, these work to keep the water quality up. The chemical media, while serving a purpose in the filter (filters out certain chemicals and odors), eventually get "saturated" and become ineffective (they can start to release whatever they were filtering back in the water) and need to be replaced.

The difference between the older AquaClears and the "newer" packages sold now is the emphasis on biofiltration (and they come with an extra extension tube and a carbon pack, which should be changed at least monthly, as well).