AquaClear "Hot-rodding"

[Airmann]

I have a 20 gallon High that has some clarity issues. I put some rock in the tank that was used in a previous tank. I believe there was some sediment stuck on the rock or dust. I completely forgot to rinse these rocks before putting them in. I have visible dust/micro particles floating around now.

To combat the issue, I put some "filter pads" in both of the filters on the tank (Specifically, this filter pad: Imagitarium Filter Pad). The tank has an AquaClear 20 and AquaClear 50. They both have sponge pre-filters and about two layers of those filter pads, above the AquaClear sponge it came with. So a total of 3 mechanical stages (Pre-filter, Sponge, Polishing Pad). So far it looks like it is working, but there is still a cloudiness in the tank.

What do you guys put in your AquaClear or Tidal filters?

 

[AbbeysDad]

I use all sponge/biosponge material in my Aquaclears.

 

[seangee]

Plain old sponge in my tidals. I leave the coarse blue ones they came with on the bottom and then cut regular filter sponge and put it above the blue one. Quite loosely packed, two strips put in vertically. The supplied matrix stays in a drawer - probably time to relocate them to the bin

 

[Metalhead88]

A thin layer of filter floss will do wonders.

In my aquaclear 110's from the bottom up, I go AC 110 sponge, filter floss, and ceramic rings on top. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255OZ4/?tag=ff0d01-20
For pre filter.

 

[Fishmanic]

A thin layer of filter floss will do wonders.

In my aquaclear 110's from the bottom up, I go AC 110 sponge, filter floss, and ceramic rings on top. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255OZ4/?tag=ff0d01-20
For pre filter.

exactly my setup for my aquaclear 50

 

[Airmann]

Plain old sponge in my tidals. I leave the coarse blue ones they came with on the bottom and then cut regular filter sponge and put it above the blue one. Quite loosely packed, two strips put in vertically. The supplied matrix stays in a drawer - probably time to relocate them to the bin

I want to try out the Tidal filters. I like the internal pump and water skimmer. I plan on setting up a 40 breeder in a week or so, and plan on getting a Tidal 55. I love my AquaClears but want to give Tidal a shot as well.

A thin layer of filter floss will do wonders.

In my aquaclear 110's from the bottom up, I go AC 110 sponge, filter floss, and ceramic rings on top. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000255OZ4/?tag=ff0d01-20
For pre filter.

I use the Fluval Edge pre-filters but I find that they constantly need to be cleaned (every couple of days, the flow is reduced). That pre-filter seems more course/porous, gonna give it a shot.

 

[Metalhead88]

I want to try out the Tidal filters. I like the internal pump and water skimmer. I plan on setting up a 40 breeder in a week or so, and plan on getting a Tidal 55. I love my AquaClears but want to give Tidal a shot as well.

I use the Fluval Edge pre-filters but I find that they constantly need to be cleaned (every couple of days, the flow is reduced). That pre-filter seems more course/porous, gonna give it a shot.

I have no issues cleaning the sponge only once a week with my water changes. I think it is more so the size of the sponge as it has more area to pull in water and doesn't clog as easy. The sponge looks pretty coarse, but still picks up a lot of derbies. This is evident that the pre filter is always dirty, but filter media stays clean for a while.

I highly recommend it.

It is pretty big though.... perhaps too big for a 20 gallon.