Hang On Filter

[SouthernCross]

Hey everyone

I posted a similar topic over in the hardware forum (because I thought it would be the right place) but no one will answer me - I don't think there's a whole lot of traffic over there so I brought it here in the hope I can get some answers cos its important!

I'm looking at getting a hang on filter to supplement a UGF based on advice from someone else tht a UGF won't cut it in the long run on my 148L/39 US gallon tank. I want an external filter cos don't want to take up any more space in the tank. I think I've settled on this filter here, an AquaClear 200/50. But I have a couple of questions/concerns:

- How frequently will I need to change the filter media for it? Was just thinking if I order it, may as well order some spare media too, save more postage down the track.
-Is using the carbon really all that important? Should I replace that with another sponge insert?
- By running the two filters (UGF and a power filter) simultaneously, will this reduce probs that might occur if I were to clean the sponge too well and eliminate some bacteria? Would it still cause cycling again, or will the UGF keep it going fine?
MOST IMPORTANTLY!!
- My tank has lift-out glass panels that act as lids under the wooden hood, at the moment they only have a corner cut off for airtubes/heater wire to come out. With the glass lids, there's a little "shelf" that sticks out from the top rim of the tank for the glass lids to sit on, its probably about 2cm wide, maybe a bit more. Will the hang on still fit over this? Do they have space to allow for that or are they only meant to sit/hang on the width of the one piece of upright glass wall? I know I'll probably have to get the lid cut, but what about the shelf? I don't know how hard that would be to do if it's not designed to fit over it - hence my reluctance to order not knowing...

If anyone has ANY idea about the above (in particular anyone who has this filter!) could you please answer because I desperately want to get this filter ordered and up and running asap - if it's going to fit on my tank of course.

Thankyou

 

[SouthernCross]

Anyone? PLEASE???

 

[linda1503]

Hi SouthernCross. Seems strange that no-one has yet come back to you on this. Sorry I don't know anything about them but I'll bump this for you to see if anyone can help, there's probably more people about now that its week-end. Best of luck!

 

[Tolak]

How wide is the rim, with the little ledge included? I have about 6 used AC 200's, I'll go measure the gap. They've fit over every tank up to a 55 gallon for me, standatd All-Glass tanks.


Ditch the carbon, run two sponges. I have sponges that have been running for several years without needing to be replaced, just rinsed. You can then run some bio media or floss after the sponges. Bio media supplied by Hagen is ceramic, and like most ceramic medias lasts seemingly forever. Polyester floss will need replacing, get a bag of polyester pillow stuffing from a fabric shop, it's the same thing.

Running two filters is something I do on most all tanks, you don't have to worry about any spikes when you clean one filter, wait a few days, then clean the other.

 

[SouthernCross]

Thank you SO much Tolak! Was starting to think I'd never get an answer! I wasn't sure if anyone knew what I meant by the ledges.

I just measured the rim and the ledge it was a bit awkward - but it would be 2.5cm minimum. So I think a gap slightly bigger than that would be needed. I got my tank from a LFS which is known for making their own tanks for sale sure I'm not sure whether mine would be considered a 'standard' tank. Do yours have the little ledges I've described? Obviously you know what I meant then.

I'm pretty sure when I order the filter it comes with a sponge, a carbon, and a bio insert - so I'll just order one extra sponge then, and save the carbon in case there's ever a med or something I need to remove. I'll make sure I clean the sponges on days I'm not gravel vaccing then, since that'll be what will disturb the bacteria in the UGF.

Thanks again, I'm eagerly awaiting your response so I can get ordering!

 

[Tolak]

The gap is 1 inch, 2.54cm. Some of my tanks have those little ledges, they hold the glass tops in place, slightly recessed. I also have some used tanks running where that ledge has been trimmed back a bit, for hob filters or heaters. These tanks have been running fine with this slight modification.

 

[funkyhoney]

you should be able to get an aquarium or glazer to cut a ledge off your tank or trim the lid, it's fairly simple for pro's to do that. i did it to my first tank (although i no longer use that filter).

other than that, just what has already been said, the aquaclear HOB filters are great and you can get a lot of filter media in there, i'd ditch the carbon bag it comes with and go for some extra sponge and/or biological filtration media.

 

[SouthernCross]

Thanks for the advice guys!

I'm pretty confident now that it should be fine without having to modify, but it should be realtively easy to do so if the need arises. I'll get to ordering the filter now with an etra sponge.

Cheers