AIO Water Level

[rbadger]

I have never had an AIO but bought one of the JBJ 20G frag tanks on clearance from LA.

I was noticing that as my floss/filter media in the overflow section “clogs” up (slowing the flow into the AIO section), the main section’s water level rises and the AIO water level lowers (not using an ATO at the moment).

I assume this is normal as the return pump is relatively constant and the flow into the overflow/fuge/pump area is slowed due to the media “clogging”/restricting flow.

My concern is that the main could overflow if the AIO pump returns water faster than the overflow.

How have others handled this? Is it just a matter of frequent changing of the filter media?

TIA!

 

[JasonK84]

I have never had an AIO but bought one of the JBJ 20G frag tanks on clearance from LA.

I was noticing that as my floss/filter media in the overflow section “clogs” up (slowing the flow into the AIO section), the main section’s water level rises and the AIO water level lowers (not using an ATO at the moment).

I assume this is normal as the return pump is relatively constant and the flow into the overflow/fuge/pump area is slowed due to the media “clogging”/restricting flow.

My concern is that the main could overflow if the AIO pump returns water faster than the overflow.

How have others handled this? Is it just a matter of frequent changing of the filter media?

TIA!

Not nessesarily changing the filter. I would shake my filter cartridge off into the water that I had pulled during a water change and put it back in. That would keep it flowing good without having to change it so often. BTW this was on a 14g biocube. I don't know if they make them for your tank but there were also some media trays that you could put in and replace the bioball section. This way you could have the ceramic rings, carbon, and filter floss on top. Would be cheaper than changing out the cartridges.

 

[JasonK84]

I have never had an AIO but bought one of the JBJ 20G frag tanks on clearance from LA.

I was noticing that as my floss/filter media in the overflow section “clogs” up (slowing the flow into the AIO section), the main section’s water level rises and the AIO water level lowers (not using an ATO at the moment).

I assume this is normal as the return pump is relatively constant and the flow into the overflow/fuge/pump area is slowed due to the media “clogging”/restricting flow.

My concern is that the main could overflow if the AIO pump returns water faster than the overflow.

How have others handled this? Is it just a matter of frequent changing of the filter media?

TIA!

Here is one that JBJ makes. Might not be the right one for your model but I bet you can find one. Would be super cheap to replace filter floss in this.

 

[Vahanyos]

My brother had this same issue with his 20g IM fusion tank. He ended up getting so frustrated with the fluctuation, that he took his filter socks out completely. He also had a theory where his starry blenny was purposely blocking the overflow weir on one side, and his ATO would go nuts and pump a lot of water in there, and then the blenny would move and the flow would stabilize, but then he had too much water in the back chamber. He swears he caught him red handed.... kind of funny..

Sorry this probably wasn't the most helpful post lol

 

[JasonK84]

Here is one that JBJ makes. Might not be the right one for your model but I bet you can find one. Would be super cheap to replace filter floss in this.

After reading the description it seems this is the correct basket for your tank. It's on eBay if it's something you want to pursue. Good luck and I hope this helps.

 

[rbadger]

Here is one that JBJ makes. Might not be the right one for your model but I bet you can find one. Would be super cheap to replace filter floss in this.

Thanks, I made something similar out of eggcrate and use some filter floss on top (with some carbon and purigen below) and have my ceramic media in the middle/fuge section.