Aquaclear 110?

Marine430 · Nov 14, 2020

I just got an AC110 for an experiment! Do you charge out the sponge often? Also should the bio max be out of water a little or completely under water?

A sea K · Nov 14, 2020

I change the sponge only as needed, it should last quite awhile before it deteriorates. I keep the bio media fully submerged, you definitely dont want it to dry out as it is not being used in the same manner as a "wet-dry" type of filter.

SDK · Nov 14, 2020

Just to clarify what you mean by “change out”, you should pull out and rinse the sponge often. You can purchase a second one and “change out” by swapping them as well.

As mentioned above, do not throw them out or replace with brand new ones. I know some of the filter sponge and cartridge manufacturers have instructions that would keep you buying new filter inserts indefinitely, but it’s not necessary.

I have AC sponges that are older than some members of this forum and still work fine.

ScottJ · Nov 14, 2020

I use AC's in my freshwater tanks. Never changed the sponge. Just rinse it out once a week or so.

Marine430 · Nov 14, 2020

Do any of you use felt pads in addition to polish the water and if so where would you add it?
When you rinse the sponge do you rinse it in the bucket after a water change or rinse it in the tank?

A sea K · Nov 14, 2020

Marine430 said:
Do any of you use felt pads in addition to polish the water and if so where would you add it?
When you rinse the sponge do you rinse it in the bucket after a water change or rinse it in the tank?

I've never tried the felt pads but I would worry they would likely clog often. I rinse mine (FW) in the sink. If you have left over water from a W/C then that would be just as good an option if not better. Do NOT however rinse it off in your tank, that would simply dump all the garbage back into your tank.

I should add that they one I use in my saltwater QT system does not even have a sponge, I only have some bio media in it.

BirdGuy21 · Nov 14, 2020

I’ve had an AC 110 going for years on my freshwater planted tank. Rinse it out every week in a bucket of tank water with my weekly water change. Have never needed to clean it. The bio media I can get to lay right to stay completely submerged.

Marine430 · Nov 14, 2020

BirdGuy21 said:
I’ve had an AC 110 going for years on my freshwater planted tank. Rinse it out every week in a bucket of tank water with my weekly water change. Have never needed to clean it. The bio media I can get to lay right to stay completely submerged.

Maybe mine is too full. It's not completely submerged. I have a bag of chemi pure as well. Maybe I should fully submerge the bio max and put the chemi pure on top?

BirdGuy21 · Nov 14, 2020

I have Chemipure in there as well and added some Matrix to the bio media. Should have mentioned I bought a larger media bag for the bio media and that makes it easier to spread and thin out.

Marine430 · Nov 14, 2020

I used a biowheel for years and I would get felt pads and filter floss and change them out often. On the other side I had my chemi pure and bio max. I wanted to see if the AC is worth the upgrade! I believe it is! 1 it's bigger holds more and pushes more water! Win win win I hope!