Aquaclear Filter/Water flow

[Dcole12]

HI Everyone,

I have an aquaclear filter 110 for my 46 gallon bow front. I just want to get a quick census on how often I should change out the filter, the carbon pouch, and the biomax? As well as I have two pumps on both sides on the tank As you can see in the picture below. I just want to know if that is to much flow in my tank? The pump on the far side has been moved to the top.

 

[Retro Reefer]

The frequency of changing your filter materials will depend on the how dirty your water is the amount of fish, frequency of feedings and your tank husbandry will determine that.. the biomax should not be changed but can be rinsed in tank water occasionally to clean off detritus.

 

[Dcole12]

The frequency of changing your filter materials will depend on the how dirty your water is the amount of fish, frequency of feedings and your tank husbandry will determine that.. the biomax should not be changed but can be rinsed in tank water occasionally to clean off detritus.

Hi Retro,

Thanks for the input! I just want to run one more question by you, but what should my water temp be running at?

 

[Soylent Wrasse]

Keep your temp as stable as possible, in the 74-78 range. It is going to fluctuate, but try to keep it steady. 76 is a pretty good temp to shoot for.

 

[Dcole12]

Thanks for the info! I have definitely seen different temps. Mine is running at 75 right now.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Hi Retro,

Thanks for the input! I just want to run one more question by you, but what should my water temp be running at?

I shoot for 78 degrees with a minimum of 77 and max of about 79.

 

[Dcole12]

I shoot for 78 degrees with a minimum of 77 and max of about 79.

Thanks for the information! I definitely went ahead and bumped the temperature up for the tank. Definitely will give me some more leeway

 

[Uncle99]

I clean my aqua clear sponge every week, change carbon once a month, I use noth8ng else...

 

[Dcole12]

I clean my aqua clear sponge every week, change carbon once a month, I use noth8ng else...

Thanks! That is good to know! I will definitely buy some extra carbon! That looks great! White size power heads do you have? What size tank do you have? I have two power Hydor wave pumps that do 1500 GPH and the aquaclear for a 46 gallon bow front tank. Is that to much flow? Or should I make another thread to discuss that?

 

[Uncle99]

It’s a 65g, 48 long.
I use Two wave makers variable from 180-2255 gph, 6 Hydors 425 gph on/off 30 minutes.
Yes, that’s enough flow.....I have always said, more flow better provided your sand doesn’t blow around or. Corals become annoyed. Flow keeps corals clean, brings them foods, assists with growth, but, only when waters stable. Flow keeps stuff suspended in the column so it can be removed by filter or skimmer. Seek stability in all parameters, by stability I mean in the right level and with the least possible flux, record your findings weekly and make adjustments manually for some time. ATO being an absolute for Salinity.
Once stability has been reached, a doser can really help a lot.
The bottom line on HOB filters, and I have run them in Salt for 30years, is keep it CLEAN, it’s simply like a broom, it sweeps up stuff and allows us to remove. It has little to none biological capabilities. I have 2 sponges and I just swap the old for the new, and repeat each week. Again this filter is not required, but I use it to pull stuff from the column.

Have fun

 

[Uncle99]

Your tank looks nice BTW, is new in its maturity.
Once the first bit a algae shows, consider Vibrant, yes expensive, but a bottle would last more than a year.
I dose Vibrant, 1ml for each 10G, once a week, subsequent to the water change.
It removed all pest algae. Now I dose only every two weeks.
Really makes my water crystal clean. No hair, no turf, no bubble, that stuff can be really annoying.

I also feed my bacteria population by carbon dosing, this keeps nutrients in the N=2-10 ppm and P=.05.-.2ppm range, super important until all beneficial bacteria is up to par. Best guess on this is 6-10 months.

Thought I might add this consideration.