Hob filter question

[Marine430]

My freshwater tank filter died and was thinking about moving my saltwater filter to the freshwater tank and buying an AC 110 for the reef tank. I have a 40 breeder with a penguin 350 now.

 

[tsouth]

Can you specify the question? Are you concerned about whether or not an AC110 will be satisfactory for a reef tank in a 40b?

 

[Marine430]

Can you specify the question? Are you concerned about whether or not an AC110 will be satisfactory for a reef tank in a 40b?

I guess is it worth the upgrade? Or just buy a cheap filter and be done with it

 

[tsouth]

I guess is it worth the upgrade? Or just buy a cheap filter and be done with it

Hmm, this is going to be very subjective. My advice would be to set expectations for yourself, and for your tank.

Consider what the limits are for your current setup at this current time and state. My one key take is not to buy something cheap and be done with it. I suspect you would regret it at the end of the day and continue to consider the AC110 in the back of your mind.

If the penguin 350 is working diligently with what you have now, including your livestock, and your water parameters - then don't replace it and/or replace the freshwater filter instead. Once you reach the limits of the penguin, then consider the upgrade.

If you expect to exceed the limits of what the penguin 350 can handle, and you know the AC110 is a step up in both capabilities and value, then yes by all means go for it - move the penguin over and buy the AC110.

To me, it sounds like you've already got your foot in the door for the AC110. I'd rather you try and fail than wonder "what if?" I think you should go for it, or better yet consider a HOB skimmer or canister.

 

[Uncle99]

My freshwater tank filter died and was thinking about moving my saltwater filter to the freshwater tank and buying an AC 110 for the reef tank. I have a 40 breeder with a penguin 350 now.

I use an AC 110 HOB on my 65g mixed reef. The one below is 15 years old, back when it was called the 500.
I have no sump, thus no filter sock, so the sponge acts in the same way, but, must be cleaned weekly.
Also great for deploying carbon and GFO.

 

[Marine430]

Hmm, this is going to be very subjective. My advice would be to set expectations for yourself, and for your tank.

Consider what the limits are for your current setup at this current time and state. My one key take is not to buy something cheap and be done with it. I suspect you would regret it at the end of the day and continue to consider the AC110 in the back of your mind.

If the penguin 350 is working diligently with what you have now, including your livestock, and your water parameters - then don't replace it and/or replace the freshwater filter instead. Once you reach the limits of the penguin, then consider the upgrade.

If you expect to exceed the limits of what the penguin 350 can handle, and you know the AC110 is a step up in both capabilities and value, then yes by all means go for it - move the penguin over and buy the AC110.

To me, it sounds like you've already got your foot in the door for the AC110. I'd rather you try and fail than wonder "what if?" I think you should go for it, or better yet consider a HOB skimmer or canister.

I am definitely at the limit where my penguin 350 is just not keeping up with my water parameters. Nitrates are pretty high,I have diatoms. I do have a hang on the back skimmer as well and I keep up with my water changes. I basically only run filter floss and chemi pure blue in the 350. I change the floss every week with water changes and I also ditch the wheels themselves kind of at a loss of what to do just not sure if the AquaClear would give me the results I'm looking for either

 

[Marine430]

I have also considered a hob refugium

 

[Marine430]

I use an AC 110 HOB on my 65g mixed reef. The one below is 15 years old, back when it was called the 500.
I have no sump, thus no filter sock, so the sponge acts in the same way, but, must be cleaned weekly.
Also great for deploying carbon and GFO.

What carbon and gfo are you using? How are you cleaning your sponges?

 

[Uncle99]

What carbon and gfo are you using? How are you cleaning your sponges?

I simply use the prepackaged aqua clear 110 carbon pouch, and Rowaphos for GFO it comes with bag, these two things I lay on top of the sponge.
For ease, I swap out my sponge weekly. I rinse the used one, then rinse in RO, then let it dry.

 

[tsouth]

I think that the success that is seen by Uncle99 shows that an AC110 is very capable. Give it a shot!

 

[codycolina707]

My freshwater tank filter died and was thinking about moving my saltwater filter to the freshwater tank and buying an AC 110 for the reef tank. I have a 40 breeder with a penguin 350 now.

i feel like hob are only good for 2 things mechanical filtration and adding gfo or carbon other than that they are all about the same i used a penguin 350 on my 55 gallon and i could careless about it i even unplugged it for the last 3 months the tank was up only running a hob skimmer and powerheads no downside

 

[Marine430]

I simply use the prepackaged aqua clear 110 carbon pouch, and Rowaphos for GFO it comes with bag, these two things I lay on top of the sponge.
For ease, I swap out my sponge weekly. I rinse the used one, then rinse in RO, then let it dry.

Beautiful tank! Are you running a skimmer at all? Using an ato? Water change schedule?

 

[radsdad]

Seachem tidal hob's are another option. Self priming makes them better.

 

[LeftyReefer]

Seachem tidal hob's are another option. Self priming makes them better.

Agreed. The Seachem Tidal HOB's also surface skim, which as far as I know, the Aquaclears filters don't.
Unless you add an aftermarket surface skimmer box mod to the AC.