qquake2k

I have a 46 gallon bowfront with an Aquaclear 110 on it. It doesn't seem like the filter is keeping up. The water is slightly cloudy, and there seems to be a lot of small debris floating around in the water. I have the big foam block in it, a layer of bonded filter floss, and the bio rings. The filter is rated at 500gph, and is supposed to be good for up to 110g aquariums. There is a common pleco and three African cichlids in the tank. Anybody else have a problem like this? It seems like the Emperor 280 I used to have on it worked much better even though it's a smaller filter. Any ideas are welcome.

lew2000

I don't know how you have your intake set up - but i have my HOB intake about 8" below the water line. This seems to help with removing debris quicker and more efficiently, versus having the intake deeper below the water line. It is possible that the foam block is restricting water flow in the filter. I use filter floss alone for mechanical filtration. The blue/white floss catches both large and small particles and at least imo is sufficient for particulate removal.

aquarist48

Hello qquake. I have filter floss in the very bottom of the filter then the sponge, carbon, bio cubes and another thin spong on top. I'm really impressed with mine. Do you have it on full flow? Too, you can add a surface skimmer for about $12 just for the Aqua Clears and I highly recommend them. They attach very easily so you get filtration from the bottom and from the surface. Attached is a picture of the skimmer.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...m?pcatid=12703
If your water is just a tad cloudy and you don't think it's an algae bloom you may want to add some carbon into the filter.