emanluke

Hey everybody! I'm planning on setting up a ten gallon with an Aqua Clear 20 power filter. My question is how do you set up the hood with a hang on the back filter. My current 3 gallon tank doesn't have a hood (glass top I keep with enough space to let tubing through), so I don't have any experience with hoods. I hope this isn't something simple that I should know!

Thanks!

Lucy

Are you buying the tank alone or does it come with a hood?
Most 10g hoods are standrad size. You can pick one up at walmart. It's pretty simple to put on and should have an opening or cut out for the filter.
The Aqua clear filter, is a hang on the back (HOB), it does just that, hangs on the back on the tank.

Tony G.

Hi Eman
Are you going to buy your tank as a kit or separatly? I would reccomend getting the kits. It gives you a step by step list on how to set up your tank. The hodd, will come with snap in place locks, that allow you to open it (lift and close).

If you notice on the back of the hood, there is a whole where the filter should go. If not, it should have a cut out shape, just being attached in certain places. Most kits have the shape cut out, but since you plan on getting a different filter you would do the following:
You could grab an exacto Knife (careful, dont slip ) and just cut the little plastic peaces to release he pre shaped slot.

hope i helped

EDIT :

Lucy! you type faster than me

emanluke

Okay, thank you both. Since I had never gotten a hood, I didn't know they came with the filter "hole" in them. I plan on getting the kit, but I know that they don't always come with good equipment. Have either of you had any problems with the filters that come in the kits?

MissMTS

Welcome to Fishlore

I have never really had a problem with the filters that come in the kits, I just prefer the Aquaclear filters because they have more room for filter media and are a little more reliable. I have the regular filters that come in kits on some of my tanks though and they work just fine

Tony G.

Personally i used to have the Tetra Kit i got at walmart. It worked perfectly for the 2yrs i had it set up. The filter was silent, yet powerful. They usually just come like this:
Glass tank
Hood ( with light)
Filter
Instructional Booklet
Food (sample)
conditioner(sample)

and thats it

Lucy

I've run a 10g walmart kit for 2 years, no problems. Another one of my 10g's has had a walmart filter on it for a year and it's fine.

emanluke

Thanks, that's good to know MissMTS. I'm heading off to college so every penny I can save is good!

Sorry, thanks to both Lucy and Tony too. It took me forever to post that last comment and I missed y'all's posts. (sorry about the double post)

aquarist48

Good morning. Many of us have started out with the aquarium kits. They really are a good start. If you aren't happy with the results of the equipment then you can always upgrade at a later date. I think you will enjoy the kit. Keep us posted and I hope you can share some photos once you're up and running.
Have fun!
Ken