Help with re-circulation AIO system

Hello everyone and happy Saturday) I have a Fluval spec 16 gallon AIO system and I am having problems with keeping the back overflow chambers clean specifically the first one that the water flows down through. I have a huge top and bottom grate where the water gets sucked in the filter. I was wondering if blocking off the bottom grate will make the flow through the top grate stronger? I have the tools to completely block it off but I wanted some real life opinions. I tried putting a small sponge inside the grate catcher then I attached the grate catcher to the wall. This did help baffle the flow but that piece of small sponge will need to be cleaned everyday. It is at the very bottom so when I take it out everyday most of the detris it captured will fall off in the water when trying to get it out. Any thoughts would be appreciated!! Thanks for listening

 

Hi stephpartin
I have a few of these tanks with these chamber filters factor mounted that I picked second hand from the rubbish dump recycling shed. I used a razor blade to remove all of this wasted space that in my opinion is trying to hide the life support system. Hiding a heater where you can’t see if it working is as crazy as putting the filter out of sight we’re one has know idea if it’s in need of attention.
I saw your previous post on the same issue that was not answered. Hopefully now I have broken the ice by beginning to answer your question others will jump in and offer an opinion?

The chamber is an ideal home for shrimp that you would never see is it not?

Personally I would not close the bottom hole / grate completely. To my way of thinking you would only be skimming the surface water with a filter that had a hole only at the top. The solids/ poop slowly settles in any tank.

A solution may be to have a straight length of hose that allows for slightly better vacuuming of solids from the bottom of all chambers.

 

Gurl don't be making it Sunday already!

 

It’s Sunday down under.

 

It’s Sunday down under.

Shes in Michigan with me! Its only 10 am Saturday morning lets not rush things....lol

 

Gurl don't be making it Sunday already!

Lol sry I lose track of days sometimes. I'm going to fix that)

 

Hi stephpartin
I have a few of these tanks with these chamber filters factor mounted that I picked second hand from the rubbish dump recycling shed. I used a razor blade to remove all of this wasted space that in my opinion is trying to hide the life support system. Hiding a heater where you can’t see if it working is as crazy as putting the filter out of sight we’re one has know idea if it’s in need of attention.
I saw your previous post on the same issue that was not answered. Hopefully now I have broken the ice by beginning to answer your question others will jump in and offer an opinion?

The chamber is an ideal home for shrimp that you would never see is it not?

Personally I would not close the bottom hole / grate completely. To my way of thinking you would only be skimming the surface water with a filter that had a hole only at the top. The solids/ poop slowly settles in any tank.

A solution may be to have a straight length of hose that allows for slightly better vacuuming of solids from the bottom of all chambers.View attachment 723161

Hi and thank you so much for replying!! The grates are very large. Almost 3 1/2 inches long and 1 1/2 inches high. The way it flows through the filter chamber is the water is sucked down from the top grate then up and across the second chamber then finally up and over the last chamber into the main tank. Im not sure what the bottom grate is good for except collecting detris that just sits there. I have the fluval provac which is the strongest vacuum I could find and it works great at cleaning the bottom of the chambers. IDK I might block off the bottom grate and see if it works any better. I can always unblock it if necessary. I hope this made sense. Thanks again for the info I truly appreciate it)

 

It’s Sunday down under.

I fixed it) Thank you....

 

Shes in Michigan with me! Its only 10 am Saturday morning lets not rush things....lol

Lol its SATURDAY!!!! OOPS.....I fixed it Thanks