Upgrading to AquaClear, what to expect and tips?

So I'm planning on upgrading to a 50 gallon tank in the next month or 2 (I've been slowly been cleaning it up because it was a used tank that the original owner didn't need anymore and he had turtles in it, so it wasn't the cleanest when I got it).

I've been using a Tetra Whisper filter system for 8 months now (which it isn't bad in its self if you take care of things right, so it gets the job done and keeps the tank clean), but since I'm upgrading to my soon to be 50Gal tank I figured I would use another filter system along with the Tetra Whisper (I've heard the extra filtering the better).

So I figured "hey, people talk about how good the AquaClear is so why not give it a try?"
So I plan on getting a 50Gal AquaClear filter system & use it along with the Tetra Whisper filter system (which is a 20-30Gal system), but since I've never used the AquaClear before I'm a little nervous on how to handle and use it properly.

So my question is

**"What to expect from the AquaClear?"

**"Do you really need to change the filter/foam ect. as often as their directions say or can you re-use it more often?"
(I ask this because with the Tetra Whisper from personal experience I didn't have to replace the filter as often as the manufacturer says to, so long as I rinsed it properly and not too much waste was filtered through at once I could make it stretch for 2 months at a time)

**"What are some tips that you could give me to best use it at its fullest potential?"


If you have any question just ask

oh, I know some people tend to like to know exactly what kind/how many fish are in the tank (which I suppose is good to know to help better know what actions to take I guess??) so here we go--

**2 female Swordtails (aprox 7 months old, I raised them as fry)

**1 male Swordtail (8 months since purchase)

**1 common Pleco (7 months since purchase)

Now before people start nagging at me about the Pleco, he is in a 30Gal tank and has been perfectly fine & happy. I have never had a problem with any waste he produces and my tank has been managing very well (yes the first few months were hard as a newbie because I wasn't accustomed and didn't have the knowledge to maintain a tank well at first). My tank is crystal clear and there is no threat to his health so please don't start nagging at me that I need to get rid of him/re-home him. I'm very proud of how far I got and have been able to maintain a good tank with "such a waste machine" as some people call them.


Thank you for taking the time to read this

 

First things first, an AquaClear 50 will not be enough filtration, I would get a 50 AND a 70 (manufacturers always over-rate their filters).

In an AquaClear filter, you have this large basket that will hold all your media. Flow goes from the bottom up, so at the bottom you will want coarse mechanical filtration (sponge, comes with filter). This only needs to be replaced when it begins to fall apart. You will rinse this whenever you clean out the filter (hopefully at least once a month).

Next, it's a toss up between chemical or biological filtration. Chemical is things like carbon, or Purigen, and keeps the water clear. I recommend getting rid of the carbon once it is old (goes bad after about a month), and replacing it with Purigen, or even more mechanical media (fine sponge). Biological filtration will always be in the middle or at the top, and it comes in the form of ceramic rings (comes with filter). I added Seachem Matrix (another form of biological filtration), and now have both in my AquaClear. Biological filtration never needs to be replaced, as it houses all the bacteria that keeps your cycle going.

Your first setup could go like this (bottom to top of media basket): Coarse sponge, carbon, ceramic rings, fine filter floss. Hope this helps!

P.S. Do you know what cycling is? You say you replace the filter media every two months, this could be restarting your cycle (unless the filter has bio-media)...

As for the pleco, his waste isn't exactly the problem. It's the fact that his adult size potential is two feet long, requiring a massive tank. Just making sure you know this

 

No, don't get the AquaClear rated for 50 gallons. Get the one a size up. (Flow rate drops with media in place.)


Expect a great filter, it does a great job of clearing out cloudy water- whether it be from adding new sand, scraping algae, or vacuuming gravel.

Only clean out the sponge, and use tank water. Replace the activated carbon each month to keep its effectiveness. (It loses its chemical properties over time. You could actually remove the carbon if you want)
Never clean or replace the BioMax (the white ceramic pellets) Only rinse it in tank water if the filter clogs or if there's excessive debris buildup. I've heard of people with BioMax that lasted them for almost a year.

 

I like the AC filters and have a 110 and a 70 in a 55 gallon which should produce about 700GPH if my math is right and it produces what it says. Very easy to take care of and very quiet. Good idea having two just in case something happens. Other then that happygolucky has covered it all.

Good Luck.

 

You should also clean the impeller and the motor with a small bottle brush once a month so that it continues to run well and last you a long time.

It's also not self-priming so during water changes, you have to fill the filter basket with the de-chlorinated water for it to start up again.

 

First things first, an AquaClear 50 will not be enough filtration, I would get a 50 AND a 70 (manufacturers always over-rate their filters).

In an AquaClear filter, you have this large basket that will hold all your media. Flow goes from the bottom up, so at the bottom you will want coarse mechanical filtration (sponge, comes with filter). This only needs to be replaced when it begins to fall apart. You will rinse this whenever you clean out the filter (hopefully at least once a month).

Next, it's a toss up between chemical or biological filtration. Chemical is things like carbon, or Purigen, and keeps the water clear. I recommend getting rid of the carbon once it is old (goes bad after about a month), and replacing it with Purigen, or even more mechanical media (fine sponge). Biological filtration will always be in the middle or at the top, and it comes in the form of ceramic rings (comes with filter). I added Seachem Matrix (another form of biological filtration), and now have both in my AquaClear. Biological filtration never needs to be replaced, as it houses all the bacteria that keeps your cycle going.

Your first setup could go like this (bottom to top of media basket): Coarse sponge, carbon, ceramic rings, fine filter floss. Hope this helps!

P.S. Do you know what cycling is? You say you replace the filter media every two months, this could be restarting your cycle (unless the filter has bio-media)...

As for the pleco, his waste isn't exactly the problem. It's the fact that his adult size potential is two feet long, requiring a massive tank. Just making sure you know this

Thank you very much! This was the kind of details I needed to know for when I go to buy it.

As for the Pleco, yes I know the sizes is another that people have nagged at me about (along with the waste it produced). It was getting quite annoying with the constant pester, in my opinion so long as he has plenty of room for the time being he's growing theirs no need to get rid of him immediately, until he begins to outsize his tank I don't really see the need to re-home him until then

 

You should also consider the fluval c4. It allows some customization like the aquaclear

 

I have 3 aquaclears, they do a great job with filtration, but after they have been running for a few months all the media and media basket want to push up for some reason... so I clamped the filter basket in place and now the media itself, starting with the sponge, will push up out the basket lifting the lid. Maybe it's just me but happens on 2 of my 3. and yes I do clean out the sponge so it's not like it's blocked solid?

 

I have 3 aquaclears, they do a great job with filtration, but after they have been running for a few months all the media and media basket want to push up for some reason... so I clamped the filter basket in place and now the media itself, starting with the sponge, will push up out the basket lifting the lid. Maybe it's just me but happens on 2 of my 3. and yes I do clean out the sponge so it's not like it's blocked solid?

I put a rock on the right side bottom of the basket and it kept the right side down for a while and then the other day up again not as much but up again. The first time because of mis-information when I looked there was a lot of muck under the right side basket so I cleaned it show room new rinse the sponge in tank water of course and everything was fine.

About three weeks later up again. This time I put a nice flat rock after cleaning it and it was good for three weeks again now up again. Going to try a heaveier rock. I tried calling the company and left a message which was never returned.

I have an AC 30 also in there going to use that for an instant cycle on a 15 gallon never happen yet on the 30 put it's only in there almost 3 weeks and then I'm putting a 70g next to the 110 and I would hate for them to both start acting up. I think I'll email the company see if they answer. I also know other people it's happen to when asked the question on amazon.

 

Mine has always stayed down with a rinsing of the entire filter every 3-4 weeks. If the media itself is floating up, then you are not placing it in the basket correctly. There are little triangular "stoppers" right above where the sponge will sit, so those stoppers "cut" into the sponge and keep it down.

If the entire media basket is rising, then either your filter is collecting air (from air stone, etc.), your sponge has air trapped inside, or there is gunk on the bottom of the filter preventing the media basket from sitting on the bottom.

 

yeah I definitely put the media in there correctly, but you would assume the stopper would stop the sponge from raising, but not the case in my experience. and I clean the filter appropriately as well... not much of a problem though I just keep my eye on it. and every few days re adjust everything. still a great HOB in my books.

 

I cleaned everything and everything is in there perfectly Form, Purigen and Matrix and just the right side pops ups. I'm was thinking super gluing the right side it's a PIA.
Let me ask you when you clean the form I just give it 3 or 4 squeeze's are you cleaning it more then that to where maybe it's lighter. I'm just taking shots here. It worked the first few months perfect now every couple of weeks it's up.

 

Okay now after reading the directions for the maintenance and listening to you guys "Boy George" I think I got it. I was just giving the Form a rinse and I did clean under the basket and the tank itself. Well I just finished taking it apart piece by piece and what I found was disgusting and I have a wire brush and with Q-Tips I gave it the cleaning that was needed. I did not grease the impeller and was wondering if I should have and with what. I keep everything so clean and my water is always spot on but I never thought of taking the Filter apart which will now be included in the maintenance schedule. Thanks again for making me take another look with an open mind knowing something could be wrong that I can correct. So far so good and I don't think I'll have that problem again.


GP