AQUACLEAR 110 question

[Jennie]

Directions talk about how the AC filters have a patented flow rate, but not how to adjust the flow. Anyone know?? I'd like to slow mine down.

[Second Hand Pat]

Jennie,

Bring up this PDF file http://www.hagen.com/pdf/aquatic/Aquaclear_English.pdf

Click on the control key and the F key at the same time to bring up the search dialog and enter "flow rate" and the enter key. Select the sixth entry to show how to adjust the flow rate.

[Jennie]

Thanx Pat, not sure how much that slowed it down but will see..These things put out some turnover, I'm impressed with them just not sure discus are! LOL

[Second Hand Pat]

I'm glad you asked that question. I have a AC 110 cycling my fry tank at the moment but will be replacing it with a smaller AC. My concern is the 110 has to much flow for small fry. Now I know how to adjust the flow if needed.

[Jennie]

I'd keep it at one end..these are incredible for outflow.. how big is the fry tank?

[gixeron1wheel]

I also have the AC 110 and I shut it down and go to strictly sponge filter with the fry. As a matter of fact I shut it off during the spawn because I don't want the strong current messing up the male while he is doin his thing. You know what I mean...

[alpine]

Jennie, I use the 110s in my 75 tanks but in the breeder tanks I just use sponges . I would not have a 110 in a tank with fry . I have tried the control for flow in the 110s and never can perceive that much of a difference if any .
Enjoy raising those babies !
Roberto.

[Jennie]

yeah, I agree Pat, just go with sponges..
Roberto, I'm only noticing a slight decrease as well, but at least when the fish, which are large, aren't plastered against the glass when they swim by the outflow. Holy!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Jennie and Roberto, I'm one step ahead of ya. The 110 is cycling the tank (which is 46 gallons) and will be replaced with a AC 20 this weekend. The biomedia will be moved from the 110 to the 20. I am also putting in two sponge filters.

I'm also building a divider and placing it in the center of the tank. The AC 20 will be on one of the divider and the fry on the other side. I want the current (max 100 gallons) from the AC 20 to keep the food on the fry's side of the tank. Removing the AC is always an option.

I will be receiving the fry sometime after x-mas and they are Dale Jordan's RSG fry which will be pretty small. So two questions, any issues with my plan above and at what size do fry become juvies?

[Jennie]

you could put a prefilter on intake as well

[fishorama]

Dang, I didn't realise the AC110 was too much flow for my adults? Prefilters & floss seem to cut my AC70 flow quite a bit in a 55g Now I'm worried (if my friend ever makes my stand...) is it really too much? It's fits over the rim of my 120g, please say it ain't so Jennie...

[Jennie]

actually the 120 is deeper than the 125, so it would probably be great for that size tank. Besides I have 2 running on my 125 because I have a large load of fish in it and want it pristine. by deeper I mean width x length

[fishorama]

Thanks for the reassurances, Jennie. Floss is the "pristine maker" for me LOL, too bad it clogs fast. I think ACs are so much easier to clean than canisters, may be just my perceptions...I want the sh*t out easily.

[Jennie]

Ditto, I had a great canister filter but was hard for me, and heavy too...I hate the floss myself and will take advice of another member and run 2 of those ac sponges inside the ac 110. Easy to pull out of filter and rinse in old water..

[discuspaul]

Hi Jennie,
As you know I'm running 2 AC 110's on my 75 gal., one at each side end of the tank - and the flow adjustment really doesn't reduce it very much, as others have mentioned. However, the flow is not bad at all for my juvie discus - they seem to do very well in it - but the tank is 24" high. The flow is just a ripple at the surface 'cause I keep the water level quite high in the tank - it keeps the surface water entirely scum & bubble-free, and provides good oxigenation. Wouldn't use anything else in a tank the size of mine.

[Jennie]

yeah, mine is 20 high, I love the filters and think also if I tilt them backit would slow it down a little too. But that's a project for the weekend

[Second Hand Pat]

Jennie, thanks, I was planning to using a prefilter.