Nobody asked me, but I don't use any carbon, unless I need to remove medication. I like to use the ceramic noodles, bioballs and floss, with sponges if they are handy.
Electrobes - I did use my fingers to tighten those clamps, so I will get a few more clicks with a wrench. I notice that those can slip off sideways, also, so they may not be the best fastener. It took a week and a half (no, I would not exaggerate in a MILLION years) to get the hoses on the fittings in the first place because they were so tight, so I might not have gotten the clamps as tight as is necessary.
Gunnie - I will try to contact them again, but I sent them an e-mail from the help section of their site, and I called them and left a message with their help desk, and did not hear anything. I am pretty sure all they will tell me is to make sure everything is tight, though, which really is the only way air can get in after all. It may not even be hurting anything, as the filter seems to perform well. I would definitely buy one again (probably will, at the rate my tank collection is growing). The XP2 would be nice for that 46-
gal bow at Walmart. I saw a similar tank and stand at PetsMart today for almost twice the price.