Sillyfishies
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have a 26 gallon bowfront tank with an Aqueon 30 filter. I was going to get another filter. I was thinking of getting an AC. Which one should I get?
What's the cheapest tho. I'm poor
I think Aqua Clears are overrated, but I'm definitely in the minority on that opinion.
I can't use filter floss in my AC because after a day of absorbing particles from the water it becomes too dense and the filter basket can no longer hold it in place and it eventually pushes the filter basket up and pops the lid off the filter. If I push it back down a bunch of gunk gets pushed back into the tank.
Also, using the intake tube as is leaves it too far above the sand. I purchased an extension to put on and that brings it too close to the sand so it gets sucked in when the goldfish decide to forage in the sand near it. This tube is not adjustable.
Aqueon's are simple, efficient and cheap if you by them online.
I think Aqua Clears are overrated, but I'm definitely in the minority on that opinion.
Everyone is entitle to there opinion and its good to share out experiences here.
I can't use filter floss in my AC because after a day of absorbing particles from the water it becomes too dense and the filter basket can no longer hold it in place and it eventually pushes the filter basket up and pops the lid off the filter. If I push it back down a bunch of gunk gets pushed back into the tank.
I use poly floss/filter floss/polishing pads etc all the time. I did have that issue you mentioned. This goes back to the customizing and versatility of the aqua clears. I removed the basket piece and never had a problem since. You have to clean the sponge I'd day at water change time or at least once a month to be fair. The bio wheels have the cartridge which obviously there held in place so you won't have that issue. I also don't run the lids on my AC110's
Also, using the intake tube as is leaves it too far above the sand. I purchased an extension to put on and that brings it too close to the sand so it gets sucked in when the goldfish decide to forage in the sand near it. This tube is not adjustable.
The tube can be cut to fit any size you desire. When I had the bio wheels I had to cut a few times. They were way too close. I actually like the height of the aqua clears (my one opinion) but again to b fair that issue can easily be fixed with a hacksaw and I believe that marine land actually recommended using a hacksaw when I called tech support because the intake was hitting the bottoms of my tank (I was a newb and knew nothing)
Aqueon's are simple, efficient and cheap if you by them online. Marinelands are also a better filter in my opinion. I don't even have a problem with the fluval HOB's besides the fact that they are needlessly complex, but someone might have to stop me from taking a baseball bat to my AC70 one day.
I'd go aqueon just for that 50gph more. I like the marineland but I fill that thing with as much as I can. I put two of the cartridges and some sponges for the aqua clear in there
True I returned the aqueon 50 I had cause it was two loud. So far I like marineland. I may get an aqua clear 70 for my 36 gallon and stick the marineland 200 on the back of my Cichlid tank for extra filtration