Have Aquaclear 200, need help

[loulax07]

I have had my aquaclear 200 in my 20gallon hex for a month now and the water always seems to be cloudy. i have all three media in the filter. it also seems like the water just passes over the media, not even going through it..... what do you recommend?
Should I just get the Emperor 280?
Any ideas would be great.
Also, would the Emperor fit directly where my aquaclear is? (width-wise)

 

[liquid69rain]

how long has the aquaclear been up and running? Have you checked all your water perms...? I love the aquaclears...I'm running a 300 and 500 never had a single problem.

 

[loulax07]

up and running for a month. i have never checked any levels. i have only had a Eclipse system 3 before this, so I never checked levels b4.....
i see that the Emperor is like double the price of mine, just looks like a better system, and i have seen the reviews on this board.... didnt know if it'd fit either

 

[ConanTheLibraia]

Have you been replacing all the media at once? Aqua clears have 3 seperate media, 2 of which are normally used, the debris catcher and carbon. If both of these were replaced at the exact same time, I can see how that might lead to cloudy water.

 

[liquid69rain]

I would sug...buyin a test kit and checkin the water, also what do you have in your tank. One think with aquaclears is, it's recommended to discont...the pump housing from the unit and clean it out every 3 months.
I've got 3 oscars in my tank right now, and the aquaclear 300 and 500 keep the tank crystal clear. keep us posted so we can better help you out... Oh yea, what all do you have in the tank, other then the obivis...fish speices... Drift wood, plants... so on and on and on ...