Aquaclear Powerfilter Overflow

[gustavo85]

Ok this one might require some AC powerfilter experience, I have an Aquaclear 70 in my 30g tank (the one I recently used as an upgrade from a 20g, and the same one that got all the sick fish; still getting it in top condition). Now, in this filter I have from bottom to top: the aquaclear sponge, a big amount of filter floss, a "slice" of coralife's 50 micron pure flo filter pad, half a unit of chemi pure elite, another slice of coralife's 50 micron pure flo filter pad and the aquaclear's bio max pack. Now, AC filters are divided in 2 compartments if you are looking at them from the top: the one that contains all these I told you about and the one that contains the tube that brings the water into the filter. Apparently the compartment with all this stuff is too full and water falls back into the tank from the other compartment (hence the overflow in the title). Now I don't know if this water is being filtered or if it's being leaked back into the aquarium without being filtered. Have any of you had this experience before? If so, is this something that should worry me? If so, what should I remove or do to fix this?

Thanks a lot and sorry for the long thread with the lots of questions!!

[chefjamesscott]

take a good sharp cerated knife an shave off a bit of the sponge bottom will drop the level of stuff

personally i have had the filter basket rise up an cause massive overflow on the floor from these filters

i would say regular checks to make sure sponge is not clogged

[gustavo85]

Right now the overflowing is not as big as to fall to the floor, but, shave the sponge? Wouldn't it be better to just remove some of the filter floss or a slice of the micron pad for example?

[blissskr]

Id remove some of the other media before cutting the sponge, if the media is clean then theres just too much in there and the water is finding the easiest route to flow back to the tank thus resulting in your overflow. If the media is clogged up I'd try cleaning it up see if that helps if it does get real clogged the waters going to end up on your floor as your already having overflow problems.

[gustavo85]

media is clean

[Slappy*McFish]

The filter isn't designed to run micron pads or even floss really. I'd remove both and just use the sponge and whatever chemical media you prefer. Many people just use the sponge(or two).

[zzyzx85]

Currently, I have (from bottom to top) sponge, filter floss, and sponge. If I put too much floss in there, it will back-up and overflow like OP mentioned above. I've been trying to find the optimum amount but I can never get it exactly. The carving of the sponge mentioned above is to keep the sponge from hanging up and compressing as the basket is being lowered down. The media compartment seems to taper a bit smaller than the dimension of the sponge block, so it can get hung-up.

[gustavo85]

I removed half the filter floss and one of the slices of micron filter pad and now the overflow is really diminished; still present but in small amount. Should I leave it like this then?

[johnhoover]

Most everyone I know with aquaclears (including myself) cuts the "sponge" in half across middle as it sits in the filter so it's only half as tall, allowing for more bio media space.

I haven't ever had trouble with it floating out. I usually try to make sure the hooks on the sides of the basket are all the way down. I have had water spill from the pick up tube side, but it's typically from clogged filters.

[excuzzzeme]

if you have spill over, it is caused by clogged filters as JHoover said. It is likely too much media for the water to pass swiftly through. Believe it or not, those sponges trap and immense amount of waste. I add a single filer media layer just above my sponge and then another 1/2 sponge and then on top the biomedia. The bio media needs exposure to air to function correctly. The exposure to air is what makes the bio-wheel so popular.

[Mgamer20o0]

excuzzzeme i think your getting some of your ideas wrong.....

first of all if its over flowing a little and your fine with it it wont hurt. i personally would just take more out until it stops over flowing. with my acs i just run 3 sponges and call it a day.

ok excuzzzeme while the debate on the bio wheel is another story its not that it works because it hits the air its the greater surface area. just think people have bio media in canisters and sumps and it still works. yes bacteria needs air but the air is in the water. it doesnt need to be out of the water. the parts out of the water wont hold bacteria.

[mostlycichlids]

:iagree: and I would also remove some more media till you have no overflow.

[J double R]

get rid of those micron filters and floss.. theyre not going to help you, since when they clog (and believe me, they will) it's just going to overflow anyway. stick with what's made for the filter, and you'll be good to go. :)

[gustavo85]

excuzzzeme i think your getting some of your ideas wrong.....

first of all if its over flowing a little and your fine with it it wont hurt. i personally would just take more out until it stops over flowing. with my acs i just run 3 sponges and call it a day.

ok excuzzzeme while the debate on the bio wheel is another story its not that it works because it hits the air its the greater surface area. just think people have bio media in canisters and sumps and it still works. yes bacteria needs air but the air is in the water. it doesnt need to be out of the water. the parts out of the water wont hold bacteria.

I think I'm ok with a little overflow now that I removed some, because at first it was too much to handle. And the biowheel and more surface area I agree, that's why AC has it's bio max ring modules; to increase the surface area so more bacteria can live in it.