aquaclear 500 - 1 or 2 sponges?

[delmore]

I just set up a new AQ 500. I will use if with the sponges only. In my AQ 200 and 300, the two sponges are submersed. WIth the AQ 500, the top sponge is about an inch above the water level in the filter. There is still plenty of room for the lid to fit.

Do you use one or two sponges with the AQ 500?

[mattj]

I typically use one sponge w/ a bag of charcoal on top of it.

[delmore]

It is the general consensus of this forum that charcoal is only good for removing meds, or some other special application. So save your $. Thanks anyway...

[Tyler718]

Originally posted by delmore
I just set up a new AQ 500. I will use if with the sponges only. In my AQ 200 and 300, the two sponges are submersed. WIth the AQ 500, the top sponge is about an inch above the water level in the filter. There is still plenty of room for the lid to fit.

Do you use one or two sponges with the AQ 500?

I use 2 sponges in mine. It sticks up about an inch or so, but never had any problems. You shouldn't have a problem with it either.

[blitzen25bm]

2 sponges, i thing i was even able to get a cellpore block between the 2 before.

[STraBO]

I use 1 and a half sponges on my AC500. Just cut the extra down the middle and you can have extra spongeness and still keep a carbon or ammo-rid sack in there.

From top to bottom by filter is thus:
Ammo-rid
1/2 sponge
1 full sponge.

[valerie]

I use 2 sponges in my ac 500, never had a problem that it stuck up a bit.

I also never use carbon except when removing meds.

[hle_81]

2 sponges - more s.a. for bacteria

[JesseJ]

2 sponges and a bag of granular peat in my 150 on a 33 planted tetra tank.

[beviking]

2

[JazzyB]

I'm using a 150 AC.

I keep one sponge and a media bag filled with media. Helps provide more surface area for bacteria colony.

[roliva]

Those with two sponges for the AC500, how much bioload would that handle say in a 75 gallon tank with 20% weekly water change?

roliva.