Biological filtration

AquaDummy

AquaDummy

AC Members
Sep 26, 2004
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Kamloops, BC
I have an AC500 and AC300 on my tank. Are these going to supply me with adequate biological filtration? I have read conflicting statements on this. I know they will be good mech-filters..

I currently only have the one sponge in each but was planning on adding another in each of them and then once a week (when doing a water change) cleaning 1 of the sponges in each unit plus alternating them top to bottom.

But then I've read somewhere that the AC's are not good enough for bio-filters. Do I need something else in my tank?

By the way, thanks so much to everyone that has been helping me so far - my anxiety level has greatly deminished.
 
Ac's are good biological filtration, better if you run them with 2 sponges to one can ebe cleaned/replaced without disturbing all of the bacteria. Setting them up with a mechanical filter on the intake improves performace, since the sponges stay clean and don't have to be moved around or replaced.

Are they enough? Depends on stocking and maintenance level.
 
OrionGirl said:
Setting them up with a mechanical filter on the intake improves performace, since the sponges stay clean and don't have to be moved around or replaced.
Click to expand...

Sorry I'm so slow in getting back to my old posts...

OrionGirl, what do you mean by "adding a mechanical filter to the intake"? Is there a mod you can do for the AC filters or is it some sort of device you purchase?
 
I'll let OG explain that, since I am also a little confused…

I wanted to say that if your AC isn't providing you with enough bio filtration, you are doing something wrong. By wrong, you could be over stocking, or like OG said - you might not be utilizing the filters capabilities (using the right media). But yes, I love my AC's and use them in many different aquarium setups. :D
 
Not really a mod--just add some sponges over the intake. I use the AC200 sponges, cut an X in the top about 3 inches deep, fit this over the intake. They will trap solid wastes, leaving the media used internally for biological filtration. The sponges on the intake will also host bacteria, but you can clean them really well without worrying about removing too many colonies.
 
Obviously you've been doing this with success but I'm thinking that this would add extra load to the motor and potentially shorten the life of them. Is this not the case?
 
The water gets pushed through the sponge when it's being used in the media container--very little difference. I've never had a problem using a sponge this way, no. In one tank, it actually helps because the intake can become completely clogged with plant leaves--with a sponge on there, the leaves are still captured, but there's still lots of water moving around them into the filter. YMMV--and of course you can chope away at the sponge to reduce the size if you feel the need. The point is to trap solid wastes before they get into the biological media, so pretty much any small mesh netting that's tank safe will work just as well, with less concern about reducing flow.
 
Well thanks.. I'll give it a try.
 
Just thought I'd mention that I've also used AC sponges as pre-filters on my AC filters in the past. It works very well, and doesn't seem to hurt the motors; I've had both my AC filters for years and years and they still work like new.
 
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