Modifying the both the Aqua Clear 70 and 110 for greater surface area was much easier then I expected resulting in higher long and short term efficiency and alleviating that bothersome bottom pressure that causes the media to lift up and out of the housing and potentially flooding the floors.
Step 1 below. By simply taking the 1st AC sponge for the same size filter your using, here we have a model 70 below. We place the first sponge on its side rather then flat, up against the front and sealing ½ of the water intake grates.
Step 2 below. The 2nd AC sponge is placed on top of the 1st only offset by 1/8 inch to maximize water outflow on the front exit side but still sealing the side intake grates and locked firmly in by the basked claws and top tabs. This 1/8 inch front gap will be maintained because of water pressure equalization and since water pressure has been reduced by half due to twice the surface area.
Step 3 below. You will notice that the back void created allows free flow of intake water without the bottom pressure and the water column now created forces water weight forward through the sponge yet at 2X times the surface area lowering work load on the pump while dropping back pressure and increasing filter surface area and efficiency by 100%. The void also provides a location to grow low light house plants hydroponically.
Step 4 below. The leading edge of the top sponge is still 1/4 inch lower then the housing elevating the possibility of any spills or overflows by auto bypassing when the filter becomes too dirty which will last longer then the stock configuration. Also allowing the added space for the growing of plants hydroponically, turns this filter into a mechanical, biological and nitrate removing filter.
Step 1 below. By simply taking the 1st AC sponge for the same size filter your using, here we have a model 70 below. We place the first sponge on its side rather then flat, up against the front and sealing ½ of the water intake grates.
Step 2 below. The 2nd AC sponge is placed on top of the 1st only offset by 1/8 inch to maximize water outflow on the front exit side but still sealing the side intake grates and locked firmly in by the basked claws and top tabs. This 1/8 inch front gap will be maintained because of water pressure equalization and since water pressure has been reduced by half due to twice the surface area.
Step 3 below. You will notice that the back void created allows free flow of intake water without the bottom pressure and the water column now created forces water weight forward through the sponge yet at 2X times the surface area lowering work load on the pump while dropping back pressure and increasing filter surface area and efficiency by 100%. The void also provides a location to grow low light house plants hydroponically.
Step 4 below. The leading edge of the top sponge is still 1/4 inch lower then the housing elevating the possibility of any spills or overflows by auto bypassing when the filter becomes too dirty which will last longer then the stock configuration. Also allowing the added space for the growing of plants hydroponically, turns this filter into a mechanical, biological and nitrate removing filter.