Hagen AquaClear 20 Aquarium Power Filter?

[irishspy]

Is this filter even that good? And if so, how does it work?

I have one on a 10g, and the filtration itself is great, but, so far, it's been too noisy for my tasters.

 

[BoredAgain]

What do i put in the filter in the first place?

Most people will focus on mechanical and biological filtration, but chemical is also an option. Maybe someone with more AC experience can give you ideas on their setups.

 

[irishspy]

What do i put in the filter in the first place?

Depends on what you want, really. Some people just put a couple of sponges in and let the bacteria grow. Others add various types of chemical/adsorptive media along with a sponge. Right now, mine is running with the "out of the box" configuration: sponge, carbon, and bio-media (stuff that bacteria grows on). Eventually I'll probably switch it to sponge plus a couple of tablespoons of purigen in a cutoff stocking. :idea:

 

[at29st]

I don't mean to hijack the thread but how is the Aqua tech 60.

 

[gustavo85]

What do i put in the filter in the first place?

You need a sponge and a bag of activated carbon. You can also add a bag of beads that removes ammonia (optional). The sponge you can clean it every 2 weeks an replace it every 2 or 3 months and the activated carbon clean it every 2 weeks and replace it every month or month and a half.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i can never hear my ac 20 only time it bothered me is when the water dropped. it was only a foot or two from my head when i slept.....

 

[BoredAgain]

You need a sponge and a bag of activated carbon. You can also add a bag of beads that removes ammonia (optional). The sponge you can clean it every 2 weeks an replace it every 2 or 3 months and the activated carbon clean it every 2 weeks and replace it every month or month and a half.

The sponge is a good idea, the carbon is optional, and anything that removes ammonia is unnecessary at any time in my opinion. The sponge gets cleaned whenever the flow slows and shouldn't need to be replaced at all, unless falling apart. The carbon doesn't need to be cleaned as it should be replaced after a week to 14 days, depending on who you ask.

 

[irishspy]

i can never hear my ac 20 only time it bothered me is when the water dropped. it was only a foot or two from my head when i slept.....

Yeah, I need to fiddle with the impeller more. :huh:

 

[H3D]

The AC 20 is pretty good filter. What size tank are you planning to use it on and what are its inhabitants?

 

[Spewn]

I love my AC20. If it ever starts making noise, petsmart will be happy to supply me with a new one. So far, whisper quiet. If I'm *right* by the tank I can hear a bit of a trickle as the overflow falls back into the tank...but it's ever so slight, and really, kinda soothing