Aquaclear media

As indicated in previous threads, I'm getting ready to set up an Aquaclear 300(70), and had a question about the media. The mechanical filtration "sponge," how often do you replace it?

Prior to putting this thing in storage, I'd used the same sponge for probably well over a year. I'd just rinse it out and reuse it. I think at one point, I may have had two of them in there with a bag of the biomax across the top and just rinse the foam blocks over and over again.

Is there a point where I should consider replacing these things?

swifty said:

I've had my Aquaclears for about 2 years and haven't replaced anything yet. Just rinsing the sponges/biomax every 1-4 weeks in old tank water like most people.

I've actually been thinking of taking the biomax out for sponges because of what others said here; they get clogged over time. I haven't noticed it in mine, but was thinking of doing so only to prevent anything.

Click to expand...

What gets clogged? The BioMax? I haven't seen that. I was doing some YouTube research on power filters, and, in my opinion, the Aquaclear is still one of the best out there. I can't find another HOT power filter that has been around for as long as this design has. Hagen now makes a Fluval power filter, but they still make the Aquaclear.

I went through a short phase where I was always buying the latest and greatest power filter back in the early 90s. I have a Whisper 1, A Second Nature WDF, A Cannistar, a Penguin BioWheel, a Marineland Emporer, and then I bought an Aquaclear and pretty much stuck with it.

Ah to be young, unmarried with no kids and no mortgage payment again. I could afford to run 3 tanks and go to the LFS and see all the new aquarium gear that was coming out.

Got the filter set up and running. My 55 gallon tank is an old Oceanic. Not only is the glass thicker than the average AGA tank. It seems the lip is wider also. I had to really jam the thing on there to get it flush with the lip of the tank.