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I have to check in once every 5 years or so

Maybe it's something else but the ones that came with mine were ammonia "reducers". They have a chemical which binds with the ammonia in them I believe. You are much better off just letting your system process any ammonia

If you want reliability for the system run two smaller return pumps. If one dies...the system wont and you can take your time replacing it.

I'd get rid of the ammonia reducing sponge at the output. It can cause problems with your cycle because it will temporarily starve your bacteria of ammonia.

All of the strength comes from the thin layer of silicone between the glass pieces. The layer you cut is for avoiding slow leaks. As long as none of your cuts got near the actual seam you should be fine. It certainly wasn't a good move but if it's just the edge I don't think you should have a...

Media type has very little effect on real world filtration efficiency. I don't have data to give you but you can see this yourself. I bet your parameters are fine with the bio balls (even though bio balls don't have much surface area) and your parameters will be just fine if you replace them...

My main long term concern was the pleco. I don't know about clowns specifically but most pleco will out grow a 55 even if they are the only fish.

If you want to break them down into their basic parts it would go like so: Aquaclear 110: 1. Intake tube 2. Motor 3. Impeller 4. Filter body 5. Media basket 6. Lid Emperor 400: 1. Intake tube 3. Motor 4. Impeller 5. Filter body 6. Media basket 7. Lid 8. Second media basket (split left and...

I understand the son getting the better of you and won't jump down your throat about the overstocking. I will say though that you should be searching craigslist for a 55 gallon or more in the next few weeks. As good as you feel getting the fish for him you wont feel very good when he has to...

It might be that the smaller filters are quiet and in scaling up the size and flow they get louder. Mine is very loud and required modifying to just make it tolerable. What do you have in the tank? I would also recommend moving what media you can from the topfin to the new filters before you...

This I cannot agree with. There is a reason that we have mechanical engineers continually trying to improve designs using the same materials and likely the same manufacturer. Some designs are much better than others. Quietflow for example is inherently loud because they have cascading water in...

It isn't good for bio and unfortunately in my experience they are super loud despite the name. I jam scrubbies behind and in front of the cartridge. The scrubbies in front get dirty quick but a few squeezes in my siphoned out tank water cleans them in 30 seconds either way. Mine is the biggest...

I'm saying what sort of water pumping device come's out of the box with a steel impeller shaft and requires replacing. Every one I've seen is stainless or ceramic

Interesting ideal but what filters use raw steel shafts? That seems insane

Pumps also have noise isolating feet which help but you still get vibrations and if it's on a shelf it turns the whole shelf into a speaker. If you set it on a surface that's very hard like concrete that will help immensely

Here's my solution to the buzzing and squealing Emperor

I have an Aqueon quiet flow buzzing away making more noise than a AC70, a cheap tetra air pump, a large old 4 outlet airpump, and a 600gph pump feeding a gutted Emperor 400 combined! My experience differs from everyone whose posted so far. I find the Aquaclears to be far and away the best HOB...

Why 4 separate pumps? The single pump going to the top is doing all the work you need and you can just overflow into all the tanks below. You will lose maybe 20% flow by using one pump but you will improve your pump energy efficiency by 400%! The down the line tanks will tend to be dirtier but...

I will never buy lights again. They charge outrageous prices for the led stuff...atleast if you are even halfway diy handy. You can buy completely preassembled and waterproof light strips that are fully adjustable by remote for <$40. Just mount in a piece of aluminum channel or don't. If you...

Then you have to plumb them together. Cost effectiveness will leave you with a sump which is a good thing. Not sure how many gallons you have there but to get all 40 of them running you will need a pretty legit heating system and you will lose heat as you move down the system.