ac 110's and sand

[bigriver]

I hope I didnt make a big mistake! I ordered 3 ac 110's for my 125 but started thinking is there anyway to protect them from getting destroyed by sand particles. If anyone out there has them running with sand please let me know.

 

[meanbestorque]

If your water level is high, you can always ditch the extension tubes and maybe run a type of "pre-filter" on the U-tube to prevent any coarse debris from getting in your filter. Also, be sure to keep an eye on the water evaporation when opting to this method. You wouldn't want your filter to be sucking up any air now would you....

 

[bigriver]

Ok.. I didnt know you could take off and shorten the intake.Are you saying you can make a filter sock on the outside of the intake?

 

[Diskord]

The ac110 comes with an extension tube. With a single tube the inlet is about 6-7" from the top. You dont need to add the 2nd extension which would drop it down low.

 

[meanbestorque]

Ok.. I didnt know you could take off and shorten the intake.Are you saying you can make a filter sock on the outside of the intake?

Certainly, because if you don't use the extension tubes (it will come with 2), there is no baffling on the U tube to prevent coarse debris from entering the filter. Another pro to this method is that you won't have an unsightly intake tube extending into your tank, making yout tank look a lot "cleaner".

 

[bigriver]

well this make me feel alot better now...it would really stink to have new filters blowing out left and right.

 

[COLDasICE]

I use the extension tubes on my ac hobs with sand substrate. If you have "heavy" sand such as pool filter sand you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[FSM]

get an AC filter sponge (I used an AC50 sponge, it worked fine) cut it in half, and cut a hole in it. Then slide that over the intake.

 

[waytoodeep03]

I had pool filter sand and an AC 110. I took off the second extension tube. I waited about an hour for the sand to settle in the tank. When I turn the ac110 on in heard grinding (like when the 110 doesnt have any water in it) I turned it off and there was sand, not much but sand in the impeller. I cleaned it and plugged in the 110 only to notice that the motor died.

It was a Sad day in my house

 

[heavyhitter]

The ac110 comes with an extension tube. With a single tube the inlet is about 6-7" from the top. You dont need to add the 2nd extension which would drop it down low.

Wow really? They didnt used to, I always had to buy an extension.
Just goes to show the longetivity of this filters as I still have 6 of them and they are still running, never had to but a newer one.

Mine are from when they used to be called the 500.