ac110, i'm dissapointed

[Mattyou]

I recently bought a 110 and a 70 after see all the good reveiws on here, and mine will not restart after water changes ever. I have to take them apart everytime . i have only had them for a month now and allready have had to take them apart 4 times each. It has lengthened my maintenance schedule alot. I should have just stayed with marineland

If during the course of a water change with no AC-110/70 maintenance involved, the water back syphons out of the filter box, all you need to do after topping off the tank is pour a few cups of water into the filter to raise the water level over the impeler. If the water in the tank falls below the level of the intake tube strainer you will hear the AC filter chug its water into the tank and when you try to start it it is almost running dry without a re-prime.
As for a sponge lifting, it isn't inserted properly or its dirty / defective.

 

[Mystus Redtail]

mine came with the leak at the top of the "U" intake tube, but i just ran to the garage and got some PVC cement and ran about 3 layers on it and its clear so you cant even tell i did it and ive never had another problem. It took all of 5 minutes to repair it.

I had the same problem with mine and I applied 1 coat of silicone, which makes it functional, but after it continued leaking I emailed the company and they should be sending me a new part this week.

I love my AC110, even after mine leaked, I bought two more a couple of days later.

 

[navygirl76]

ive had problems with those darn sponges rising too-and they arent dirty. the notches on the sides holds that U shaped tray in, but not the sponge.. i resorted to putting a book or rock on top of the lid to keep it all down..

i have 3 ac 110's and they are all sitting in a box in my basement lol

 

[christ4paul]

If you take out the sponge, then there goes your mechanical filtration.

i mean i meant the white filter media. keep the sponge in there. take out the carbon replace it with the bio ballls

 

[snake_charmer]

All I know is once my new ac110 gets here in a couple days I'm taking the best of each and shipping the worst of all parts. No sense in waiting another week + for a replacement. Hopefully, I wont have to go through 5 before I finally get an adequate one.

 

[Eric the Ricer]

I bought 2 today, one is perfect so far, the other one is INSANELY loud. It sounds like a bug zapper constantly going off

 

[gomezladdams]

I agree,its an ok filter but is more difficult to deal with than an emperor 400.The big basket is sloppy to pull out to clean.The housings are very thin plastic.Never self restart after a waterchange.Ive had the sponges rise while running and spill water all over the floor.Stupid little plastic cam to hold the filter at the correct angle is a pita.
The emp 400s restart every time,media is easy to deal with and customize.Housings are thicker plastic.Just an all around better machine.

 

[12 Volt Man]

I dont know why people are having so much trouble

I have AC's that are over 12 years old and still running today...

doubt an emperor would make it that long..

 

[justintrask]

i bought mine a month or two ago from dr fosters and smith, and within a week it cracked down the middle while i was away, came home to 60g of water on my floor. I am sticking with my canister and sponge filters.

 

[zerojquan85]

No offense to the traditional Filters like AC 110.. but I dont recommend these filters for tanks larger than 50 gallon..

About some 8 yrs ago my dad invested in one of these cost about 75 at the time... they are good to a certain extend.. they crack.... and the pump heads sometimes gets worn out and useless...

I highly recommend Canister Filters.. Much more reliable.. My old Eheim 2213 was given to me by my uncle... and they still have existing parts for these canister filters.... I also own a Eheim 2236 awesome filters!