AC110 vs. AC70 on my 29g planted

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C

Crazed Demasoni

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 19, 2010
188
0
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Massachusetts
Hey All,

I’ve had my 29g established for about 2 years now, and have had an AC110 on it for the duration. The current isn’t bad when I keep the tank filled properly (my grasses move a bit, but nothing crazy) but the impeller shaft has rusted. I’m debating downsizing to an AC70 to get a more properly sized filter for the tank while going back to the nice silence of a new filter, but I’m curious:

I have 11 Cardinal Tetras and one Albino Bristlenose Pleco… I’d like to add more cardinals, and hopefully some RCS. I’ve had ghost shrimp before, but the rams I used to have tore them up over the course of a week. I’ve been fine with inverts in the tank with the AC110, but would an AC70 be enough bio (plus what will hopefully develop into a thick carpet of dwarf sag) for ~15 or so cardinals and the ABN? I’m not really counting bio load for the inverts because they’ll probably be a ways off, and they’re a minimal one.
 
Bump? I ended up going with 5 Rummy Noses instead of more cardinals, and I think I'm done with buying fish now (except inverts), but I want to figure out what I'm doing.
 
you could just dial back the flow on the 110.

i have a 70 on my 29 w/ 12 rasboras, 2 convicts, bn pleco and 2 cory cats (no plants), it gets the job done with a stock sponge and ceramic rings to the brim.

i'd trade it for a 110 in a heart beat though.

why don't you just replace the prop and pin instead of buying a whole new filter?
 
Ran an AC70 for quite awhile on reduced flow for a 20g planted tank, with no issues. Now running the same filter and stock on a 55g planted. Yet to have any issues


My 55g

55g planted.jpg
 
Thanks guys. I'm running the AC110 on reduced flow anyway, and have 2 bags of ceramic rings (soon to be unbagged and topped off). I guess I'll just stick with this and look into getting a new motor.
 
I would stay with the 110 and turn it down. Personally I would just keep the tank filled properly and keep the filter turned up
 
I just double up the bio bags in my AC's so my AC70 on my 55g with 2 bio bags (comes with one) does great. I got a AC110 on my 110 with 4 bags (comes with 2) and again, works a lot better. So, got for a 70 the just double up on the bio if you levels start to rise.

Just my 2 cents.
 
Crazed Demasoni said:
Thanks guys. I'm running the AC110 on reduced flow anyway, and have 2 bags of ceramic rings (soon to be unbagged and topped off). I guess I'll just stick with this and look into getting a new motor.
Click to expand...

No need to by a whole new motor. The impeller shaft itself would be enough. A quick $2 fix.
Personally though, I think an AC 110 or AC70 are a bit overkill for a planted tank, but as long as you are not tearing the plants apart with the current its ok. Probably doesn't help with keeping a good supply of CO2 in the tank though. It would still be breaking the surface over a larger area than a smaller filter. If you are considering a new filter you might want to go with an internal instead.
 
Have you considered using an AC70 impeller on the 110? That would be cheaper than purchasing a second filter and give you a wider area for filtration and a lower flow rate.

ahh i see
 
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