best bang for the buck
- Thread starter L600
- Start date
ac110 is the best for $75..............Mechaniucal filtration at its best for the buck..............
I didn't notice a very significant increase in flow or bypass. I only use it for mechanical though and replace the floss weekly so it doesn't have a chance to clog.
I still think a single ac110 would be the OP's best option. Two penguins or emperors might be a better bargain upfront, but they each have 4 mechanical slots which is a lot of polyester batting to change out on a regular basis (unless u want to buy 8 of their rite-size cartridges every month). The ac sponges are a lot easier to maintain and dont need to be replaced very often
+1.
Especially considering what he wants it for. I religiously use AC filters of various sizes for my ATF growout tanks specifically for their high flow. Their flow, coupled with a powerhead, is perfect for giving a baby tiger the current it needs to thrive.
Just because it has four slots doesn't mean you have to fill all four slots.
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This is true but you still have to fill one slot on each side, and it sounds like the OP already has the bio load covered with another filter. So what else should he put in the other 4 empty slots? Carbon? Unnecessary bio media? More floss? Or just leave the space empty for the sake of saving $15 to beat the flow rate of a single ac110 (with twice as much power consumption and equipment in the tank).
Remember, we are talking about a single FATF in a 75g. Two emperor 400s are going to add 800gph to a tank that I'm assuming already has another filter. If not then 10x turnover is fine for HOBs (especially since atf's need high flow), but I would rather use an ac110 with double sponges and an ac50 powerhead with the polishing attachment. Or better yet, spend the $75 on a used pump and tank with a pair of socks and diy overflow
They can stay empty or they work as a place to put plants to help soak up nitrates. I've used bamboo and pothos in them will great success. Of two stages of mech. On coarse one fine just like you would set up an ac110. It will just be inverted instead of flat. I comes down to what he wants. If he only wants one filter, the ac110 is likely slightly better than a single 400. But for the best bang for the buck 2 400s will blow it out of the water especially set up properly. And they can be set up differently than each other. Even more options.
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Plants are a good idea if you can't keep them in the tank. Im actually using ac70 sponges in the back of a tetra hob and might do the same thing in my penguin 200 because it fits perfect vertically next to the intake tube. I just think an ac110 and powerhead would be more efficient in the OP's case, but there's no question two 400s are a better deal at that price
For $75 you can buy half a fishroom's worth of air-driven sponge and box filters
Matt
Save the money for sponges and box filters. You can do it even cheaper with just air stones alone. In an established tank, there is plenty of bacteria in the substrate and on the glass to bio filter the water, and all you need to provide is oxygen and water movement. As long as you do regular water changes to remove the destritus and disolved nitrate, your fish will thrive. I have done that many times with air stone alone with my fry tank until they grow big, by then, a simple HOB to provide mechanical filtration is helpful, but not essential, to keep the water clear so I can see the fish.
I just picked up a new lightly used emperor 400 for $25
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