FX5 or 2 XP3

[Joey47]

Custom plumb the fx5 I'll take pics of my setup and show you

 

[Bderick67]

The AC110 exaggerates the flow rate by alot. When you have media (a sponge, fine floss and ceramic rings) it is slowed down dramatically from what they claim it to be. I checked with a bucket and a stopwatch and calculated 320gph. Did i get a bad unit? No, i have two.. I tried both and about the same results came out. Further more, aquaclears are very very loud filters. They are dead quiet at first and than a few months later you can barely hear yourself think! I am selling mine and getting a large canister and a emperor 280-400 for the upcoming 75-90g.

LOL if your disappointed by the flow rate of the AC110 your really gonna be crying with the emp400. A bucket and a stop watch? You really ought to post a thread on this, surprised you haven't considering you've posted a billion threads on everything else.

 

[evbal]

Custom plumb the fx5 I'll take pics of my setup and show you

Thanks a lot,
I just bought the FX5 finally and I will put the intake tube right at the bottom of the tank and see it can suck the waste of not
I go for bare bottom and I am headache with the waste

 

[jschall]

The AC110 exaggerates the flow rate by alot. When you have media (a sponge, fine floss and ceramic rings) it is slowed down dramatically from what they claim it to be. I checked with a bucket and a stopwatch and calculated 320gph. Did i get a bad unit? No, i have two.. I tried both and about the same results came out. Further more, aquaclears are very very loud filters. They are dead quiet at first and than a few months later you can barely hear yourself think! I am selling mine and getting a large canister and a emperor 280-400 for the upcoming 75-90g.

How did you do this test? Post a picture. HOBs are designed to lift water 2 inches max and their pumps are probably rated at 0 inches.

 

[bitteraspects]

try doing it the RIGHT way with an inline flow meter. you will get a much different, and acurate reading than attempting to do it with a stopwatch (hahahhaha).

but yes. a little custom plumbing goes a long way on almost any filter.

 

[12 Volt Man]

Further more, aquaclears are very very loud filters. They are dead quiet at first and than a few months later you can barely hear yourself think

you should be able to remedy this easily. some of my AC110's are 12 years old and still silent. if it is loud, either the lid is rattling or you have a worn impeller/shaft or you have gravel in it.

there is nothing else than can make noise on these filters. good luck.

as far as FX5 vs 2 XP3's, I vote two XP3's. both with the power jet nozzle attachment (thats great for currents).

 

[12 Volt Man]

ps I do agree that for great mechanical filtration, its tough to beat an AC110 that is rinsed weekly.

I run twin XP3's on my 150 along with an AC110, it gets rinsed weekly, and I leave the canisters for a while to handle the majority of the bio work (even though the AC does as well, of course).

works very well.

 

[Greg1]

FX5 most def.... thats what i am going to upgrade to soon... i have a 90 gallon filtered by a AC110, AC70 AND a Eheim 2215 canister... yea yea.. i know thats a lot of filtration... but too get CRISPY water you have to take Xtreme measures... so go with a FX5!