Thanks aaronb. I appreciate your apoligy and comment. I now understand where your coming from. It was informative to know that the sponge is hard to clean thorougly and your personal reliability issues with aquaclears. I figured out quickly that MFK is not the place to get unbiased answers about aquaclears and agree that I should take it for "what its worth". It's gotta be a good HOB if so many people back them up with such confidence and success - just gotta work around the flaws, which seem to be quite feasible. I'm happy with the Fluval C4's I bought as they really do have most of the flaws with the aquaclears worked out. I just wish they made a larger model.
Oh wait, it wont let me put the space in front of the paragraphs. LOL. Improper paragraphing style do I get a lower grade?