Tips for running two HOB filters?

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Acura_RSX

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 30, 2008
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Newfoundland, Canada
Not much experience with HOB's as I started using canisters/sump's since I got into the hobby but recently bought a used 33 gallon tank which came with a HOB filter.

The tank came with an Aquatech HOB filter rated for 20-40 gallons. This filter has two insert slots (one for mechanical/floss and the other is a carbon insert). I'm not a huge fan of these filters but since it was included I figured I might as well run it too.

I plan on buying another HOB filter (Aquaclear) to filter this tank as well.

My questions are:

what size Aquaclear should I invest in? Is an AC70 going to be way better or will an AC50 do the same job?

Is the Aquatech worth still running as well or should I just stick with the AC I plan to buy?

Last but not least .. how should I set these filters up? .. both With mechanical & Bio .. one mechanical one bio (if so which ones) .. Should I use the carbon insert that aquatech has designed for the filter? etc ...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
drop the carbon in my opinion. then you can add two sponges for mechanical or buy another bag of bio for the AQ 70. I just recently did this for my 90g and took the carbon out of my aq 70 and my aq 50 which is almost 33% of whats in there so its alot. i added seachem bio matrix to the bio bag that came with it for more bio filterage.
smooth sailing friend
 
Acura_RSX said:
Not much experience with HOB's as I started using canisters/sump's since I got into the hobby but recently bought a used 33 gallon tank which came with a HOB filter.

The tank came with an Aquatech HOB filter rated for 20-40 gallons. This filter has two insert slots (one for mechanical/floss and the other is a carbon insert). I'm not a huge fan of these filters but since it was included I figured I might as well run it too.

I plan on buying another HOB filter (Aquaclear) to filter this tank as well.

My questions are:

what size Aquaclear should I invest in? Is an AC70 going to be way better or will an AC50 do the same job?

Both will do the job, I'd only go with the AC70 just in case you need it for a larger project down the road... Just keep in mind that your gonna have a good amount of flow in the tank, and you might want to take that into consideration with the stock you'll be having...

Is the Aquatech worth still running as well or should I just stick with the AC I plan to buy?

Worth running? Sure.. I think having an extra running filter is aways beneficial, for the tank or for an emergency setup or something....

Last but not least .. how should I set these filters up? .. both With mechanical & Bio .. one mechanical one bio (if so which ones) .. Should I use the carbon insert that aquatech has designed for the filter? etc ...

I only do mechanical in my Mariland (I think that's the brand name) but in the AC I do both, but that's really up to you.. and the carbon isn't necessary but won't hurt either..

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Hope that helped some!! GL!
 
I would get the AC110 filter if you can fit it on the tank. Smart choice in picking the Aquaclear brand. If you think the AC110 is too much (remember you can not over filter) It has a feature to reduce the flow.
 
smitty03281964 said:
I would get the AC110 filter if you can fit it on the tank. Smart choice in picking the Aquaclear brand. If you think the AC110 is too much (remember you can not over filter) It has a feature to reduce the flow.
Click to expand...

Yeah I sized up this option however I'm on a low budget at the moment so not wanting to spend the extra money. Instead of waiting for something used to show up online close to me I'm just going to order a new AC50. Am I able to cut up scrubbies and use these as my bio filter or should I spend more and get bio max or bio balls? If scrubbies are fine I'd prefer them due to cost efficiency
 
Aquaclears are nice, actually mine just came in the mail today (running it as back-up). They come with everything you need, the sponge pre-filter, bio-max and some carbon which you don't need. I throw some filter floss on the top to polish the water.
A 50 will do fine, just don't overstock your tank.
 
the media is included inside the box is it? I was wondering this. bigals didn't have a comment about if the media was included or not so I assumed not. But if it for sure comes with the tank i will just order a little extra mechanical for after
 
I run two Aqua Clear 101's on my 125, plus a DIY wet/dry setup I made.........On a 30-40g, I would place two AC50's on it........
 
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