Aquaclear 110

[Kustrud]

I believe I have my filter setup down but wanted some help. I have the bottom (under the basket) layered with ceramic media. In the bottom of the basket is the large sponge that comes with it which I like. I then want to use something finer on top to catch smaller debris and polish the water. I stuffed it full of poly-fill which I can already tell works but it’s hard to keep it in there abs little pieces get blown into the tank from the flow. What instead of poly fill can I use on top of the sponge?
I’d ideally like to order some sort of 1” thick sponge type media I am thinking but obviously finer than the AC sponge. Open to any and all suggestions!

 

[deeda]

As far as I know, you are not supposed to put any media underneath the 'basket' on the AC filters. Ceramic media can be put in the net bag that comes with the filter and place on top of the stock sponge media.

I have used untreated polyfil traditional batting for years in both power and canister filters as it can be rinsed out and reused multiple times before falling apart.

 

[Backfromthedead]

I always liked using 2 of the foam bricks in the 110 instead of all the other bags and tricks.

 

[Jexnell]

The thing with putting a finer sponge in it is the amount of flow will probably clog it up every few days. If your prepared to do that I would put it above the standard sponge the AC came with and weigh it down with your bio-rings.

 

[jjohnwm]

The finer the floss or sponge, the better it will polish the water...and the more quickly it will clog up. The nice thing about the Aquaclear filters is the fact that the water flows upward through the layers of media, so the logical place for the finest mechanical medium is at the top, where it is easy to reach, remove and rinse out frequently.

I like Poret foam for any type of mechanical filtration, because it is so long-lasting and durable. It can be removed and cleaned literally hundreds of times without any loss of integrity. It's not cheap to buy originally, but it is by far the cheapest medium in the long run. It requires caution, because if the top layer clogs up completely, the water flow may lift it up and cause it to partially jam up of the overflow area, which may possibly send water overflowing the top or otherwise going where you don't want it to go. A combination of frequent cleaning along with something weighting it down helps prevent this; cut a piece of eggcrate to sit on top of the foam and then use a rock or two.

I've also used polyfill in the past; I wasn't in love with it but it worked okay. I must say I never ever experienced problems with it coming apart and chunks blowing into the tank.

 

[Kustrud]

Thanks for all the replies! I ordered some batting and a roll of actual “2 layer” foam media to see what I like better.

As for putting some ceramic bio-media on the bottom….can anyone explain why this would be a bad idea? I just figured it was a great use of the space. They’re small pieces and very spread out so shouldn’t be affecting the flow much as well as they’re not tall enough to even touch the filter basket. Just curious about some more feedback on this.

 

[neutrino]

You want your dedicated bio media to get the cleanest water possible in order to keep the fine pores from quickly clogging with debris, meaning it normally should come after most or all of your mechanical media.

 

[Kustrud]

You want your bio media to get the cleanest water possible in order to keep the fine pores from quickly clogging up, meaning it normally should come after most or all of your mechanical media.

Well that certainly makes sense! Thank you!
Another question, the sponge in the AC 110 is absolutely massive. Is ceramic and similar media necessary….wouldn’t that thing alone hold plenty BB?

 

[neutrino]

Well that certainly makes sense! Thank you!
Another question, the sponge in the AC 110 is absolutely massive. Is ceramic and similar media necessary….wouldn’t that thing alone hold plenty BB?

That's one way to do it and some people do rather than spend the money for expensive media. Not what I usually do, but I've done it sometimes, I've even done all poly fiber just to prove that can be done, since it will also colonize with beneficial bacteria. In the case of all sponges the fact that you can rinse or even squeeze them out basically eliminates the clean water through your bio media theory, except it makes sense to have coarse sponges first in the direction of water flow in order to be able to clean your finer sponge less often.

 

[LukeOscar]

Well that certainly makes sense! Thank you!
Another question, the sponge in the AC 110 is absolutely massive. Is ceramic and similar media necessary….wouldn’t that thing alone hold plenty BB?

the other option and its my favorite option when not running a sump. run 2 hobs. run one how you normally set them up. sponges then bio media.
the second only use polyfil. it makes changing the finer mechanical media easier and it should cut down how often the bio media filter needs to be maintained.