AquaClear Powerhead water filters

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johnehr

Ignorant and Oblivious
Joined
Sep 18, 2004
Messages
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Location
Seattle
What are people's opinions of using the water polishers/filter attachments to in tank powerheads? I have one on each of my powerheads after I lost a turbo snail (didnt notice it for 3 days!!!). Am I going to be killing pods and other good stuff right and left?
 
I would avoid any foam long term. They are great for clean-up after blowing off rocks. The Aquaclear is a good place to put carbon or rowa if you dont have a sump, but take the foam out. Just one more thing you have to keep clean or they turn into nitrate factories. What skimmer do you have?

Don
 
Not to steal the thread, but I have an Auquaclear200. Could the foam be what's causign my algae problems??? It traps a lot of junk and I have to clean it out like once a week.
 
It can cause nitrates. It sounds like you keep it clean, so probably not your problem. Check your N & P and I would'nt let it gor for more that three days without cleaning. Since its a Aquaclear 200 I assume its a small tank???????

Don
 
Damn... I left one in for like 2 weeks and my nitrates went through the roof. I cycled the tank with just live rock and a few snails/hermits but got my nitrates up to like 60-80ppm... Im definately going to slow down on my usage of those filters.
 
I mainly use the filter for carbon and my phosguard. I am going to take the sponge out tomorrow. Thanks for the 411! It will save me more hassle... :)
 
I have been using sponges on my powerheads since day one and have never had a problem with them. They keep a lot of junk out of the tank. I clean them when I do my water changes. You can use a small micron bag I have seen that done in Fish Stores and I am trying one in one of my powerheads because I don't want anything caught in there and I can't find any sponges that will fit it.
 
I use the hagen quick clear filter housing and quick clear filter pads in all my tanks. I have been putting bioflo rotating outputs on them. I like them. You do have to clean them frequently. I dont think they wipe out pods because all tanks have lots. No problems for me. I hope it helps you. Steve
 
I am using a Aqua-Clear 500 on a Nano with foam but no skimmer no skimmer. So far Nitrates and other water parameters havent been a problem. But I have multiple Foam inserts, and change it out every 5-7 days without fail, and wash it out thoroughly and allow spares to air dry. I also do 10% water change religously too.

I dont think using foam is such a bad thing, but I think becuase its often out of sight and therefore out of mind, I think they often get neglected for far longer time periods than they should and that this is where problems begain to arise. I think that Procrastination and Neglect are the real culprits.

Just, my opinion though...
 

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