I have been reading alot on here.I see alot of people ask the same question why can't i jsut use and old big filter and pack a ball of chaeto and a light in a filter. But everyone has to have a 50 hob aquaclear. Its like purple hornets zoas they are a fad i personally hate them i would rather have a colony of fire and ice then them. Why is it always aquaclear.

because they are easy to mod and are very reliable

Good filter.

It's clear, I like to see what's happening in there.

Alright well whats wrong with this one http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem.asp...mp;child=EH2042 this company's very has a good rep and they are reliable.

wow talk about complaining about pointless things....

I personally dislike the intake tube on ACs. Its clear so it can grow algae, and then to top it off, its not a smooth bend so you can't clean it out with a brush. I'd rather have a Penguin

Whisper series ftw!

Super easy to clean, a bristle brush works wonders.

An AC70 is the way to go, best one to convert into a fuge.

Yes why on earth would someone want a widely available reasonably priced reliable filter that's easy to mod and find parts for.

Crazeh

+1

I like to buy name brand hardware, knockoffs tend to be unreliable.

To piss you off.

#1/super simple to modify
#2/clear to view the makeshift refugium
#3/good quality, reliable, and easy to find parts(if needed)

I am not saying not to get one ,but don't just put the other companys in the dark. I understand that is a good brand and what not.But i am also not saying to get a no name brand aquatraders one. The way i meant name brand is that it has to be name brand aquaclear.

I am also not saying that i am not going to buy one for my 10g because i am. Its jsut that don't make people feel like theres only one option. I like aquaclears.

wtf would you buy a knock off? The AC isn't that expensive and while yeah a coral would be a more entertaining way to blow your cash, seems stupid to get awesome coral and risk killing it cuz you were to cheap to buy a GOOD filter.

Generally if a LOT of unrelated people recommend the same thing, it's because it's the better option. This isn't the same thing as designer livestock. You want good equipment if you want nice healthy corals.

^ Then what is the point of this post?

-Prof

The point of the post is to ask the question and i got my answer.

Cryptic.

I have been using AquaClears for years now because they are a straight forward HOB. Designed well and very reliable. I have all three sizes laying around. Just recently I decided to make a fuge mod with a AC110 (formally AC500). It was a very easy mod even though I did mine a bit differently then most peoples mods.

You could use most (not all) HOB's as a fuge mod with a little design thought. Most would work acceptably well but if I'm going to recommend a name brand they I will go with what I know will be a success --- an AC

You have to love pointless threads!

hell yeah!!

Why do you like Aquaclear filters and why are you getting one?

Holy Christ is this still going???? Just buy a filter, any filter.

It's really OK everyone. If you don't like the thread -- don't read or post.

I thought the basic question was somewhat legit. Why an AC over another type of HOB for fuge mods??

tried and true. the same reason ppl buy current USA sunpods, cuz theyve been tested 1000 times and are reliable.

It IS a legit question. It's the part where you say that "other filters are just as good" and call the AC a fad that is the issue. You gave an opinion disguised as a question. Then after you said you HATE them, you said were going to buy one, thus making this thread pointless

There's nothing wrong with other filters, in fact on my freshwater tanks I PREFER Penguins. For a fuge though, the AquaClear has the best design because of it's media basket. It has the most volume and is a full rectangle, it doesn't get narrower at the bottom. All of the other HOBs are small, only allowing room for their filter cartridge. The AC is plenty spacious enough for a heater, some chaeto, and some rubble!

If you're going to be using a filter to actually filter, get whatever you want, but when it comes down to making a DIY fuge, nothing beats an Aquaclear. I've used a 20, 70, and a 110; loved them all.

Aquaclears are a little easier to mod because it is a single output. Oh and they're typically larger than comparable hob filters.

WAAA

Cut the crap. Either offer something constructive to the discussion or move along.

this is why i love non nano tanks just get me a 20L or 40B and some baffles and theres my sump(filter system!)

^This. The shape of the filter chamber and the fact that it comes with a reuseable sponge (not to mention that to use it just as a HOB you can throw a bag of Chemipure or whatever in there and be done with it) rather than taking useless throwaway cartridges makes it the best, IME. Oh, and the adjustable output on some models is rather novel and pretty cool.

I'll add that its pretty much the most modded one around, so finding instructions to do so is easy, plus theres more than one way to mod one into a fuge not to mention that it can be modded with nothing but whats in the box, a tube of aquarium sealant, and a utility knife. Also the fact that the impellers from all but the largest size are interchangeable makes flow options nearly without limit. Also, the motor can be replaced independently if it fails, I don't know of any others that offer this feature.
BTW, these filters have been around for 15-20 years or more, with pretty much this same design, thats gotta say something, why mess with a good thing?