air_doc28 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Can you tell me how the surface skimmer attachment is working for you? how effective is it in removing ammonia as compared with stand alone skimmers? thanks! Link to comment
Steve961 Posted November 13, 2003 Share Posted November 13, 2003 Originally posted by air_doc28 Can you tell me how the surface skimmer attachment is working for you? how effective is it in removing ammonia as compared with stand alone skimmers? thanks! The function of the AquaClear surface skimmer is not to remove ammonia. It is designed to skim organic film off the surface of the water. In doing so it increases the exchange of gases between the surface of the water and the atmosphere. It also improves the appearance of the tank by removing the unsightly film on the surface. IMO it does a very good job of this. Probably not as good as a built in overflow, but what do you expect for an $8 add-on to a HOB filter. It is definitely a good buy. Steve Link to comment
coco Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 Steve....have you really seen any real results in your fuge since you set it up? I know that's its working out great for you, but have you seen more pods crawling around yet? I have a 20H but considering using a 300 (w/o impellar mod) do you think that's adequate fuge for a 20H? Siejuban...seeing that you are using the AC 300, the questions also applys to you too....hopefully you're still following this thread. I posted the same Q's but I might as well as ask you 2 personally b/c i've been following this thread. Thanks guys. Link to comment
Siejuban Posted November 14, 2003 Share Posted November 14, 2003 I am not sure if it is due to the refug, the pod population is suddently increased since I installed the AC300 as refug, before that I only see very tiny onr on the wall, not the bigger one that look like bug or shrimp. And, more diff kind of macro algae started to grow on the rock in the main tank. The hair algae is once a big problem before I use the AC 300 refug, after I put 2 turbo snails, the hair algae was eaten, and become less trouble to me, seemed the growth of the hair algae is lesser now. And some more life form is found too. Link to comment
snookface1 Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 What king of heater are you using. I am setting up a AC 300 and my EBO-Jager 50w doesn't look like it will be submerged to the min water mark. Link to comment
Siejuban Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I am using Visi-Therm 50W, fit the AC 300. Link to comment
snookface1 Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 How low did you place the divider between the ref chamber (below the overflow in to the tank)? Link to comment
Siejuban Posted November 20, 2003 Share Posted November 20, 2003 I put it a little bit lower than the outflow, so water can enter the refug. Link to comment
Quantumfusion Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 So where do you get that surface skimmer from? I have looked and have not found it. Link to comment
purple_llama Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 is there something other than goop that can be used? i got a tube of household goop and it says 'goop is not recommended for use on aquariums' any advice would be appreciated thanks Link to comment
Blownpony Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I got my surface skimmer from a local pet shop but someone on here sent me to www.bigalsonline.com when I was looking for one. I used the household goop on mine was a little worried but it has been a couple months and no trouple with it. Works really good. Link to comment
wumang42 Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 whats the max size/wattage heater that can fit in the aqua clear 300 or 500. i'm looking for a HOB filter for my 24 gallon that will house a heater. also, would a cpr bakpak skimmer hold a suitable heater for my 24 gallon (100 watts perhaps?) Link to comment
stacinbeau Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 where is a good place to buy the Macro algea.I used this post to make a fuge for my 10g out of a AC300.Also where can I buy a surface skimmer attachment for it .The LFS around here dont carry them.. Link to comment
Blownpony Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 I have a 50 watt heater in my ac 500 and it fits perfect. Not sure if I could get one bigger in mine b/c the way I did mine. as posted above www.bigalsonline.com for the surface skimmer. I got my Macro from a local store. But seacrop.com has a deal for a couple different kinds for $20. Link to comment
snookface1 Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 I am using the AC300 and have added the skinner as shown on the pictrues. I didnt glue mine, just make it fit tight and it works great. That way I could take it out if I need to in the future. As for lighting. I got a 9" (2) x 9w coralife mini Aqualight hood and it fits perfict. I made a clear cover out of some plexiglass I had. I did cut the little extension on the adjustment inflow pipe to make it closer to the HOB. Link to comment
pat_man_ta Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 Ok, I am setting up my first personal SW on my desk at work (to give me something to look forward to in the morning). My question is, can This be done to an AC150? If so, Could i run a fuge in a modified AC150 and run a LR / Chem filter in a separate AC150? this is what I am currently considering. Or, could I get an AC300 or AC500 and retrofit it with the AC150 impeller and motor? Would i still need a powerhead if i did this? Should I go ahead and try and tell you what happened later? Link to comment
snookface1 Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 When I was building mine the group told me to get a AC 500, but I thought it was too big. As always I should have got it. I have a AC300 and I cant see anything smaller. If you have a smaller size us it and make it work, but dont buy the small. I dont see any advantage to have two on the back on your tank. Just get a 500 and have it all in one. Link to comment
pat_man_ta Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 Ah, i see, so, get the 500, add a divider in the middle-ish and put a refugium on one side and live rock on the other? If i did this should i reduce the flow rate by changing impellers/motors? Link to comment
snookface1 Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 Now you get it! I forgot what size tank you have? Was it a 10gal? You can keep the impeller it comes with, but it works better if you lower the flow. I think they are only about $4 so it would be a good addition. Link to comment
pat_man_ta Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 Oh, see i have a 5.5 that i am putting together. i am planning on a 1" live sand bed, and 6-8 lbs of mostly figi live rock with some tonga top pieces. I'm gonna let that settle a bit while i absorb more info on coral keeping. I intend to add 1 fish and a cleaner shrimp. perhaps a juvenile flame hawkfish or green clown goby. Link to comment
Blownpony Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 With just the ac 500 I think your flow will be to much for a 5 gallon. When it was on my 10 I thought it was to much until I added the surface skimmer then I could lower the flow to a good point. I added 1" of sand and a some live rock to mine has helped the tank a lot I think. Link to comment
pat_man_ta Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 so should i consider a 300, or mod the 500 to detune it to a lower rate? Will the AC150 impeller and motor fit the AC500? Will the surface skimmer fit in a 5.5? (@ 9+" deep) Link to comment
snookface1 Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 I'm not sure either will fit on a 5.5 gal. You need to check some websites for the size. I think my AC 300 was 8 1/2" wide by 5" but I wasnt concern with the depth. I would think that with such a small tank no mater which one you use you will have to change out the impeller. Link to comment
pat_man_ta Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 http://channelcat.netfirms.com/filter-sizes.htm has dimensions, it'll fit, but that's all that'll fit, good thing a heater will fit inside it! but what is really the advantage to my adding a refugium chamber to this setup? Link to comment
Blownpony Posted February 6, 2004 Share Posted February 6, 2004 The impeller from a smaller ac will not fit the 500. The surface skimmer might be close. I have about 1" sand in the corner where mine is and its almost touching and does touch the top when water level is full. Mine helped me cut the algae down some in my tank. Once I added the Macro I got tons of little critters. ANother thing is the ac 500 added about 1 gal of water to my tank. Link to comment
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