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Post by lalo on Apr 13, 2009 23:24:16 GMT -5
I recently sold my two 350 bio-wheel Marinelands with a 55 gal tank and purchased a 75 gal tank. I replaced the filters with two Aqua Clear 110s for the 75 gal cichlid tank. I have noticed the tank to be cloudy, when it used to be crystal clear with the 350's. I thought the 110's were an upgrade. The 110's seem to be pumping well. I tried changing up the media filter and adding more carbon, but it still has the same problem. Has anyone had this problem before? By the way, I also have an under gravel filter jet system with PVC pipes and a Rio pump that I built for the 75 gal tank. I'm thinking maybe the PVC pipes give off that cloudiness look. Thanks.
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Post by kagome on Apr 14, 2009 0:37:45 GMT -5
Is the new filter a higher gph than the old one? Have you checked the water parameters? Could you be going through a nitrogen cycle since you completely changed out all of the filter media?
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Post by brenda on Apr 14, 2009 9:22:25 GMT -5
I agree with kagome about your tank cycling. If this is a new tank and brand new filters that is what is happening. The AC 110’s are and upgrade, I too once had a 55 and ran 2 marineland filters on it. When I upgraded my tank I went with the AC’s and I love them. They do a great job. I run 2 of the 110’s on my 90.I love the AC’s and in my opinion they are one of the best if not the best HOB filter out there.
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Post by Carl on Apr 14, 2009 9:58:57 GMT -5
I assume you are referring to the Magnum 350 canister filter with additional bio wheels. As already noted, I think you are dealing with a cycling aquarium. The AC110 is an excellent HOB, I also agree that it is one of the best in its size (I do have to qualify size, as I feel there are better ones in smaller sizes such as the VitaLife, the Eco Power, and the new Whisper/Aqueon). The Aqua Clear Filters do have one weak spot in filtration (besides some impeller issues, mostly in the smaller filters IMO), that is they have one of the highest flow by rates of the popular HOB filters on the market. this results in poor mechanical filtration and often higher particulates in an aquarium; so if you have a particulate cloud this MAY be an issue. As well this may also allow for over feeding or other problems to "feed" a bacterial bloom in a tank that is re-cycling. The Magnum 350 is an excellent mechanical filter with some of the lowest flow by rates of any filter on the market (including most other canister filters). This design forces water through its filter and generally this filter will cease running before there is much "flow by". However the Bio Wheel aspect is as much a gimmick as anything, and the AC 110 once seasoned will out perform the Bio Wheels. I would cut back on your bio load as much as possible during this time (such as feeding, fish numbers, etc.) Consider a particulate coagulator such as Crystal ClearAdding a poly pad to your Aqua Clear may help improve mechanical filtration I would recommend reading this article about aquarium filtration: Aquarium FiltrationAs well this article about the Nitrogen cycle: The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle; cyclingCarl |
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Post by brenda on Apr 14, 2009 10:41:21 GMT -5
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Post by Carl on Apr 14, 2009 10:56:26 GMT -5
Thanks Brenda, this does make some difference.
(i am thinking of the old model numbers).
This filter still has better mechanical filtration than the AC, but is even worse yet in bio filtration.
Carl
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Post by lalo on Apr 14, 2009 17:35:50 GMT -5
Wow! Thanks. I sorted just started with a year in this hobby, and I learned quite a bit from reading the posts. Yes I was referring to the Marineland-Penguin Bio-Wheel power filter 350. I had two on a 55 gal tank. I purchased the 75 gal tank 1 month ago together with the two 110 AC's. I will try the poly pad today. Thanks again.
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Post by brenda on Apr 14, 2009 19:38:35 GMT -5
How long has this tank been set up and the filters in use? I am still willing to bet it is cycling, as I don't use a poly pad all the time and my tank was always clear, once cycled. Carl has a lot of great articles about cycling if you ever need something to reference.
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Post by bikeguy33 on Apr 14, 2009 21:12:28 GMT -5
Not that this matters at this point....but when upgrading filters....i always recommend running all old filtration and adding the new ones for a week or so.....this way the new filters get seasoned and ready for use while the tank is still being properly looked after from the old filters. i do realise this is a pain with HOB`s, but where there is a will there is a way....
another good thing to do is to just throw the old bio bag right in the tank for a week or so....
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Post by brenda on Apr 14, 2009 21:31:30 GMT -5
That is exactly what I did when I changed from my 55 to my 90...I ran one of the old seasoned filters and 1 new one for about 2 weeks then added the other new one.
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Post by lalo on Apr 15, 2009 18:46:26 GMT -5
i think you're right brenda. the tank started to clear up on its own. i still purchased the polypad and just in case and its in one of the filters. i told a co-worker who is into this hobby, and he agreed with that bikerguy. next time, when i upgrade to a larger tank, i'll stagger my filter upgrades. thanks guys.
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