HOB inlet experiment

PapaM · 09-03-2011, 09:15 PM

I have a 29G tank that I have 3 Aquaclear filters on. I was wondering a while back what inlet position (top,middle,or bottom) would be the ideal place for filtering. I placed the left intake at gravel level, the right intake at middle level, and the center intake was in the top level (no extensions). I used Fluval sponge filters on the tube inlets. Every weekend I do a 50% water change and clean the sponges in the used tank water. The results have been consistent every time. The lowest intake always has the most junk in it, followed by the middle, and then the top. The top sponge usually has very little, compared to the other two. It's actually very noticeable. My water is extremely clear using the current setup, but now I'm wondering what would happen if I extend all three to the gravel. I can't imagine it could get much clearer, but technically it should. I would have to say the conclusion is: the lower the intake, the greater the amount of contaminants pulled out of the tank.

pjones · 09-03-2011, 09:50 PM

They say you can never over filter a tank, but Im betting your pretty close with that set up lol. What size are the filters?

PapaM · 09-03-2011, 09:55 PM

AC 20's

pjones · 09-03-2011, 10:20 PM

Guess its not as much as I thought. I was picturing in my mind 3 70's on the back of that sucker lol. I have 2 30's on mine

PapaM · 09-03-2011, 10:27 PM

Phillip, where do you locate your inlets?

pjones · 09-03-2011, 10:42 PM

far corners on the back

PapaM · 09-03-2011, 10:44 PM

top, middle, or bottom

pjones · 09-03-2011, 10:48 PM

about 3 or 4 inches from the bottom. I do 30% water changes once a month, clean the filters about every other month

holly12 · 09-03-2011, 11:14 PM

I've got AC's on my 2 tanks. I have an AC 30 and an AC 20 on my 20g tank, and an AC 70 on my 36g tank that also has an Aqueon 30. All my filters are roughly in the center at the back, and I have the intake down as low as they can go.... they aren't really adjustable except for the Aqueon. How did you extend the intake tubing? Did you just loosen it a bit so it was lower down?

pjones · 09-03-2011, 11:20 PM

The tubes on mine slide up and down.

PapaM · 09-03-2011, 11:21 PM

Hi Holly, I purchased extensions online for AC filters. Here's a link:

AquaClear Aquaclear Filter Extension Tube Aquarium Power Filter Parts

09-03-2011, 09:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	HOB inlet experiment I have a 29G tank that I have 3 Aquaclear filters on. I was wondering a while back what inlet position (top,middle,or bottom) would be the ideal place for filtering. I placed the left intake at gravel level, the right intake at middle level, and the center intake was in the top level (no extensions). I used Fluval sponge filters on the tube inlets. Every weekend I do a 50% water change and clean the sponges in the used tank water. The results have been consistent every time. The lowest intake always has the most junk in it, followed by the middle, and then the top. The top sponge usually has very little, compared to the other two. It's actually very noticeable. My water is extremely clear using the current setup, but now I'm wondering what would happen if I extend all three to the gravel. I can't imagine it could get much clearer, but technically it should. I would have to say the conclusion is: the lower the intake, the greater the amount of contaminants pulled out of the tank.

09-03-2011, 09:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
pjones pjones's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 250 Name: Phillip Location: Sarasota FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 251 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 77 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment They say you can never over filter a tank, but Im betting your pretty close with that set up lol. What size are the filters?

09-03-2011, 09:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment AC 20's

09-03-2011, 10:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
pjones pjones's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 250 Name: Phillip Location: Sarasota FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 251 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 77 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment Guess its not as much as I thought. I was picturing in my mind 3 70's on the back of that sucker lol. I have 2 30's on mine

09-03-2011, 10:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment Phillip, where do you locate your inlets?

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09-03-2011, 10:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
pjones pjones's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 250 Name: Phillip Location: Sarasota FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 251 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 77 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment far corners on the back

09-03-2011, 10:44 PM	#7 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment top, middle, or bottom

09-03-2011, 10:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
pjones pjones's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 250 Name: Phillip Location: Sarasota FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 251 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 77 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment about 3 or 4 inches from the bottom. I do 30% water changes once a month, clean the filters about every other month

09-03-2011, 11:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
holly12 Dude.... wait..... what? holly12's Photo Gallery Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 3,074 Name: Holly Location: Canada My location Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 815 Times Said "Thanks" 672 Times Was Thanked 528 Times in 515 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment I've got AC's on my 2 tanks. I have an AC 30 and an AC 20 on my 20g tank, and an AC 70 on my 36g tank that also has an Aqueon 30. All my filters are roughly in the center at the back, and I have the intake down as low as they can go.... they aren't really adjustable except for the Aqueon. How did you extend the intake tubing? Did you just loosen it a bit so it was lower down? __________________ 20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981 36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

09-03-2011, 11:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
pjones pjones's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 250 Name: Phillip Location: Sarasota FL My location Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 251 Times Said "Thanks" 38 Times Was Thanked 79 Times in 77 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment The tubes on mine slide up and down.

09-03-2011, 11:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
PapaM PapaM's Photo Gallery Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 122 Name: Casey Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Welcome to Aquarium Forum" 8 Times Said "Thanks" 3 Times Was Thanked 13 Times in 13 Posts	Re: HOB inlet experiment Hi Holly, I purchased extensions online for AC filters. Here's a link: AquaClear Aquaclear Filter Extension Tube Aquarium Power Filter Parts

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