I have a aquaclear 110 that I have been using since about 7 months when I set up my 75 gallon tank. About 2-3 weeks ago I have noticed that the Fluval pre filter I have been using keeps clogging up daily. I have been removing it daily and rinsing it out with hot tap water to get the aquaclear pumping at maximum capacity. It is usually covered with what appears to be decaying plant debris that I don't know where it is comming from since I don't really have anything floating around as far as that goes. Usually the prefilter is loaded up with brown crap also. The tank has very clear water and has roughly 35 smaller sized fish such as various tetras, gouramis, platys and a couple of angelfish. I could really use an outside opinion as to what could be causing this problem.

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75 Gallon Planted

Not rinsing it out good enough? Need to be replaced maybe? Personally, I wouldn't even use one unless there was something in the tank that left me no choice.

Rinsing it out usually has been fine, until the next day when it is clogged up again. This is the problem I have been having. In my 29 gallon tank I have had pre filters go as long as 2 months before needing any maintenance. I guess what I am asking is there another possible problem in the tank that I am just not seeing that is causing the excess build up of crap on/in the pre filter. Also, the main reason I use a pre filter is I have issues with the tubes getting clogged up really bad.

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75 Gallon Planted

I think it boils down to GPH - an HOB filter on a 29 cycles water much slower than a 110 on a 75. You might be overfeeding, too, and the crud is building up on the prefilter. Ways around this:

1. Use a more porous sponge material and just cut it out to be bigger.

2. Rinse the prefilter in a weak unscented 0 sulfactants (sp?) bleach solution.

Just my thoughts.

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Officially fishless until after the move....tune in later for details!

I never thought of the flow rate being different on the two filters although it is obvious. As far as there being different sized prefilters, are there?

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75 Gallon Planted