Aqua Clear 50 question...

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Hi Fish group,

I cleaned my AC (Aqua Clear) 50 filter for the frist time, I used a
"Ammo-carb" combo activated carbon and ammonia remover. I found out
after downloading the AC manual AC makes special cratriges for this and
they should only be done one at a time.
Q: I think I'm better off to get the official AC products next time or
is it no big deal?

Update: I got a 29 gal used set up for CL (Clown Loach) community tank,
I gradually added up to 5 small loaches and one small sucker fish. They
have lots of cover with background wrapping around 1/3 of the sides and
lots of plastic plants and some nice looking plastic delapidated hollow
log things. After adding the 5th loach last night they all seemed to
magically "wake up" and really come alive with activity and the typical
CL "sillyness" I was seeking. They hide at times and other times seem
to actually "taunt" my kitties who are often mezmorized by them...
Q: Can I add one more CLs next week or two or would that be pushing the
capacity. Keep in mind if the get too big I would upgrade to a 55 gal
set up with zeal. Used set ups can be had dirt cheap if you watch ebay
locally.
Q: is it important to get a air stone? I have no air bubbling, just
filter flow.

GodSpeed fish friends!
Karl.

[Altum]

wrote:
> Hi Fish group,
>
> I cleaned my AC (Aqua Clear) 50 filter for the frist time, I used a
> "Ammo-carb" combo activated carbon and ammonia remover. I found out
> after downloading the AC manual AC makes special cratriges for this and
> they should only be done one at a time.
> Q: I think I'm better off to get the official AC products next time or
> is it no big deal?

It's no big deal. I've used the AC sponges and Chemi-Pure for years.
The flexibility is one of the nice things about that filter.

> Update: I got a 29 gal used set up for CL (Clown Loach) community tank,
> I gradually added up to 5 small loaches and one small sucker fish. They
> have lots of cover with background wrapping around 1/3 of the sides and
> lots of plastic plants and some nice looking plastic delapidated hollow
> log things. After adding the 5th loach last night they all seemed to
> magically "wake up" and really come alive with activity and the typical
> CL "sillyness" I was seeking. They hide at times and other times seem
> to actually "taunt" my kitties who are often mezmorized by them...
> Q: Can I add one more CLs next week or two or would that be pushing the
> capacity. Keep in mind if the get too big I would upgrade to a 55 gal
> set up with zeal. Used set ups can be had dirt cheap if you watch ebay
> locally.

Seven baby CL is fine for a 29 gallon. A few years later, the
resulting seven 6-inch CL will crowd even a 55.

> Q: is it important to get a air stone? I have no air bubbling, just
> filter flow.

Nope. It's important to watch your fish and add one if they're gilling
hard or hanging out near the surface. AC filters usually provide
enough surface movement for normally stocked tanks.

[dc]

wrote in news:1138812972.956374.74910
@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com:

> Q: I think I'm better off to get the official AC products next time or
> is it no big deal?

You really don't have to use their media. My AquaClears are using a single
third-party sponge cut to fit (much cheaper) and a large layer of
biological media (biochem stars and ceramic rings) with a final thin layer
of filter floss of the top. They work well and don't need a lot of
maintenance besides replacing the filter floss. None of the media I use is
produced by Hagen/AquaClear.

If active carbon is an issue for you, there are much better grades
available than AquaClear's.