I just bought a new 30 gallon tank and an Aquaclear 70 (300 gph). Before I had a 10 gallon with a Whisper 20 on it. I've noticed that with the Aquaclear you have to have a high water level, almost to the top of the tank, to dull the running water sound. It's loud enough to keep me up at night. On my old tank, I still had a good 1 1/2" from the top and didn't have a loud running water sound.
Anyone else who has an aquaclear experience this? Is it just me?
Its not a big deal, I just think its a poor design.
~ Jessica
Full Version: Aquaclear Filters
i have an Aquaclear 50 and a mini
they both r really quite cant even hear it
even when tha water level is down a lil bit
they both r really quite cant even hear it
even when tha water level is down a lil bit
I have the same experience where my aquaclear runs loudly unless there is an unusually high water level and I keep snails so I like the space on top in case they decide to hang out in the air. It doesn't bother me though because I find the sound sootheing but I understand where this could be annoying. The only solution I have is to move the tank, move you sleeping place, or buy a different filter unless you feel like constantly checking the water level due to evaporation, but if there is a reason you keep the water level a little lower than I suggest you buy a new filter that will make less noise and you will then be able to sleep much sounder. 
I am not a fan of Aquaclear filters, for the ones I have had also have a bad habit of overfilling the filter itself when the media gets slightly dirty, and overflowing out the back side of the filter, onto the floor.
They do not have a very long overflow lip on the filter. To keep the splashing noise to near zero, you want the water level to meet with this lip. To meet with it, you have to have the water level very high.
You have a few options here - one is simply to get used to it - for the splashing of the waterfall creates wonderful aeration for the tank. The agitation on the surface introduces huge amounts of oxygen into the tank. THis is GREAT!
Another is, as you have discovered, is to keep the water level high enough that it meets the overflow lip.
Finally, you can extend the overflow lip. I have taken a stiff piece of plastic - clear abd pliable (not sharp) from a Chinese food container and fastened it to the overflow with sealant to extend the overflow by an inch. The water will run down this plastic onto the surface of the tank , eliminating the splash. I have also used overhead projector sheets for temperary extentions - just place them over the side of the tank and set the filter over them, adjusting the edge that hangs in the tank so that it meets the surface of the water.
They do not have a very long overflow lip on the filter. To keep the splashing noise to near zero, you want the water level to meet with this lip. To meet with it, you have to have the water level very high.
You have a few options here - one is simply to get used to it - for the splashing of the waterfall creates wonderful aeration for the tank. The agitation on the surface introduces huge amounts of oxygen into the tank. THis is GREAT!
Another is, as you have discovered, is to keep the water level high enough that it meets the overflow lip.
Finally, you can extend the overflow lip. I have taken a stiff piece of plastic - clear abd pliable (not sharp) from a Chinese food container and fastened it to the overflow with sealant to extend the overflow by an inch. The water will run down this plastic onto the surface of the tank , eliminating the splash. I have also used overhead projector sheets for temperary extentions - just place them over the side of the tank and set the filter over them, adjusting the edge that hangs in the tank so that it meets the surface of the water.
i was considering a hang on the side filter, most likely an aquaclear 300, but how much room do they need on the outside of the tank? it's just that my aquarium is in a corner with a doorway on the other side, and there ain't a lot a room at the back or side.
I've noticed that they tend to be larger in width than oher filters. I had to pull my tank out from the wall to set mine up.
I returned my Aquaclear and got a Whiper 60 (330 gph). I intended on getting a Penguin but Petsmart only sells the 200 and the only Emperor they had was 280.
But with the Whisper I can finally sleep.
~ Jessica
I returned my Aquaclear and got a Whiper 60 (330 gph). I intended on getting a Penguin but Petsmart only sells the 200 and the only Emperor they had was 280.
But with the Whisper I can finally sleep.
~ Jessica
i got an ac 300 for a year and a half great filter had no problems with water over flowing and yes if water is down you hear it when water up high it is quite.
Something to consider about goldfish tanks, filter flow rates and water levels:
The reason why Aqua-clear filters (and most others too) return slides are designed they way they are is to increase aeration of the tankwater. If the water is up to the level of the return slide on the filter, the water tends to flow across the surface of the water, to the front pane of glass and then down to the gravel/back to the intake. This current is needed for several reasons. One is the fact of aeration and surface agitation. Two is for scooting poo and uneaten food to the intake in the back at an efficient rate. The third, and most important, reason is the gallons per hour flow as per bio-filtration rates.
Filters ONLY flow at the rate printed on the box if the waterlevel is sitting at 1/2 to 1 inch from the lip of the tank. If the water level is below that, the filters flow is impeded greatly, thus reducing the suggested filtration rate of ten X's. In any tank that is maxed out on stocking density, this cannot be afforded.
If you keep several inches airspace from the lip of the tank and the surface of the water, you are effectively reducing the filtration rate of the tank, the o2 level of the water and it might even effect the currents enough to make "sweet spots" for your goldies to sleep in harder to find/maintain position in. Basically, when the water just pours back into the tank, not enough of the waters surface is agitated. The currents down towards the bottom of the tank (where goldies generally sleep) tend to be stronger too.
If you keep the water level where it should be, Aqua-clears do an excellent job of everything above. However, what you should be the most concerned about is the fact that aqua-clears tend to jam if the power goes out for a bit and comes back on. I have repeatedly had this happen to me throughout the years of using them and have quit buying them for that reason alone.
Hope this helps!
The reason why Aqua-clear filters (and most others too) return slides are designed they way they are is to increase aeration of the tankwater. If the water is up to the level of the return slide on the filter, the water tends to flow across the surface of the water, to the front pane of glass and then down to the gravel/back to the intake. This current is needed for several reasons. One is the fact of aeration and surface agitation. Two is for scooting poo and uneaten food to the intake in the back at an efficient rate. The third, and most important, reason is the gallons per hour flow as per bio-filtration rates.
Filters ONLY flow at the rate printed on the box if the waterlevel is sitting at 1/2 to 1 inch from the lip of the tank. If the water level is below that, the filters flow is impeded greatly, thus reducing the suggested filtration rate of ten X's. In any tank that is maxed out on stocking density, this cannot be afforded.
If you keep several inches airspace from the lip of the tank and the surface of the water, you are effectively reducing the filtration rate of the tank, the o2 level of the water and it might even effect the currents enough to make "sweet spots" for your goldies to sleep in harder to find/maintain position in. Basically, when the water just pours back into the tank, not enough of the waters surface is agitated. The currents down towards the bottom of the tank (where goldies generally sleep) tend to be stronger too.
If you keep the water level where it should be, Aqua-clears do an excellent job of everything above. However, what you should be the most concerned about is the fact that aqua-clears tend to jam if the power goes out for a bit and comes back on. I have repeatedly had this happen to me throughout the years of using them and have quit buying them for that reason alone.
Hope this helps!
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