Mods to hob filter?

[ridburton061]

I have a aquaclear 50 and was looking to modify it to work better. Ive seen people put live rock or change the media from what it coes with in them or turn into a refufium. I was thinking of looking for a ac70 to turn into a fuge but thought i could maybe mod my 50 also.

I have a 29g tank. Just trying to get better filtration since i don't have a sump (not a option right now) and no skimmer. Any ideas would be awesome

 

[ridburton061]

I also so a mod with 90° pvc pipes used to make a skimmer using the intake of the filter, anyone know anything about that?
Would a air stone inside the filter benefit at all?

 

[Eckolancer]

You might be able to make a biocube like skimmer. In the past I used live rock and a little filter floss.

 

[Mustang Man]

For HOB fuge I would modify an AC110, larger than a AC70 which means more space for macro for better nutrient export.

 

[ridburton061]

I was heard ac70 was better cause you can lower the flow using a impeller from a ac30 and ac110 has to much flow. Thats just what i have read.

 

[Mustang Man]

There are ways to lower the flow in an AC110 but it isn't quite as easy as in the AC70 since the pumps aren't swappable in the AC110. You can start by trimming the little piece that prevents the intake tube from adjusting more towards lower flow, you can also trim the impeller blades shorter which will also reduce flow.

 

[tyler1503]

Couldn't you adjust the flow by adding a valve to the intake tube?
I would go as big as possible for a fuge. A small fuge will be great for pods and other critters to hide in, but it won't give you the nutrient export you'll probably want. This is my understanding anyway.

 

[ridburton061]

^ that may work. Well i did just pick up a old ac300 for $5. Same as a ac70 from what i was told and I've read online. Ill probably make a fuge out of it until i find a good deal on something bigger.

But i also wanted to do something different with the ac50 i have to help filter my tank. I took out the carbon but need something to fill its place. Any ideas?

 

[Miketc17]

I have an AC70 and run chemi-pure elite, chaeto, and filter floss. The combination has been working great for me.

 

[ridburton061]

Do you use it in the media basket it come with or have you set it up differently? Got any pics, ive just read how people have set their up differently.

 

[DMan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC5CEVHnsZI

heres a good mod for a refugium. but live rock could be used as well.

 

[ridburton061]

Is that your setup?^

 

[ridburton061]

Anyone know what aquarium safe silicone i can use? Don't want to pay a bunch of money for stuff at my lfs.

 

[ridburton061]

Here's what i got now. Just cut up the media basket. Still have to trim to fit a lid. This is a ac300 same as a ac70. Im going to try and build one bigger, just waiting till i find something used/cheap, trying not to spend to much on this project. Any thought?

 

[ridburton061]

Need help. Trying to figure out what to use for my filter pad. I want something to catch big particles floating around before flowing into my fuge section. Ive seen alot of different materials, not sure whats best.