Priming of Fluval Aquaclear 70

[Partha007]

If I do not put the carbon filter betwwen filter floss and ceramic ring filter in the Fluval Aquaclear 70, the device is not priming. I suspect it has something to do with the total height of all filters combined. However, I do not want to use activated carbon during cycling as it may reduce the beneficial bacteria population and thereby increase the cycling time.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I see no need to run the filter at all during cycling, or else just run it empty for the water movement. But carbon would not reduce the beneficial bacteria anyway.

Overall I would do the opposite of what your thinking, I would ditch the filter floss and the ceramic rings and I would keep the carbon, its the only one that provides a real benefit IMO.

 

[Subsea]

If I do not put the carbon filter betwwen filter floss and ceramic ring filter in the Fluval Aquaclear 70, the device is not priming. I suspect it has something to do with the total height of all filters combined. However, I do not want to use activated carbon during cycling as it may reduce the beneficial bacteria population and thereby increase the cycling time.

I agree with Mr Mojo. Run it empty or better; add reef rubble to the box.

“Fluval Aquaclear 70, the device is not priming. I suspect it has something to do with the total height of all filters combined.“

I have this HOB filter and priming has nothing to do with what is stacked in the box. PRIMING the pump requires a liquid level above utube into the box.

 

[Partha007]

Personally I see no need to run the filter at all during cycling, or else just run it empty for the water movement. But carbon would not reduce the beneficial bacteria anyway.

Overall I would do the opposite of what your thinking, I would ditch the filter floss and the ceramic rings and I would keep the carbon, its the only one that provides a real benefit IMO.

I think, in ceramic rings, the beneficial bacteria is housed

 

[Subsea]

I think, in ceramic rings, the beneficial bacteria is housed

Not really, unless they came wet and were previously inoculated.

No, standard ceramic rings do not come with bacteria already established. When you buy them off the shelf, they are completely sterile, dry, and inert pieces of kiln-fired ceramic. [1, 2]
Think of a new ceramic ring like an empty apartment building: it provides the structure and millions of tiny microscopic pores (apartments) for the bacteria to live in, but you have to wait for the residents to move in. [1]

How Do They Get Bacteria?
To establish the beneficial, nitrifying bacteria needed to filter your aquarium, you have to "cycle" the tank. This happens in a couple of ways: [1, 2]

PS: Consider adding reef rubble to your box.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think, in ceramic rings, the beneficial bacteria is housed

The bacteria will colonize everything,the rocks the sand the glass the equipment, etc... so the little bit of extra space provided by the rings doesn't matter.

Do yourself a favor and google 'the berlin filtration method', understanding this concept makes the hobby a lot easier IMO.

 

[ScottJ]

As to priming an Aquaclear filter, the box needs to be filled with water, and the water level in the tank cannot be too low. The U tube needs to be properly seated so the impeller can provide enough suction to draw up water through the tube. I have found that moving the tube between full flow and low flow when you first turn it on helps purge the all in the top of the tube.

There doesn't need to be anything in the box at all. Rock rubble in a bag is a great idea instead of rings. Much more useful. It's a good filter, I've had a 20 running for years and years without a pickup

 

[Partha007]

The bacteria will colonize everything,the rocks the sand the glass the equipment, etc... so the little bit of extra space provided by the rings doesn't matter.

Do yourself a favor and google 'the berlin filtration method', understanding this concept makes the hobby a lot easier IMO.

I read about 'The berlin filtration method'. I have rocks and sand but they are not alive at present. During cycling, should I switch off the protein skimmer ? I added 1ppm ammonia chloride and Seachem Stability.

 

[Subsea]

I read about 'The berlin filtration method'. I have rocks and sand but they are not alive at present. During cycling, should I switch off the protein skimmer ? I added 1ppm ammonia chloride and Seachem Stability.

I would not run protein skimmer during a dry rock & sand cycle. However, I would not run a dry rock & sand using bottled bacteria. A protein skimmer would remove some bacteria. However, most nitrogen fixation bacteria do not swim in bulk water, so they would not be removed by protein skimmer.

It depends on your goals as to running a protein skimmer. I don’t use them for nutrient management, so I use other methods for gas exchange.