Oneiroid Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) I have an Aquaclear 50 that I would like to use to filter a 10g freshwater aquarium. It will give me the amount of flow that I am looking for, but the problem with the HOB filter is that the flow will be directed downwards, creating a large crater in the substrate below it. The easy way around this would just be to put a small canister filter on the tank instead, and position the spray bar wherever I wanted... however, I already have an AC50, making the power filter a far cheaper option. It strikes me that there should be an attachment of some sort that would fit under the outflow spout and allow you to vertically deflect the water coming out. If I could, at the very least, direct the flow towards the front of the tank, just under the surface, this should disperse the flow enough not to bother the substrate (like the popular plate trick). I haven't seen anything commercially available that would do this, nor have I come across any DIY sources. Maybe I missed something obvious? Any ideas on how I could securly mount some kind of flow deflector to (or under) the filter? Edited May 4, 2009 by Oneiroid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Not very fancy but I taped(electrical tape) a piece of plastic(clear plastic paper stuff used for projectors) to the output of my AC filters. Works great for reducing the splashing noise and directing the flow along the surface instead of down where it can disrupt the sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkangel Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 You could try and silicone a small piece of plexi on the bottom of the outflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) Not very fancy but I taped(electrical tape) a piece of plastic(clear plastic paper stuff used for projectors) to the output of my AC filters. Works great for reducing the splashing noise and directing the flow along the surface instead of down where it can disrupt the sand. Val, sounds like you're no stranger to this issue! I've got some similar materials around here that should give me the effect you described. It's a bonus that your mods reduce splashing as well... less splashing = more CO2 retention. How far out do your plastic pieces extend from the spout? You could try and silicone a small piece of plexi on the bottom of the outflow. I think I'll experiment with some less permanent options first, but this is a really good idea for a long term solution. Can you recommend where I might find some suitable plexi? Maybe a source for scrap? Edited April 9, 2009 by Oneiroid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkangel Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 I have a fair size piece in my shed full of goodies. 1/8" thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted April 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Hmm... I'll drop you a note if I want to give it a shot. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted April 9, 2009 Report Share Posted April 9, 2009 Val, sounds like you're no stranger to this issue! I've got some similar materials around here that should give me the effect you described. It's a bonus that your mods reduce splashing as well... less splashing = more CO2 retention. How far out do your plastic pieces extend from the spout? I have a few tanks in my bedroom so I want the filters as quiet as possible as the splashing sound drives me crazy. I usually cut a piece as wide as the filter output and about 4-5" long. Enough that it reaches an inch or 2 into the water. Sometimes if its still disturbing the sand, I'll bend the piece of plastic 90* so it shoots the water out across the surface more. Works great, all my AC filters have this mod. On the bigger sizes(ac300&500) I use a thicker piece of plastic. The electrical tape works great too. It doesn't come off under water and I like that its removable. I tried it once with silicone and it didn't work as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EowynJane Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 (edited) Is this a regular hang on the back type filter? Edited April 10, 2009 by EowynJane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oneiroid Posted April 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 I have a few tanks in my bedroom so I want the filters as quiet as possible as the splashing sound drives me crazy. I usually cut a piece as wide as the filter output and about 4-5" long. Enough that it reaches an inch or 2 into the water. Sometimes if its still disturbing the sand, I'll bend the piece of plastic 90* so it shoots the water out across the surface more. Can you post a pic? :hey: Is this a regular hang on the back type filter? Yup. Aquaclear power filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vallisneria Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 I'll try to take a pic tonight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EowynJane Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Try this... http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/347/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Endugu Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 How can you tell that the people that designed the aquaclear never kept fish, let alone use their own filters? Anyway, Eheim Liberties (HOB) direct the water across the surface (that's what we get from the company that invented the canister filter). You can pick up a Liberty 200 at Pisces for about $18. Big Als they are $28. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 How can you tell that the people that designed the aquaclear never kept fish, let alone use their own filters?Anyway, Eheim Liberties (HOB) direct the water across the surface (that's what we get from the company that invented the canister filter). You can pick up a Liberty 200 at Pisces for about $18. Big Als they are $28. Most hob filters including the AC direct the flow across the tank, where the noise comes from is when the water level drops below the discharge chute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Endugu Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 How can you tell that the people that designed the aquaclear never kept fish, let alone use their own filters?Anyway, Eheim Liberties (HOB) direct the water across the surface (that's what we get from the company that invented the canister filter). You can pick up a Liberty 200 at Pisces for about $18. Big Als they are $28. Most hob filters including the AC direct the flow across the tank, where the noise comes from is when the water level drops below the discharge chute. I have an Aquaclear 50 that I would like to use to filter a 10g freshwater aquarium. It will give me the amount of flow that I am looking for, but the problem with the HOB filter is that the flow will be directed downwards, creating a large crater in the substrate below it. Liberties have a lip that shoot the water across the surface, aquaclears don't and they shoot the water down into the tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Chicklets Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Liberties have a lip that shoot the water across the surface, aquaclears don't and they shoot the water down into the tank. That's odd because with the acception of my 2 AC 500s all of the other models that I own have a lip that diverts the water across the surface. I believe that the early models from the late 70's and early 80's did not have the lip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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