Filter question AC 500

Broken · 01-19-2004, 07:40 PM

So I setup my new XP3 filstar along with the AC 500. The AC 500 is causing my plants to blow over not just a little but a lot, so I was going to drop down to the AC 300, but that won't fit on the 75 gal tank. So now I am at loss what I should do? Leave the AC 500, which makes things look really bad in the tank, or just use the canister? Are there any other HOB filters that would fit a 75, and not be loud? If you recall I sent my emperor 400s back because they were to loud. I was thinking maybe one of the larger whisper filters would fit, but I had one before and it was really loud. LFS starting to hate me, buy and return, buy and return. hahaha

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 01-19-2004, 07:48 PM

Maybe try turning down the flow on the AC500 by twisting the inlet tube. That way you retain the large filter media capacity but reduce the overall flowrate.

quilaho · 01-19-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GulfCoastAquarian

Maybe try turning down the flow on the AC500 by twisting the inlet tube. That way you retain the large filter media capacity but reduce the overall flowrate.

that's what i do on my 55.

does he really need both?? won't the xp3 be adequate in a planted tank???

Broken · 01-19-2004, 07:57 PM

The tank is not planted. Only fake plants. How do you twist the tube and not crack the plastic, not clear on what your saying? If you mean have the flow rate turned down to low, I have done that already no help. I think it has to do with the fact the 75 not a very high tank maybe? If I just run the AC 500 there is like no movment of water on the side with no filter. This is just a community tank, but it will be heavly stocked.

Wasserpest · 01-19-2004, 08:03 PM

The XP3 is rated for up to 175 gallon tanks. That is a little optimistic, especially for planted tanks, but for a non-planted 75 gal tank it should be sufficient to start with... I would just disconnect the AC500 for now.

quilaho · 01-19-2004, 08:28 PM

Quote:

How do you twist the tube and not crack the plastic, not clear on what your saying?

on the top of the filter you will find a knob sort of thing that con be moved 1/2" in either direction. move it to the right to reduce the flow.

Broken · 01-19-2004, 08:30 PM

Yep did that does not fix the problem.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 01-19-2004, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broken

The tank is not planted. Only fake plants. How do you twist the tube and not crack the plastic, not clear on what your saying? If you mean have the flow rate turned down to low, I have done that already no help.

Yep, turn down the flow rate. And it's still too much? Just disconnect the AC500, really. The XP3 is all you need.

Broken · 01-19-2004, 08:58 PM

Thank you all for the advise. XP3 filstar it is then, going to take the AC 500 back.

Thanks again for all the help

2la · 01-19-2004, 09:36 PM

Why wouldn't an AC 300 fit? Isn't it smaller than an AC 500? Just curious.

Broken · 01-19-2004, 11:50 PM

The ac 300 won't fit over the trim on the top of the tank. So it won't stay in place

malkore · 01-20-2004, 02:39 PM

Yeah, the AC 300 isn't 'deep' enough so it can't go over the lip of larger tanks.

I think the XP3 is MORE than enough for your 75. I run an XP2 on my heavily planted 75, and have no problems with dirty water, fishy smell, etc.

01-19-2004, 07:48 PM	#2
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	Maybe try turning down the flow on the AC500 by twisting the inlet tube. That way you retain the large filter media capacity but reduce the overall flowrate. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-19-2004, 08:03 PM	#5
Wasserpest Are these real? (View User Tanks) PTrader: (140/100%) Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 14,643	The XP3 is rated for up to 175 gallon tanks. That is a little optimistic, especially for planted tanks, but for a non-planted 75 gal tank it should be sufficient to start with... I would just disconnect the AC500 for now. __________________ All my tanks Autodosing Water Change Temperature Monitoring Cheap Filter The Wasser-Controller

01-20-2004, 02:39 PM	#12
malkore Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 2,165	Yeah, the AC 300 isn't 'deep' enough so it can't go over the lip of larger tanks. I think the XP3 is MORE than enough for your 75. I run an XP2 on my heavily planted 75, and have no problems with dirty water, fishy smell, etc. __________________ Malkore Filstar XP2 PIMP #3 Visit my aquarium pages - see specs on my tanks, and photos of how they've evolved

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01-19-2004, 07:40 PM	#1
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	So I setup my new XP3 filstar along with the AC 500. The AC 500 is causing my plants to blow over not just a little but a lot, so I was going to drop down to the AC 300, but that won't fit on the 75 gal tank. So now I am at loss what I should do? Leave the AC 500, which makes things look really bad in the tank, or just use the canister? Are there any other HOB filters that would fit a 75, and not be loud? If you recall I sent my emperor 400s back because they were to loud. I was thinking maybe one of the larger whisper filters would fit, but I had one before and it was really loud. LFS starting to hate me, buy and return, buy and return. hahaha

01-19-2004, 07:57 PM	#4
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	The tank is not planted. Only fake plants. How do you twist the tube and not crack the plastic, not clear on what your saying? If you mean have the flow rate turned down to low, I have done that already no help. I think it has to do with the fact the 75 not a very high tank maybe? If I just run the AC 500 there is like no movment of water on the side with no filter. This is just a community tank, but it will be heavly stocked.

01-19-2004, 08:30 PM	#7
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	Yep did that does not fix the problem.

01-19-2004, 08:58 PM	#9
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	Thank you all for the advise. XP3 filstar it is then, going to take the AC 500 back. Thanks again for all the help

01-19-2004, 09:36 PM	#10
2la Planted Tank Enthusiast (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 993	Why wouldn't an AC 300 fit? Isn't it smaller than an AC 500? Just curious.

01-19-2004, 11:50 PM	#11
Broken Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 73	The ac 300 won't fit over the trim on the top of the tank. So it won't stay in place