AC 20 on 4 gallon

[h2oaggie]

Is an AC 20 overkill on a 4 gallon nano shrimp tank? I currently have a nano HOB on there, but I would prefer something that has more media capacity so I can use Purigen etc.


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[somewhatshocked]

Overkill? Well, it's certainly not necessary but you're not hurting anything by using it.

I have one on a 3gal and about a dozen 2 gallon tanks with AC20s with no problems at all. Since flow is adjustable and the impeller isn't that powerful, I've found them to be absolutely perfect for small tanks.

The Purigen bit is precisely why I use them on small tanks - more room to chuck something in the filter without DIYing tiny pouches of media.

[stevenjohn21]

You will have the cleanest 4 gallon tank in the world ha ha ! I would make a baffler so the output isnt as strong for the shrimp .... Unless the enjoy surfing !

[Monster Fish]

Go for it. Just make sure to buy a prefilter for your filter. Fluval makes a black prefilter sponge that fits perfectly over the AC 20's intake.

[CytoEric]

I have one on my 5 gallon betta tank and it works great. I run it full blast, but I do have a prefilter and sponge baffle on it to reduce the amount of current. Without the baffle it does create enough turbulence to blow the sand around underneath the output.

[h2oaggie]

Mind explaining the sponge baffle? I already have the fluval pre-filter sponge.


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[DogFish]

Originally Posted by somewhatshocked

....I have one on a 3gal and about a dozen 2 gallon tanks with AC20s with no problems at all. Since flow is adjustable and the impeller isn't that powerful, ....

How much are you restriction the flow on you small tanks? 25%?" 50%???

Those are Shrimp tanks, Yes?

[CytoEric]

Originally Posted by h2oaggie

Mind explaining the sponge baffle? I already have the fluval pre-filter sponge.

I just use a sponge from an AC50 that I have cut in half, so that it is only half as thick as normal. Rubberband it to where the water pours out so that the water hits the sponge and runs through the sponge into the water, instead of spilling in. You can fiddle with it and move it up or down if you want more or less current.

[somewhatshocked]

They're usually at about 25-30% at most.

I have an AC20 on the 3gal in my signature that's at 50% because it's more shallow and long than the standard 2.5gal tank.

They're mostly all shrimp tanks, yes.

Originally Posted by DogFish

How much are you restriction the flow on you small tanks? 25%?" 50%???

Those are Shrimp tanks, Yes?

[h2oaggie]

Awesome, I'm going to get one. Only $16 at Dr. Fosters and Smith right now.

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[radioman]

I love my AC-20. I use it on my 5g and with the fluval prefilter the flow is perfect.