How to DIY an AC 70 fuge - Page 7

SherryCobySam · 07/19/2007, 10:33 PM

would pods survive if you left the flow a little high? I'm thinking I'd like to use something like this as the only waterflow, filtration on the tank.

Doc Hammer · 07/20/2007, 12:55 PM

Just curious, but could these mods be used on a AC 20? Because I recently picked up one for the hell of it, it being on sale of course, and haven't found a legitimate reason to use it!

nynex · 08/05/2007, 10:06 PM

Im currently converting an AC 20 into one for my 3 gallon deco. I thought about an AC 30. But the AC 20 was on sale and I think that will be fine for a 3 gallon.

bteagle93 · 08/25/2007, 07:24 PM

im in the progress of a 10 gallon reef, and i have a whisper 60 HOB filter....could i use this mod on that?

Colin · 08/26/2007, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bteagle93
im in the progress of a 10 gallon reef, and i have a whisper 60 HOB filter....could i use this mod on that?

I imagine it would work on just about any HOB. The aquaclears work so well because they're HUGE. Size matters in this case.

--Colin

Morn · 10/22/2007, 02:45 PM

Sorry to drag this back out of the archives.

A quick question on the filter media, is it a purely carbon insert? In the UK I am having trouble getting something similar, so I am having to improvise here.

Is the insert in this project so act as a physical filter, or is it solely as a water buffer?

Cheers

imrinkrat · 11/06/2007, 01:44 PM

The filter for this truly acts as a physical filter, its a pad with floss on the outside and carbon on the inside... This will accomplish two things. 1. the floss will trap any larger particles and 2. the carbon will keep your water clear.... Using this on most nano tanks means that you have to remove whatever existing filtration you are currently using (especially with AIO's which exclusively use these filter pads as their only source of filtration after you remove the bio wheel). So technically you can use any sort of filter media that would fit or none at all just as long as you have other sources of filtration for biological, chemical, and mechanical.

bristle · 11/09/2007, 11:28 PM

I'm wondering about those that have modded their AC110/500s. I want to keep this in my bedroom. If I were to trim the impeller, would it be out of balance and rattle and make a lot of noise? Or is it very quiet the way it is?

How many blades were modified on the impeller. Anyone have any pictures to show how they did it and their results?

Thanks.

Chuck-e · 01/20/2008, 11:50 AM

ok, Quick questions here...

1) how well does putting a heater in this fuge work, is the fuge chamber big enough for say an average 110watt heater and does it effectivly heat your tank?

2)i'm setting up a 20cube and i'm not sure what size impeller to use? i need flow but i don't want my cube looking like a toilet flushing

anyone use this mod on a 20-24 cube

Thanks for any help!

bpoore89 · 01/20/2008, 11:53 AM

That fish place runs an aquapod 12 with this very mod. They just swap out the impeller with one from one of the much small ac filters. The flow through the filter is only a trickle

Chuck-e · 01/20/2008, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bpoore89
That fish place runs an aquapod 12 with this very mod. They just swap out the impeller with one from one of the much small ac filters. The flow through the filter is only a trickle

so bing a noob(sorry)thats what you want just a trickle not a heavy flow?Soooo no matter what size tank using the ac12 impeller would be a good idea?Sorry for the nub questions but i'm tieing all my loose ends up here and i dont want to do any trial an ERROR.hehe if ya know what i mean! thanks

Crackerballer · 01/24/2008, 03:49 PM

Chuck-e, I am doing the AC110 tonight and tomorrow. I just cut 3 out of the 6 blades and still have pretty decent flow. And yes, you could make plenty of room for a LARGE heater against the back wall. I will post pics when I am done.

Deb91 · 02/11/2008, 06:40 PM

Crackerballer, Are you going to post pictures as promised?

Ratkiller · 02/25/2008, 04:14 PM

Hey Cracker, where are the pics???

Whacked · 07/01/2008, 10:36 PM

I just read thru this whole DIY thread. One thing that really stood out to me.
People are talking about swapping the impeller for a smaller one, or hacking the existing impeller to pieces.

Go back to the first page, take a look at Sugar's second post in this thread. Pay attention to the second picture.
See that tab in the flow adjustment plate that the intake tube sits in?
Remove it.
This allows the intake tube to be moved that much further to the right, thus decreasing the flow.

Such a simple mod and no need to hack up a impeller.

I havent done the AC 'fuge mod but it is a option that I am considering.
I have a AC70 on my 29gFW tank and I did the mod I mentioned to it. I really decreased the flow (which is nice for feeding time).
Also with that extra play in flow adjustment, its much easier to get all the air out from the intake tube. Just quickly slide it back and forth a few times.

E.intheC · 11/29/2008, 09:29 AM

This is an excellent idea! I'll be using my extra AC 70 I have for the new tank I'll be setting up. I'm very inspired! Thanks!

ngn8dogg · 01/27/2009, 11:04 PM

I'm thinking about making one of these with a AC i Have lying around. Is it really necessary to put the plexi in there? why would you want to slow the flow down?

donk228 · 01/28/2009, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ngn8dogg
I'm thinking about making one of these with a AC i Have lying around. Is it really necessary to put the plexi in there? why would you want to slow the flow down?

I think the idea behind the plexi is to keep the pump output from blasting directly into the refugium area, thereby allowing some dwell time for the water to be filtered and an area of low flow as a refuge for more delicate creatures like sponges. It also gives an area to stick some filter floss for mechanical filtration.

That said, I skipped the plexi baffle and didn't notice any ill effects when I had mine set up. There were still plenty of calm areas around the rubble and lots of pineapple sponges growing. I cut a piece of filter floss and put it against the grid on the return/outflow section when needed for mechanical filtration.

spllbnd2 · 03/28/2009, 01:36 AM

Sorry to drag this back out of the archives yet again.

Questions;

1. How does everyone light their AC fuge? Reverse lighting, full time or just use the aquarium light? What typeof light do most use (wattage)?

2. What have people found to be a good way of slowing the flow down on the AC 110?

3. If putting baffles into the filter, how does the water flow through this filter? Does it go from the bottom to the top or reverse of that?

I plan on modding a 110 for a minibow 7 next week and I shall post photos of the fuge build.

Cheers and thanks for the help.
Alex

spllbnd2 · 04/08/2009, 05:01 PM

**BUMP**

joel00782 · 04/23/2009, 06:06 PM

i will go with Reverse lighting its better

spllbnd2 · 04/23/2009, 06:09 PM

I finished off the AC110 build and decided to go with a reverse lighting schedule.
Put 2 pounds of LR in along with about 1.5" sandbed into the fuge area.

jonathanws · 04/25/2009, 12:22 PM

when i modded fuges in my 12g tanks, i left the light on 24/7, and every month or so got rid of 3/4 the chaeto. worked well for me, occasionally i would just manually turn it off

Agu · 04/25/2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

2. What have people found to be a good way of slowing the flow down on the AC 110?

Impellers from some of the smaller ACs are interchangeable with the AC 110. Check some of the earlier posts in this thread.

Also some people have cut off/back every other impeller (3 of 6). Problem with this is if it's out of balance it'll wear out the pump faster.

spllbnd2 · 04/26/2009, 12:08 AM

The way that I slowed the flow down enough is to take out the black circular device that blocks part of the impeller so that way you can move the intake over just that much farther.

Also put two baffles in and then I also added a baffle to the output with teeth not only to divert the flow but also to keep the macro algae in the fuge.

Cheers,
Alex

01/20/2008, 11:53 AM	#160
bpoore89 Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North East, Maryland Posts: 560	That fish place runs an aquapod 12 with this very mod. They just swap out the impeller with one from one of the much small ac filters. The flow through the filter is only a trickle __________________ -- Bill Current Tank Info: 220g Sps Dominated, 40Br Agressive, 40Br Clam tank, 55g Sump

01/24/2008, 03:49 PM	#162
Crackerballer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chapel Hill Posts: 455	Chuck-e, I am doing the AC110 tonight and tomorrow. I just cut 3 out of the 6 blades and still have pretty decent flow. And yes, you could make plenty of room for a LARGE heater against the back wall. I will post pics when I am done. __________________ No tank currently setup.

02/11/2008, 06:40 PM	#163
Deb91 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Scituate,Ma. Posts: 577	Crackerballer, Are you going to post pictures as promised? __________________ Deb Current Tank Info: None running now.

02/25/2008, 04:14 PM	#164
Ratkiller Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 379	Hey Cracker, where are the pics??? __________________ Have you ever dreamed you were swimming in your tank? Current Tank Info: 120g glass, euro braced, half-in-wall, w/ 30g H sump & 20g L refugium

11/29/2008, 09:29 AM	#166
E.intheC Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 5,373	This is an excellent idea! I'll be using my extra AC 70 I have for the new tank I'll be setting up. I'm very inspired! Thanks! __________________ -Eric

07/19/2007, 10:33 PM	#151
SherryCobySam Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New York City Posts: 28	would pods survive if you left the flow a little high? I'm thinking I'd like to use something like this as the only waterflow, filtration on the tank.

07/20/2007, 12:55 PM	#152
Doc Hammer Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hellertown, PA Posts: 189	Just curious, but could these mods be used on a AC 20? Because I recently picked up one for the hell of it, it being on sale of course, and haven't found a legitimate reason to use it!

08/05/2007, 10:06 PM	#153
nynex Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 141	Im currently converting an AC 20 into one for my 3 gallon deco. I thought about an AC 30. But the AC 20 was on sale and I think that will be fine for a 3 gallon.

08/25/2007, 07:24 PM	#154
bteagle93 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hershey, PA Posts: 421	im in the progress of a 10 gallon reef, and i have a whisper 60 HOB filter....could i use this mod on that?

10/22/2007, 02:45 PM	#156
Morn Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 10	Sorry to drag this back out of the archives. A quick question on the filter media, is it a purely carbon insert? In the UK I am having trouble getting something similar, so I am having to improvise here. Is the insert in this project so act as a physical filter, or is it solely as a water buffer? Cheers

11/06/2007, 01:44 PM	#157
imrinkrat Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Monroe, Michigan Posts: 14	The filter for this truly acts as a physical filter, its a pad with floss on the outside and carbon on the inside... This will accomplish two things. 1. the floss will trap any larger particles and 2. the carbon will keep your water clear.... Using this on most nano tanks means that you have to remove whatever existing filtration you are currently using (especially with AIO's which exclusively use these filter pads as their only source of filtration after you remove the bio wheel). So technically you can use any sort of filter media that would fit or none at all just as long as you have other sources of filtration for biological, chemical, and mechanical.

11/09/2007, 11:28 PM	#158
bristle Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 570	I'm wondering about those that have modded their AC110/500s. I want to keep this in my bedroom. If I were to trim the impeller, would it be out of balance and rattle and make a lot of noise? Or is it very quiet the way it is? How many blades were modified on the impeller. Anyone have any pictures to show how they did it and their results? Thanks.

01/20/2008, 11:50 AM	#159
Chuck-e Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 11	ok, Quick questions here... 1) how well does putting a heater in this fuge work, is the fuge chamber big enough for say an average 110watt heater and does it effectivly heat your tank? 2)i'm setting up a 20cube and i'm not sure what size impeller to use? i need flow but i don't want my cube looking like a toilet flushing anyone use this mod on a 20-24 cube Thanks for any help!

07/01/2008, 10:36 PM	#165
Whacked Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Stockton, Ca Posts: 397	I just read thru this whole DIY thread. One thing that really stood out to me. People are talking about swapping the impeller for a smaller one, or hacking the existing impeller to pieces. Go back to the first page, take a look at Sugar's second post in this thread. Pay attention to the second picture. See that tab in the flow adjustment plate that the intake tube sits in? Remove it. This allows the intake tube to be moved that much further to the right, thus decreasing the flow. Such a simple mod and no need to hack up a impeller. I havent done the AC 'fuge mod but it is a option that I am considering. I have a AC70 on my 29gFW tank and I did the mod I mentioned to it. I really decreased the flow (which is nice for feeding time). Also with that extra play in flow adjustment, its much easier to get all the air out from the intake tube. Just quickly slide it back and forth a few times.

01/27/2009, 11:04 PM	#167
ngn8dogg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 507	I'm thinking about making one of these with a AC i Have lying around. Is it really necessary to put the plexi in there? why would you want to slow the flow down?

03/28/2009, 01:36 AM	#169
spllbnd2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonds, Washington Posts: 145	Sorry to drag this back out of the archives yet again. Questions; 1. How does everyone light their AC fuge? Reverse lighting, full time or just use the aquarium light? What typeof light do most use (wattage)? 2. What have people found to be a good way of slowing the flow down on the AC 110? 3. If putting baffles into the filter, how does the water flow through this filter? Does it go from the bottom to the top or reverse of that? I plan on modding a 110 for a minibow 7 next week and I shall post photos of the fuge build. Cheers and thanks for the help. Alex

04/08/2009, 05:01 PM	#170
spllbnd2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonds, Washington Posts: 145	BUMP

04/23/2009, 06:06 PM	#171
joel00782 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Wartown Worcester MA. Orlando Fl. Posts: 676	i will go with Reverse lighting its better __________________ WARNING: I cannot be held responsible for the above, as apparently my fish have learned how to type.

04/23/2009, 06:09 PM	#172
spllbnd2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonds, Washington Posts: 145	I finished off the AC110 build and decided to go with a reverse lighting schedule. Put 2 pounds of LR in along with about 1.5" sandbed into the fuge area.

04/25/2009, 12:22 PM	#173
jonathanws Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 492	when i modded fuges in my 12g tanks, i left the light on 24/7, and every month or so got rid of 3/4 the chaeto. worked well for me, occasionally i would just manually turn it off

04/26/2009, 12:08 AM	#175
spllbnd2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonds, Washington Posts: 145	The way that I slowed the flow down enough is to take out the black circular device that blocks part of the impeller so that way you can move the intake over just that much farther. Also put two baffles in and then I also added a baffle to the output with teeth not only to divert the flow but also to keep the macro algae in the fuge. Cheers, Alex