How to DIY an AC 70 fuge - Page 8

spllbnd2 · 04/26/2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Agu
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.

Also forgot to mention that the impeller for the AC110 is not interchangable with any other model of Aqua Clear (I tried).

And if you do decide to cut blades or shorten blade length on the impeller I personally would have a spare handy just in case it is off balance after modding it.

Cheers,
Alex

WillWorkForFish · 04/26/2009, 10:25 AM

does anyone have a heater small enough to fit in their Ac-70 Fuge?

spllbnd2 · 04/26/2009, 11:33 AM

Might try a Hydor Thor heater. The 25 watt and 50 watt are only 7" high.

WillWorkForFish · 05/03/2009, 11:57 AM

Does anyone know of a small clip on light that mounts nicely over the AC-70 fuge?
I am running one on my 5.5 and I don't want the large dome reflector sticking out of the back, it's half the size of my tank..
looking for something a little smaller..
similar to this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=190287451392

Korrine · 11/14/2009, 01:02 PM

I'm wondering about fuge lighting on a AC 50 myself. Just ordered the AC.

terahz · 11/16/2009, 12:51 PM

My AC50 is also on its way. the AC70 would not fit the space I have on the hood. I hope the 50 is big enough to store something useful. Will post here when I get it kicking.

terahz · 11/24/2009, 07:31 PM

Ok my AC50 mod is really minimal, but I think it worked out pretty well.

I have a AGA10 aquarium that came with Aqueon10 HOB and I used the screen/holder it had for the filter there. It turned out that holder is exactly the same width as the AC50's outflow so all I had to do is cut about 1 inch of it and silicone it on the 'exit' of the water flow. The fit was so nice that I can still use the original media basket. The flow goes below the media basked and them moves through the the entire area and either rotates back down or goes in the tank. Now all I have to do is find some chaeto and the fuge will be complete.

The cover still fits nicely on top. Attached you can see how it is attached.

Thanks a lot for this thread.

fatrip · 06/16/2010, 10:59 AM

Just thought I would resurrect this thread to give a thanks out to Sugar Magnolia and the others on the thread. I just modified my AC70. Thanks everyone.

lisafoster · 06/19/2010, 03:05 PM

I just did this for my 15 long. I cheated and just just put cheato in one side cut the baffle to seperate it from the bag of carbon. I also picked up a rio mini sun blue LED. It clamps on the filter and has a bendable neck it is very small so I can hide it in canopy I was told to run the led when the tank light went out.

icechimpee · 07/19/2010, 08:54 AM

Interesting idea, might have to try this on my cube...

jtgordon20 · 07/19/2010, 05:17 PM

I'm also looking for lighting for an Aquaclear 70 I will be modding when my 20H has cycled.

Same thing that WillWorkForFish is looking for.

joshvito · 09/08/2010, 03:01 PM

saving this for later!
great idea

KafudaFish · 09/09/2010, 09:10 AM

some people have used submersable 2 x 5w halogen bulbs to light their fuges.

I cannot remember where but you can order it shipped for around $20. Other places more including the usual suspect.

KafudaFish · 09/10/2010, 10:50 AM

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Underwa...ht-PL1008T.htm

Just happen to be at someone's house and Lisa had one in her fuge.

NghiKillerBee · 08/02/2012, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarEagleNR88

Just remember the 110 is a good pump. 500gph! Turn on your standard water-saving 2.5gpm tap. The AC110 is over 3 times the amount leaving the tap.

I also own a AC110 I've been thinking of modding into a fuge. There's plenty of flow through it and I don't know if that's what I want. My intentions of modding it was to trim a little off each impeller. I may order a double and try cutting every other impeller off and see which one works the best. Still thinking for now.

Why not grind the length of the blade so there is less rotational foce to pull the water, take it slow and in small steps to gauge velocity. Good luck.

chopper320 · 11/13/2012, 10:06 PM

Those of you that are running chaeto in this, how do you keep it from clogging the grate for the flow back into the tank? I've only had mine running for a couple of weeks and had to unclog it twice because I've almost had an overflow from the blockage. It's all the stuff that breaks free from the main ball of chaeto that sticks in the grates.

chopper320 · 12/03/2012, 02:07 PM

I know this is an old thread but is anyone still running one of these as a fuge that can give me some advice? Thanks

wenwillwego · 12/03/2012, 07:43 PM

Chopper-I use an AC50 modified fuge on my 3g and I have the same issue with the chaeto. I would imagine its unavoidable, I just clear mine out once a week when I do water changes.

chopper320 · 12/04/2012, 12:13 PM

Ok thanks. I will just keep doing that. It just seems like a big hassle.

Brycen97 · 12/11/2012, 10:17 PM

BUMP! lots of people talking about lighting for this mod! i came about this new very cool cheap mod everyone read this thead http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2151887&page=3

Calepy86 · 02/02/2013, 04:07 PM

Has anyone modded the size of the housing on these? Made it deeper or wider? Would a mod like this be beneficial? I have a 30gal acrylic im wanting to add 1 to.

Hatonhed · 09/24/2013, 12:42 PM

Old thread, but I am curious about lighting an ac 50. I would like to find a light that doesent spill out around the filter terribly. Any ideas?

Thanks

steelhealr · 09/24/2013, 02:18 PM

I had found a table lamp at Costco a long time ago that was fitted with a small rectangular shaped natural fluorescent light that worked perfectly on the middle chamber of my tank which was modded as a refugium. It DID spill light over tho'. I think I still have the type of bulb at home which I can pic for you but there are so many choices out there. you could always mod a hood/shield for the light. SH

Reeferz412 · 09/24/2013, 02:22 PM

I have an AC110 Fuge/Scrubber mod that I DIY'd with a lamp I found a long time ago attached to those cheapy home depot clamp lamps. I took off the lamp HD sells with the clamp and attached the lamp I had. It had a better reflecter and was longer so it covered the whole filter.

john miller · 09/24/2013, 04:19 PM

I have a AC70 and was wondering if a JBJ Nano Glo LED would get to hot mounted on the back. I have the old magnet style so it would be right against it.

11/14/2009, 01:02 PM	#180
Korrine You could get a ticket!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Upper midwest Posts: 4,288 Blog Entries: 1	I'm wondering about fuge lighting on a AC 50 myself. Just ordered the AC. __________________ Try to keep in mind that we are all human...mistakes do happen! Be kinder than necessary because every one you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Current Tank Info: 40 breeder - started 9/2011 - platinum perc and sanjay's black photon clownfishes; sps and lps, and soft corals; 250w MH, 20 long sump w Bubble Magus Nac 3.5 skimmer 12g nano cube -serpent star, mini carpet anemones, w 6 sexy shrimp, 150w MH, maxi je

06/16/2010, 10:59 AM	#183
fatrip Yup That Stuff Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: , ny Posts: 4,317	Just thought I would resurrect this thread to give a thanks out to Sugar Magnolia and the others on the thread. I just modified my AC70. Thanks everyone. __________________ Vince "We learn from history that we never learn anything from history." Hegel

06/19/2010, 03:05 PM	#184
lisafoster so much to learn Join Date: May 2010 Location: massachusetts Posts: 621	I just did this for my 15 long. I cheated and just just put cheato in one side cut the baffle to seperate it from the bag of carbon. I also picked up a rio mini sun blue LED. It clamps on the filter and has a bendable neck it is very small so I can hide it in canopy I was told to run the led when the tank light went out. __________________ 125 mixed reef/ semi aggressive 15 gallon angler nano reef tank 40 breeder reef Current Tank Info: 125 gallon evolving reef/ 15gallon angler nano reef, 40 gallon breeder reef

07/19/2010, 08:54 AM	#185
icechimpee Time is Money Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 246	Interesting idea, might have to try this on my cube... __________________ 93 Gallon "Cube" 30x30x24...in the works

12/11/2012, 10:17 PM	#195
Brycen97 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: St. Louis Posts: 201	BUMP! lots of people talking about lighting for this mod! i came about this new very cool cheap mod everyone read this thead http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...2151887&page=3 __________________ Only 15 and reefing on my own Current Tank Info: Cycling 20 Gal. Long

04/26/2009, 10:25 AM	#177
WillWorkForFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 662	does anyone have a heater small enough to fit in their Ac-70 Fuge?

04/26/2009, 11:33 AM	#178
spllbnd2 Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edmonds, Washington Posts: 145	Might try a Hydor Thor heater. The 25 watt and 50 watt are only 7" high.

05/03/2009, 11:57 AM	#179
WillWorkForFish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 662	Does anyone know of a small clip on light that mounts nicely over the AC-70 fuge? I am running one on my 5.5 and I don't want the large dome reflector sticking out of the back, it's half the size of my tank.. looking for something a little smaller.. similar to this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=190287451392

11/16/2009, 12:51 PM	#181
terahz 1x10^12 Hz Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 1,185	My AC50 is also on its way. the AC70 would not fit the space I have on the hood. I hope the 50 is big enough to store something useful. Will post here when I get it kicking.

07/19/2010, 05:17 PM	#186
jtgordon20 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 75	I'm also looking for lighting for an Aquaclear 70 I will be modding when my 20H has cycled. Same thing that WillWorkForFish is looking for.

09/08/2010, 03:01 PM	#187
joshvito Moved On Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14	saving this for later! great idea

09/09/2010, 09:10 AM	#188
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	some people have used submersable 2 x 5w halogen bulbs to light their fuges. I cannot remember where but you can order it shipped for around $20. Other places more including the usual suspect.

09/10/2010, 10:50 AM	#189
KafudaFish Cyprinius carpio Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 4,496	http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Underwa...ht-PL1008T.htm Just happen to be at someone's house and Lisa had one in her fuge.

11/13/2012, 10:06 PM	#191
chopper320 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 626	Those of you that are running chaeto in this, how do you keep it from clogging the grate for the flow back into the tank? I've only had mine running for a couple of weeks and had to unclog it twice because I've almost had an overflow from the blockage. It's all the stuff that breaks free from the main ball of chaeto that sticks in the grates.

12/03/2012, 02:07 PM	#192
chopper320 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 626	I know this is an old thread but is anyone still running one of these as a fuge that can give me some advice? Thanks

12/03/2012, 07:43 PM	#193
wenwillwego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Near Ann Arbor, Mi Posts: 92	Chopper-I use an AC50 modified fuge on my 3g and I have the same issue with the chaeto. I would imagine its unavoidable, I just clear mine out once a week when I do water changes.

12/04/2012, 12:13 PM	#194
chopper320 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 626	Ok thanks. I will just keep doing that. It just seems like a big hassle.

02/02/2013, 04:07 PM	#196
Calepy86 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 36	Has anyone modded the size of the housing on these? Made it deeper or wider? Would a mod like this be beneficial? I have a 30gal acrylic im wanting to add 1 to.

09/24/2013, 12:42 PM	#197
Hatonhed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Posts: 154	Old thread, but I am curious about lighting an ac 50. I would like to find a light that doesent spill out around the filter terribly. Any ideas? Thanks __________________ Why does the firefish look so angry? Current Tank Info: 90 gallon display with 20L sump Last edited by Hatonhed; 09/24/2013 at 12:43 PM. Reason: woops!

09/24/2013, 02:18 PM	#198
steelhealr Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: LI, NY Posts: 772	I had found a table lamp at Costco a long time ago that was fitted with a small rectangular shaped natural fluorescent light that worked perfectly on the middle chamber of my tank which was modded as a refugium. It DID spill light over tho'. I think I still have the type of bulb at home which I can pic for you but there are so many choices out there. you could always mod a hood/shield for the light. SH __________________ Sarumo kikara ochiru. Current Tank Info: 24G Nano Cube DX NVM (cracking), 46G BF FW

09/24/2013, 02:22 PM	#199
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	I have an AC110 Fuge/Scrubber mod that I DIY'd with a lamp I found a long time ago attached to those cheapy home depot clamp lamps. I took off the lamp HD sells with the clamp and attached the lamp I had. It had a better reflecter and was longer so it covered the whole filter. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

09/24/2013, 04:19 PM	#200
john miller Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: central KY Posts: 1,053	I have a AC70 and was wondering if a JBJ Nano Glo LED would get to hot mounted on the back. I have the old magnet style so it would be right against it.