Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Making a poll seemed kinda hard.... so can i just get some replies ?I aquired a standard 4fter yesterday, was planning on just using an Aquaclear filter on it. I just don't know which size to get.My little bro uses a AC300 on his 4fter but i'm wondering how many of you would opt for the 500 for it's greater turnover and media capacity. The tank will be housing africans of many sizes in it's life time. The filter media will be Matrix and a sponge.So, in your opinion, for a 4'x18"x14" would you go a AC300 or an AC500 ?ThanksMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 More is better...plus if you get a larger tank in future you can just transfer the AC500 to that tank.Personally I think you would be better to have more than the AC300/500, maybe a internal power-head or filter. The AC's are fantastic but do lack the capacity to create current and they do not always get all the waste in the tank as a result of this.HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chester Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 You will need an AC500. I had one on my tank and it worked fine. An AC300 wouldn't do the job good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Thanks guys. An AC500 it is then. I was leaning toward the 500 for it's increased media capacity anyway.Mazimbwe: I use Rio filtered power heads(of various sizes) in all my tanks reguardless of filter type. They work so well i'd be dumb not to IMO. I guess my statement "planning on just using an Aquaclear" wasn't quite right. By that i ment there would be no canister/sump etc.ThanksMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bijengum Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Before you decide on the 500 make sure it fits in the space between the bracing on the tank. It is quite wide around 14 inches from memory. On a standard 4 foot tank i usually use an AC300 and a medium cannister. The cannister is run purely as a biological filter (reduces the number of times it has to be cleaned) while the AC300 takes care of the particles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCI BLUE Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Hey MattMy standard 4 footer houses 1 x male frontosa(12cm), 8 x big fat bristlenose(7cm) and 7 x lombardoi(10cm) and has the AC 300 running on it now for at least a year and without any problems. The tank also has a standard 4 ft undergravel filter which also helps as the AC does not always have the power to stir up the waste that seems to collect directly below the AC filter. The only problem i had with it was when i found around 20 or so baby BN in the filter under the foam insert???? Living happily there until i disturbed them, but just lucky to survive the impeller i guess....... BRAD.......Newcastle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Before you decide on the 500 make sure it fits in the space between the bracing on the tank. It is quite wide around 14 inches from memory. On a standard 4 foot tank i usually use an AC300 and a medium cannister. The cannister is run purely as a biological filter (reduces the number of times it has to be cleaned) while the AC300 takes care of the particles. I run a similar setup on my 6ft. AC500 and a large canister thats 100% bio media. Only have to clean the canister every few months :D and AC sponges are so easy to clean regularly.Good point though......i'll check it tonight but i'm 99% sure it'll fit as my current AC500 just came off a 4ft(though a 4x2x2) and the lid widths are about the same.ThanksMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 The only problem i had with it was when i found around 20 or so baby BN in the filter under the foam insert???? Living happily there until i disturbed them, but just lucky to survive the impeller i guess....... what safer place to hide is there ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pride Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 What about 2 AC300's then if one kicks the bucket you still have the one running. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 My current AC500 has been so reliable i just about laugh at your thinking................not really. Buying 2 filters is more $$$ though, and if i were to run 2 it would be an AC300 and a canister i reckon.ThanksMatt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazimbwe Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Ha...an AC stop running???"I'd like to see that" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiona Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Occasionally I've had one 'hang' after being turned off, and had to start it by giving it a poke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Exiledonmainstreet Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 Go with the 500 baby, go with the 500. You will never go wrong with more filtration, but always go wrong with less. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Gutty Posted November 24, 2003 Share Posted November 24, 2003 I ordered the 500, it fits the tank no probs. Thanks people !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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