Small AC110 glitch

[Lady Hobbs]

This really isn't a tech problem but didn't know where to post this.

The sponge in my AC won't stay down. It floats to the top, knocks the top off my filter and the water gets behind it. I've removed the sponge many times, given it a good cleaning, returned it to the filter, put the bag of bio-max on top and it stays fine for awhile then up it pops again.

I am now having to put tape on it to keep the lid on. Not a big deal but an annoying one.

My thoughts on this: Sand. Quite often the filter starts making a racket and I have to flush out the impeller area of sand and I think that maybe sand gets in that sponge, as well, making it more slippery so won't remain down. After a good cleaning, it stays down nicely but as soon as it gets a bit dirty, here she pops up.

My cichlids throw this sand around a bit so perhaps it isn't the right filter I should be using for a sand tank?

[travie]

Is it securely under the notches on the plastic basket?

[jbeining75]

I use gravel and mine sets perfectly in the notches hmm.... Maybe it is the sand building and try to float. I dunno..Wierd though...

[siymdapolio]

Is it securely under the notches on the plastic basket?
that is what i was wondering too. Thats no good but taping would be the best bet if you have to stay with that filter.

[Lady Hobbs]

It sure is. It really never has locked down, just sits here. But the darned sponge should stay down even if there was no top on it.

[siymdapolio]

Thats wierd... I allways have a bugger getting my top onto my old AC50 and i allways have to push it a bit to lock into its grooves but then it stays. Good luck with your problem hobbs!

[travie]

I have the AC70 with sponge, then 6 bio-balls, then two bags of bio-media, and no lid on, and I don't have a problem with the sponge floating. Is the basket pushed all the way to the bottom of the HOB? I can't remember if it makes a clicking sound or not.

[Goshawk]

I've heard this problem before on other board and they said to cut the sponge in-half and it usally worked. How it happen I have no clue.

[Lady Hobbs]

Sure is. Sponge just sits in that rack with the notches. The notches are supposed to keep it down. Firemouths like to pick up sand in their mouths and blow it out and I think the sand is getting picked up by the AC before it can settle down to the bottom again. I have even removed the extension to the AC so the tube is all the way in the higher area. I might get another sponge to see if it works better. Could be it's a wee bit shorter than it should be. ?????

[Lady Hobbs]

I've heard this problem before on other board and they said to cut the sponge in-half and it usally worked. How it happen I have no clue.

Really? Never thought of that. You'd think it would be more apt to float cut in half because on side would not reach those notches. I might try it tho and thanks a bunch for the tip.

[jbeining75]

Could be Hobbs. I usually have to lay my basket flat and them pull up the two sides to get the sponge in. I can't move the sponge around once the media basket is in the filter media area.

Try taking a piece of thread and tighten the media basket top together tighter. That should make the basket squeeze the sponge and stop allowing it to float....

[travie]

Could be it's a wee bit shorter than it should be. ?????

Could be, mistakes happen, but you should be able to tell just by looking at in the basket if its smaller then it needs to be.

[Lady Hobbs]

Another idea that I will try first. People here always have such good ideas.