Issues with my new AquaClears....

[jaysee]

So I switched out my whisper EXs for ACs. First thing I noticed is how high the lip is from my normal water level. With my other filters the water level should be even wih the bottom of the lip. Is this the same with ACs? Also, there doesnt seem to be much surface agitation to allow propper gas exchange. Or am I just used to the surface being super choppy from the emperors and whispers EXs? Lastly, the plastic top rattles when I put it on. Any easy fix for that?

[MonkeyPox]

If the top rattles, you just need to reseat it. You can increase surface agitation by lowering your water level slightly and creating a waterfall.

[jaysee]

Oh theres a waterfall. That goes back to my first question - how far should the water level be from the spill lip?

[Northernguy]

If your ac is working you have enough aggitation.They are suppose to be silent.
Your lid should be a reasonably tight fit.Is it seated all the way around?
What size ac and what size filter?
Did you angle it slightly with the leveller dohickeything on the bottom.

[Wild Turkey]

The only question I can answer with any certainty is tape the lid down to stop the noise. You should be fine as far as gas exchange, on most of my acs I use the half soda bottle thing, so theres a lot less and I never have problems with it. I run airstones at night though

[jaysee]

The lids on the AC30s are tight and quiet, but the lids on the AC50s are not. They're on all the way. The thingy is in use.

AC30s on 10G tanks, AC50s on 20G and 30G. I find the water noise to be similar to the biowheel. If I put any more water in the tank Ill have a miniscus.

[Northernguy]

I haven't seen a loose fitting lid but as Turk suggested,tape it on.
You can also use some filter floss and let it stick over the edge a bit and put the top on.It may be enough to stop it from rattling.

[jaysee]

Great idea!

[Crispy]

I keep a rock on both of my AC110 lids. Make sure you use the tab that keeps the filter level, or if tab is broken use some cardboard between the filter and the tank. You'll get a much better waterfall.

[Fraoch]

You know, the AC 20 I got almost a month ago has a cover that rattles. To me, the cover looks slightly warped so it never sits level and rattles a bit. I must have seated it in a sweet spot the last time it rattled because no more rattle.

In regards to the discharge, yes, it does sit up awfully high. This makes me confused about your second question regarding surface agitation, it REALLY mixes up the surface for me! It's because it sits so high.