Now thatI have an AquaClear, review

[Fishguy2727]

Now that I actually have an AquaClear I can start an opinion about them. For one I HATE the intake. Too small. I do like how the tubes connect together as an extension, and all have the strainer, so you always have a backup and it doesn't matter what order you put them on, but the intake strainer is too small. I was surprised at how cheap looking it is. I am afraid that while removing the media to clean them, that it will end up dumping some debris back into the tank. Doesn't look like the media holder will just slide out easily, more likely to catch on the little notch thing on the side by the pump and will end up having to yank it, dislodging debris. Lots of room for media though. I got the 110 and an extra box of Biomax, which I stuck in the net bag with the Biomax that it comes with. I am not using carbon. I like how open the net bag is. Many are very fine, forcing water around them (and the media inside) but this one is very course, which allows lots of water flow. Overall very happy so far on my $50 new 110. It is running on the 40 axolotl tank along with the Whisper 60 that was on their old tank. I like how you can see the media through the filter, this way I know when it is getting dirty, rather than guessing with canisters.

[Lady Hobbs]

Sounds good other than the size of the tube. I take it the strainer will have to be cleaned more often. Does it appear to be pushing out a lot of water with good surface aeration?

[Fishguy2727]

Mine is dropping about an inch before it hits the water since I have not completely filled the tank yet, so mine has decent surface agitation. But if the water was up to the output of the filter I do not think it would have much more than any other HOB. It has a strong flow, but doesn't seem like 500gph.

Since it is the same company as Fluval, so I thought a slightly modified Fluval 05 strainer would work really well. They may be trying to keep cost down though.

[Lady Hobbs]

Well, your review may keep me from getting one so I'm glad you took the time to write it for us. I would also much prefer a larger tube and strainer.

I was also wondering about the tube itself. It appears from the picture to side to the side rather than the middle. If I had it on the left side of the tank, the strainer tube looks like it would be in the far corner.

I think I will stick with the Emperor as much as I hated it at first. I like having the big strainer, the second strainer and also it being black which blends into the background better. It took a breaking in period but once it got going causes me NO problems. It's totally silent!

Thanks

[Fishguy2727]

All the media is in one tray, so the tube is to the left when looking at its tank side. It is good overall it seems. Since you can see the media you should be able to clean it before there is too much debris. I just wish there was a better intake strainer. I think the media capacity compensates for any shortfalls.

[Rue]

*GASP*

I luv my AC! I'd gladly trade all my other HOBs for more ACs! The others I have include the Emperor and some 'no-name' brands (a cross between and Emperor and an AC...sort-of). I luv the AC intake tube...it's by far the easiest to keep clean and adjust...

[Lady Hobbs]

Good to hear. It certainly has good ratings so it has to do what it's supposed to do.

[Fishguy2727]

I like it because I can reuse the better media, rather than wasting money on cartridges for other HOBs that include carbon that I do not use, cartridges which cannot generally be reused (they can be rinsed to help them last longer, but not really reused they way you can with AquaClears).