Ac filter extention tubes

**jazu** · 05-08-2011, 10:10 PM

Hi,
AC filters have two extension tubes. In my tank top of gravel to water surface I have 14".
Should I use 1 or 2 tubes? I use now 2 tubes and my intake is about 2" above the gravel. Should I go higher?

**Strider199** · 05-08-2011, 10:15 PM

I think its your preference. My in-take tube is usually 1/2 inch off the gravel. Thats just my preference. The in-take will suck up water where ever it is as long as it's under the surface of the water. Where the bottom of the tube is, thats up to the fish keeper.

**Cliff** · 05-08-2011, 11:46 PM

I try to keep the intake tubes around 2 to 4" from the substrate

**Lady Hobbs** · 05-09-2011, 02:39 AM

I agree with personal preference. 4" off the substrate if using sand is best but with gravel it doesn't matter all that much.

**jazu** · 05-09-2011, 06:23 AM

Preferences? I was thinking that this would have to do rather something with law of physics. I petsmart I noticed that all intakes are right below the surface. I was always thinking that if outtake is on the surface intake should be somewhere close to the bottom.

**Cliff** · 05-09-2011, 11:22 AM

I would aggree with the above

The further away the intak is from the filter, the water circulation would improve.

**gadget228** · 05-09-2011, 11:53 AM

I have two AC 110 on my 75 and on one I use both tubes and on the other I use just one, both tubes have prefilter sponges on them and the sponge on the single tube is always the dirtiest of the two.

**ZoSoSwiM** · 05-09-2011, 12:32 PM

Crud and debris will be at all levels... So I like to have my intakes varied. I have a canister and an AC70 on my tank.. Canister is pulling water from mid depth on the left and the AC70 is pulling from the bottom on the right. My tank has a gentle clockwise current to it at all levels. I don't get very much waste settling on the ground either.