Noisy filter? Quiet flow aquaclear mod!

[Dallas]

So i was really getting sick of my AC70 on my 55 gallon tank being so noisy the second that the water got and inch below the lip of the tank, so i came up with this idea.

MATERIALS:

-1 8x10 sheet of acrilic
-some sort of non-toxic glue (superglue works best)

TOOLS:

- a heatgun, (or if you wanna be ghetto a blowtorch)

- a dremel/rotory tool or a utility knife

-clamps

DIRECTIONS:

- on the output on the filter there is a little quarterpipe type shape that caused the water to bow out, use the dremel or utility knife and hack this off, be careful, this can crack the plastic, if u do crack it touch it up with the glue

-now measure out your acrilic so ir fits underneith the output and how ever long you want it to stick into the water, this will lengthen your output into the water so it will not make the loud ''waterfall'' sound.

-this step is optional but i think it helps, clamp the acrilic in place and take out your heatgun, heat the acrilic where the old output ends, slowly bend it upward the create the desired angle of you output.

-glue the new output ramp in place and clamp, wait several hours before removing clamps and using (depending on glue)

Ill post pictures of the modded filter in action soon, hope you like:smily313:

[Dallas]

Ok heres some pictures.
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/Dallassask/Dallassstuff051.jpg

Now heres a fts of my 55 gallon in the works and an attemted picture of my 6 line wrasse.

http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/Dallassask/Dallassstuff052.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/Dallassask/Dallassstuff053.jpg

Next project, im modding a small clear canaster filter into a hang on refugium.

If anyone cares im modding the AC20 on my ten gallon as well.

[sphelps]

A better glue to use would have been weldon 16

Also an FYI:

In a 55 gallon tank (48x13x20) with an actual volume closer to 45 gallons considering inside dimensions, actual water height, some rock and sand.

A 1 inch drop in water level due to evaporation is equal to about 2.5 gallons.

This means if your SG is maintained at around 1.025 it will increase to just about 1.027 with a 1 ich drop.

Probably best to leave the filter so it gets noisy when the water drops this much, that way it will remind you to top off your tank.

Nice mod though

[Rukus]

thats a good point. I have mine setup that my return line is low when i drop about 1/2-3/4 ". This makes a loud return, which doesnt allow me to sleep right beside it, which makes me fill it up :P. Im not sure what the SG change is on it, but sofar so good letting it drop that low. Im not sure what the SG varies from, but I will check next time its low/topoff.

For some people, it could allow them to not fill the tank till it gets pretty low.

[sphelps]

Yes, to me it seems the problem isn't the filter but the owner who doesn't keep up with his top off. Nothing wrong with that I always hated topping my tanks off manually as well. But I think the solution to this problem is more along the lines of an auto-top-off.

Maybe you should start brainstorming some DIY top off ideas.

I'll give you a hint (what I would use)

You'll need:
1 - float switch (http://aquariacanada.com/osCommerce/product_info.php?products_id=1724)
1 - digital timer
1 - 24VAC solenoid valve (rainbird)
1 - 120VAC to 24VAC adaptor (princess auto)
plumbing parts depending on application

This will work for gravity feed and direct RO unit hook up. The solenoid valve and adaptor could be replaced by a pump for a pump feed top off. If you need more details let me know.

[Dallas]

Im letting the water get the low, and yes im watching the SG so the tank doesnt overflow as i add rock, im not being lazy Lol. but actually its still noisy when the waters at the bery top of the tank, the output on a stock AC just doesnt hang low enough.

[Dallas]

:xyxthumbs Heres some pictures of this bad boy in action, works like a charm.... so i guess my first mod is a success?
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/Dallassask/Dallassstuff054.jpg
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n203/Dallassask/Dallassstuff055.jpg

[Jon123]

HAHA, I like to keep the water level artificially low because I find the flowing water noise relaxing, especially when sleeping....to each their own I guess eh.

Jon

[Dallas]

Well this tank isnt in my room, its by the tv so thats pretty much the entire reason for the mod.

[Rukus]

lol Jon im with you. At one point, i raised my aquaclear so that it fell a good 2" before it hit the water. Used to love it going to sleep, now, not so much