Hack my tank episode 1

[Joshifer]

Here's a fast easy simple way to mod your AC70+ into a refigum or whatever you want I know it's nothing new. Just felt like sharing.

 

No tools needed. Just break the basket apart. And put the bottom gate at the outflow.

I put a sponge. Floss. Gonna fill with rubble and chaeto. And add a LED light.

 

[matt]

I'd take out the sponge and floss...they only take up space. Just use a little more rubble or chaeto

[Joshifer]

I'd take out the sponge and floss...they only take up space. Just use a little more rubble or chaeto

Okay ^_^

 

hey Steve ill be in soon for the chaeto+light

[Joshifer]

I removed sponge and floss as reccomended by Matt. Had more room I stuck a fist sized rock in there. And have lots more room for chaeto.

[howaboutme]

I removed sponge and floss as reccomended by Matt. Had more room I stuck a fist sized rock in there. And have lots more room for chaeto.

 

Understand why he suggested it other than taking up space...Things that can trap particles like detritus (sponges, floss, filter socks, etc) will end up raising your parameters, specifically NO3 (nitrate) because they will rot in place. If anyone uses those things, it is temporary or it needs to be cleaned very often.

[Joshifer]

Understand why he suggested it other than taking up space...Things that can trap particles like detritus (sponges, floss, filter socks, etc) will end up raising your parameters, specifically NO3 (nitrate) because they will rot in place. If anyone uses those things, it is temporary or it needs to be cleaned very often.

I see. Well no more issue there thanks

[Joshifer]

I see. Well no more issue there thanks

Can I stick a itty bitty hermit in there to eat the food and detritus it pulls up or would that be cruel? I have really tiny ones.

[BowieReefer84]

Get yourself a $2 turkey baster.  Blow it out if it gets detritus down in there.  

[Joshifer]

Get yourself a $2 turkey baster.  Blow it out if it gets detritus down in there.

 

 

Ok ^_^

[Origami]

Thanks for contributing this to the DIY forum.

 

Sent from my phone

 

 

[gmerek2]

I'm thinking flow will be a little too fast for pods or anything good? I know the pump on mine would blow em away lol. Cool idea! More flow for the tank also

[Coral Hind]

Nice DIY Josh. Keep us posted on how well it does.

 

I'm thinking flow will be a little too fast for pods or anything good? I know the pump on mine would blow em away lol. Cool idea! More flow for the tank also

The AC70 has adjustable flow so sliding it over to low would help but I agree it may still need some adjustments in another way to slow it down. Maybe block off the intake screen some.

[Neto]

good job

[PK3]

Nice job.  I remember back when I first started reefing, this mod was the cool new thing to do.  Well done.

[matt]

Yeah, good job. And unlike me, you might even hook it up to your tank right away. I did this with an AC110 shortly before getting out of the hobby for like 5 years. I'm now considering putting that 110 on my current tank just for growing macro. In my potential setup I'm considering running my sump return pump up to the AC pump intake bulkhead and allowing the AC to cascade all of my sump return flow down to my display.

 

Good timing too in regards to this project. I pinged the manufacturer a few weeks back about the size of the o-ring on the pump assembly and they couldn't help very well...saying they were discontinuing the AC110 and limited in what info they had and what parts were in stock. They made some reference to the 110 powerhead and I wonder if they had their facts straight, but what they told me means they are effectively shutting down a hob filter line that has existed for decades.

[Joshifer]

Nice DIY Josh. Keep us posted on how well it does.

 

 

The AC70 has adjustable flow so sliding it over to low would help but I agree it may still need some adjustments in another way to slow it down. Maybe block off the intake screen some.

Hm if I were to put a sponge over it. It'll need to be changed/cleaned constantly. I may remove one side and replace with acrylic. And a single hole. I can't plug it up too much. It might spill over.