Reduce my Aqueon HOB flow

[Karen B.]

Greetings!

I am trying to slow down the flow of both my Aqueon 10 & 20 HOB filter.

 

Both have a prefilter sponge, then a coarse sponge in the left chamber. The right chamber is split in half : aquaclear sponge at the back and bio balls in the front. Then the fall down is stuffed with a fine sponge/floss.

 

I saw the water bottle trick (cut a cylinder off a water bottle and split it horizontally, then place it in the filter to create a half moon and divert the flow) and it seems to work great... until I close the lid. The lid seems to push the plastic a bit too tight and I wonder if that could be dangerous (stop the flow altogether or something?)

No lid with a gap

with a lid. You can see how tight the plastic is.

 

Is it possible to leave the lid partially opened or can it cause too much water evaporation and the beneficial bacterias could die?

 

If you have any other tips, tricks or advices, I am listening. The tanks also each have a sponge filter.

[faydout]

I've made a baffle for one of my HOB's using a soap dish and an Aquaclear 50 sponge, suction cupped to the glass right up against the outflow.

[Karen B.]

Just now, faydout said:

I've made a baffle for one of my HOB's using a soap dish and an Aquaclear 50 sponge, suction cupped to the glass right up against the outflow.

I saw that solution too! But I can’t seem to find soap dish to my taste that would work while in lockdown 😖

[faydout]

I found a clear one on Amazon with the suction cups (immediately replaced with ones meant for a tank). I played around with it and ended up setting the sponge vertically on the narrow side, right in the outflow.

[Skeggi]

Hello,

   For my Aquaclear 30 HOB I also used a water bottle to reduce/redirect the flow. Instead of puttin it in the filter, I cut it and placed it between the rim of the tank and my fliter. Seems to be working pretty well.

[Mr. Ed's Aquatics]

I saw someone using an intake pre-filter sponge on their return hose to diffuse the water and thought it might work for HOB filters too.

I just cut a large pre-filter in half and again down the side.

It diffuses the water enough for me to grow floating plants that don't like faster flow like water lettuce. 

May work too well, judging by the massive amounts of plants covering the top. 

[Garren]

Here is what I did on my aquaclear 70. 

Course foam with a slit cut in it. 

[Karen B.]

13 minutes ago, Garren B said:

Here is what I did on my aquaclear 70. 

Course foam with a slit cut in it. 

That’s brilliant! Thanks ☺️

[Schwack]

25 minutes ago, Garren B said:

Here is what I did on my aquaclear 70. 

Course foam with a slit cut in it. 

I've only got an AquaClear 30 and I can't get the foam to stick. Any trick to it that I'm missing?

[Garren]

18 minutes ago, Schwack said:

I've only got an AquaClear 30 and I can't get the foam to stick. Any trick to it that I'm missing?

Mine stuck just fine without anything added. I cut the slit a little over have way through the square piece of foam. May it a tight fit at the edges as well. 

You may be able to use a day of super glue but may be a pain to remove later. 

[rv5869]

I used the clear plastic strip  that comes with the glass covers. Cut to size and I slid it on the bottom of the outflow, it was a little loose so I softened it in hot water to tighten in.  The Aqueon comes with a blue baffle that slide in at the output.  I removed the insert and crammed a sponge there.

 

If this is confusing reply back and I will get some pics

Edited February 5, 2021 by rv5869
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[Odd Alan]

This forum(s) is(are) inspirational... I have an old Auqaclear 300(model 70 now?). No foam so I made and adjustable plexiglass baffle out of airline hose, airline suction cup and two small pieces of plexiglass. My Water Lettuce thanks you!