Converting AQUA Clear 70 to an ATS

[supaboy1981]

whats a hole saw?

[laffingcrow]

whats a hole saw?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_saw

Many come with interchangeable circular "hole cutters" that can be hand held to rough up the plastic screen as described on algaescrubber.net.
I tried very rough sand paper, dremel tool and found that my hole saw just as described worked better.
The reason you want to rough up the screen is in the beginning few weeks you want the screen to "catch" as much algae that flows through and over the screen.
... and be prepared for your screen to take up to 5 weeks before it will control all of the nutrients in your system and that's only if you have enough light and water flow... two very important details.

If you don't know anyone with a hole saw... then bring your screen over and you can use mine... it will take 20 min.

[supaboy1981]

Can I just stand on it and do pirouettes on the pavement then wash it in ro/di water before the install?

[supaboy1981]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hole_saw

Many come with interchangeable circular "hole cutters" that can be hand held to rough up the plastic screen as described on algaescrubber.net.
I tried very rough sand paper, dremel tool and found that my hole saw just as described worked better.
The reason you want to rough up the screen is in the beginning few weeks you want the screen to "catch" as much algae that flows through and over the screen.
... and be prepared for your screen to take up to 5 weeks before it will control all of the nutrients in your system and that's only if you have enough light and water flow... two very important details.

If you don't know anyone with a hole saw... then bring your screen over and you can use mine... it will take 20 min.

If you have enough light and flow, I will have enough light and flow. My setup is pretty much the exact same as yours. Same light from walmart and everything

[laffingcrow]

Can I just stand on it and do pirouettes on the pavement then wash it in ro/di water before the install?

Yes to pirouettes
Believe it or not it will probably do a good job!? never thought of it...
and only a quick rinse in tap water is fine and pat dry.

[supaboy1981]

Yes to pirouettes
Believe it or not it will probably do a good job!? never thought of it...
and only a quick rinse in tap water is fine and pat dry.

I am king of cheap workarounds, stick with me kid I'll learn ya!

[supaboy1981]

So I picked up a sheet from michaels for 54 cents, they didn't have 13 but they did have 14 and 7. So I opted for the 7 since you said bigger holes are better. I also went with stone ware blue cause they were out of white. Lol

[Pure Magic79]

So I picked up a sheet from michaels for 54 cents, they didn't have 13 but they did have 14 and 7. So I opted for the 7 since you said bigger holes are better. I also went with stone ware blue cause they were out of white. Lol

That is weird that Walmart didn't have it. Glad you found it. I used just regular general purpose sand paper to rough my screen up. Took me about 10 minutes on each side.

Keep charging ahead.

[supaboy1981]

Finally finished putting the finishing touches on it. I actually cut the top part of the aquaclear to put over the return flow chamber (not the side the has the screen) to minimize any splashing noises or splash on the the clip on light.

Does the screen absolutely have to be right on the water level or can it be a slight bit under?

Shoot I just noticed I didnt cut the media basket low enough, should I cut it or do you think I will be alright, it seems to have a good amount of flow? Or is more flow better?

[laffingcrow]

More flow is better and keep the screen at the surface as much as possible.
With more flow across the algae the ATS works better than a refugium... if the screen is too far under water then it is more like a regular refugium and the growth is not as good.

[supaboy1981]

Alright I just cut the top off and the flow seems better, I am sure once a film develops over the screen in a few days it will be even better.

Here are the pics



this pic you can see the half cut cover to prevent splash

[Pure Magic79]

Alright I just cut the top off and the flow seems better, I am sure once a film develops over the screen in a few days it will be even better.

Looks great Supa. You did an awesome job. The flow looks really good. I really like the way you cut the top of the Aqua Clear to just cover the inlet side. Will do that too. Thank you for the idea. Please keep us posted.

[supaboy1981]

Thinking about super glue the mesh to the spout part of the filter, I dont know if I like those clips being visible at the top of my tank

[supaboy1981]

It also gives me a good spot to put my grounding probe and digital therm probe

[Pure Magic79]

Thinking about super glue the mesh to the spout part of the filter, I dont know if I like those clips being visible at the top of my tank

The clips make it easy to take the mesh screen out and clean it. I have to clean mine twice a week. If you glue it you will have to clean it in place on the Aqua Clear. It will make a mess in your tank. I don't recommend it. See if you can find smaller clips for the top. Make sure the new clips don't have metal in them.