AquaClear AC Series FLUVAL Aquarium Kit Instruction Manual
- June 30, 2024
- AquaClear
Table of Contents
AC Series FLUVAL Aquarium Kit
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Product Specifications
- Series: Performance Power Filter
- Models: AC20, AC30, AC50, AC70
- Warranty: 3 years
Product Usage Instructions
What’s Included
- Filter Cover
- Media Basket
- Filter Case
- Impeller Assembly
- Seal Ring
- Motor Unit
- Leveling Device
- Impeller Cover
- Intake U Tube
- Extension Tube
- Intake Stem
- Intake Sponge
- Bio-Foam
- Carbon
- BIOMAX
Important Safety Instructions
-
Read and follow all safety instructions provided in the
manual. -
Avoid reaching for the appliance if it falls into water; unplug
it first. -
If any abnormal water leakage is noticed, disconnect the power
supply immediately. -
Check for any damage or malfunction before operation; do not
use if damaged. -
Avoid contact with moving or hot parts to prevent injury.
-
Use the appliance indoors only; avoid exposure to weather or
freezing temperatures. -
Ensure secure installation and proper electrical connection
before use. -
Use appropriate extension cords if needed to prevent
overheating. -
Save the instructions for future reference.
Quick Start Guide
-
Rinse Bio-Foam thoroughly and place it in the bottom section of
the media basket. -
Insert the media basket into the filter case as indicated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can the power filter be used in saltwater aquariums?
A: Yes, the power filter can be used in both freshwater and
saltwater aquariums. Ensure proper maintenance for saltwater
use.
Q: How often should the filter media be replaced?
A: It is recommended to replace the filter media every 2-4
weeks, depending on tank size and bioload. Monitor regularly for
optimal performance.
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PERFORMANCE
SERIES POWER FILTER
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
20
30
50
70
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3 YEAR WARRANTY
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WHAT’S INCLUDED
1. Filter Cover
2. Media Basket
1
3. Filter Case
4. Impeller Assembly
5. Seal Ring
6. Motor Unit
7. Leveling Device
8. Impeller Cover
2
9. Intake “U” Tube
10. Extension Tube
11. Intake Stem
12. Intake Sponge
13. Bio-Foam
14. Carbon
15. BIOMAX
10
Not included with AC20
3
4
5
8 9
10
6 15
7
11
14
13 12
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
WARNINGTo guard against injury, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:
1.READ AND FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
and all important notices on the appliance before using. Failure to do so may
result in damage to the appliance. 2. DANGER To avoid possible electrical
shock, special care should be taken since water is employed in the use of this
equipment. For each
of the following situations, do not attempt repairs yourself; return the
appliance to an authorized service facility for service or discard the
appliance. A. If the appliance falls into the water DO NOT reach for it! First
unplug it and
then retrieve it. If any of the electrical components of the appliance gets
wet,
unplug it immediately. B. If the appliance shows any sign of abnormal water
leakage or if RCD
(or GFCI- Ground Fault Current Interrupter) switches off disconnect the power
supply cord from mains and remove pump from water.
C. Carefully examine the appliance after installation. It should not be
plugged in if there is water on parts not intended to be wet.
D. Do not operate any appliance if it has a damaged cord or plug, or if it is
malfunctioning or if it is dropped or damaged in any manner. The power cord
of this appliance cannot be replaced; if the cord is damaged, the appliance should be discarded. Never cut the cord. E. To avoid the possibility of the appliance plug or receptacle getting wet, position the appliance to one side of a wall mounted receptacle
to prevent water from dripping onto the receptacle or plug. A “drip
loop” (A) should be arranged to the receptacle. The “drip loop” is the
part of the cord below the level of the receptacle or the connector if
an extension cord is used, to prevent water traveling along the cord and coming into contact with the receptacle. If the plug or receptacle
A
does get wet, DO NOT unplug the cord. Disconnect the fuse or circuit breaker that supplies power to the appliance. Then unplug and examine for presence of water in the receptacle.
3. WARNING Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or
near children. This appliance can be used by children ages 3 years and above
and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities or lack of
experience and knowledge if they have been given supervision or instruction
concerning use of the appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards
involved. Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user
maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.
4. To avoid injury, do not contact moving parts or hot parts such as heaters,
reflectors, lamp bulbs, and the like.
5. CAUTION Always unplug or disconnect all appliances in the aquarium from
electricity supply before placing hands in water, before putting on or taking
off parts and while the equipment is being installed, maintained or handled.
Never yank cord to pull plug from outlet. Grasp the plug and pull to
disconnect. Always unplug an appliance from an outlet when not in use.
6. This appliance is a non-submersible aquarium filter-pump. It is intended
for use in ornamental household aquariums. It may be used with fresh or salt
water. Maximum water temperature 35°C. Do not use this appliance for other
than intended use (ie: DO NOT use in swimming pools, bathtubs, etc.). The use
of attachments not recommended or sold by the appliance manufacturer may cause
an unsafe condition and will invalidate your warranty.
7. This is a HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE INTENDED FOR DOMESTIC USE and it is suitable
for INDOOR use only. Do not install or store this appliance where it will be
exposed to the weather or temperatures below freezing.
8. Make sure that this appliance is securely installed before operating it
and that the electrical connection is in accordance with the data on the
rating label. Do not allow filter pump to run dry.
9. If an extension cord is necessary, a cord with a proper rating should be
used. A cord rated for less amperes or watts than the appliance rating may
overheat. Care should be taken to arrange the cord so that it will not be
tripped over or pulled. The connection should be carried out by a qualified
electrical installer.
10. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS for future reference.
QUICK START GUIDE
1. Rinse Bio-Foam thoroughly and place in bottom section of media basket. 2.
Place the media basket into the filter case, ensuring the side
indicated”BIOMAX FRONT”on the
basket is facing front of filter. 3. Remove Activated Carbon from protective
plastic bag. Rinse thoroughly and place in top rear
section of media basket, respecting the “MAX FILL” level. 4. Remove BIOMAX
from protective plastic bag. Rinse thoroughly before placing in top front
section of
basket marked”BIOMAX FRONT”, respecting the”MAX FILL”level.
3. Media should
not go above
the MAX FILL
- 4. Media should not go above the MAX FILL
5. Install intake “U” tube and apply gentle pressure until it clicks into
position. 6. Attach intake sponge to end of intake stem. 7. Add the extension
tube to the intake stem if aquarium depth requires it.
(Extension tube included with models AC30, AC50, AC70) 8. Attach intake
assembly to intake “U” tube and apply gentle pressure until it slides into
position. 9. Attach leveling device to filter case by inserting peg into
place. 10. Mount filter onto rear of aquarium. 11. Rotate leveling device
until filter is perfectly level.
Intake “U” Tube
Leveling Device
Intake Stem
Intake Sponge
Side
Bottom
View
View
Extension Tube
Intake
Intake
Stem
Assembly
12. Fill filter case completely with water. 13. For the initial start-up and
for a faster priming of filter, adjust water flow control lever
on the intake “U” tube to its minimum position. 14. Plug power cord into
electrical outlet. Allow 30-45 seconds for priming. 15. When priming is
complete, adjust flow control to desired output. 16. Install filter cover.
IMPORTANT – DO NOT OPERATE FILTER WITHOUT WATER For optimal filter operation
and efficiency, regular cleaning of the filter and its parts is recommended
every month. Do not use soaps or detergents.
POWER FILTER MAINTENANCE
Always unplug power filter prior to cleaning. Remove cover, filter basket, and
discard water remaining in the filter case. Thoroughly rinse collected debris
from the case, impeller cover and impeller assembly in clear lukewarm water.
The intake “U” tube and extension tube can be cleaned with a filter stem brush
to remove any buildup of deposits. When all parts have been cleaned and
thoroughly rinsed, reassemble filter and replace onto aquarium. Follow
operating instructions to restart and prime power filter.
(See Quick Start Guide)
Every three months the motor should be 1.
thoroughly cleaned. Remove filter cover, filter basket and discard water
remaining in filter case.
1. Remove motor by twisting a ¼-turn
gently in the direction of the arrow
on front. Ease motor down slowly
to prevent damage to the filter
and motor guide.
2. Pull impeller out of impeller well
and rinse to remove accumulated
slime deposits.
3. A cotton swab or impeller well brush can be used to remove more stubborn deposits. Place impeller back into position.
4. Reinstall motor.
MAINTENANCE FREQUENCY CHART
COMPONENTS
Impeller Seal Ring Bio-Foam BIOMAX Carbon Insert
MONTHLY
Check & Clean Rinse Replace
EVERY 2 MONTHS
Replace
-
EVERY 3 MONTHS
Check & Clean Check & Clean
Replace
SPARE PARTS
DESCRIPTION
1. Filter Cover 2. Media Basket 3. Filter Case 4. Impeller Assembly 5. Seal
Ring 6. Motor Unit 7. Leveling Device 8. Impeller Cover 9. Intake “U” tube 10.
Extension Tube 11. Intake Stem
AC20 A16031 A16041 A16021 A16005 A16017 A16002 A16325 A16014 A16051 A16053 A16052
ITEM No. & MODEL
AC30
AC50
A16131
A16231
A16141
A16241
A16121
A16221
A16006
A16007
A16017
A16017
A16002
A16002
A16325
A16325
A16014
A16014
A16051
A16051
A16053
A16053
A16052
A16052
AC70 A16331 A16341 A16321 A16008 A16017 A16002 A16325 A16321 A16351 A16353 A16352
TROUBLE SHOOTING & FAQ
Q. What is the maximum aquarium rim thickness this filter can fit on? A. The
maximum aquarium rim size for AC20, AC30, AC50 and AC70 filters is 0.9″ / 2.4
cm.
In the case of the AC110, it is 1.4″ / 3.6 cm.
Q. How does water flow through an AC Series filter? A. Water enters the filter
via the intake tubes and travels to the bottom of the filter case. It then
passes through
the Bio-Foam, Carbon and BIOMAX before returning to the aquarium. When the
flow control lever is set to its minimum position, up to 50% of the water is
recirculated for slower but more thorough filtration.
Q. What is the minimum aquarium water level required for AC Series filters to
work properly? A. For AC20, AC30 and AC50 filters, the water level should be
no more than 5/8″ / 16 mm from the bottom of
the filter output. For AC70 and AC110 filters, the water level should be no
more than 1.5″ / 38 mm from the bottom of the filter output.
Q. My filter is not starting. What should I do? A. First, verify that the
electrical cord is accurately plugged into a power outlet. Next, ensure that
the filter
container is completely filled with water and that the filter intake stem
(U-shaped tube) is properly seated on the impeller cover. Also verify that the
impeller, impeller shaft and impeller well are thoroughly cleaned and free of
debris.
Q. Should I use one or both of the included intake stems? A. We recommend
using as many of the intake stems as will fit in your aquarium. Drawing water
from deeper
in the aquarium guarantees the most efficient filtration overall.
Q. What is the best way to prime an AC Series filter? A. First, ensure the
filter case is completely filled with water, and adjust the water flow control
lever to its
lowest setting for initial start-up. Plug the power cord into the electrical
outlet and allow 30-45 seconds for priming. After priming has been completed,
you can adjust the water flow control lever as required.
TROUBLE SHOOTING & FAQ
Q. The water level in my AC Series filter is quite high and there is water
spilling over into the aquarium on the intake side. Why is this happening?
A. This is likely occurring as a result of the filter media being clogged and
not allowing water to pass through efficiently. Rinse out the media on a
regular basis to help prevent this from happening.
Q. The flow of water out of my AC Series filter is slower than normal. Why? A.
It’s likely the media is dirty and in need of cleaning / replacement. It’s
also possible the impeller assembly
needs to be cleaned, or the impeller needs to be replaced.
Q. How frequently should I clean the intake strainer sponge? A. We recommend
rinsing the intake strainer sponge monthly and replacing it every two months.
However,
more frequent rinsing may be necessary depending on your particular aquarium.
Q. Why is my filter making noise? A. Noise originating from the motor suggests
that the impeller assembly needs to be cleaned. Unplug the filter
from the power source, empty the water from the container, remove the motor
and thoroughly clean all parts to ensure the impeller assembly is free of
debris. It is also possible the impeller assembly is in need of replacement:
as the only moving part in the filter that operates 24 hours/day, the impeller
does eventually wear and is therefore not covered under warranty.
Q. How do I remove surface film from my aquarium water? A. A surface film can
be the result of cooking smoke, skin oils, dust accumulation, and fish food,
which
naturally includes fat content. We recommend the use of the Fluval AC Series
Surface Skimmer connected to the intake of your filter.
RECYCLING
This product bears the selective sorting symbol for waste electrical and
electronic equipment (WEEE). This means that this product must be handled
pursuant to European Directive 2012/19/ EU in order to be recycled or
dismantled to minimize its impact on the environment. Check with your local
Environmental Agency for possible disposal instructions or take to an official
council registered refuse collection point. Electronic products not included
in the selective sorting process are potentially dangerous for the environment
and human health due to the presence of hazardous substances.
FOR AUTHORIZED WARRANTY REPAIR SERVICE
QUESTIONS? If you have a problem or question about the operation of this
product, please let us try to help you before you return the product to your
dealer. Most problems can be handled promptly with a phone call. Or, if you
prefer, you can contact us on our website at www.fluvalaquatics.com. When you
call (or write), please have all relevant information, such as model number
and/or part numbers available.
USA CALL US ON OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER:
1-800-724-2436 between 9:00 a.m. and
4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Ask for Customer Service.
CANADA CALL US ON OUR TOLL-FREE NUMBER:
1-800-554-2436 between 8:00 a.m. and
4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Ask for Customer Service.
UK Helpline Number 01977 521015. Between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday to
Thursday and 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
3 YEAR WARRANTY
The Fluval AquaClear or AC Series filter is guaranteed for defective parts and workmanship for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase. This guarantee is valid with proof of purchase only. The guarantee is limited to repair or replacement only and does not cover consequential loss, loss or damage to livestock and personal property or damage to animate or inanimate objects, irrespective of the cause thereof. This guarantee is valid only under normal operating conditions for which the unit is intended. It excludes any damage caused by unreasonable use, negligence, improper installation, tampering, abuse or commercial use.The warranty does not cover wear and tear, breakage of glass or parts which have not been adequately or correctly maintained. THIS DOES NOT AFFECT YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS.
BONUS +2 YEARS v
EXTENDED
WARRANTY
LIMITED TIME OFFER! Register this product online within 30 days of purchase
and Fluval will extend your current warranty at no charge. The extended
warranty is subject to provisions outlined within the standard Fluval
warranty. Complete details and registration available at:
FluvalAquatics.com/warranty
Made in Italy
Ver.: 23/24-NA