Crystal-Clear Water Starts from the “Core” – An In-Depth Look at AC Filter Cotton A+B
Update time: 25-09-08 Views: 20
1. Cloudy tank? The problem may hide at the “first gate”
Every aquarist knows the pain: no matter how expensive your light or how lush your plants are, once the water turns milky and fine debris floats around, the whole scape collapses.
These ≥10 μm particles—fish waste, food residue, algal dust—are the real culprits. They slip through common sponges, clog bio-media like traffic jams, crash the nitrifying system, spike ammonia and nitrite, and leave fish gasping.
2. AC Filter Cotton A+B: turning “mechanical filtration” into a science
After 18 months and 1 200 flow tests, AC R&D married “precision” with “coarse” filtration in one single pad—Filter Cotton A+B.
- 100 % virgin natural fibre, zero recycled content
No optical brighteners, no chemical “white flakes” leaching into the water; safe for fry and sensitive Caridina shrimp.
- Hydrophobic surface modification
A lotus-leaf effect keeps intercepted debris from sticking. Rinse 3-5 times, still >85 % permeability; cleaning intervals doubled.
- 1+1 dual-layer gradient
Top 30 ppi coarse fibre: disperses flow, traps large particles, relieves stress on the lower layer.
Bottom 50 ppi fine fibre: sieves anything ≥10 μm, delivering visibly polished water within 30 min.
Test data: in a 60×30×36 cm planted tank, turbidity dropped from 28 NTU to 3 NTU in half an hour.
- DIY cut, lightweight yet tough
Trim to any shape with household scissors—no fray, no lint. One square metre weighs 18 % less than conventional pads, saving freight for overseas buyers.
3. Three proven setups
Hang-on-back “sandwich”
Lay AC Honeycomb Mat AC610M35-P on the bottom for support, place 1 cm A+B coarse side up in the middle, top with bio-rings—mechanical + biological in one go.
Sump pre-filter “guardian”
Cut A+B into 5×20 cm strips, slide into the first drawer of your drip tray. A 10-second rinse every week keeps the fine pads behind it untouched for a year.
Breeding tank “fry-safe mat”
Fry can be sucked into coarse pores or injured by rough strands. A+B’s fine side is soft and lint-free, 60 ppi flow, zero trapping; survival rate up 15 %.
4. Quick FAQ
How often should I replace it?
Thanks to hydrophobic tech + dual structure, 3-6 months for average tanks; 1-2 months for heavy stock. Rinse when turbidity climbs.
Will it steal space from nitrifying bacteria?
A+B is engineered for mechanical duty, almost bacteria-free, leaving bio-media in peace.
How many rinse cycles can it take?
Lab test: 20 cycles later, permeability still ≥80 %. We recommend 8-12 re-uses, then swap for a fresh sheet—cost per day is pennies.