Which Hang On Back Filter Is Best? The Wrap Up!
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
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🛒 Links to popular products we use:
Seachem Tidal Filters: bit.ly/3fjkjXF
Sicce Shark ADV Internal Filter: bit.ly/390JuKn
Fritz Guard: bit.ly/3csfNUR
Fritz Complete: bit.ly/3spgtQi
Fritz Dark Water: bit.ly/3sx49gQ
Fritz Betta Guard: bit.ly/3svhExw
Aquarium Salt: bit.ly/3svcIsz
Algae Remover: bit.ly/3sx8nVR
Plant Fertilizer: bit.ly/31lwGKy
General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS 👨👨👧👦 Get all the extra benefits by becoming a channel member. / @kgtropicals
Check out our brand new website and shop for all of your aquarium supplies and fun merch!
keepfishkeeping.com
🛒 Links to popular products we use:
Seachem Tidal Filters: bit.ly/3fjkjXF
Sicce Shark ADV Internal Filter: bit.ly/390JuKn
Fritz Guard: bit.ly/3csfNUR
Fritz Complete: bit.ly/3spgtQi
Fritz Dark Water: bit.ly/3sx49gQ
Fritz Betta Guard: bit.ly/3svhExw
Aquarium Salt: bit.ly/3svcIsz
Algae Remover: bit.ly/3sx8nVR
Plant Fertilizer: bit.ly/31lwGKy
General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS - Домашні улюбленці та дикі тварини
Lights would make for a great series, always confusing for new hobbyists
I love the aqua clear. Went from a Tetra whisper to an aqua clear and never looked back! These filters are amazing! And I love manual transmissions!
A bit late here but for anybody that comes in the future looking, the AquaClear rattling on the top of the filter can be fixed by just sticking a rubber band around the top and setting it back on that way. Never have to worry about the vibrations again.
“This is where people will get heated!”
I really hope you use that line in a aquarium heater review series. With that said great reviews, I do have 2 of the filters you didn’t like as much as the rest but like you said “ they work.” I also use a canister filter on my 40 and sponge filters in most.
I would like to see what you think of the “Aqua-tech 30-60” I know it’s a bigger filter and a cheap one at that. But when your on a budget it’s a great alternative to some of the other 30 gal filters. Got mine at Walmart. It’s been good so far and the flow is really good.
Again great videos. Thank you for all the information you put out there for us!
Aquaclear. I've had one for 20years and it's rattling away doing it's job.🤣🤣🤣
No way!!!
@@yee9222 I did and it died a week ago. I miss it's little rattle.
I've had one for 15+ years and just as of today I had to unplug it. Because the little plastic tab on the motor where it screws to the filter broke and caused a leak. But the motor was still running and pumping away 15 years everyday all day
@@charliesleeseman4643 they become part of the family. You know them so well. When mine would play up, i would talk to it. " oh Jerry don't you be lazy" 🤣❤
🤣🤣 “rattling away and doing its job” had me rolling 🤣🤣🤣 thank you so much for this comment
Tidal Filter Cons and Pros:
Cons:
1. The 110 Tidal is a little on the loud side, louder than my Aquaclears and Penn Plax HOBs. I shut the door in my bedroom that is down a 25 ft hallway and my bed is about 40 feet away and hear over my Aquaclear 70, Penn Plax 300. Also hear the tidal over my furnace when it kicks on and the return air grill is on floor in hallway.
2.The skimmer sucks up small floating fish food and plugs up with 2 1/2 to 3 mm floating fish food and skimmer weakens the down spout.
3. Rounded / arched shape wastes potential space.
4. Bottom holes for white tray not enough entry holes to get flow into bottom sponge and clog quickly, can fix by adding additional holes at bottom and bottom sides to help reduce some bypass.
Pros:
1. Great surface agitation best of all my HOBs even at mid setting due to angle of water exit scoop and bump / texture design.
2. lot of media space regardless of poorly designed shape.
3. Skimmer feature really large, Tidal 110 will not fit into the pre cut slot on my older TruVu 90 gallon, but fits my 50 gallon SeaClear.
4. Filter housing is made out of a strong flexible plastic unlike my Aquaclears and Penn Plax HOBs that have gotten stress cracks during removal and maintenance.
5. Pump in tank is a plus, sometimes my Aquaclears do not start up after a power outage or after a quick filter clean.
FYI. My Penn Plax 300 HOB has never needed a propeller or motor change out running about two years, but need to remove cover and bio drip and then mod media to make useful.
I have had many Aquaclears ranging from the smallest to the largest. The 110 housings crack due to wait during removal and maintenance and the 70s and below eat up propellers, shafts and sometimes motors pretty easily and I use small gravel not sand. Sometimes twice a year. The Aquaclear 70s and below need wider shafts, preferably ceramic. Also, Fluval should change housing material, too brittle and tends to rattle. Plus the smaller Aquaclears have a lot of play at the snap on prop that gets looser over time. If you clean the motor and propeller too much they rattle for a day or two until the gunk in your filter helps quite them up a little, but if not cleaned enough they will not go on when plugged back in. The 70 is my favorite not to heavy. The 110 to heavy and awkward and the housing stresses under the wait when handled. And lastly put the motor in the tank already.
Marineland 9:30 ( my work horse )
Fluval Aquaclear 12:19
Seachem Tidal 35 16:50
You should compare test kits and test strips
The api liquid and strips, the tetra, the nutrafin and others. You should also review the fresh water Hanna checkers. I’ve seen people use them in saltwater but not that much In Freshwater
Any changes since it’s now 2023…?
Would like to know as well.
Aqua clear is still the best
Tetre is 18.99 45 gal and down it's a steal
@@mrnoobplays90817I bought it 3 weeks ago for my 16 gallon and it still isn’t that good. It’s on sale for a reason
@@dingdongpaofficial good filter for the price.
I'm brand new to any aquarium business and I really appreciate that you spent the time to help the ones that need desperately any advice. Thank you!!!
🛸
I've gotten into the fish keeping hobby again and have come to like your channel. Alsp the way you take the time to clarify things like around 8:50 I like that you're letting people know you can have a different opinion but that doesn't mean you cant be friends. Very informative and organic content. Great work 🙏🏼
Thank you for your honesty. It’s nice to see someone who I can relate to.
I watched this video like 2 years ago and followed your recommendations to the “Tidal Seachem” and I got the BIG one on my 30 gallon tank. It’s been incredible and I use it to this day 🙏 highly recommend it to anyone
Ditto. :)
I like the aquaclear best-because it pulls water from the bottom of the tank and returns it at the top. That seems more important than skimming action on the Tidal 35.
The tidal does both to pop and bottom. Its adjustable
always love your videos have been watching for 5 years. you are so knowledgeable and give great advice.
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I'm running out a buying one especially now that I know the 55 & 75 come with intake tubes! This filter is simply perfect! I never knew it existed until I watched your video so THANK YOUUUUUUUU!
the thing about replacing the whole cartridge is the throwing away of even more single use plastic. it all winds up in the ocean harming the aquatic life we love so much. something to think about!
I realy like my tidal filters. Switched out all of my aquaclear filters. I traveled a lot for work and would dread coming home to a filter that didnt restart after a power outage.
Yay the one I’m using already is your number one pick! That makes me feel confident that I’m using something that works.
I have only used aqua clear hob filters before watching this video. I purchased the Seachem Tidal because of this video and I love it. Great filter!! Thanks for the review!!
I had 2 Aquaclear 50s that ran nonstop for 13YEARS on my 60gal. They started to get load because the impellers were wearing out. Will always recommend them. I have a total of 4 at the moment, will never get another HOB
These HOBs are awesome. I have 2 that are 23 years old and still work perfectly. I find that if you have the water level in your tank high enough they re-start on their own.
Nice series John! Thank you.
Great review. I agree with the location of the pumps. I run two HOBs on my larger tanks and I've never had both of them never start back up.
Basically, you should be reviewing anything that has multiple brands of proforming the same job that we the consumer have to choose from. It might be boring but if it's educational, opinion based or not, the video will hold up long term. You can even do a one year review (not on these if you're giving them away) on any given piece of equipment and talk about how it held up. That's the kind of stuff people who are looking to get into the hobby want to hear about. Even after 35 years of keeping fish, some of my biggest fears are, am I being suckered into buying some slick talking advertising and a piece of crap or is what I've picked out genuinely good. Real world, practical experiences are what people want to hear about.
Easy ideas:
1. Lighting
2. Filtration (canisters, sponge, sumps)
3. Heaters
4. Aeration
5. Sand or substrates as a whole
I agree. I only have a few tanks so HOB filters work for me. I've tried most the brands reviewed over the years but I have to say the the old Whisper series (not the IQ reviewed) have been very reliable for me. I have one that is 31 years old. I did have to replace the motor once and a few impellers over the years but because they haven't altered the design much these parts are readily available. I want something that is reliable and won't fail within three years. Just because it looks sexy and has bells and whistles doesn't mean it's a good product long-term.
I purchased a Tidal 35, used it and compared it to my AquaClear. So far it has been unusually quiet and its best feature, i think, is the media basket which, unlike the AquaClear, has four sides to it which allows me to just dump in whatever bio-media i want without fooling around with net bags. I've now ordered up another, a bigger, Tidal filter for my other tank.
I love that I can put stuff on top of my Aquaclear filter while I'm cleaning my tank/feeding my fish!!!! The fact that you mentioned it makes me smile!!! LOL!! (And that you couldn't believe that you did!!) ;-)
Appreciate your time.. bought the tidal and the aquaclear.
I have the aquaclear 50 on a 36 gallon it’s been running for 10 years. Like you said it’s has its problem with the power outage. I do keep it on high all the ten it does the job.
"Aqua Clear 110 Filter comes in at 7.1 x 13.9 x 9.1 inches. As you can see, in terms of depth, it is slightly larger than the Seachem Tidal 110. ... As you can tell, it can process about 50 gallons of water more per hour than the Seachem Tidal 110"
I have a Seachem Tidal 110 on my 90 gallon tank and I LOVE it!
I agree. I have the biggerTidal on my 75 gal rainbow tank w/ a pre filter and I added an extra sponge and more media with room to spare! I love it
Lol. First filter you mentioned is the one I have. I’ve had it for a year and it’s disappointing so I’ve been looking for a new one which is how I found this video!
So true about the aquaclear rattle I just sit a sealed container of fish food it it that seems to keep it from happening
I have used many Aquaclear filters in the past and they are very good. I tried the Fluval C series and it kept the water cleaner and the filter media was much easier to clean. If your looking for a filter for a bedroom tank I would go with one of the quieter HOB filters.
Thanks for the info I just bought a 40 Tetra Whisper Filter here in Trinidad and Tobago..Keep up the good work and God Bless
I would love if you talk about heaters :)
That would be a great one Lea
Marineland is what I use, the older model penguin 330 was discontinued, I use now the 350s but I liked the 330 a bit better, also use the 200s. They have been working for years and years great video I subbed today 8-26-20.
This was really, a very good series - Thank you💕👍
Thanks for all your great information. We have had a few very basic tanks for the kids and we are now interested in doing a planted aquarium. Your videos have been very informative in doing our research and planning on what direction we will go. I look forward to following you.
The only one I could find in Mexico is the Aquaclear, so far I love it
Its the only one you needed to find.
Easy fix on the Aqua Clear lid rattle...
Cut a section of silicone airline tubing to fit the rear side of the filter box, slit it lengthwise and slip it over the edge. Done.
Great video series! Thank you.
I have aquaclear on all my tanks.. love it.
A lighting series including options for nano tanks would be awesome
The topfin is fairly new. They recalled over 150,000 of the old models in 2015 for electrifying people aquariums. The old one looked like it was made in the 1070's.
Thanks!! Great info, just what I needed.
I currently have 4 of these filters running, 3 of the 55 and 1 of the 75, absolutely love them. I've added the purigen to each of them and my tanks are crystal clear, water parameters are perfect
I leave the lid off my aqua clear and grow porthos out of it
Great idea.
If you do air pumps, sound measurement on them is very important. Especially bedroom aquarumist like me, it can help me out and other people like me. If you got the time to do it, a lot of people, including myself will appreciate that a lot! :)
Thank you for doing this video, very helpful. I have different brands of hob filters.
I’ve had 3 of the 6 HOB’s you reviewed. The best one yet was my Tidal 75. I had it for four years running. The only thing taking the motor off for maintenance. That was always a pain to deal with. It would rattle once in a while, but tapping it would stop the rattle. I put a Medium Sponge on the intake, plus a Nylon Stocking over the Sponge to prevent Snails from getting in the box, b somehow Snails would always get in. I even Crazy Glued nylon stocking pieces to the other intakes points, but that was my only caveat with my Tidal 75. I sold my three tanks, because of my move to Florida from Arizona; but I’ll start again soon. I’m actually considering my own 5 Gallon Bucket only because of I want to inject CO2 with a Reactor. Enjoyed watching the review. I think your decision for the Tidal series was the best one. I just happen to agree with you, so you have a good eye for the best HOB yet. I’ve burnt out my Aqua Clear 110 motor several times, because of Black Outs.
I purchased a model 35 Tidal filter several months ago and installed it on a 10 gal. tank. Even though it is submerged in the water the pump still didn't start every time. I called manufacturer and they replaced the motor and impellor at no charge. The problem persisted. The Tidal model 35 now sits on a shelf out of water. Two other problems sealed its fate. The unit cannot be used in a tank where fry are present because there is no way to install a foam filter on the water intake which is also very close to the discharge. I like the skimmer feature but it isn't effective at all water levels also it is difficult to use aftermarket foam material in the basket due to its unusual shape. I have 3 Aqua flow filters which I have had for at least 10 years and I am very pleased with them. You're right. They don't always restart but in the years I have used them I never felt that was a reason not to buy another.
😲
wow i never heard of tidal before... so its made by seachem. i need to try that!
don't it is not worth the money.
Have Three of them there really good
@dvp458 I dissagree. I have both. The Tidal is superior in every way.
Both are great but tidal is better
@@duncandonuts5268 I would agree except for one huge factor. If the water level drops just slightly, Tidel flakes out starts making a grinding noise. AQ wins for this reason as they are equal on every other aspect.
I have two topfin 30 gallon filters in my 33 gallon aquarium!! And its crystal clear! 2 yrs now
For the Aquaclear, I've had about 4 of them and have lucked out with the rattling issue and didn't know it was a thing until I went on youtube. Thanks for posting this lists though. Gonna start a new tank and wanted a fresh perspective. Thanks for sharing.
The only thing I have to say as an aquaclear user is that I can pull one out of storage and use it... or give it to a friend even after 10 years and it still works. I do agree with you’re reasoning but aquaclear is a beast!
They’re so noisy. I have two and they sound like blenders
@@Beelzebubby91 clean them
Aqua Clears Are Amazing
@@ethanhutchison8216 You dont have to clean aquaclears. They just keep working.
John I really want to get a fish tank now. Haven't had a fish tank in 20 years. As a kid my whole life. Now I want a little five gallon planted tank. Maybe with a couple of little micro fish that you recommended.
#4 I got and power went out. Had to go to work wile it was still off. Few about an hour later boom power on and pump back on. Love it
Very good series lots of information thank you 🙏 💯
I was wondering if you could do a review on the Fluval C-series
The Marineland Bio Wheels are the best especially the double wheel model with a noncourse sponge on the intake.
Dis is da truth.
Love how crystal clear that African tank is. The fx6 sponge filter idea was genious
I have the Fluval 20 and I took the cover off 5 min after I set it up and covered it with a ziplock bag with a hole punched for the flow valve. Much quieter and works like a charm! Eventually I’ll get a filter with the power in the tank but for now, I have to say it’s been cleaning the water beautifully. This is after keeping my betta in a 10 gallon that was filterless the past 1.5 months. He loves it and goes to play in the bubble flow :) it’s helped with ammonia levels as well as you can imagine.
I’ve been running the same Marineland Emperor 400 since 1998. I’ve never even cleaned the impeller. If it ever breaks, I’ll probably go back to another one.
My Tidal 110 is arriving today :)
Great series my friend.
I really want that Tidal..I agree with you on all points positive on that filter. Thanks for the series John..
🤭😬😳 i skipped : but i returned and watched everything. Thanks KGTropicals :)
I love the aqua flow 75 the o Lu issue is I go through I’d say about 1 every year or two because the power goes out, and they end up frying but I find them really good. I did hear you say there’s no 100% guarantee don’t worry
Side note it’s the only filter I’ve personally bought but I do have a bio wheel filter that’s been going through 18 years
Thank you so much for the information. I was planning on getting the Fluval Aquaclear 30 (#2), and simply wanted to know if there were better options or if this option was just fine and I wouldn't be making a mistake getting it.
So again, thank you for helping me feel comfortable with my decision. And I'm glad I watched this before upright getting it, without choosing to actually find more information about it.
Yay mine won! 🥰 I loveeee my seachem products! It’s so great!
Having filter cartridges that you can open up isn't "nonsense". It's a great feature if you're medicating the tank and you wish to remove the carbon while your tank is being treated. Geez.
Can't beat the MARINELAND Brand of filters. Used two of the two wheelers on the back of my 75gal. For 26 years without a flaw! Just be careful when you pull the spray bar out to maintain the pump asked it can cause pudding on the floor!!🤣😆😂
Every time I plug mine back up after water changes it’s shoots stuff all in my tank . What’s up with that?
After two AquaClears in two years, replacing propellers and frustrated with vibration in the lids, I went with the Seachem Tidal 75 four months ago. It might perform better in a traditional aquarium but it couldn't do the job well enough in a 50g bow front. Boxed it up last week and dug out an AquaClear. I ordered the Tetra Whisper IQ yesterday and hoping it performs well. I also run a sponge as a supplement and have a battery backup air pump for power outages. I changed over to HOB filters after 15 years of canister filters and I do like the ease of cleaning the HOBs so much better. I think everyone has to experiment for the right fit and personal preference. Thanks for the great reviews, comparisons and experience with the different brands.
I have 2 canister filters for my 110 gal. Tank,and every clean up is a hassle for me to get them to start up again., I’m going back to my hang over the tank filters and will definitely look into the Tidal series you just mentioned as your favorite.
I've always used aquaclear since I was a kid. Over 30 years. My second choice is marineland
With all due respect: I watch your videos because I like them. When I'm watching your videos, I am, of course, listening to you. However, my eyes are fixed on your fish frolicking in the background. They're beautiful, and I'm always wondering what they are. Couldn't you, at the end of your videos, give us a little tour of your fish and tell us what they are so that we might be able to look for them in the stores? I, at least, would be much obliged. :) Thank you for the time and effort you put into your videos for us...
So what I can observe, the tank that’s blue has 3 arrowanas, 2 Oscars, 2 blood parrots (maybe?). The other tank just looks like a ton of cichlids. I’m not the fish expert but I hope this helps!
Wish I had this video when I was researching my gear. I'm sure it's going to help a lot of people. note. The larger tidals do have the intake extension tube, and you can adjust how much it uses the skimmer vs the intake tube.
I had an Aquaclear back in the 80s, and was leaning towards that one as I got back into the hobby last year. Then I saw the Tidal, and its internal pump. As someone that lives in an older highrise, we get random power outages. Usually a min or two, but enough to shut everything down. The fact that the Tidal self-primed is the reason I chose it over a filter I had known and trusted all those years ago. I love it. I'm running a Tidal-55 with sponge, filter floss, purigen, and the bio media on my 29g tank. My only complaint about this one is the bright blue dial that you use to adjust the skimmer. Sticks out like a sore thumb. They have changed it to black on some of the newer ones. At least the smaller ones.
The tidal 110 is awesome...had it for 3 months. a ton of biohome fits in perfect! Nice review!
Lol if you don’t like the water flow sound because it makes you have to pee made me laugh so hard 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
why push cartridges when you can create your own filtration with bio media and sponges
I just added a Tidal 55 to my 40 breeder and it's just great. The quality is just so much better than the others.
Thank you! It was very helpful
Seachem Tidal series are great hang on filters except for its price that is almost or even more expensive than some canister filters.. so why go for that 1/4 capacity of bio media when you can put inside more than 2 kgs of bio media inside the canister filter...?
still LOVE sponge filters
Should i get a good HOB or get a good air pump and 2 sponge filters
Have had both for years and I agree , hands down the best HOB!
I have the smallest next gen Penguin Pro (125) and it's great. I'm running it on a 29 gallon lightly stocked tank (4 small Angels and 8 Cory's plus a few snails) and I love the amount of extra filter media it allows over the originals none existent ability to add any. I use Seachem Matrix in the 2 filter baskets (well, one basket and a large bag placed next to the filter cartridge, only the bigger ones have a real basket for that spot), nearly an entire 250ML bottles worth(!!) fit in there, amazing! Combined with the Bio Wheel and you get a monster of a biological filter for not a lot of money. It's VERY quiet and the flow control actually works. All told I'm really impressed. Highly recommended!
Čompare canister filters if you haven’t done that yet. Thanks
I have Aqueons in my tanks, my wife demands a quieter tank so they are perfect for me
Who the boss lol 😂 🥸
John, Loved the reviews. I been using the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel 100 filters. The two drawbacks are the "pump in the filter" and lack of flow control. Self-priming after power outage is about 50/50 as a low water level and my use of a pre-filter sponge on the intake may not allow the pump enough suction to draw water from the aquarium. The high water flow tends to push my betta around when he swims past the filter output. I will keep the Tidal filter in mind if I get a tank larger than my 20 gallon.
Nice video. I'm a fluval fan. That is what my lfs carries. He carries enough spare parts you could build a filter from scratch, AC or canister. Makes life simple is you run into trouble when you are cleaning you tank.
You may like the pump being in the tank but will the fish? I recorded the sound underwater of the Marina slim filter with the pump inside the aquarium it's not great , I would hate to be a fish living with that noise level. So I will be changing to an hang on with the pump on the outside.
Interesting question!
🤔🧐😲
Question. So I have a 55 gallon filter that's an extra, I will be purchasing a 75 gallon aquarium. Can I just buy a 25 gallon or 30 gallon filter to make up the difference in gallons or do I have to buy one 75 gallon filter? Please help. Thanks
Yes! I actually prefer two filters. For a 55 gallon I have two Tidal 30’s. It reduces maintenance, and filters each side, as 1 filter will allow the opposite side to stay a little stagnant.
@@colbyminor9228 I've used 2 filters before and it works great. Now I use 1 proper filter and a wave maker to get circulation.
@@marlybizzle I decided to add a Matineland 360 model that is for a 100 gallon tank. I ran that for 3 weeks until this morning I wake up and there is water on my tile and carpet. The impeller seal is what Marineland stated is what's leaking most likely which really upset me. I went to my nearby Petsmart and there great customer service discounted me a Fluval FX4. Just finished setting that up right now and man is this a whole lot better now I know why they are so expensive.
Great info I was about to buy #2. Wanting to do things right for my new tank I got second hand. It’s a 29g going to do a full aquascape and hardscape on! Very excited about this build with the new spiderwood I’ve found in the desert! If you want some I’d love to send some your way!
Thanks for all your super informative videos they’ve been helpful through this journey from nano to larger!
Loved the series. A lighting comparison series would be great. Especially for bigger tanks :)
do canister filters!
My fluval died after a week and a 1/2.. no I did not run it dry…I now use a marine land penguin pro 175
That's weird. I have one that's been running for 11 years straight.
Great video, thanks mate!
This program has help me sooo much.
I'm not killing expensive and non- expensive
Fish anymore.