After nearly 60 years in the hobby, my opinion is that a corner Matten filter is the best choice for tanks under about 180 gallons. Air driven or with a powerhead- hands down in terms of biological, mechanical, and looks beautiful. Above 180, I go with a sump, using Poret foam in increasing porosity as the water flows through. Simple, cheap, beautiful, and most importantly the most effective approaches. When you add low maintenance and low energy costs to these two options, there is no other choice in my mind. The only down side, these filters are not "plug and play" with say adding an Aquaclear or cannister filter. You have to be willing to "tinker" a little bit.
For me = HOB After using undergravel filter for 27 years, 4 years with a canister and my actual Aquaclear for 8 months, I cannot explain why I waited so long to buy a HOB... Excelent and complete video!!! 👍🙂👍 Thank you!
I have 7 tanks 3 -75 gallon, 60 gallon, 48 gallon, 30 gallon n a 10 gallon I have a 70 gallon fluval filters on the 4 bigger tanks a 50 gallon fluval filter on the next 2 and a 20 gallon fluval filter for the small one with 2 - 75 gallon Sponge filter and one filter apiece on the 3 smaller ones and I only run 3 different pumps for all tanks never had any issues with my water quality and I keep all American chichlids from n inch to 8 inches I have to say watching ur videos has helped me tremendously thank you and keep them coming
Thank you for this vid. New to the hobbie and I was completely overwhelmed with the type of filters out there. Watched probably an hours worh of vids researching and you provided all the answer in this one vid. I will keep my mechanical filter
When my canister filter started leaking 5 years ago on my 75g, planted, community tank I uncovered the four 'upright' holes, installed the upright tubes and hooked up 2 air pumps to my UG filter. (The UGF was installed when I got the tank over 12 years ago, I just removed the upright tubes when I got the canister and left the plates). A couple of years ago I upgraded the air pumps to Tetra Whispers and my aquarium has been running quietly ever since. I have a colony of Malaysian trumpet snails keeping the substrate clean and I keep the stocking levels low. My tank is in my Living room against a wall, so a HOB wouldn't work. I like the sound of bubbles and the plants and other decor hide the tubes pretty well. My philosophy has been "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so, until I have to take the tank down to reseal it, UGF is my filter of choice. 💕👍
Thank you for this video. I use hang on the back filters with intake sponges and, watching all of the most well-known fish keeping youtube channels, I always feel like they're saying I should only be using sponge filters and HOB filters are for noobs and people who don't really know what they're doing. I like HOB filters and feel better about my choice now.
That is because they push the big expensive filters. Filtration is about mechanical and biological filtration. If the water is clear, you have good circulation and oxygenation through surface agitation and ammonia and nitrite read zero the filter does it's job. Of course, nitrate is controlled by water changes.
@@Kenney9120 I'm afraid you misread floatygimpy, he was saying that he feels several of the big fishtubers advocate for using sponge filters (pretty much the least expensive option) not the expensive filters you are thinking of.
@@annethornton9938 True. I was actually thinking of the pet stores and companies that sell the big filters. It makes sense of course since they are a business and need to make a living. It is good to see UA-cam's like Corey from AmericanCoOp and others educating new comers about their experiences.
I just tore down my tank and I'm starting back up and considering an aquaclear 70 and a sponge filter (instead of my undergravel filter) in my 55 gallon. I had the tank for 12 years and algae got out of control no matter what I did, and I think that is because my undergravel filter. I have a Marineland too that I need to repair which I'd prefer
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter. alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
Apart from my 125 gallon tanks, I use sponge filters exclusively. They keep the water and tanks clean, I dont have the noise or cartridges of a HOB, and they are super easy to maintain.
Fluval aquaclear HOB has been my go to for decades. Nice and quiet, does a great job at mechanical filtration, and the biological media is the best by far - some of my sponges and bio cube are 10+ years old, and still in great condition! :)
I use AquaClear HOBs too. Love them. Sometimes I hear from other folks that they are loud or not working properly. This is where good maintenance comes into play. Too many people forget that important part of things.
Yourself and Corey from Co-op have sold me on sponge filters. I put them on my pickup tubes for EVERY filter. I rarely need to clean out my canister or hang on back filters, just the sponges! I also use hose and connect sponge filters to power heads and they work excellent to make my own filter.
I have HOBs on my 2x 10 gallons & 1x 5 gallon, simple Top Fins that I've hotrodded the media in, have Specs & Flex with built-in filtration, and run sponges on all the rest of my tanks, from 1 gallon (newborn guppy fry for a week or two) up to 25 gallons (heavily stocked with tetras). I'm putting together a fishroom over the next month or two, and will be running sponge filters throughout, with HOBs when &/or where I need greater/chemical filtration. As for running the sponge filters, I'm thrilled to have learned about the USB nano air pumps from Cory/Aquarium CoOp, because it's so handy and oh so silent, can't hear its hum over the gentle bubbling in our 5 & 7.5 gallon bedside tanks! Definitely will be picking up more, especially for our sons' bedroom tanks, and in case of power outages. Will check out your video on fishroom setup to get ideas on what air pump to get for the fishroom!
Mister B’s -fish and things I’m still confused I didn’t even think that was a filtration system to clean the tank. Unless those wore under gravel filter ration system’s I don’t know as you can see I got to do a lot lot lot more homework but thank you I’m getting at least some of the terminology downI thought that was an oxygen delivery system
My favorites are canisters with a spray bar and sponge filters. For bigger tanks, the canister with spray bar: Super nice aeration/circulation, powerful flow but gentle at the same time. For smaller tanks (below 20g): Sponge filters. Ease of use, a single sponge filter is often enough! I don't like the turbulence hang on backs make though, you cannot have floating plants with them or they'll be pushed all around, plus on smaller tanks (
I totally agree with your statement. I have turned away from over the back filters for that very reason. It 100% decreases the area of the tank that is “comfortably livable” and turns a tank like a 30gl into a 20gl because of the waters disturbed space.
Excellent comparison, including pros and cons. My tank and canister filter choice was made for me when a friend decided to get out of the hobby. He kept a community tank. Since moving to mbuna, I've added a second Eheim canister to improve turnover.
I really like HOBs for ease of maintenance and cost while also providing space for chemical media. I just set up a 55 gallon tank with walls so thick that I can't get an HOB on it and I don't have anywhere to put a canister. So I put a sponge filter with a powerhead on one side and a Sicce Shark on the other. So far, so good. They're extremely quiet, which is nice because it's in my living room.
That's it I have to subscribe I keep looking up videos on my aquarium and all yours pop up and are the most helpful I appreciate everything you do keep it up man
I have lots and lots of guppies and I think nothing beats the old school air driven box filter for a guppy tank. Lee's Triple Flow works the best and I've tried every thing available. For fast moving fish like danios or minnows I use Penn-Plax internal power filters since they don't cost much and provide a current flow the fish seem to enjoy.
I had those air driven box filters as a kid in my first tanks. Moved up to an Eheim internal filter in the 90's and i am on canisters now. But i was thinking about trying to get an oldschool filter and set up a tank as i did as a kid. For old times sake :)
Hi I’m new to the hobby and picked up a 45 gallon to start out from watching one of your videos about how bigger tanks are easier to maintain, got some mollies to start out, been watching your videos religiously and subscribed, keep it up 👍🏼
Thanks for this video. This is a great overview. A few questions: A On the sponges, what is the best pore size? We use the Aquarium Coop sponge you showed which has a solid construction and a number of well thought out features. It does have a coarser sponge. B. Is there a benefit in changing the up tube length on a sponge filter? (Video idea: Modifications for sponge filters?) C. At what size and/or age is a filter intake not a risk for sucking up fry? To You Question : We have 1 generic sponge filter, 2 Aquarium Coop sponge filters, and 2 canister filters. Thanks for you in depth topics. As a novice, you clear presentation and insight are appreciated. Jim
Great questions! I prefer fine for my needs because I have heavily stocked cichlid tanks and they help keep the water mechanically filtered a little better, but if that isn't a problem both can be good. The longer the tube the more movement you get through the sponge. The risk for fry really depends on the fish, their primary location and the location of the intake. Thanks for the great questions. :-)
I used to have Fluval internal canister filters with sponges. They worked great, but I think they stopped making them. Now I'm using HOB filters. Initially I used them as-recommended with filter cartridges that need to be replaced once a month. More recently I replaced the cartridges with reusable sponges cut-to-size. It saves money and my plants seem healthier.
Back in the 60's my go to filters were - box filters for my bare bottom breeding/grow out tanks, HOB for my large aquascaped display tanks, then came the addition of the UGF. Now I'm using double sponge filters in my breeding tanks (cheaper than box filters) central air supply with a linear air pump (super quiet) and Aquaclear HOB for my planted display tanks for polishing the water. For my 50+ years in the hobby I have always rinsed and cleaned my filters under tap water. I have never lost a cycle in any of my tanks either. People need to get it in their heads that there's beneficial bacteria on everything in the tank. Even rinsing sponge filters in tank water that was drained will cause a substantial loss of bacteria. I never relied on filters for a biological filter, more for particulate removal. I am considering making a sump for my 125G when I decide to go with Discus. Not a fan of canister filters. Can't see in side whats going on. My old handicapped butt can't crawl around on the floor under the cabinet to play with them. Sump should be easier, reach in and pull a giant sponge out.
Sponge filters. Easy maintenance, low electrical cost, consistent flow and i love the shape of them for some reason. Had a hob filter but one of the things i hate was having to clean off algae growth in the tubes which clog the flow. Whenever the hob filter is clogged, you need to clean it out immediately or you get a inconsistent flow in the tank. Sponge filters still provide a decent airflow even when they are somewhat clogged
Yeah I never bought one but ended up getting a couple of them with tanks i bought off fb mp. I think it's a good filter and would definitely purchase one if needed in the future. Just not a fan of the cartridges. Going to look into making my own somehow.
My 125 gallon tank has a trickle or sump if you want to call it that. In the same tank in the 2 back corners are a over flow system with a sponge filter. An I put one of those air filter in it lol Then I just sat up a 20 gallon tank with sand at the bottom with a hang on. The water is still cloudy from the sand I guess don't have anything in it i just got it running yesterday. Thank you for the great video
Thank you for your reply . Still is frustrating now what about compatibility . Wish I had your experience . This is my first time on a big tank . Just trying to get it right . Thank you for your patience . If there is going to be any shows that can help me , please let me know .
i have an Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo for my aquarium and i like it. it has a heater inside with outside knob for easy changing of the temperature and a very easy to clean first stage sponge for heavy muck. you just pull two levers and you remove the filter. the rest of the filters are like the old canister filters around
Canister filters are generally my go to as I can put the inlet and outlet at opposite ends of my large tanks and the water will push all waste to the inlet, so nothing gets caught in the corners. I have 3 turtles, each with their own tabk. I have a 150gal, a 75gal and a 55gal based on each one's size. My 55 actually has an internal Canister filter because it's in a place that needs silence and the internal filter, being submersible, is the quietest type of filter in my opinion.
I really thank you cause now I understand filters a little better and my questions have been answered.. thanks so much . Seriously appreciated 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I switched from an Aquaclear to the Seachem Tidal which I absolutely love. I have one in each of my 4 big tanks. It’s so quiet, keeps my water crystal clear unlike the Aquaclear, and I can control the flow and they’re easy to clean. I also have a sponge filter in each tank, big or small.
I'm very pleased with my tetra hob filters. Just the basic "whisper" not the iQ. Harder to find but they have been fantastic for me. The cartridge for them are accommodating for chemical filtration too.
I so much appreciate this video. I'm one confused lady. I have a 20 gallon with a Top Fin hang on the back and a small fine sponge filter. I keep vacuuming and doing 50% water changes all tests come out perfect, but I can't get the water clear. I just ordered a medium sponge and a bubble Bio from Aquarium Co OP. So I'm hoping to get clear water. 😊
I use only canister filters, but after nearly a year with my 2 bigger tanks (~175 gal) i am switching to sumps for them since cleaning so many FX6 is getting tiring 😓😓 (never get a Panaque with a canister filter!) So from my experience I would recommend a canister filter for 125gal and under, above 125gal a sump 😅👍
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Aww thank you so much I have 3 goldfish for about 6 years next month is their birthday 🎂 An they spent all those years in a 2 gallon tank they have grown a lot I always changed the water 💦 a fill with bottled water only. I will put them in the 10 gallon tank on Friday. Thank you for replying 🐠🐟🐠🐟🐟
Hi. Thanks for your videos. They are providing great information. I have a 72 gallon bow front that I plan to have a few crappie in it. What do you recommend for filtration?
I have an Marineland Emperor 400 HOB on my 55gal tank and I'm gonna add an sponge filter after watching these type of vid for 2 days strait seems like an almost fail proof way to go if u keep it clean👍🏾☮&💖✌🏾
So glad I found your page , I have a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , the Oscar is getting big fast , and it seems he has outgrown the filter system I have now , I have the aqua filter that sits on the back of the tank , it uses the replaceable carbon filters . I am wanting to get a newer filter system , which one would you recommend for a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , now 12” long ! He is not a clean fish ! Constantly having to vacuum the tank , a lot of work for myself . Thanks for your help
Jason thank u as always for the great & informative video. My favorite & will always be HOB’s. Marinelands emperor penguin filters. Very easy to setup & service. Also can’t forget customizable. As you mentioned it depends on your wants & needs for your systems. Enjoy your day my friend.
I can't use those anymore, they refuse to prime up after every feeding I turn off the filters for like 5 minutes. It's ridiculous. Aqua clears have the motor outside the water too and they always prime right back up.
I'll be using corner matten filters on all my future tanks and switching current tanks to them when the opportunity opens up. You can't beat their reliability, ease of use, and when the power goes out they are easy to get back online due to their low power draw. You're also avoiding most if not all potential failure points besides that tank itself leaking/bursting.
What do you guys use/recommend for a 20 long? I have a Fluval 307 but I have to keep the flow low since I have CPDs and honey gouramis and I’m struggling with dead spots.. specifically in the middle ironically and under the outflow/unflow
I have the marienland internal cannister filter you showed in your video. I use it in my turtle tank. Hands down the best filter I've ever had. I can add whatever biological media to the filtration; it's super easy to clean; the water stays crystal clear; and it's pretty cheap! Highly recommend for 55ish gallons
Hi I know I am late but I was wondering /confused I don’t know if I should have a canister filter in my turtle tank or a other filter right now I have a silent filter because the tank is my room but I wanna make sure that I’m keeping my tank clean so can you please help?
I didn’t hear you mention it, but I could have missed it. One major advantage to external filters (like a canister filter) is that they add volume to the tank... effectively making your tank volume larger by a couple litres.
hi jason! im getting ready to set up my 29 gallon. should i get the HOB aquaclear 30 or 50 filter ? dont want to over do it but also want to do a good job. my 29 gallon is right on the cusp of their parameters. thanks!
One thing I don’t like about the hang off the back filters is the tank has to be that much further from the wall. It’s not a big deal on a small 5-10 gallon tank but a 75 gallon tank will be 5 or 6 inches from the wall
Thank you so much for the useful video. 🙏 I have sponge filters and one external filter, i love the sponge filters they are easy to use and clean but a little bit noisy. The external is ok too and its pretty silent. I think every filter has up and down, should use different types to see what suits best for you. Greetings from Europe 😊
You should look into the new USB-powered piezoceramic air pumps, I first learned about them from Aquarium CoOp, but they are manufactured in China so can be ordered various ways, such as via Amazon in your own country or AliExpress. They are small, about the length of a finger and a few times thicker, can be hung from a bracket or wall, are very inexpensive, and are _unbelieveably_ quiet. We have a single one running sponge filters in our bedside tanks, 5 and 7.5 gallons (~20 & 30L), and you can't hear the hum of the pump over the bubbles! I'll be replacing all our pumps, except the main fish room air pump, over to these USB ones. Another great thing is that you can power them with a backup power supply, same as you could with your phone, in case of power outage, or even if you are travelling (over Christmas I transferred some fish happily in a bucket with this pump plugged into the car). www.aquariumcoop.com/products/usb-nano-air-pump
Watched your show about different kinds of filters , however that doesn't solve my problem . I have a 150 gallon tank with a FX6 and a Seachem 110 . What compatible cichlids do I get to utilize the space of the tank and the filtering size I have ? o I am a 72 yr. old novice . Need your help. Enjoyed your program and look forward to watching more .
I don't think your filters will have any issues with any cichlids that can reasonably fit into a 150 gallon - peaock cichlids, mbuna, South American cichlids like firemouths, jack dempseys, oscars, severums. You could also do geophagus. So many options.
I bought my FX6 sec0nd hand . How often to clean ? Any particular stuff you like to put in it / What our the dials on top of cover ? If I make a spray bar will it effect the FX6 ?
I haven't used the FX6, but generally speaking I would start with monthly maintenance and see how that works. I really like a combo of sponge, filter floss and bio balls in canister filters.
I like my hob they do a great job and easy to maintain. My aqueons and sea chems with the pumps in the tanks are the quietest and always restart .My one canister filter is a hassle to maintain and going to replace it with a new and improved marineland Hob.A couple of tanks I also have sponge filters in them in case I need to set up a tank on short notice.
So far I only used sponge filters and a hang on the back filter. For my ciclihd tank, I prefer hang on the back filter as cichlids produces more waste. As for my neon tetra tank and tiger barb tank, sponge filters are enough, which by the way are both ran by a single pump.. hence the savings.
please advice as I am looking to get some discus fishes, what type of filter can I use as I heard they normally need the outlet to be slow flowing and I am confused. Thanks
I need help!!! My 75 is such that the only HOB that fits over the back is aquaclear 110 all the others are 1.5 inch and not 2 is there anyway around this?
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter. alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
I run 2large Co-Op sponge filters in my big tank. And a fluval 406 just for polishing the water. And in my betta tank 10g I use small Co-Op sponge filter. I real enjoy the sponge filter how easy they are to clean. Tanks 5 to 10 mins to clean all my sponge then back into tank.
I have never seen a 'hang on the back' filter here in the U.K, I don't know why they haven't cought on or are not popular but that seems to be the way. I have a shallow 4 food aquarium, (15 inches high I think), I have an internal pump for air circulation filled with sponges & two canisters that are connected to two holes at the underside of the aquarium, the less powerful canister doesn't make much difference to the water power going into the aquarium but does collect some crap from it. I also have a U.V light unit connected to each canister.
You're right, we don't really see them over here. I went to Maidenhead Aquatics the other day and they had 1 HOB filter on sale, a lot of other shops I've been to don't sell them at all. I have a HOB from All Pond Solutions and I have to say I'm very pleased with it, it's silent! I don't hear a thing, apparently it's filtering 800L/hr. It also has a built in UV light which can be isolated via a switch, I've not used it as I've not needed to. The water is crystal clear, my fish are happy, and my wife's happy and she picks up on the smallest of noises.
Need some troubleshooting advice. Setting up a new smaller 10 gallon with some plants and a larger sponge filter hydro III. Do I need to run a mechanical filter in the mean time. The water has turned cloudy just wondering if it's beneficial bacteria bloom. It's been up for about a week. Do I need to cycle longer than 3 weeks?
You probably don't need additional filtration - just time for the tank to cycle. My guess is there is probably ammonia and/or nitrite in the water causing the bloom? As soon as the ammonia and nitrite are gone you should be able to start adding fish slowly.
I have a question concerning gravel. I know that with a UGF the gravel contains a huge amount of bacteria as it is the bio media for that filter, but what about with other types of filtration? Would the gravel contain the same amount of bacteria with water flowing over the surface. of the gravel instead of through it. I am asking because I am wondering how much bio-media to add to a filter if you want to go bare bottom to compensate for the lack of surface area in the tank.
Great question! No, the gravel will be less populated with microbes without the additional water flow (oxygenation). However, unless the tank is super heavily stocked, most appropriately-sized filters will provide more than enough space for media to do biological filtration. I almost never stress about bio filtration.
Thanks for all of your great content. If you ever decide to build a sump, I would be very interested in seeing how you would do it, what chambers you would build into it, and the types of media you would use.
I do a fine sponge on the intake of my HOB filter and get pretty crystal clear water. Threw a ten gallon bubbler in there to edit my volcano to create bubbles. The volcano had a air stone in it but I figured if it's gonna have bubbles might as well have a means of biological filtration so I rigged it up To a small ten gallon sponge bubbler. Works great.
We just purchased the aquatop hca 12g bookshelf tank and glass lid. We have two african dwarf frogs and a beta to put in the tank. What is a filter that will be weak enough not to suck up the frogs that will work with a glass lid fitted for the tank?
I have a 80 gallon tank. I had an Aquaclear 60-110 gallon filter for like 15 years or more. Seems like the motor isn't quite as strong so I bought an additional 40-70 gallon AquaClear filter. I'm running both together. Do you think thats to much. What size filter should I use for the 80 gallon tank. I heard twice the size filter for the tank. Example, 160 gallon for the 80 gallon tank.
Which brand would you recommend for a 55 gallon tank? I plan to have a HOB Aquaclear 70 as well, but for the first time ever, I won't have my undergravel
Thanks for the excellent explanations.
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Sponge filters
3:48 Mat filters
4:25 Hang-on-back filter
7:30 Internal canister filter
8:40 External canister filter
10:59 Sump filters
12:30 Conclusion
Prime Time speaks the truth... on ALL his videos... and not just trying to sell products like a few that shall not be named!!!
Thank you. I just try to share my experience with stuff. Hopefully, people benefit form that.
After nearly 60 years in the hobby, my opinion is that a corner Matten filter is the best choice for tanks under about 180 gallons. Air driven or with a powerhead- hands down in terms of biological, mechanical, and looks beautiful. Above 180, I go with a sump, using Poret foam in increasing porosity as the water flows through. Simple, cheap, beautiful, and most importantly the most effective approaches. When you add low maintenance and low energy costs to these two options, there is no other choice in my mind. The only down side, these filters are not "plug and play" with say adding an Aquaclear or cannister filter. You have to be willing to "tinker" a little bit.
Thanks fort sharing what you do!
Ya I agree they are great but man I hate doing anything close to diy stuff haha
@M P I would use 20 ppi (pores per inch). Go to the Swiss tropicals site and you can buy the plumbing from them or make it yourself
For me = HOB
After using undergravel filter for 27 years, 4 years with a canister and my actual Aquaclear for 8 months, I cannot explain why I waited so long to buy a HOB...
Excelent and complete video!!! 👍🙂👍
Thank you!
I’ve been in this hobby for 110 years and work 74 hours a day this guy has no idea what he’s talking about
@@noobsinatube I agree. I'm learning. I'm a beginner in the hobby, but I learn slowly
I have 7 tanks 3 -75 gallon, 60 gallon, 48 gallon, 30 gallon n a 10 gallon I have a 70 gallon fluval filters on the 4 bigger tanks a 50 gallon fluval filter on the next 2 and a 20 gallon fluval filter for the small one with 2 - 75 gallon Sponge filter and one filter apiece on the 3 smaller ones and I only run 3 different pumps for all tanks never had any issues with my water quality and I keep all American chichlids from n inch to 8 inches I have to say watching ur videos has helped me tremendously thank you and keep them coming
Thank you for being here!
Thank you for this vid. New to the hobbie and I was completely overwhelmed with the type of filters out there. Watched probably an hours worh of vids researching and you provided all the answer in this one vid. I will keep my mechanical filter
Good to hear! Thanks for watching!
I was feeling the same. Glad I found this video.
My favorite filter is the Aqua Clear HOBs. Excellent filter. Sponges can be reused and replacement parts are easy to get.
When my canister filter started leaking 5 years ago on my 75g, planted, community tank I uncovered the four 'upright' holes, installed the upright tubes and hooked up 2 air pumps to my UG filter. (The UGF was installed when I got the tank over 12 years ago, I just removed the upright tubes when I got the canister and left the plates). A couple of years ago I upgraded the air pumps to Tetra Whispers and my aquarium has been running quietly ever since. I have a colony of Malaysian trumpet snails keeping the substrate clean and I keep the stocking levels low. My tank is in my Living room against a wall, so a HOB wouldn't work. I like the sound of bubbles and the plants and other decor hide the tubes pretty well. My philosophy has been "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so, until I have to take the tank down to reseal it, UGF is my filter of choice. 💕👍
Thank you for this video. I use hang on the back filters with intake sponges and, watching all of the most well-known fish keeping youtube channels, I always feel like they're saying I should only be using sponge filters and HOB filters are for noobs and people who don't really know what they're doing. I like HOB filters and feel better about my choice now.
That is because they push the big expensive filters. Filtration is about mechanical and biological filtration. If the water is clear, you have good circulation and oxygenation through surface agitation and ammonia and nitrite read zero the filter does it's job. Of course, nitrate is controlled by water changes.
@@Kenney9120 I'm afraid you misread floatygimpy, he was saying that he feels several of the big fishtubers advocate for using sponge filters (pretty much the least expensive option) not the expensive filters you are thinking of.
@@annethornton9938 True. I was actually thinking of the pet stores and companies that sell the big filters. It makes sense of course since they are a business and need to make a living. It is good to see UA-cam's like Corey from AmericanCoOp and others educating new comers about their experiences.
I use both hang on the back (Marineland) and sponge filters. 😊😊
Same here this is the best way to go.
I just tore down my tank and I'm starting back up and considering an aquaclear 70 and a sponge filter (instead of my undergravel filter) in my 55 gallon. I had the tank for 12 years and algae got out of control no matter what I did, and I think that is because my undergravel filter. I have a Marineland too that I need to repair which I'd prefer
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter.
alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
@sharrn miller can I use 10gallon back power filter like topfin and 10gallon biological sponge filter together in my 20gallon startup tank?
Apart from my 125 gallon tanks, I use sponge filters exclusively. They keep the water and tanks clean, I dont have the noise or cartridges of a HOB, and they are super easy to maintain.
Sponge and filtration system combination for 55 and up
Fluval aquaclear HOB has been my go to for decades. Nice and quiet, does a great job at mechanical filtration, and the biological media is the best by far - some of my sponges and bio cube are 10+ years old, and still in great condition! :)
Good to hear!
I use AquaClear HOBs too. Love them. Sometimes I hear from other folks that they are loud or not working properly. This is where good maintenance comes into play. Too many people forget that important part of things.
Yourself and Corey from Co-op have sold me on sponge filters. I put them on my pickup tubes for EVERY filter. I rarely need to clean out my canister or hang on back filters, just the sponges! I also use hose and connect sponge filters to power heads and they work excellent to make my own filter.
Very cool!
My favorite filters are the aquaclear 110’s. I have 2 running on each of my 90 and 150 tank. Thanks for going over filter pros and cons.👍🙂🐠
I just got a 45 gallon, do you think 1 aquaclear 110 will be enough?
@@jakedeane3003 Absolutely. That would be more than enough.
I have HOBs on my 2x 10 gallons & 1x 5 gallon, simple Top Fins that I've hotrodded the media in, have Specs & Flex with built-in filtration, and run sponges on all the rest of my tanks, from 1 gallon (newborn guppy fry for a week or two) up to 25 gallons (heavily stocked with tetras). I'm putting together a fishroom over the next month or two, and will be running sponge filters throughout, with HOBs when &/or where I need greater/chemical filtration. As for running the sponge filters, I'm thrilled to have learned about the USB nano air pumps from Cory/Aquarium CoOp, because it's so handy and oh so silent, can't hear its hum over the gentle bubbling in our 5 & 7.5 gallon bedside tanks! Definitely will be picking up more, especially for our sons' bedroom tanks, and in case of power outages. Will check out your video on fishroom setup to get ideas on what air pump to get for the fishroom!
Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your filtration! Nice!
Filtration. One of the most misunderstood topics. Tnk you for your input on this topic.
Mister B’s -fish and things I’m still confused I didn’t even think that was a filtration system to clean the tank. Unless those wore under gravel filter ration system’s I don’t know as you can see I got to do a lot lot lot more homework but thank you I’m getting at least some of the terminology downI thought that was an oxygen delivery system
This helps out a lot when choosing a filter
My favorites are canisters with a spray bar and sponge filters.
For bigger tanks, the canister with spray bar: Super nice aeration/circulation, powerful flow but gentle at the same time.
For smaller tanks (below 20g): Sponge filters. Ease of use, a single sponge filter is often enough!
I don't like the turbulence hang on backs make though, you cannot have floating plants with them or they'll be pushed all around, plus on smaller tanks (
I totally agree with your statement. I have turned away from over the back filters for that very reason.
It 100% decreases the area of the tank that is “comfortably livable” and turns a tank like a 30gl into a 20gl because of the waters disturbed space.
this dude reminds me of bill burr... awesome video! thank you!
Excellent comparison, including pros and cons. My tank and canister filter choice was made for me when a friend decided to get out of the hobby. He kept a community tank. Since moving to mbuna, I've added a second Eheim canister to improve turnover.
I really like HOBs for ease of maintenance and cost while also providing space for chemical media.
I just set up a 55 gallon tank with walls so thick that I can't get an HOB on it and I don't have anywhere to put a canister. So I put a sponge filter with a powerhead on one side and a Sicce Shark on the other. So far, so good. They're extremely quiet, which is nice because it's in my living room.
I love how he likes and replies to almost every comment
:-)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for this video BTW it was extremely helpful
That's it I have to subscribe I keep looking up videos on my aquarium and all yours pop up and are the most helpful I appreciate everything you do keep it up man
Thank you for being here!
Sponge filters for the win.
When cleaning out canister filters watch out for that unintended siphon! Hair dryers do a good job of drying out carpet...
Good tip! : -)
K P canister filters have locks
I started with HOB filters and have found that for me sponge or matten filters work best
Thank you so much for your advice ♥ now I'm relaxed on what to choose cuz I picked one 🙏
I like canister or sump for esthetics, but sponge filters are great for breeding and all around.
I have lots and lots of guppies and I think nothing beats the old school air driven box filter for a guppy tank.
Lee's Triple Flow works the best and I've tried every thing available.
For fast moving fish like danios or minnows I use Penn-Plax internal power filters since they don't cost much and provide a current flow the fish seem to enjoy.
I had those air driven box filters as a kid in my first tanks.
Moved up to an Eheim internal filter in the 90's and i am on canisters now.
But i was thinking about trying to get an oldschool filter and set up a tank as i did as a kid.
For old times sake :)
Hi I’m new to the hobby and picked up a 45 gallon to start out from watching one of your videos about how bigger tanks are easier to maintain, got some mollies to start out, been watching your videos religiously and subscribed, keep it up 👍🏼
Thank you for being here!
Prime Time Aquatics no problem, watching your videos is what made me want to start an aquarium, going great so far👍🏽
Thanks for this video. This is a great overview.
A few questions:
A On the sponges, what is the best pore size? We use the Aquarium Coop sponge you showed which has a solid construction and a number of well thought out features. It does have a coarser sponge.
B. Is there a benefit in changing the up tube length on a sponge filter? (Video idea: Modifications for sponge filters?)
C. At what size and/or age is a filter intake not a risk for sucking up fry?
To You Question : We have 1 generic sponge filter, 2 Aquarium Coop sponge filters, and 2 canister filters.
Thanks for you in depth topics. As a novice, you clear presentation and insight are appreciated.
Jim
Great questions!
I prefer fine for my needs because I have heavily stocked cichlid tanks and they help keep the water mechanically filtered a little better, but if that isn't a problem both can be good.
The longer the tube the more movement you get through the sponge.
The risk for fry really depends on the fish, their primary location and the location of the intake.
Thanks for the great questions. :-)
I run a Cascade 1200 Canister filter and a Seachem 55 HOB on my 55g Mbuna tank. Have 4 Yellow Labs, 4 Yellow Tail Acei, and 4 Rustys
I used to have Fluval internal canister filters with sponges. They worked great, but I think they stopped making them. Now I'm using HOB filters. Initially I used them as-recommended with filter cartridges that need to be replaced once a month. More recently I replaced the cartridges with reusable sponges cut-to-size. It saves money and my plants seem healthier.
Very smart!
Back in the 60's my go to filters were - box filters for my bare bottom breeding/grow out tanks, HOB for my large aquascaped display tanks, then came the addition of the UGF. Now I'm using double sponge filters in my breeding tanks (cheaper than box filters) central air supply with a linear air pump (super quiet) and Aquaclear HOB for my planted display tanks for polishing the water. For my 50+ years in the hobby I have always rinsed and cleaned my filters under tap water. I have never lost a cycle in any of my tanks either. People need to get it in their heads that there's beneficial bacteria on everything in the tank. Even rinsing sponge filters in tank water that was drained will cause a substantial loss of bacteria. I never relied on filters for a biological filter, more for particulate removal. I am considering making a sump for my 125G when I decide to go with Discus. Not a fan of canister filters. Can't see in side whats going on. My old handicapped butt can't crawl around on the floor under the cabinet to play with them. Sump should be easier, reach in and pull a giant sponge out.
Sponge filters. Easy maintenance, low electrical cost, consistent flow and i love the shape of them for some reason. Had a hob filter but one of the things i hate was having to clean off algae growth in the tubes which clog the flow. Whenever the hob filter is clogged, you need to clean it out immediately or you get a inconsistent flow in the tank. Sponge filters still provide a decent airflow even when they are somewhat clogged
are they ok for snails? I'm getting 5 mystery snails and I wanna make sure they are alright for them.
@@cxmet3355 definitely, they are good for pretty much any aquarium animals
@@Billy_The_Frog Ok thank you! I am currently cycling the tank
DOPE VIDEO. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS PROBABLY THE AQUEON QUIET FLOW. DECENT PRICE, QUIET, AND VERY DURABLE. JUST MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
I've tried them and like them too.
Yeah I never bought one but ended up getting a couple of them with tanks i bought off fb mp. I think it's a good filter and would definitely purchase one if needed in the future. Just not a fan of the cartridges. Going to look into making my own somehow.
My 125 gallon tank has a trickle or sump if you want to call it that. In the same tank in the 2 back corners are a over flow system with a sponge filter. An I put one of those air filter in it lol Then I just sat up a 20 gallon tank with sand at the bottom with a hang on. The water is still cloudy from the sand I guess don't have anything in it i just got it running yesterday. Thank you for the great video
Thank you for your reply . Still is frustrating now what about compatibility . Wish I had your experience . This is my first time on a big tank . Just trying to get it right . Thank you for your patience . If there is going to be any shows that can help me , please let me know .
Compatibility is based on the fish. That will take a lot of research! :-)
i have an Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo for my aquarium and i like it. it has a heater inside with outside knob for easy changing of the temperature and a very easy to clean first stage sponge for heavy muck. you just pull two levers and you remove the filter. the rest of the filters are like the old canister filters around
Am thinking of getting a biomaster 250 and what do you think of them?they look easy to clean and was wondering do they come with a spray bar
thanks for the advice jason i have a fluval 307 but less then 6 months its stopped working so im looking for a back up for the breeder tank of angles
you do explain things to the point !!
Canister filters are generally my go to as I can put the inlet and outlet at opposite ends of my large tanks and the water will push all waste to the inlet, so nothing gets caught in the corners. I have 3 turtles, each with their own tabk. I have a 150gal, a 75gal and a 55gal based on each one's size. My 55 actually has an internal Canister filter because it's in a place that needs silence and the internal filter, being submersible, is the quietest type of filter in my opinion.
I mainly use hand of back filters. They are easy to use. You can pimp them out to make the bio load higher. And they usually last a while.
After just 2 videos..... smashed subscribe
Glad you are here.
I really thank you cause now I understand filters a little better and my questions have been answered.. thanks so much . Seriously appreciated 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
That's awesome - thank for watching!
I switched from an Aquaclear to the Seachem Tidal which I absolutely love. I have one in each of my 4 big tanks. It’s so quiet, keeps my water crystal clear unlike the Aquaclear, and I can control the flow and they’re easy to clean. I also have a sponge filter in each tank, big or small.
I have the long term update coming out on the Seachem 55 and it's been a good filter!
Is that a hang on the back filter?
Sponge filters with box filters full of ceramic with a little floss on top. AND pothos.
What is floss and pothos?
Great video. Any suggestions on tank mates for koi fish? I only have 2 small koi that are about 2 inches right now in a 70 gallon tank.
They can be tough to find tank mates for because they like cooler water. Maybe look at cool water shiners?
Great. Thank you
Canister are the easiest to clean. Take it outside with a hose and take it apart rinse and snap back together. These are my fav by far
I'm very pleased with my tetra hob filters. Just the basic "whisper" not the iQ. Harder to find but they have been fantastic for me. The cartridge for them are accommodating for chemical filtration too.
Thank you. This answered all the questions I had about the different types of filters.
I like the external rain drop Upper Boxes
I think it is the best filter ever,😊👍
I so much appreciate this video. I'm one confused lady. I have a 20 gallon with a Top Fin hang on the back and a small fine sponge filter. I keep vacuuming and doing 50% water changes all tests come out perfect, but I can't get the water clear. I just ordered a medium sponge and a bubble Bio from Aquarium Co OP. So I'm hoping to get clear water. 😊
You could try buying som bulk filter floss for your HOB filter - maybe change it out weekly and see if that helps?
My favourite filter is the Seachem Tidal HOB range
That was exactly the information i was looking for! Thanks!
I use only canister filters, but after nearly a year with my 2 bigger tanks (~175 gal) i am switching to sumps for them since cleaning so many FX6 is getting tiring 😓😓 (never get a Panaque with a canister filter!)
So from my experience I would recommend a canister filter for 125gal and under, above 125gal a sump 😅👍
TomSerious thanks for sharing!
@13:30 you talk about a HOB with an internal motor for a bedroom setup. Do you have any recommendations of such a HOB for a 40gal long aquarium?
Check out the Seachem Tidal 55. That should work well.
Good info. Easy to understand. Thanks
Thank you!
Question 🙋♀️
I have a top fin pf 10 hang on the back
Do I need to add a sponge to the filter ?
Nope. You should be just fine.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics
Aww thank you so much
I have 3 goldfish for about 6 years next month is their birthday 🎂
An they spent all those years in a 2 gallon tank they have grown a lot
I always changed the water 💦 a fill with bottled water only.
I will put them in the 10 gallon tank on Friday.
Thank you for replying 🐠🐟🐠🐟🐟
Hi. Thanks for your videos. They are providing great information. I have a 72 gallon bow front that I plan to have a few crappie in it. What do you recommend for filtration?
Thank you! I’d probably run a Seachem Tidal 75 or 110 on it.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Is that a canister?
Very informative. Thank you.
Thank you!
I have an Marineland Emperor 400 HOB on my 55gal tank and I'm gonna add an sponge filter after watching these type of vid for 2 days strait seems like an almost fail proof way to go if u keep it clean👍🏾☮&💖✌🏾
They can be a great back up too
Very detailed video! Well done!
Thank you!
So glad I found your page , I have a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , the Oscar is getting big fast , and it seems he has outgrown the filter system I have now , I have the aqua filter that sits on the back of the tank , it uses the replaceable carbon filters . I am wanting to get a newer filter system , which one would you recommend for a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , now 12” long ! He is not a clean fish ! Constantly having to vacuum the tank , a lot of work for myself . Thanks for your help
Probably a Marineland PRO 450. That way if you can get him into a bigger tank like a 75 gallon you will be able to use the same filter!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you so much , once he outgrows the 50 gallon I will be moving him to a 75 gallon . Thank you for the recommendation!
Jason thank u as always for the great & informative video. My favorite & will always be HOB’s. Marinelands emperor penguin filters. Very easy to setup & service. Also can’t forget customizable. As you mentioned it depends on your wants & needs for your systems. Enjoy your day my friend.
I can't use those anymore, they refuse to prime up after every feeding I turn off the filters for like 5 minutes. It's ridiculous. Aqua clears have the motor outside the water too and they always prime right back up.
I'll be using corner matten filters on all my future tanks and switching current tanks to them when the opportunity opens up. You can't beat their reliability, ease of use, and when the power goes out they are easy to get back online due to their low power draw. You're also avoiding most if not all potential failure points besides that tank itself leaking/bursting.
I've done fish room tours where that is their main source of filtration!
What do you guys use/recommend for a 20 long? I have a Fluval 307 but I have to keep the flow low since I have CPDs and honey gouramis and I’m struggling with dead spots.. specifically in the middle ironically and under the outflow/unflow
I like the Seachem Tidal 35 for a 20 long. Fully adjustable flow.
I have the marienland internal cannister filter you showed in your video. I use it in my turtle tank. Hands down the best filter I've ever had. I can add whatever biological media to the filtration; it's super easy to clean; the water stays crystal clear; and it's pretty cheap! Highly recommend for 55ish gallons
Great point for a turtle!
Hi I know I am late but I was wondering /confused I don’t know if I should have a canister filter in my turtle tank or a other filter right now I have a silent filter because the tank is my room but I wanna make sure that I’m keeping my tank clean so can you please help?
That might be the quietest way to go!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics ty
Very useful and informative video on filtration.
Thank you Mark!
I didn’t hear you mention it, but I could have missed it. One major advantage to external filters (like a canister filter) is that they add volume to the tank... effectively making your tank volume larger by a couple litres.
It may not be more swimming area, but more water is more buffer, and that is always amazing!
hi jason! im getting ready to set up my 29 gallon. should i get the HOB aquaclear 30 or 50 filter ? dont want to over do it but also want to do a good job. my 29 gallon is right on the cusp of their parameters. thanks!
Either one of them should do fine.
Great video and really useful. Can you let me know which is better top filter or hobs?
One thing I don’t like about the hang off the back filters is the tank has to be that much further from the wall. It’s not a big deal on a small 5-10 gallon tank but a 75 gallon tank will be 5 or 6 inches from the wall
Thank you so much for the useful video. 🙏 I have sponge filters and one external filter, i love the sponge filters they are easy to use and clean but a little bit noisy. The external is ok too and its pretty silent. I think every filter has up and down, should use different types to see what suits best for you.
Greetings from Europe 😊
Thank you! Appreciate you sharing your setups!
You should look into the new USB-powered piezoceramic air pumps, I first learned about them from Aquarium CoOp, but they are manufactured in China so can be ordered various ways, such as via Amazon in your own country or AliExpress. They are small, about the length of a finger and a few times thicker, can be hung from a bracket or wall, are very inexpensive, and are _unbelieveably_ quiet. We have a single one running sponge filters in our bedside tanks, 5 and 7.5 gallons (~20 & 30L), and you can't hear the hum of the pump over the bubbles! I'll be replacing all our pumps, except the main fish room air pump, over to these USB ones. Another great thing is that you can power them with a backup power supply, same as you could with your phone, in case of power outage, or even if you are travelling (over Christmas I transferred some fish happily in a bucket with this pump plugged into the car). www.aquariumcoop.com/products/usb-nano-air-pump
Very well explained. Thank you for your video.
Thanks for the filter review again. We all need reminders and new ideas.
Watched your show about different kinds of filters , however that doesn't solve my problem . I have a 150 gallon tank with a FX6 and a Seachem 110 . What compatible cichlids do I get to utilize the space of the tank and the filtering size I have ? o I am a 72 yr. old novice . Need your help. Enjoyed your program and look forward to watching more .
I don't think your filters will have any issues with any cichlids that can reasonably fit into a 150 gallon - peaock cichlids, mbuna, South American cichlids like firemouths, jack dempseys, oscars, severums. You could also do geophagus. So many options.
Hang on back with pre filter sponge is my favorite, acts like a sponge but got that power
Ya, that is a very good setup!
Same with me, why do one when you can do both
Thanks for breaking it down. Great info.
I bought my FX6 sec0nd hand . How often to clean ? Any particular stuff you like to put in it / What our the dials on top of cover ? If I make a spray bar will it effect the FX6 ?
I haven't used the FX6, but generally speaking I would start with monthly maintenance and see how that works. I really like a combo of sponge, filter floss and bio balls in canister filters.
I like my hob they do a great job and easy to maintain. My aqueons and sea chems with the pumps in the tanks are the quietest and always restart .My one canister filter is a hassle to maintain and going to replace it with a new and improved marineland Hob.A couple of tanks I also have sponge filters in them in case I need to set up a tank on short notice.
I like both of those filters too!
So far I only used sponge filters and a hang on the back filter. For my ciclihd tank, I prefer hang on the back filter as cichlids produces more waste. As for my neon tetra tank and tiger barb tank, sponge filters are enough, which by the way are both ran by a single pump.. hence the savings.
Lovely silver shark! 5:16
Thank you!
please advice as I am looking to get some discus fishes, what type of filter can I use as I heard they normally need the outlet to be slow flowing and I am confused. Thanks
Depends on the size of the tank, but both Seachem Tidal and Marineland PRO HOB filters have adjustable flows.
Penn Plax .. Very reliable Canister filter , i have it for many years .. besides sponge filter for my 20 Gl shrimp tank ..
I need help!!! My 75 is such that the only HOB that fits over the back is aquaclear 110 all the others are 1.5 inch and not 2 is there anyway around this?
Not easily - they tend to sit too high and you wind up with a lot of water noise.
I use every kind of filteration except sumps and gravel filters. Different needs for different tanks/species
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter.
alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
I run 2large Co-Op sponge filters in my big tank. And a fluval 406 just for polishing the water. And in my betta tank 10g I use small Co-Op sponge filter. I real enjoy the sponge filter how easy they are to clean. Tanks 5 to 10 mins to clean all my sponge then back into tank.
Very cool!
I have never seen a 'hang on the back' filter here in the U.K, I don't know why they haven't cought on or are not popular but that seems to be the way.
I have a shallow 4 food aquarium, (15 inches high I think), I have an internal pump for air circulation filled with sponges & two canisters that are connected to two holes at the underside of the aquarium, the less powerful canister doesn't make much difference to the water power going into the aquarium but does collect some crap from it. I also have a U.V light unit connected to each canister.
You're right, we don't really see them over here.
I went to Maidenhead Aquatics the other day and they had 1 HOB filter on sale, a lot of other shops I've been to don't sell them at all.
I have a HOB from All Pond Solutions and I have to say I'm very pleased with it, it's silent! I don't hear a thing, apparently it's filtering 800L/hr. It also has a built in UV light which can be isolated via a switch, I've not used it as I've not needed to. The water is crystal clear, my fish are happy, and my wife's happy and she picks up on the smallest of noises.
@@ollie2244 What branch of Maidenhead Aquatics?
Need some troubleshooting advice. Setting up a new smaller 10 gallon with some plants and a larger sponge filter hydro III. Do I need to run a mechanical filter in the mean time. The water has turned cloudy just wondering if it's beneficial bacteria bloom. It's been up for about a week. Do I need to cycle longer than 3 weeks?
You probably don't need additional filtration - just time for the tank to cycle. My guess is there is probably ammonia and/or nitrite in the water causing the bloom? As soon as the ammonia and nitrite are gone you should be able to start adding fish slowly.
I have a question concerning gravel. I know that with a UGF the gravel contains a huge amount of bacteria as it is the bio media for that filter, but what about with other types of filtration? Would the gravel contain the same amount of bacteria with water flowing over the surface. of the gravel instead of through it. I am asking because I am wondering how much bio-media to add to a filter if you want to go bare bottom to compensate for the lack of surface area in the tank.
Great question! No, the gravel will be less populated with microbes without the additional water flow (oxygenation). However, unless the tank is super heavily stocked, most appropriately-sized filters will provide more than enough space for media to do biological filtration. I almost never stress about bio filtration.
Kenny, great question.😁👍
Thanks for all of your great content. If you ever decide to build a sump, I would be very interested in seeing how you would do it, what chambers you would build into it, and the types of media you would use.
If I ever do a sump I'd probably call my buddy Tim over to help with the process only because he's got a lot more experience with them. : -)
Morning Prime Time family!! Good luck in the New Year!!
Thank you! You too!
What do you recommend for a 55 gallon tank alone? It would be my only tank... I am having a hard time choosing which filter is best for me
If I were setting up a new 55 gallon I would either go with a Seachem Tidal 55 or the new Marineland Pro series HOB. Both are quiet and easy to clean.
Hi what would you say would be better for 120litre tank We have a axoloti his always in quarantine due to fungus It’s been nightmare
A HOB filter might be the easiest.
I do a fine sponge on the intake of my HOB filter and get pretty crystal clear water. Threw a ten gallon bubbler in there to edit my volcano to create bubbles. The volcano had a air stone in it but I figured if it's gonna have bubbles might as well have a means of biological filtration so I rigged it up To a small ten gallon sponge bubbler. Works great.
We just purchased the aquatop hca 12g bookshelf tank and glass lid. We have two african dwarf frogs and a beta to put in the tank. What is a filter that will be weak enough not to suck up the frogs that will work with a glass lid fitted for the tank?
Given the length I might run a couple Aquaclear 20s on it and you can turn down the flow.
The seachem tidal is interesting to me. If I get a HOB again, I'll try that one... But sponge filters work so well
Fggbnnb
I have a 80 gallon tank. I had an Aquaclear 60-110 gallon filter for like 15 years or more. Seems like the motor isn't quite as strong so I bought an additional 40-70 gallon AquaClear filter. I'm running both together. Do you think thats to much. What size filter should I use for the 80 gallon tank. I heard twice the size filter for the tank. Example, 160 gallon for the 80 gallon tank.
Which brand would you recommend for a 55 gallon tank? I plan to have a HOB Aquaclear 70 as well, but for the first time ever, I won't have my undergravel
I would go with a HOB personally. The AQ70 will work fine.