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Seachem Tidal 110 Hang on Back Filter Review

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  • Опубліковано 27 лют 2017
  • Reviewing the Seachem Tidal 110 hob filter laying out the good and the bad. The Seachem Tidal is Seachem's first filter to my knowledge and is a pretty strong outing for its first attempt. This filter is definitely a rival of the Aquaclear filters by Fluval.
    Art Created by:
    Robert Chapman
    You can view more of his work here:
    / robertscreativehabit
    And if you really like it you can support his Patreon here:
    / robertscreativehabit

КОМЕНТАРІ • 136

  • @efrainscichlids9038
    @efrainscichlids9038 7 років тому +5

    Great video, i subbed

  • @sammy61187
    @sammy61187 4 роки тому +2

    These filters are fantastic highly recommended been using this for about a year and I can't fault it

    • @Lolsmokeshowlol
      @Lolsmokeshowlol 3 роки тому

      How does the filter do with fryim concerned about the surface skimmer not being able to be sponged off to avoid them getting sucked up.

    • @sammy61187
      @sammy61187 3 роки тому

      @@Lolsmokeshowlol Never had any fish be sucked into this filter I've left as is if you super worried I'd move the fry to a smaller tank with a smaller filter :)

  • @lunes-1
    @lunes-1 6 місяців тому +1

    Just bought this filter today 👍

  • @5150reaper1
    @5150reaper1 5 років тому +1

    I got the 110 for my 65 gal tank. Greatly reduced cleanup of the pump time and work time. My tank water ph and nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, ect is perfect across the board at half of the effort. 1 water change weekly of course. Dont need to but I do anyway. Also to conclude I clean the pump once every 2 to 3 months and that's with a community tank

  • @robertdillon9989
    @robertdillon9989 6 років тому +4

    I disagree with those who say that the Aquaclear pumps are stronger, I have 3 of each and this just isn’t true at all. The Tidal pumps rock! There is however a significant design flaw that allows, at full volume, for substantial water bypass of the filter basket. Some Water comes up the back , over the top of the basket missing the media entirely on full volume. When turned down this dissipates. Is it a big problem for me? No. This filter still out classes everything out there in the HOB class, except Aquaclear. (Which is an equal in my mind on pros and cons). I feel the pump is stronger on the Tidal, and the skimmer is quite an asset, the huge footprint is a negative along with the bypass issues, Aquaclear has the track record.... my 2 cents.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  6 років тому

      Great Points! I certainly can't disagree. I think they both have their uses and the Tidal just adds good competition as well as more options in a area with few good options.
      Thanks for the great feedback. I'm hoping to start making videos again soon so I hope you get your subscriptions worth!

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  6 років тому

      Great Points! I certainly can't disagree. I think they both have their uses and the Tidal just adds good competition as well as more options in a area with few good options.
      Thanks for the great feedback. I'm hoping to start making videos again soon so I hope you get your subscriptions worth!

  • @johnjwedrall4290
    @johnjwedrall4290 Рік тому

    Found your channel today and subscribed today 👍 yep the zipper bag is worth mentioning ❗️

  • @ronmcdowell4794
    @ronmcdowell4794 Рік тому

    Looks like your cat approves! Nice video.

  • @vadicus-tcp
    @vadicus-tcp 3 роки тому

    I placed a plastic mesh at the bottom of mine so the sponge does not get squished into the open holes and limit water intake. No overflow and much better filtration I have found. Full flow and no bypass. I use about 3 inches of course sponge. Half inch of filter floss, a bag of Seachem Matrix and a bag of Seachem Purigen. All fits with no restrictions. Crystal clear water.

  • @IFIXCASTLES
    @IFIXCASTLES 5 років тому +2

    Love mine! Pimped out!

  • @plcc07777
    @plcc07777 5 років тому +1

    My personal favorite filter. Great review :)

  • @TheGnthreman
    @TheGnthreman 5 років тому +2

    I’m sold, pond guru did a great pimp my filter video.

  • @RobChapmanCreativeHabits
    @RobChapmanCreativeHabits 7 років тому

    Shared this video on my Twitter. I don't know about any of this stuff, but I still watch most of your videos! lol I feel like I learned a thing... maybe two things.

  • @bryanchan420
    @bryanchan420 5 років тому

    Much better than other video... On points...short and concise

  • @bigdweeb7829
    @bigdweeb7829 Рік тому

    Top review 👍🏽😊

  • @RAIDERVATO44
    @RAIDERVATO44 4 роки тому

    Have one best hang on filter I ever had

  • @smorc65
    @smorc65 3 роки тому +2

    As someone who uses intake sponges on the end of my HOB filter intake tube, I don't like that you can't close off the other intake openings.

    • @shadowofthestarsdespair
      @shadowofthestarsdespair 3 роки тому

      U could easily put a sponge inside the skimmer as long as u don't block the pump

  • @tgbluesman
    @tgbluesman 2 роки тому

    I bought the Tidal 110 for my 75 gal tank and used it about 2 months till it back flowed and put 8 gallons of water on my floor and carpet. Don't know why it happened but I got rid of it.

  • @DebTim
    @DebTim 7 років тому

    Hi Buddy.. excellent review. I'm pretty sure I watched the unboxing and was hooked then! You did a fantastic job!!

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +DebTim A CANADIAN Girl thanks deb! I'm sooo excited to see your flowerhorn, is it a juvie or adult? Did i have any influence on that decision lol?

  • @wyzemann
    @wyzemann 7 років тому

    I enjoyed your review; I have the Tidal 100 also and am loving the ease of use. Albeit, I was a little too excited and actually believed this was "better" than the AquaClear 100; now, I see it as just an overall more advanced and detailed update to the always reigning KING OF HOBs.
    Btw, I subbed to your channel.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +wyzemann thanks for subbing, hope you enjoy they content. I think the tidal does some things better than the aquaclear, but overall the aquaclear is still an easy go to. Good to see some competition for the aquaclear and I'm all for more, good alternatives.

  • @rickjones1176
    @rickjones1176 4 роки тому

    One other feature is the power cord is quite long, not short like a lot of others. This is a great convenience.

  • @Purowalangkwenta
    @Purowalangkwenta 7 років тому +1

    Just purchased one today!! Loving it! I literally sold my sunsun 404B to get this lol

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому +2

      +Chris Ongoing it will be much much easier to do maintenance on, for sure! I hate canister maintenance lol

    • @nicolemorin6795
      @nicolemorin6795 4 роки тому +1

      So do I which is why I turned to hang ons at first I didn't think I wanted to because it had more power I thought and then I found the decent hang on filters now there's a tidal 110 and also Fluval 110 B the great hang on filters with a decent enough space for media some of the canister meteors you can't even put as much because of the way the Trey set and it takes a lot to maintain a canister filter and is always the possibility of not clamping it right or a hose getting undone when changing the media yeah the canister filters aren't really all that great because of the maintenance the only time I would say it would be worth it as if you had a basement yes in case any accidents would happen there's nothing that you need to worry about but in a house there is which is why I like to hang on no possible leakage

  • @rlb7906
    @rlb7906 2 роки тому

    Mine is so loud. Even when the tank water is fill to the top. The exiting water trickles loudly

  • @AQUAGUYUK
    @AQUAGUYUK 3 роки тому

    Matrix is just pumice stone just more expensive also some heater manufactures suggest their heaters should be at a 45 degree angle ,,having used these for a long time now i have found that the sizing of the tanks you can filter is a lot less than quoted but still a great filter shame that the sponge is at the bottom meaning you have to disturb all the bio media but great review and smashing content subbed

  • @vanschermerhorn7167
    @vanschermerhorn7167 9 місяців тому

    Does the media in the nylon bag work well or can the media be loose ?

  • @terrellc428
    @terrellc428 7 років тому +1

    helluva review, u've sold me on giving one a try👍😎👌

  • @jacobchrem2536
    @jacobchrem2536 7 років тому +1

    great review!!

  • @stevemacdonald2303
    @stevemacdonald2303 3 місяці тому

    I got one on the way from Amazon

  • @weareorigin
    @weareorigin 7 років тому

    Thanks for showing how slow the water flow can be. From personal experience, I am cautious of the Aquaclear since it may self-prime, or may not self-prime.

    • @jacobd373
      @jacobd373 7 років тому +1

      Had one stop one day while I was at work. Motor was very hot and when I pulled it off it was smoking or steaming. Still working though.

  • @jaybadass.comnet
    @jaybadass.comnet Рік тому

    I.have the 35.75 110 tidal.there great.

  • @joec2174
    @joec2174 5 років тому

    The black filter box also stops alage growth if the tank is by a window.

  • @no-knickers-emma1112
    @no-knickers-emma1112 3 роки тому

    Great review

  • @edgararcega3046
    @edgararcega3046 Рік тому

    Anybody know how wide and deep this filter is?

  • @DuyAnh1
    @DuyAnh1 7 років тому

    I just got my 110 Tidal today too!
    I added some floss on top and now waiting for it to run for a week and see the result.
    I also run a canister filter too as well :)

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому +1

      +Unpwnable awesome! Feel free to share your thoughts on it after you have some time with it

    • @DuyAnh1
      @DuyAnh1 7 років тому

      Oh yes sure :) so the internet knows too LOL!

  • @butchhome6957
    @butchhome6957 2 роки тому

    I bought a Tidal 75 and have never been so disappointed in a filter. It is so noisy all the time. If I do get it to be quiet for a minute or two it doesn't last for more than a day at best. Anything else is a better choice.

  • @dennis-qu7bs
    @dennis-qu7bs 6 років тому

    hey, you're a great reviewer! thanks!

  • @johnnyaguilarjr.9920
    @johnnyaguilarjr.9920 2 роки тому

    Which one do you prefer
    AC 110 or Tidal 110

  • @stateniland
    @stateniland 4 роки тому

    I have a pretty thick background and was wondering if this HOB will clear it? I'm using a AC 110 and it's fine.. but this filter looks a bit tighter for clearance.. I also read that the 'skimmer' does most of the intake of water and not the down tube..even when that dial is turned to max or less..
    your thought's?
    thanks
    Joe

  • @Igor-q3f
    @Igor-q3f 3 місяці тому

    Does it last a week before it clogs?

  • @truthfactreality6814
    @truthfactreality6814 3 роки тому

    I use these a lot

  • @blazew0n
    @blazew0n 6 років тому

    Great review, subbed👍

  • @dirtyprinz224
    @dirtyprinz224 2 роки тому

    Its has a minimum water line for a reason seems to go over a lot of peoples heads raise it up and screw it so it stays at the level it should be at

  • @nicolemorin6795
    @nicolemorin6795 4 роки тому

    U forgot to mention that it has a self-cleaning propeller mode or it just self cleans it is what it claims on the site I'm dying to get one I decided to be cheap and get a cheaper Phil's or which work's group but I am very disappointed when I really think about what I could have had well I still be able to get it and just going to take a little longer Unfortunately it is seems like an awesome filter

  • @glendabaldwin4423
    @glendabaldwin4423 4 роки тому

    I'm learning about water filter,. loved this, but you had put in the filter a zippered box that looked like whitel rocks, what are those and then on top of those were a bag that looked like tiny corks with holes in the center, what's are those?

  • @sondercichlidaquariums4951
    @sondercichlidaquariums4951 4 роки тому

    I got the 110 but there’s no way on earth it is good enough for 400 litres...I have mine filled with matrix it come with, eheim substrat pro and biohome ultimate and I have that on a 55g in my fish room with a small pair of single species cichlids

  • @stateniland
    @stateniland 4 роки тому

    2:24 won't fry be sucking into the skimmer and also the vents under the motor housing?

    • @grizzly8960
      @grizzly8960 6 місяців тому

      I filled the slots in with silicone - pull the motor off slide a piece of plastic milk jug works - inside to back up the slots carefully fill with silicone I used black - did a second d coat and works like a charm can pull them right off if you want to use skimmer - they should have incorporated a cover for this

  • @flamingbridges1649
    @flamingbridges1649 5 років тому

    I bought one of these for my 30 gallon and even on the lowest setting the flow is really fast. if i turn it up it makes a grinding noise. I can only fill it up about 4" from the minimum water line

    • @flamingbridges1649
      @flamingbridges1649 5 років тому

      @@apaulmcdonough2170 why not? I have goldfish and they are very messy fish. I'd rather have loads of filtration than not enough

  • @bigbowlowrong4694
    @bigbowlowrong4694 6 років тому

    Getting one of these because my Aquaclear is just way too fucking noisy (and yes, I've tried the Vaseline trick - several times. I'm afraid to muck around with the impeller more than I already have). Everything I've seen about these indicates they're very quiet, so here's hoping I'll get a good night's sleep in a few days.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  6 років тому

      As long as your water level is high enough its pretty quiet. If you don't top of it grinds or gurgles like crazy. It doesn't sound good then lol

    • @bigbowlowrong4694
      @bigbowlowrong4694 5 років тому

      Buddy Mayfield I never had any problems AT ALL with the Tidal I got. Ran silently from the day I got it. So, so much better than the Aquaclear, what a piece of junk that thing was.

  • @gmoorach
    @gmoorach 7 років тому +3

    I bought a Tidal 75. I bought it primarily because it has an integrated surface skimmer I, like you, keep my water level on the higher side. So, I'm disappointed the skimmer is entirely submerged. It's a major design flaw, in my opinion.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +George Moorachian agreed, not sure why the slits aren't higher.

    • @gmoorach
      @gmoorach 7 років тому

      I emailed Seachem about what I perceived as a design flaw. They said even though the slots were slightly below the water surface, it would still draw water from the surface, and therefore still skim. I have yet to install it to see if it indeed does skim the surface. Have you noticed if it effectively surface skims, while the skimmer slots are below the water surface?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому +1

      +George Moorachian i tested just now with flakes and can say it is not effective at skimming the surface when slits are below the water line. Maybe 1 in 100 pieces pulled down into the skimmer. I will include the video i took in my features review

    • @gmoorach
      @gmoorach 7 років тому +1

      Thanks for the feedback. I look forward to your features review.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +George Moorachian anytime, sorry for the initial delayed response

  • @JPoppVlogs
    @JPoppVlogs 2 роки тому

    How did the Pleco get in there? lol

  • @roughcutretrospect7235
    @roughcutretrospect7235 7 років тому

    you think i could throw the 55 on a tank 18" deep? would shrimp get sucked in the intake?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +American horror GOREY I'm sure it would fit just fine, but it will most likely claim a few shrimp. If it's a big enough tank with enough starting out i suppose you could get a colony started. Large shrimp like bamboo shrimp would probably have no problems

  • @crimsonoa1
    @crimsonoa1 6 років тому

    I have a reef, wonder if I could convert this to a HOB refugium?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  6 років тому

      Carminus quite possibly. Being able to turn the flow down low would help i think. Not sure what the turnover rate should be on a fuge.

  • @GCaquatics
    @GCaquatics 7 років тому

    good review bro

  • @GDanielCho
    @GDanielCho 7 років тому

    Hey bud, great review. I was wondering if you have to turn it off for a water change. Would the skimmer and "multiple" points of water entry prevent the filter from running while doing a water change? Ima be buying three aquaclears or 3 tidals haha. Thanks man

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +GDaniel yes, it starts to get cranky when it's a bit above the heater holder. Sounds like you have a monster tank! What are you keeping in there?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +GDaniel check my new features review if you want to see how low you can go on my 24" tall 56 gallon column tank

    • @GDanielCho
      @GDanielCho 7 років тому

      Ooo thanks for your response. My fx5 crapped out on my 240g and its been a struggle to get a replacement motor. Had to steal a aquaclear 110 from one of my flowerhorns and the media basket for the fx5 is in the tank with power head pointed on it for the time being ):. But just a jardini in that tank haha, he doesnt play very nice with others so hes solo lol. I got a video of him from two years ago on my channel i think. Hes now about 2 feet and has a huge bio load which is a pain to maintain haha. Wanted to stay away from the fluval (HAGEN) brand but their aquaclears never let me down. Their canisters... ehh only one is still working out of probably 5 i've bought.. Will watch that video right now! Thanks!

    • @duanevh3790
      @duanevh3790 3 роки тому

      thats what I was wondering, an important thing to me is not having to unplug the aqua clears if you have extention on the intake when doing water changes, also I read someone comment that having the skimmer really reduces the suction of the bottom intake? it would be nice if you could close off the skimmer

  • @DJ_LittlePea
    @DJ_LittlePea 7 років тому

    Now I want one of these it looks really cool and it works really good for you .... I wonder if this is available in the uk ... presuming it is 🤗

  • @joec2174
    @joec2174 5 років тому +1

    Not ready for the public. Has by passing issues, skimmer level too sensitive to tank level . Basket holes are useless clogs quickly. Bulky looking in tank. Sponge is thin you will need two to refine debris removal but then again the basket inlet slits are a poor and a limited design. An open mess basket like the quickest would have been better. Skimmer inlet grill design also an issue. It can become quickly blocked. I own three. They all have the same issues. Good concept but rushed to market.

  • @davidfisher9644
    @davidfisher9644 7 років тому +2

    aqua clear is much better the only thing is aqua clear does not self prime but its more powerful and cleans much better.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому +1

      +David Fisher i would agree aquaclear still holds the advantage, but this filter will fit where they ac110 won't which i needed. Also it's nice for the ac to have some competition to drive improvements in the future. Awesome feedback, i appreciate an honest opinion!

    • @tobylynn75
      @tobylynn75 6 років тому +2

      Self prime is needed when power outages are frequently IMO.

  • @edwardbalboa5528
    @edwardbalboa5528 5 років тому

    Best design. ... self priming . ..

  • @kingkato21
    @kingkato21 5 років тому

    Would this be suitable for a 75 gallon?

  • @toguro5117
    @toguro5117 7 років тому +1

    is it as quiet as an aquaclear?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +Toguro the motor seems louder, but the water being returned seems quieter than the aquaclear

  • @shadmanwahied4443
    @shadmanwahied4443 7 років тому

    Can you remove the blue tabs on the filter?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +Shadman Wahied you could probably pop off the tab that holds the filter basket down, the heater holder doesn't have to be installed.

  • @jairocampos2584
    @jairocampos2584 5 років тому

    But what’s better FLUVAL OR SEACHEM ?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  5 років тому +1

      Better is subjective imo. The aquaclear seems higher quality to me, however they both have the same overall functionality. Go with which one has the features you're looking for.

    • @jairocampos2584
      @jairocampos2584 5 років тому

      Thanks

  • @kyleb.7870
    @kyleb.7870 4 роки тому

    Should I run the 35 or the 55 on my 40g breeder

    • @TDV1
      @TDV1 3 роки тому

      75 minimum.
      Because they all lie, the numbers they say are for snail, or shrimp tanks.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  3 роки тому +1

      Missed your comment somehow, but I agree with the 75 minimum. 110 wouldn't hurt either

  • @fishnature2019
    @fishnature2019 2 роки тому

    I think it's really funny how they make these really nice filters and they give you a really nice filter that does a really good job but they don't give you any activated carbon which is to me the absolute thing that's the most important but they give you bio rings and things that are not really needed makes no sense to me 🤦

  • @jimpill4881
    @jimpill4881 3 роки тому

    Mine rattles like a chuckwagon. Very disappointed

  • @bigbuckoramma
    @bigbuckoramma 7 років тому +10

    I have been running this filter now for about a month. And i wont be buying another one again. The mechanical filtration is absolute garbage. Their "sponge" is hardly adequate, and allows massive amounts of fine particulate through. Adding filter floss (which must be cut into an obtuse shape because of their odd basket design, and flow channel integration) causes a pressure differential to occur which causes water to shoot up through the large square openings in the front of the media basket, rather than through the filter media. That water is completely bypassing the filtration, and pushing water right into the outlet flow, circulating muck through the tank. That said, the smaller surface area that usual from their narrow design, means that what filter floss i do put in the basket just gets clogged after 3-4 days, necessitating an early quick water change to clean the floss out.
    It seems to me that their decision to use the coarse sponge was one of necessity, not choice. Because any imbalance in the expected water flow into the basket, causes significant water bypass. So expecting crystal clear water is a pipe dream with the Tidal. Maybe their goal is to sell you a lot of Seachem Clarity? (only half joking)
    Likewise, if you close the intake tube by the lower wheel, it really doesnt increase flow to the skimmer. But significantly increases the flow to the intake slats beneath the pump, on the pump cover. The suction is high enough, and the slats big enough, that you could never use this filter with small fry, or live breeders like Guppies, because they would get sucked right in.
    I get the impression that the Seachem/Sicce engineers made a list off all the customer complains of the AquaClear, and then proceeded to engineer those complaints out of their design. And at the very end someone came and said "yeah, but how well does the filter work?" and they just kind of looked at each other and shrugged, and threw in some Matrix, and that coarse "sponge" thing, and called it good enough.
    The AquaClear, despite its shortcomings, is VASTLY superior in its mechanical filtration, and in practice is just the better filter. It has a real sponge, with uniform porosity, and enough surface area to actually clean the intake water. The AquaClear can also run with a piece of filter floss in its basket, and not have issues with water bypassing the media, because of a poorly designed hole in the filter basket.
    I do think the Tidal has a good usage case though. In a tank with some kind of Koi or Goldfish, that may be overstocked, or close to it. Then you could stuff this thing full of bio media, and its higher than average flow rate would help to manage the additional bio load nicely, if you couldnt afford, or dont have the space for, a large canister setup. And because i dont have anything like that, and dont ever intend to. So i will stick with my AquaClear filters, and continue buying them here on out.
    Unless Seachem release an updated model with better intake flow control, and a filtration system that is actually compatible with fine filtration media, and a basket design that doesnt allow for any of the water to bypass filtration and dump right back into the tank...then i might consider one again. Until that time happens (it wont), i will continue with the tried and true AquaClear for the unforeseeable future.

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому

      +bigbuckoramma glad you shared your experiences with this filter with me. I will have to play and see if i can't get out to do some of that from the filter floss.
      Thanks again for sharing

    • @Aquaman-wy3mg
      @Aquaman-wy3mg 7 років тому

      Just set mine up last night. I got purigen, matrix, and biohome on it. I placed into my tank and let it run over night. Woke up the water was nice and clear. Although my water was already crystal clear to being with. One thign I found interesting and actually really upsetting was, the fact that the poorly written instruction manual states "there is no maximum water level although it is recommended that the level not exceed the height of the surface skimmer slots." So, on my initial placement my water was actually slightly above the skimmer slots. You'd think no big deal right, wrong! I siphoned some water out just to the tip of the skimmer slots just to be safe and not mess the pump up. Then what happened next pissed me off. The water got extremely cloudy. The "adjustable flow intake" is garbage. There's no direction as to what direction is for what action. Did this happen to you too? I want the intake to the majority of the work the skimmer can do minimal. Do you have any advice how I can achieve this?

    • @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy
      @BuddyMayfieldFishBuddy  7 років тому +1

      +CHRISTOPHER FLORES unfortunately this filters biggest selling point seems to be its biggest flaw. I have a tendency not to read instructions, so i was unaware it said to not fill above the slits. I regularly keep it well above the slits with no problems. In my review of the features i mention my disappointment with not being able to have more control of where the water is drawn from. I haven't had any cloudiness but sometimes when switching to a new filter a few days later a small bacterial bloom can happen(my tidal 110 was a second filter added on an established tank/ filter). Happened with my flowerhorn switching to a larger tank. Thanks for the feedback and i hope i answered your questions fully.

    • @Aquaman-wy3mg
      @Aquaman-wy3mg 7 років тому

      bigbuckoramma I completely understand. However, I added a sunsun 304b recently and nothing was disturbed. I had water above the skimmer slits over night and woke up the water was nice. I decided to air on the side of caution and removed some water being that the manual said it's not recommended and that's when hell broke loose. The "adjustable" knob sucks. I'm returning it and buying another AC110 I've never had an issue with those. I was so excited and eager to buy one and try it. I'm so disappointed. I love all other Seachem products though. I wanted to like it so bad. My tank is still cloudy. I'm so pissed. I added clarity and doesn't seem to be doing anything.

    • @bigbuckoramma
      @bigbuckoramma 7 років тому +5

      Sorry it has taken me so long to reply back to you Christopher and Buddy. Sorry, this will be a long post, and a bit technical. I should just post up a video of all of this and be done with it. There is a distinct lack of reviews of the Tidal, and i could probably do some good by it...anyway, here we go...
      Personally, i dont think there is any problem with fully covering the skimmer slots, and i will tell you why. But first i wanted to say that i think some of the cloudiness you experienced, Christopher, was likely a direct result of a bacterial bloom, as the biological media in the filter established itself, as Buddy had suggested.
      Anyway, lets talk about the functionality of the filter, and how it intakes water.
      So the entire front submersible portion of the filter is basically one big hollow chamber, and the pump is housed inside that chamber. When the pump is active, it is generating a negative pressure inside that chamber. As a result of that negative pressure, the surrounding water rushes in to try and equalize it. Like all fluid, it will follow the path of least resistance to enter that chamber. So the performance of the intake system relies completely on the balance of the negative pressures between all of the intake opening. This is where things get complicated...
      The most obvious intakes to this chamber are the surface skimmer slots, and the intake tube. However there is also an additional intake area which is right below the pump, opposite the intake tube, on the removable pump cover. The slats are larger than those of the skimmer, and ingest a significant amount of water.
      According to the PR garbage from Seachem, they claim that the bottom wheel is an adjustable flow control, to promote more surface skimming. This is a bit of a joke, and a mostly false statement. When you adjust that wheel at the bottom, you are covering up the inlet of the intake tube. This causes the water to find a new path in which to enter the pump chamber. Logic would say that would come from the surface skimmer slots. But doing some basic dye testing in a spare tank, the flow rate into the skimmer doesnt change much. The majority of the increased flow comes in from the bottom intake slots on the pump chamber that we discussed above. In the dye testing i also found quite a bit of water was also being sucked in through the crease of the lower pump cover, and even through the hole left behind by not installing the useless heater holder. So that "feature" is completely worthless, and should be removed altogether.
      Even without the intake tube being closed off by the lower wheel (which isnt marked with any kind of operation direction, which is incredibly dumb), the intake tube itself has quite pathetic flow rates. Again doing dye testing, i get more suction force from the underside of the chamber than through the intake tube, and it even seems that the intake tubes suction is reduced the more you extend it. Which all makes sense going back to the whole "path of least resistance" thing. It is a long trip through the extended intake tube, its not even a half inch from the lower slot openings to the pumps impeller intake.
      My personal feeling is that the "skimmer" was a happy accident from the engineering department at Sicce. I think the pumps flow rate was not compatible with the amount of water it could pull from the intake tube alone. Meaning that the pump could pull the water out of the chamber faster than the water could equalize the pressure through the intake tube. So they added top intake slots in order to keep the pump flooded and covered, so that it didnt cavitate. If you want to experience this for yourself, drain the water down JUST below the level of the intake skimmer, and the pump will start to make a racket in protest. I threw some aluminum tape over the surface skimmer, and while it didnt complain in anger, you could hear the pump make some odd noises occasionally like it was sucking some air bubbles. Wish the case was clear so i could see the water levels inside...oh well. But suffice to say, the thing is pulling an extreme amount of water through the "skimmer", and through the mid intake below the pump cover in normal opperation, and not as much as it SHOULD be from the intake tube. I question just how much water it might actually be sucking right back through the pump as soon as it exits the spillway of the reservoir back into the tank. So i believe their whole reasoning behind saying "dont cover the skimmer" is that it will start to pull a majority of the water the pump intakes through the skimmer, and not from the lower intakes. Which kind of defeats the whole purpose of a high flow pump, if you arent turning over the whole water column from the bottom up (such as you could do with the singular intake of the AquaClear).
      This intake strategy also makes things like intake prefilters completely useless, because the increased restriction on the intake tube (which as we have already stated isnt working that well anyway), is causing it to draw water through the skimmer and the inlets right under the pump instead, as restriction on that intake, will naturally increase the flow to others as it balances out. Sure it might collect SOME debris, but certainly not all, because none of the other intakes are prefiltered.
      I think this same issue of balance is also at play with the pressures inside the filter basket reservoir, and why the choice was made to go with the super porous, thin, small, literally see through, plastic sponge. I cut some AquaClear foam to fit the Tidal, and the moment i plugged the pump in, it was tossing water up and over the basket, and bypassing the filtration completely. Because it simply couldnt flow the same amount of water through the Aquaclear sponge as it could through the worthless Seachem sponge. Which tells me that any reasonable fine filtration was not a possibility out of the box with the pumps they are using. So they compromised on the filtration to keep their GPH numbers higher than their competitors.
      However, i have found a SEMI reasonable work around to get some fine filtration. I got some relatively thin filter floss, and cut a large sheet of it into a strip that was the width of the filter basket, and could fit into the basket like a taco in a V shape. This gives a larger surface area than a simple strip of floss across the top of the sponge, which means it is less prone to clogging, and should give better pressure and flow management by being less restrictive. I then took another square piece of floss, and placed it between the two ribs on the front of the basket, effectively forcing any water that tries to come through the front square hole of the basket, to be pushed through the filter floss first. And anything that does get through it, is going to have to hit the back side of the floss taco inside the basket, further filtering it. In the last week that i have been running this set up, the front piece of filter floss has gathered a significant amount of crud that would have been blown through that square hole, and right back into my tank at the reservoir outlet. And NOW my water is crystal clear. However it is right on the edge of spilling water over the back of the basket. But, even if it does, that is still less water than was being blown through that front square hole of the basket.
      Honestly, i feel like Seachem came to Sicce with a list of the complaints consumers had with the Aquaclear (priming, the lifting filter basket, the cheap leveling device, etc.) and said "make a filter that fixes all of these problems, and has a higher flow rate!" They did that, and then someone in the process forgot that it actually had to filter water. So they just put in a course sponge to get it to catch some debris, and called it good enough.
      On paper the Tidal looks MUCH better than an Aquaclear purely on features alone, but in practice, where the rubber meets the road so to speak, the actual filtration performance of the Aquaclear is superior, and the additional biological filtration rate of the Tidal isnt high enough to offset that. Especially when the Aquaclears are going for much less on Amazon right now than the equivalent Tidals in the 55 and 75 models (the 110 seem to be equally priced). Quite frankly i dont see the value in the Tidal when the Aquaclear works better out of the box, and can run all of the same additional chemical and biological filtration media as the Tidal. The value and filtration performance simply arent there in the Seachem product, and i cant recommend it, and i wont buy another one.

  • @adamsadiant1793
    @adamsadiant1793 7 років тому +1

    I'm first OMFG

  • @nelsonaviles344
    @nelsonaviles344 7 років тому

    Way to noisy! Needs a noise reduction hack

  • @dpthegreat4457
    @dpthegreat4457 7 років тому

    no more aquaclear for me