Aqueon quiet flow or aqua clear?

So I'm setting up a 10 gallon quarantine tank and need some help with choosing a filter.

On my 2 tanks I currently have a Topfin 30, API super clean 50, and an ancient SecondNature 1.

What I'm looking for is something that will do great in a QT treated with prazipro and possible other meds. I'm looking for a filter that has cheap sponges and bio media because I'll have to replace it every time I break down the tank. The media needs to fit in any of the filters listed above (including their current media).

I always loved the idea of an adjustable flow. I want it to be quiet as well. A gph around 100-125 would be perfect. Suggestions?

 

I ordered an aqueon for 30 gallon for my 20 gallon, I'll update on how it goes and if it's quiet when I get it.

 

I have an Aquaclear 30 on my 10g. Works great and is really quiet. You don't actually have to use their pre made media. I took the Aquaclear sponge cut a hole in the side and stuck it on the end of the intake as a prefilter. I filled the filter chamber with polyester batting you can buy in bulk from Walmart for cheap. Since you're using this on a QT tank that's going to be medicated I wouldn't bother with bio media and carbon.

Edit: if you ever hear noise from an Aquaclear, either the lid is vibrating or the impeller is grinding on the shaft. Both are easy fixes: 1) remove the lid you don't need it. 2) either use 100% petroleum jelly (original Vaseline) or Silicone grease to grease the impeller shaft. Should be completely silent from then on.

 

I don't know if aqueon are quiet. Anyone know how they are?

 

Why don't you just move the Second Nature filter over to the QT and invest in the better filter for your 10 gallon display tank? I'd get the AquaClear 20.

 

The second nature filter was brand new. My dad never opened it. I used it to start up my 10 gallon 6 or so years ago. I trust that thing to death and love it! Plus its on a 20 gallon now. I'm going to keep it on my display tank since it's going strong and has loads of BB! I haven't seen an ammonia spike with that filter for 5 years

The 10 gallon QT only needs a decent filter for when it's in use.

 

So you have the Second Nature on the 20 gallon and the TopFin 30 + the API Superclean on your 30 gallon?

 

I just returned a QuietFlow to the store and got an AquaFlow. The difference is night and day. The QuietFlow was the loudest filter I've ever owned! I can barely hear the AquaClear.
https://vimeo.com/167060285

 

So you have the Second Nature on the 20 gallon and the TopFin 30 + the API Superclean on your 30 gallon?

Correct!

 

I just returned a QuietFlow to the store and got an AquaFlow. The difference is night and day. The QuietFlow was the loudest filter I've ever owned! I can barely hear the AquaClear.
https://vimeo.com/167060285

So that's the aqua clear?
How does that media work?

 

So that's the aqua clear?
How does that media work?

That's the "Quiet"Flow. It was so loud my daughters were having trouble falling to sleep in a separate room. I really like the media that came with the aquaclear!

 

I have aquaclears on all of my tanks..cant go wrong.. I have an aquaclear 20 on my 10 gallon qt tank with the foam, biomax and polyester filling. You can't go wrong with aquaclears

 

Correct!

Are you using cartridges for your tanks? If so, are you expecting to use the same for your QT filter? I would think you want the Aqueon Quietflow then if you want it to be interchangeable but it doesn't have an adjustable flow though you could baffle it. The AquaClear comes with a large media basket with a separate coarse sponge, carbon bag and bio media. This does come with an adjustable flow setting and the media basket (functioning much like a canister setup) is why it's very ideal and my personal choice.

 

I'm looking to put the media behind my current media to seed it. I obviously won't do the carbon because I'll be medicating but I'll have 2 sponges and the bio media or 3 sponges instead. The QT will be set up for a while seeing that I'm no where near fully stocked on either tank. But after that I'm looking to throw out the media and constantly have extra media in my other filters for when I need the QT again.

 

I don't know how much room your current filters have in terms of space because the AquaClear media that comes with it are pretty bulky unless you want to just cut up the sponge and use just that and fit it behind your current media to seed it.

If you want the Aqueon, you will have to remove the carbon and either just cut the floss around it or if the entire cartridge will fit behind your current media, put that behind it.

 

Anything from Hagen I would buy. What a great company I'm so impressed with the quality of even their smallest products.
Edit: aquaclear is from Hagen

 

The aqueon quiet flow just came in, I started it up and it is noisy! I took off the cover and that solved the problem a bit, but it is a really noisy filter.

 

The aqueon quiet flow just came in, I started it up and it is noisy! I took off the cover and that solved the problem a bit, but it is a really noisy filter.

I have an aqueon quiet flow30, and yes, it sure is loud, contrary to it's name.
I've have it for a couple of months now, and it hasn't broken yet though.

 

I read that it gets quieter over time. Is that so?
It's really bothering me

 

I read that it gets quieter over time. Is that so?
It's really bothering me

That's not happening to me, but maybe it takes more than a few months to "calm down"

 

Maybe

 

Here is my take having had both ( I currently use only AQUEON now )

I went through 2 AC's - BOTH had instances where the water dropped siphon and ran "dry"
The first time on one of my AC's, I had to take it apart, restart, etc. This same one did it again and ran for several hours like this while I was gone. The filter was red hot to the touch so I took it back.

2nd AC ( happened again same thing but about 6 months later ) Red hot, ran dry, no idea why since the water level never dropped.


Got an AQUEON ( have all 3 still and all are still working great )
The AQUEON is the only filter that I know of that has the pump under the water level so it self primes every time! AC does not self prime!
I've never had any "noise" issues and although the AQUEON doesn't hold as much media ( which is why I got the AC in the first place ) it ALWAYS self starts as long as the water is under the motor. Never have to worry about it burning up.
I can fit a media pad ( I buy the cut to fit ) and have room to fit an additional small sponge in the corner and also another media pad behind the first one.

 

Here is my take having had both ( I currently use only AQUEON now )

I went through 2 AC's - BOTH had instances where the water dropped siphon and ran "dry"
The first time on one of my AC's, I had to take it apart, restart, etc. This same one did it again and ran for several hours like this while I was gone. The filter was red hot to the touch so I took it back.

2nd AC ( happened again same thing but about 6 months later ) Red hot, ran dry, no idea why since the water level never dropped.


Got an AQUEON ( have all 3 still and all are still working great )
The AQUEON is the only filter that I know of that has the pump under the water level so it self primes every time! AC does not self prime!
I've never had any "noise" issues and although the AQUEON doesn't hold as much media ( which is why I got the AC in the first place ) it ALWAYS self starts as long as the water is under the motor. Never have to worry about it burning up.
I can fit a media pad ( I buy the cut to fit ) and have room to fit an additional small sponge in the corner and also another media pad behind the first one.

Yeah, I've noticed that too, for example, if the electricity goes out it'll restart by itself when it (electricity) comes back in.

 

Well I ended up returning the filter and got an aquaclear 30.
It's interesting how it works compared to my other filters. The media (2 sponges) is currently in my superclean 50. I think I'm going to wait 7-10 days before starting up the QT and getting fish.