Best Hob Filter With A Lower Flow?

I currently have Aqua-Tech filters and I hate them. I have to baffle them because the flow is ridiculous but the baffles are hard to make and ugly. What’s a good alternative filter? I know Aquaclear but they’re just so pricey lol

 

HI Valerie. I use Marineland Penguin 350 filters on my 125 & 55. I LOVE THEM!!!! They do such a great job & you can customize the filter media. The flow rate isn't bad. You can get them on Amazon for about $25.

 

HI Valerie. I use Marineland Penguin 350 filters on my 125 & 55. I LOVE THEM!!!! They do such a great job & you can customize the filter media. The flow rate isn't bad. You can get them on Amazon for about $25.

Thank you! I already have a bunch of media in my current filter, do you think it would fit in there?

 

IM sure it will. I use 2 mesh bag's with Fluval Bio Rings and I use 2 blue filter sponge squares that I custom cut for each filter. They will hold a lot.

 

I use Aqueon Quietflows. The smaller ones are very quiet, but the larger ones are a bit splashy. Ideally I'd like to switch to Aquaclears, but you're right about them being expensive.

 

They don't make a lot of noise.

 

I’m needing one that is around 150 gph or one that is around 290 gph. I’m wanting to put pathos in it though so I need something that will be able to have the kid off

I use Aqueon Quietflows. The smaller ones are very quiet, but the larger ones are a bit splashy. Ideally I'd like to switch to Aquaclears, but you're right about them being expensive.

How large is larger lol

 

I’m needing one that is around 150 gph or one that is around 290 gph. I’m wanting to put pathos in it though so I need something that will be able to have the kid off

The Penguins are 350gph. Marineland makes ones with a lower gph.

 

I use aquatech H.O.B.'s.....just slowly pull the intake tube up out of it's holder. As you pull it up the flow will decrease. Leave the tube where ever you have your desired flow. (pull up JUST the intake tube, not the entire assemply that has the magnetic propeller on it)

 

I use aquatech H.O.B.'s.....just slowly pull the intake tube up out of it's holder. As you pull it up the flow will decrease. Leave the tube where ever you have your desired flow. (pull up JUST the intake tube, not the entire assemply that has the magnetic propeller on it)

Wow you’re a life safer. I’m going to try this right now

I’m confused. How do I do it without pulling out the propeller?

 

I'm going to make a quick video to show you.....one moment

 

I'm going to make a quick video to show you.....one moment

Thank you so much!

 

Not the best video but hopefully your model is the same design. At the end of the video you'll see as I more slowly push the intake tube back down the flow is much less at first and gets stronger as I push the tube back down.

 

I tried to do my big one first, which I don’t think will work. But the little one is like that. Thank you!

 

One thing to note is that AquaTech filters are just Marineland Penguin filters without BioWheels. So going with Marineland filters won't stop your flow issue.

I'm assuming you don't want as much flow in your tanks?

Here are your options:

HOBS (These all have flow adjustment)

Aquaclears (Though you mentioned that they're pricy. Have you tried looking around online?)
The Old Tetra Whisper Lineup (They still sell them online)
Penn Plax Cascade Power Filters

Canisters (There are a lot more options, but these come with spraybars that diffuse the flow)

SunSun/AquaTop/Grech/etc. HW series
Penn Plax Cascade Canisters
Hydor Professional External Canisters

 

One thing to note is that AquaTech filters are just Marineland Penguin filters without BioWheels. So going with Marineland filters won't stop your flow issue.

I'm assuming you don't want as much flow in your tanks?

Here are your options:

HOBS (These all have flow adjustment)

Aquaclears (Though you mentioned that they're pricy. Have you tried looking around online?)
The Old Tetra Whisper Lineup (They still sell them online)
Penn Plax Cascade Power Filters

Canisters (There are a lot more options, but these come with spraybars that diffuse the flow)

SunSun/AquaTop/Grech/etc. HW series
Penn Plax Cascade Canisters
Hydor Professional External Canisters

Thank you! Do you have experience with any of the HOBs? Will any of them work without the lid so that I can put some pothos in them?

 

Thank you! Do you have experience with any of the HOBs? Will any of them work without the lid so that I can put some pothos in them?

I've used SunSuns, Aquaclears, and Whispers.

Well for starters, you can't use a canister with a lid off so you can't put pothos in the SunSun.

As for the AC, and Whisper, yes it will work without a lid. (In fact, the Whisper works better without a lid. It's quieter)

Between the AC and Whisper, the Aquaclear is better in terms of design, noise, and customizability.

If you're okay with the noise of your Aquatech, then you'll be used to the noise of a Whisper filter. However, in my experience, the Aquaclear is much quieter compared to the two.

Design wise, the Aquaclear is better since reducing the flow doesn't directly decrease its filtration ability. Part of the design is that the filter will start to "recycle" the water it had already filtered if you decrease the flow. The end result is water that is extra filtered. Both the Cascade and Whisper use simple flow reducing valves that just restricts the amount of water going into the filter.

In HOB filters, ACs are at the top of customizability. You can put any media you want in it and you don't have to replace anything if you don't want to. The Whisper is more limited, in comparison. It's a cartridge-based HOB so you can't just throw media inside of it and expect it filter efficiently. Though IMO, I think its cartridge system is better than the Aquatech/Marineland filters. It comes with a BioSponge which acts like the Biogrid in your Aquatech, and a BioBag cartridge. The cool thing about the BioBag is that it is disassemblable. By taking off the clip ontop of the cartridge, you can split open the cartridge. This leaves you with a couple of options:

1. If you don't want to use carbon and have to replace it every month, you can just dump it out.
2. If the floss on the cartridge ever gets clogged or is falling apart, you can replace it yourself cheaply with quilted batting(get it at Walmart or a craft store)

Overall, the AC is definitely worth the price. But with some modding the Whisper isn't a bad choice(the Cascade should be about the same).

 

I've used SunSuns, Aquaclears, and Whispers.

Well for starters, you can't use a canister with a lid off so you can't put pothos in the SunSun.

As for the AC, and Whisper, yes it will work without a lid. (In fact, the Whisper works better without a lid. It's quieter)

Between the AC and Whisper, the Aquaclear is better in terms of design, noise, and customizability.

If you're okay with the noise of your Aquatech, then you'll be used to the noise of a Whisper filter. However, in my experience, the Aquaclear is much quieter compared to the two.

Design wise, the Aquaclear is better since reducing the flow doesn't directly decrease its filtration ability. Part of the design is that the filter will start to "recycle" the water it had already filtered if you decrease the flow. The end result is water that is extra filtered. Both the Cascade and Whisper use simple flow reducing valves that just restricts the amount of water going into the filter.

In HOB filters, ACs are at the top of customizability. You can put any media you want in it and you don't have to replace anything if you don't want to. The Whisper is more limited, in comparison. It's a cartridge-based HOB so you can't just throw media inside of it and expect it filter efficiently. Though IMO, I think its cartridge system is better than the Aquatech/Marineland filters. It comes with a BioSponge which acts like the Biogrid in your Aquatech, and a BioBag cartridge. The cool thing about the BioBag is that it is disassemblable. By taking off the clip ontop of the cartridge, you can split open the cartridge. This leaves you with a couple of options:

1. If you don't want to use carbon and have to replace it every month, you can just dump it out.
2. If the floss on the cartridge ever gets clogged or is falling apart, you can replace it yourself cheaply with quilted batting(get it at Walmart or a craft store)

Overall, the AC is definitely worth the price. But with some modding the Whisper isn't a bad choice(the Cascade should be about the same).

This was a lot of helpful information! Thank you!

 

Hello, I use aqua-tech 5-15. I was able to baffle the flow by taking a household sponge, cut it a little bigger then intake width & cut a hole in center but not through. Just cover intake to reduce flow. To increase or reduce flow depends on the size you cut sponge. Also acts as a prefilter.Hope this helps!

 

Hello, I use aqua-tech 5-15. I was able to baffle the flow by taking a household sponge, cut it a little bigger then intake width & cut a hole in center but not through. Just cover intake to reduce flow. To increase or reduce flow depends on the size you cut sponge. Also acts as a prefilter.Hope this helps!

Thank you! I wonder if this affects the gph rate though

 

Thank you! I wonder if this affects the gph rate though

It will decrease your GPH depending on how porous the sponge is. The smaller the holes, the more the flow will be decreased.

Also, make sure you pick the right sponge if you go this route. Premade sponge prefilters are available online.

Watch this video to find the right sponge

 

Check out the Azoo filters. They have a knob you can turn to increase or decrease flow. I only have the two smaller models, but they make larger ones too.

 

Check out the Azoo filters. They have a knob you can turn to increase or decrease flow. I only have the two smaller models, but they make larger ones too.

I have the smaller one too. I just wasn't sure about the larger ones