Best HOB filter?

What HOB filter do you recommend? I'm trying to find a good filter for my new 46 gal aquarium. I was reading about the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel filters & several people said that their bio-wheels stopped working not long after purchasing it. Do those wheels have to spin? I was thinking about getting one, but now I'm not so sure after reading the reviews. I've never had to buy a filter separate before... the one I have now came with my 29gal aquarium & it hasn't given me any problems in 6 years. It has the blue filter pad & a flossy looking pad, no bio-wheel.

What do you recommend? And how many gallons per hour for a 46 gal tank?

 

I would recommend an Aqua Clear Filter
I have an AC 70 on my 46 gallon tank (I also have an eheim canister as well)
I think the capacity is about 300 GPH with that filter
I find these filters very reliable, and easy to clean and do a good job of filtering

 

I loved my marineland penguin 350. Worked great. The bio wheels do not help as much as most people would think(just because you have them does not mean you will not have NO2/NO3/NH3 problems). It is okay if the bio wheels stop. It says so in the manual even. The only bad thing I have to say about the filter is mine seemed to make a lot of micro bubbles ( I have only seen a few other people have the same problem as me).

The penguin 350 is 350GPH
The Emperor is 400GPH(I believe)

 

I love my marineland penguins. I've had issues with the biowheels, but found it depends on the amount of water you fill your aquarium up to. The lower the level, the longer and thinner the steam of cascading water that won't catch the wheel to effectively.

 

My personal experience with Bio-Wheels; in theory they're great! But build quality is awful. I would not recommend them.

The Fluval C series of power filters with their 5 stages of filtration are phenomenal. Probably the best HoB's you'll ever use. For the 46G you would want the Fluval C4. However, I do recommend different bio-media for these. For some reason Hagen added C-Nodes, which eventually wear away over time. Not sure why they added such a low end bio media product with such a high end power filter.

Note: The Fluval C Series are the upgrade to the AquaClear.

 

I would recommend an Aqua Clear Filter
I have an AC 70 on my 46 gallon tank (I also have an eheim canister as well)
I think the capacity is about 300 GPH with that filter
I find these filters very reliable, and easy to clean and do a good job of filtering

I am with Plug, I really like the Aquaclears.

When I first got my 90g tank (before I knew anything about fish keeping) the LFS set me up with a Penguin 400 and boy did I hate it. The wheels never turned, even after playing with the sprayer a bit. Got fed up with it an got two Aquaclear 110's. They are nice and easy to deal with.

I would get a 110 for your 46 gallon and that will provide a little over 10 times the tanks flow in one hour. AQ110's run around 500 gallon per hour.

 

I'm with the above, I have aquaclears,they're great. I do recommend them. The C3 I have is amazing for a hob. The bio media isn't top notch though , but still worth it.

 

I loved my marineland penguin 350. Worked great. The bio wheels do not help as much as most people would think(just because you have them does not mean you will not have NO2/NO3/NH3 problems). It is okay if the bio wheels stop. It says so in the manual even. The only bad thing I have to say about the filter is mine seemed to make a lot of micro bubbles ( I have only seen a few other people have the same problem as me).

The penguin 350 is 350GPH
The Emperor is 400GPH(I believe)

I love the newer penguin 350s over the old 330 model they are pretty quite hold 4 cartridges and a pretty cheap 35 bucks or so

 

I'm torn between the Penguins and the Aquaclears. LOL. The penguin I have gets max points for being easy to deal with, it doesn't take much fussing. The Aquaclear I love because it looks good and is a versatile filter because of the variable flow controls, but it is a little confusing.

 

I would also recommend an AquaClear (now Fluval). I use the 110 on my 40 gallon and it's been running amazingly for years. They are easy to use, if you need to replace the sponge (I never have) or want to add more bio media it's super easy so you don't have to feel stuck using manufacturer-specific materials, and as a bonus it's really quiet. I have also had penguins and I find that their flow is horrible and the one I had was really loud.

 

I'm with the above, I have aquaclears,they're great. I do recommend them. The C3 I have is amazing for a hob. The bio media isn't top notch though , but still worth it.

I have a C3 as well and I really like it, but one wouldn't be enough for 40 gallons. Go with an AC110 and you are set.

 

I read an article and also quoted it hear in the past that tested the efficiency of different filter type in regards to beneficial bacteria. Sponge/foam filters came in first, followed fairly closely by HOBs such as AquaClear. Bio-wheel filters, in spite of their seemingly convincing theoretical approach, ranged at the bottom.

They tested it by removing the filter from the tank amd measuring the resulting build-up of ammonia amd nitrates. The removal of sponge filters had the worst effect, thus the most beneficial bacteria.

The article was a couple years old. Maybe the more recent filter materials for HOBs with larger surface areas help them even out the difference. HOBs also offer the advantage in that they combine biological, chemical (if needed) and mechanical filtering.

I also prefer HOBs such as AC with lots of space and versatility for the used filter material.

 

I've used nothing but the penguins. I've used the 100 the 200 and currently have 2 350's no my 55g. Never had a problem with them. But I will give the aquaclears a try if I get a really big tank. I guess it all coils down to personal preference and what you can afford.

 

Don't know. It was published on a different site and I don't remember it being quite as detailed. Maybe it was based on your article. I don't remember having ever heard of fluidized filters. Definitely lots of interesting info!

An AC-like HOB with a sponge pre-filter seems to be the simplest, most affordable and very efficient solution.

 

My choice would be the Penguin 350.. Holds 4 filters if you want it too and can be had for $30, new filters are pretty cheap too.

 

So I have 2 penquin 200 bio wheels. I'm about done with them. The stupid wheels are constantly not spinning. I've cleaned and scrubbed calcium build up hoping that would help. Nope. So frustrating.

 

Do you keep up on cleaning (rinsing) the cartages? Reduced water flow will do that. I rinse ours every other weekend. Check the intake tubes and impeller for slime build up.

We have several of these. I like the Emperor better because it has a spray bar. We have one of these.

Actually we only use these as HOB's for all our aquariums. Also very fond of the discontinued Magnum 350 canister...Very sad they are not made any more

 

Do you keep up on cleaning (rinsing) the cartages? Reduced water flow will do that. I clean ours every weekend. We have several of these. I like the Emperor better because it has a spray bar. We have one of these.

Actually we only use these as HOB's for all our aquariums. Fond of the discontinued Magnum 350...Very sad they are not made any more

Yes I clean the cartridge with my weekly wc. I was just looking at the emperor on Amazon.

 

Yes I clean the cartridge with my weekly wc. I was just looking at the emperor on Amazon.

I must say that I wonder if Marineland has gone over to the dark side and started down the path of lower quality, higher profits like Craftsman tools, Red wing boots, Wels Lamont gloves etc. All of ours are several years old (the Emperor is 2 years old) with some well over ten years old. But you are not the first person to say that say the Penguin has problems.

 

Yeah I've heard other say the same about marineland. That's sad because they have or had a great reputation.

 

The best is either AquaClear or Seachem Tidel

 

The best is either AquaClear or Seachem Tidel

Ok. I'll research those. Ty!!

 

Yeah I've heard other say the same about marineland. That's sad because they have or had a great reputation.

With the 350 mag no longer made and the parts getting harder to find (OEM) and ours are all over 10 years old (save for 1 that is only 1 year old) I am looking for another brand. But have not found one that is not vastly over priced (Fluival comes to mind) or of questionable reliability (Sun Sun) I am kinda in a spot.

Now, if the fans of the above mentioned brands are about ready to go off, price is an issue. And there are far too many reports of Sun Sun failing and leaking.

But as to Bio wheels I really can only say that I have not heard (yet) any complaints about the Emperor. I am planning to buy another one soon as I am putting one of the 40+ gallons back into service.

I will be watching this thread with interest.

The best is either AquaClear or Seachem Tidel

I am a fan of SeaChem products. I like what I just read about the Tidal.

 

With the 350 mag no longer made and the parts getting harder to find (OEM) and ours are all over 10 years old (save for 1 that is only 1 year old) I am looking for another brand. But have not found one that is not vastly over priced (Fluival comes to mind) or of questionable reliability (Sun Sun) I am kinda in a spot.

Now, if the fans of the above mentioned brands are about ready to go off, price is an issue. And there are far too many reports of Sun Sun failing and leaking.

But as to Bio wheels I really can only say that I have not heard (yet) any complaints about the Emperor. I am planning to buy another one soon as I am putting one of the 40+ gallons back into service.

I will be watching this thread with interest.

I really like what I hear about fluval but they are very expensive. The sun sun I've heard a ton of complaints from. I agree I'm torn. For whatever reason I know I don't want a canister filter. I've always liked HOB

 

Aqua Clears are great. You have flexibility to customize what you have in the basket and how it stacks/lays, more sponge or more bio media. People have put sponges on the intake tube which allows them to load the basket with bio media. I have two of them running on my 60 gallon goldfish tank and I couldn’t be happier.

 

I use both eheim and stingray and both are near silent and great at keeping up with all my bioload

 

Aqua Clears are great. You have flexibility to customize what you have in the basket and how it stacks/lays, more sponge or more bio media. People have put sponges on the intake tube which allows them to load the basket with bio media. I have two of them running on my 60 gallon goldfish tank and I couldn’t be happier.

Nice!!

I use both eheim and stingray and both are near silent and great at keeping up with all my bioload

Good deal

 

Good deal

They also aren't too expensive either

 

They also aren't too expensive either

Even better!!!

 

Penguin... We have several of these. I like the Emperor better because it has a spray bar. We have one of these.

Actually we only use these as HOB's for all our aquariums. Also very fond of the discontinued Magnum 350 canister...Very sad they are not made any more

I just picked up a new, recent production (I assume), Marineland Emperor. Personally, I've always had good success with their products and do believe the spray bar makes a big difference as far as the bio wheels consistently turning. Years ago I had a Magnum set up that returned the water via spray bar onto several bio wheels. System was very reliable and did a great job. I'm several weeks to a month away from actually setting up my new build but will eventually report back once I get the new Emperor up and running.

As for other HOB's: Aquaclear always seems to be a favorite. I was very close to picking up a Seachem Tidal. A lot of thought was put into the design of that filter. From what I've seen, very well built, great flow rate, etc. In the end, I really believe in the bio wheel concept as far as efficient bio filtration, so, I went back to what has worked for me in the past (just getting back into it after a 10 year break). We shall see!

 

I started with an AquaClear around 12 years ago. Still running. Added a few more tanks and did some research on other HOB's for better filtration and ease of use. But decided I already have something that works is reliable and maintenance is a breeze. Why change. I now have 4 AquaClears from the 20 to the 70. The one thing I have done is add prefilters to all, just for the safety of my Mystery Snails.

 

I also really like the fluval (hagen?) aquaclear filters. One thing I don't think has been mentioned yet is that replacement parts such as impellers can often be purchased for aquaclear filters.

 

aquaclears get my vote for HOBS. I’ve tried many others and they just can’t compete with the ease, functionality and flow the AC’s have.

 

I have an AquaClear 50 and it's awesome!

Very slick design, adjustable flow, and it's canister style, meaning you don't have to buy cartridges, you get to layer all your filter media and get to put what you want in.

 

I've always used aqueon. Not that I think they're the best, but I started with them, and I've never had any problems with them, so I just keep on using them. No complaints...

 

I have had a few different hobs over the years. Aqua clear is probably the best out of the box. Pretty much is good to go (still comes with the sponge?). The others needed work to make them better. I have the marineland 350 bio-wheel now and as others have said I like it. Bio-wheels are a plus. I like the wet/dry area which builds a different type of bb (highly oxygenated). This gives you different types of bb in one filter. Removing its cartridges and adding sponges and other bio-media and it is a great filter.
I also have 2 sun-sun filters both bought on eBay. No problems so far and for the price they can’t be beat. Remove the white filter pads which greatly reduce flow and they are good. Both have a uv steralizer included which is a great option
Always looking for something new I will look into the tidal filters. When I saw them I thought they were aqueon filters rebranded be sea chem.

 

I just picked up a new, recent production (I assume), Marineland Emperor. Personally, I've always had good success with their products and do believe the spray bar makes a big difference as far as the bio wheels consistently turning. Years ago I had a Magnum set up that returned the water via spray bar onto several bio wheels. System was very reliable and did a great job. I'm several weeks to a month away from actually setting up my new build but will eventually report back once I get the new Emperor up and running.

As for other HOB's: Aquaclear always seems to be a favorite. I was very close to picking up a Seachem Tidal. A lot of thought was put into the design of that filter. From what I've seen, very well built, great flow rate, etc. In the end, I really believe in the bio wheel concept as far as efficient bio filtration, so, I went back to what has worked for me in the past (just getting back into it after a 10 year break). We shall see!

Yes. I also love the bio wheel concept. Good luck and welcome back to fish keeping

 

I like the older Tetra PF’s. The new ones do not even compare to the older ones.

 

I started with an AquaClear around 12 years ago. Still running. Added a few more tanks and did some research on other HOB's for better filtration and ease of use. But decided I already have something that works is reliable and maintenance is a breeze. Why change. I now have 4 AquaClears from the 20 to the 70. The one thing I have done is add prefilters to all, just for the safety of my Mystery Snails.

Nice. I also am thinking of the pre filters as well. I also like the ceramic rings

 

Seachem Tidal Power-filter. Love them. Lots of added little features that makes the cost worth it. Great at filtration too.

Although I have now switched to Canisters. They work even better. I even have a canister on my 10g.

Make sure when looking for a filter that you get the correct size. For a hang on back (hob) you want a filtration rate (gallons per hour/gph) of 8-10 x’s your tank volume size. With a canister it is 4-5x’s your tank volume.