Best HOB filter?

Thanks.

I’ research both of them.

 

I have been using Marineland HOB bio wheels for many years and have had no issues with them. I favor the Emperors As there are two clam shells that I put ceramic rings in. It is to your advantage to put a drop of silicon lube on the bio wheel's pins.
Marineland Bio-Wheel Emperor Power Filter, Size 400

 

just curious as to why no sponge filters? They're easy to hide. If I had a conversation or show tank, I'd much rather have things hidden.
aquaclear is #1 for me for hob.

 

I appreciate all of the input.

Mike1995 . Air lines, pump, filter.

But I may change my mind. I have large, double sponge filters, small double sponge filters, single small sponge filters and large weighted sponge filters. I was just looking to keep it simple at work.

Funny you should ask though. I have a air pump and a couple of sponge filters enroute via Amazon. The air pump is to run sponge filters i’m Importing from other tanks to cycle this one. Maybe after 6 weeks or so, i’ll transition to a small single sponge in each corner that’all be easier to hide.

 

just curious as to why no sponge filters? They're easy to hide. If I had a conversation or show tank, I'd much rather have things hidden.
aquaclear is #1 for me for hob.

I just changed to the aqua clear. It's super quiet and customizable. It come with sponge, carbon, and media pellets.
I used filter floss instead of carbon and matrix media instead of the media or came with.

 

i’m starting a 29 g tank for the office. It’s going to be a conversation piece so I don’t want a couple of double sponge filters like all my other tanks although I will start the cycle with a couple.

I have a couple of HOBs now. All 3 came as part of kits and I only really care for one of them.

I want a HOB I can customize the media with, is quiet, and will completely filter a 29.

Thoughts? Advice?

I use a Seachem Tidal 75. I personally think it's the best HOB on the market. Has a lot of features that other filters don't have. Totally customizable media basket. A surface skimmer, a self-cleaning impeller and best of all it self-primes.

It's definitely worth checking out!

 

I use a Seachem Tidal 75. I personally think it's the best HOB on the market. Has a lot of features that other filters don't have. Totally customizable media basket. A surface skimmer, a self-cleaning impeller and best of all it self-primes.

It's definitely worth checking out!

Thanks

 

I have a Fluval C4 for about ten days now, and so far I really like it. The water in my 29 is crystal clear, and it is quiet. Having said this, I don't know why you would go with a HOB for your office, because they are out in the open. Most offices and public places I have seen aquariums do not have HOB. Not sure but maybe try a canister, because you can hide it out of sight, and want take up room in the tank like sponge filters.

 

I have a Fluval C4 for about ten days now, and so far I really like it. The water in my 29 is crystal clear, and it is quiet. Having said this, I don't know why you would go with a HOB for your office, because they are out in the open. Most offices and public places I have seen aquariums do not have HOB. Not sure but maybe try a canister, because you can hide it out of sight, and want take up room in the tank like sponge filters.

I tried using a Fluval C4 on my 29 and was not happy with the noise, kind of a buzzing hum. It seems like a great filter otherwise. I don't know if it's a fluke that mine is loud, or if there's anything I can do to make it quiet.

I agree that it's reasonable to consider a canister filter. I have heard that they are quiet.

 

I tried using a Fluval C4 on my 29 and was not happy with the noise, kind of a buzzing hum. It seems like a great filter otherwise. I don't know if it's a fluke that mine is loud, or if there's anything I can do to make it quiet.

I agree that it's reasonable to consider a canister filter. I have heard that they are quiet.

I guess I got lucky, because my C4 is quite. Looking back now though I wished I had gone with an AquaClear.

 

I was using a Marineland canister with a few issues on a 30 gallon tank. I had to move so I sold all my aquarium stuff. Getting relocated and want to setup a similar tank but with an HOB filter. Any recommendations on the best, tank will be a 36 gallon bow. Thanks

Also has anyone tried the Seachem Tidal line of filters

Also has anyone used the Seachem filters

 

My personal suggestion would be an Aquaclear 50. Quiet, clear to see, and high quality with customization. I have it on my 20 tall and it works great!

 

I am currently using a tetra ex 65-70 along with an aquaclear 20 on our 36 bow front tank.

I have no complaints with the tetra unit.

 

I use the Seachem Tidal 75. The intake isn't very good at sucking up debris. The skimmer does a much better job, even at the lowest setting. Not sure how I feel about that, because regardless of which has a stronger suction, debris will still end up in the same place: the filter compartment. Also, in my opinion, despite company claims and many reviews, I do not find it to be silent. I can definitely hear the pump running. It's pretty noticeable. But I never seen a completely silent HOB either. The only filter that I have come across as being super silent are my canister filters, specifically my Eheim Classic and even my cheapo SunSun.

 

Also, in my opinion, despite company claims and many reviews, I do not find it to be silent. I can definitely hear the pump running. It's pretty noticeable.

So weird, I have a Tidal 55 and an Aquaclear 50 running side by side on a 33 gallon, and the Tidal is not-even-there quiet, while the AC is prone to an occasional hum.
I'd go with either Tidal or Aquaclear.
- I have half a dozen AC's of various sizes, and I'm continually impressed at how interchangeable the various parts and components are. Yay for built in redundancy.
- The outflow from the two brands is a bit different. The Tidal sends the outflow across the surface of the tank much better than the AC's which I think is a major plus. The AC's tend to plunge the water down to the bottom more than I'd like.
- Love the skimmer function on the Tidals.

 

I have an aquaclear 70 on my 29 gal and no complaints.

 

Thanks to all, great help

 

I used to run an Aquaclear, but now use Seachem Tidal. Have a Tidal 55 and 75 and both are quiet, but turned way down to reduce water flow. I have the Tidal 55 on my 10 gallon, yes really. Had to cut the intake tube down, but it's full of Matrix running at the lowest 80% reduction to 50 gph to harbor better anaerobic bacteria.

The have these advantages over all other HOB filters.

1. A flow knob to control 80% of the water flow. Each notch is a 10% increase or decrease so you can manage your water flow to slow your water so it stays in contact with your media longer which is better for beneficial bacteria.

2. Draws water from three locations, top (skimmer), middle and bottom for better water filtering, not just the bottom.

3. Another knob to totally shut off the bottom intake if you only want to filter the middle and top of your tank only.

4. If the mechanical media at the lower portion of the media basket ever gets clogged it has a higher bypass in the basket so the water will still be filtered through your media and continues to run efficiently.

5. Media basket locks in place so it will never rise up pushing the media up high possibly causing an overflow and flooding your floor.

6. Removable no spill media basket comes out for easy cleaning.

7. Self priming so you don’t have to worry about it not starting and recovering from a power failure.

8. Self cleaning impeller. From Seachem Support: The self cleaning feature of the Tidal Filters can be explained by the structure and build of the impeller housing. There is a groove in the Tidal 55 that goes through the slot where the impeller stays and it will continuously clean the impeller of any debris or buildup. For Tidal 75 and 110, where the impeller goes that continuously flushes a little bit of water through the back to keep it cool and quite clean. The 75 and 110 have the same mechanism.

 

As far as HOB's are concerned, Seachem Tidals and Aquaclears will be your best best.

Many members on the forum use both.

Both have pros and cons, though both are higher tier HOB's.

Here is a link to a write up w/ pics on an Aquaclear 110. I own 4 different AC's and I like them. I bought them before knowing about Tidals. I may try one the next time I need a HOB style filter.

My friend just put (2) Tidal 75's on his 65g New World cichlid tank and he thoroughly enjoys them.

Also, don't forget about sponge filters to supplement filtration, if you want that as an option. They can be easily tucked into a corner hidden behind plants.

 

So weird, I have a Tidal 55 and an Aquaclear 50 running side by side on a 33 gallon, and the Tidal is not-even-there quiet, while the AC is prone to an occasional hum.
I'd go with either Tidal or Aquaclear.
- I have half a dozen AC's of various sizes, and I'm continually impressed at how interchangeable the various parts and components are. Yay for built in redundancy.
- The outflow from the two brands is a bit different. The Tidal sends the outflow across the surface of the tank much better than the AC's which I think is a major plus. The AC's tend to plunge the water down to the bottom more than I'd like.
- Love the skimmer function on the Tidals.

Maybe I just have really great hearing (which is actually true). But I would think that even those with med-bad hearing would notice if they listened. I don't know, if it's just me or I got a bad batch. It's not terribly loud, just noticeable. Having two canisters that are silent, I wish the Tidal to be as well. However, I think it's a great filter, overall. It keeps my bare bottom goldfish tank spotless, even though it bothers me when the poo floats by the intake, to only be sucked through the skimmer. I suppose a minor complaint, perhaps not worthy of mentioning. But it's annoying to watch. And yes, I do have the intake open all the way, so, in my opinion, the skimmer shouldn't be stronger than the intake.

 

I use the Marineland Penguin 350 filter's on my 125 & 55 and they do a GREAT job!!!

 

Maybe I just have really great hearing (which is actually true). But I would think that even those with med-bad hearing would notice if they listened. I don't know, if it's just me or I got a bad batch. It's not terribly loud, just noticeable. Having two canisters that are silent, I wish the Tidal to be as well. However, I think it's a great filter, overall. It keeps my bare bottom goldfish tank spotless, even though it bothers me when the poo floats by the intake, to only be sucked through the skimmer. I suppose a minor complaint, perhaps not worthy of mentioning. But it's annoying to watch. And yes, I do have the intake open all the way, so, in my opinion, the skimmer shouldn't be stronger than the intake.

Re noise level, I think every filter on every tank has the potential to vary within the model/line. I have some ACs that are dead silent, others that are a bit rumbly. My Tidal 55 at home is whisper quiet, but the brand new one at the office has a bit of a vibration.
All that said, I agree that the skimmer shouldn't suck more water than the bottom vents.

 

Re noise level, I think every filter on every tank has the potential to vary within the model/line. I have some ACs that are dead silent, others that are a bit rumbly. My Tidal 55 at home is whisper quiet, but the brand new one at the office has a bit of a vibration.
All that said, I agree that the skimmer shouldn't suck more water than the bottom vents.

Good point. I do think it's a nice filter, but the quality control could be improved. The specifications aren't the tightest. The lid/cover, for instance, fits loosely over the HOB. Tighter specs might definitely help with product consistency.

 

petco is running a ten dollard off of 30 plus so I wanted to buy a hob filter for my 30 gallon, I might be upgrading to a 45 tho. what hon filter should I get?

 

petco is running a ten dollard off of 30 plus so I wanted to buy a hob filter for my 30 gallon, I might be upgrading to a 45 tho. what hon filter should I get?

actually idc what kind of filter as long as its good and relatively inexpensive

 

Most filters are fine and do a good job. I've seen many people recommend the aquaclear filters (there are different models/sizes). However, they aren't the cheapest. Another hob filter is the marineland powerfilter. A cheaper option is a sponge filter, but I'm sure you've already considered that. I don't really know about other kinds of filters for a 30 gallon.

 

Look on amazon, good hobs include, Marineland penguins, fluval c series, tetra whisper seachem tidal.

 

Most filters are fine and do a good job. I've seen many people recommend the aquaclear filters (there are different models/sizes). However, they aren't the cheapest. Another hob filter is the marineland powerfilter. A cheaper option is a sponge filter, but I'm sure you've already considered that. I don't really know about other kinds of filters for a 30 gallon.

Having good and enough media to house your beneficial bacteria is also very important.

 

I have limited HOB experience, but I’ve always had Aqua Clears and they have been great

 

I gave up on Aquaclears..... Love the Marineland penguins (minus the useless bio-wheels). Essentially, any filter is a machine that can suction and force water through a box. In my tiny mind, it's about the engine and not the manufacturer of the box.

 

I'm partial to the Tidal HOBs, only because I have one. I would say any HOB that pushes the water from the bottom, up through the media, has a media basket or similar, and doesn't use cartridges.

Just my $.02

 

Agree tidal. Silent in operation. Moves water and a skimmer built in. No priming after wc.

 

I love Marineland filters. They just released a new Pro series that added some modern features to there previous Penguin and Emperor Platforms. Like someone else said, the bio wheels actual effectiveness is probably debatable. But you can take them ore leave them.

Just as a note though if you do keep the bio wheels in it does add a little extra water noise the first couple weeks as they become saturated and start to “gunk” up. So if you want to give them a try with wheels installed don’t be put off by that.

I recently tried out a Tidal 75. I returned it after a couple weeks because it was extremely noisy. I think I may have had a unit with a faulty pump/impeller because for the most part they are reviewed as a very quiet filter. The only common complain is if you let your water get too low they will be some noise due to the surface skimmer. I wouldn’t be against trying one again but that was my personal experience.

I think as said above it’s all about the media. You can make any filter good with the right media. I personally run exclusively 10 or 20ppI foam in my filters.

 

I have been using Marineland HOB filters for over 30 years and I love them. I also use canisters in my tanks as well

 

Ok I lied I hooked up a tidal 75 it was supper loud. Think the impeller is off dismantled it and still loud. My 2 55 are dead silent.

 

Ok I lied I hooked up a tidal 75 it was supper loud. Think the impeller is off dismantled it and still loud. My 2 55 are dead silent.

Same issue I had and then it goes worse and worse.

 

I read that the 75-110 have issues with being loud. The 55 are dead silent. A small 5-15 gallon airbpump is louder.

 

Hey guys, I was hoping we could start a discussion on the best HOB filters.

I think it’s mainly between Marineland Penguins, Aquaclear, and Seachem Tidal Filters, yes?

I have Aquaclears, and I love them honestly. Minimal noise, and good functionality. Yes I have had one or two of them not start after a power outage or unplugging them, but they have always started up again either after cooling off or just by themselves within a few hours. Thoughts and opinions?

 

Topfin all the way, super cheap, easy to mod, and the intake is positioned in such a way that water fills the bottom of the media chamber first instead of bypassing over it. If one of my filters breaks I know its gonna cost me like 10 bucks to replace it. The only time I "thought" one died on me was when I first started out in the hobby... turns out the intake sponge was clogged with like 2 pounds of mulm and I thought it was broken lol. I tried a few other brands then went back to topfin after becoming more experienced in the hobby

 

Honestly, both pf my HOBs are the Aqua-Tech ones from walmart lol! Had one several years ago, too. Haven't had any issues yet and they have lasted multiple years for me. Plus, i think they are made by Marineland. And at the tine of purchase, they were within my budget at the time so no complaints. Really, my only issue is i wish i had room for just a little more media, but sometimes i think i would feel that way no matter how much media i had in anything. Debating what i will replace them with when the finally go out. Figure either Penguins or the Tidals, or maybe just stick with what i know! Either way, it's not a rush at this point.