Best HOB filter?

I love my Tidal 75

 

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.

Really interesting how some of the cheap filters actually can actually work really well. Are they quiet too? I wonder how the price tag matches up when you take into account having to mod them, probably cheaper still but not by too much I would guess?

 

Really interesting how some of the cheap filters actually can actually work really well. Are they quiet too? I wonder how the price tag matches up when you take into account having to mod them, probably cheaper still but not by too much I would guess?

They run a bit louder but it doesn't bother me a whole lot. They can take a lot abuse which is the main thing for me lol. I just use a cut piece of coarse foam and a bag of ceramic beads in all my filters so the cost of modding them isn't a lot. I tend to keep things simple

 

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

A Top Fin filter is the only gear i have truly had fail on me! I still have a top fin heater in the 29, been running everyday for 3+ years, still going strong though.

 

Review on the mainland penguin:
Noise amount: 0%
Price: I got the 200b for $20
Wheel: It is pretty annoying to keep checking if the biowheel is moving or not and when it doesn't move, I need to play around with it until it finally starts to spin
Clarity: 9.88/10
Maintenance: I added the aquaclear filter media to the filter instead of the cartridges and it is working great
Here is a picture:

 

I think the Aqueon Quiet Flows are nice. My original is only 8yrs old and has ran dry on several occasions from the water level dropping. Despite this abuse it is still quiet when properly filled. It's the only HOB style I have used. I like that it starts itself back up after a power outage (given there water didn't drop too much), which I need due to being away 14hours/work day. I do wish there was more room in the media chamber. In general not a bad filter.

I only use HOBs on 10gal and under I put canisters on my larger tanks. I even have a baby canister on my 15. I do want to play with a SeaChem Tidal. SeaChem did release a smaller version of the tidal for 10-30gal tanks that I may get for a future project.

 

Review on the mainland penguin:
Noise amount: 0%
Price: I got the 200b for $20
Wheel: It is pretty annoying to keep checking if the biowheel is moving or not and when it doesn't move, I need to play around with it until it finally starts to spin
Clarity: 9.88/10
Maintenance: I added the aquaclear filter media to the filter instead of the cartridges and it is working great
Here is a picture:

Is that a sponge on the outtake to lower the flow/surface agitation?

I don't think the Aqueon Quiet Flows are nice. My original is only 8yrs old and has ran dry on several occasions from the water level dropping. Despite this abuse it is still quiet when properly filled. It's the only HOB style I have used. I like that it starts itself back up after a power outage (given there water didn't drop too much), which I need due to being away 14hours/work day. I do wish there was more room in the media chamber. In general not a bad filter.

I only use HOBs on 10gal and under I put canisters on my larger tanks. I even have a baby canister on my 15. I do want to play with a SeaChem Tidal. SeaChem did release a smaller version of the tidal for 10-30gal tanks that I may get for a future project.

I’m assuming you meant you “do” think Aqueon Quietflows are nice haha? That’s great you’ve had a positive experience. I agree that self-priming is a nice feature for a HOB. An Aqueon Quietflow was actually my first filter, and it still works great and is very quiet, although I put it in storage and upgraded to Aquaclears. I bought at least 2 maybe even 3 more Aqueon Quietflows for my first tank when I was trying to upgrade the original Quietflow filter to something with more turnover, and all of them except the first one I had to replace because they were extremely noisy and definitely had some type of manufacturing defect, whereas my Aquaclears so far I’m 3 for 3 on quietness and working great, paired with amazing clarity and more space for filter media.

 

I’m assuming you meant you “do” think Aqueon Quietflows are nice haha?

OMG yes, I fixed it! lol I wanted to try AquaClear, but I know it will burn out from running dry after a storm. My QuietFlow doesn't really run dry now that I have moved the tank with the rest and put a lid on. I am interest in finding out how long it runs. I'm surprised it has lasted this long. By todays standards it is ancient. I feel like nothing is really made to last anymore.

 

OMG yes, I fixed it! lol I wanted to try AquaClear, but I know it will burn out from running dry after a storm. My QuietFlow doesn't really run dry now that I have moved the tank with the rest and put a lid on. I am interest in finding out how long it runs. I'm surprised it has lasted this long. By todays standards it is ancient. I feel like nothing is really made to last anymore.

Haha your message definitely got across . I’ve had blackouts where I am for at least 2 hours, and they have worked just fine after. If you don’t do a water change, enough water doesn’t leave the filter for either the beneficial bacteria to die or for it not to be able to start back up on its own in my experience.

 

Ive only ever used one HOB and thats the tidal 35 - ive got two running on a 17g.

• quiet (i often find myself checking that they are still running!)
• Self priming
• Surface skimmer (although im not too sure how effective it is compared to the bigger models)
• Use whatever media you want in them
• Flow is decent but not too extreme, and is adjustable
• Maintenance indicator (shouldnt be needed if you have a regular schedule but its a nice to have for those newer to the hobby rather than a necessity)
• Well designed with good quality materials

i think my only gripe is the fact that the intake strainer doesnt extend deep down into the tank, but considering that the 35 is designed for smaller tanks in mind im not sure that its that much of an issue. Im perhaps being picky. They are also quite expensive compared to other HOBs that ive seen, which i think puts a lot of people off them. I paid around £90 for the pair, which on reflection now does feel expensive BUT they are doing a good job on my tank, so its money well spent in my view (plus we were in covid lockdown when i got them, i was bored and needed to spend my money on something!)

 

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?

That happens to me occasionally. When it does I take the lid off, move the intake over to the side (the setting for lower flow), and then stick the point of a small wooden skewer a short distance down in the impeller and give it a little bump. That's' never failed to get it going.