Filter recommendation to replace my HOB.

[GenF211]

Hello! My Fuval C4 died after a recent power outage, and luckily I was home at the time and had a brand new spare C4 ready to go. Now I’m thinking about my replacement. I don’t like the thought that it needs to be self primed after power outages. And the last one only lasted a year. I have a 45 gal pretty much stocked and the C4 works, but isn’t awesome. Any recommendation? Do you know of any reliable self priming hobs that are better? Or maybe a canister that would suit my Tank size? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[KeeperOFnano]

HOB's are great but in power outages not so much. They always need you around to prime them. The good ones anyway. Maybe there is some that do it now, not sure.

Cannister filters, we have never used so can't say much but I'm sure there's lots of people here that do/have. And will give you suggestions.

We use sponge filters...nothing else at the moment. But our setups are heavily planted (typically) and low stock..(typically lol). Also smaller tanks, nothing over 40gb right now.

I do not miss the AC lid taps, or like what happened to you...but we woke up to a whirring sound from the AC when power went out for maybe 3 min and it dropped down the tube and was unable to get going. The actual motor was piping hot!
Had to use oven mitts to remove it 9nce unplugged for maybe 10min.. after I removed filter from tank...done. never worked again lol. Maybe something inside melted and cooled and locked?

Sorry about the ramble, hope more chime in!

 

[KingOscar]

My Aquaclears always re-start. Maybe because I keep my tanks filled to the top? I could see it being a problem with low water level.

 

[GenF211]

Yes mine was really hot too. It fried the motor pretty sure! My tank is heavily planted as well but I’m not sure about sponge filters yet. I do have a big one as a back up for a potential long term power outage…. Couple battery operated air pumps and loads of batteries, just in case! I like to be prepared.

My Aquaclears always re-start. Maybe because I keep my tanks filled to the top? I could see it being a problem with low water level.

What model Aquaclear do you use? I do keep my water level at an inch from the top always.

 

[Cadillac15]

My aquaclears would never restart, but for HOBs, I think seachem tidals are some of the best. They self prime and have a lot of room for media. I love my tidal 110s and swapped out my ac110s with them.

 

[KingOscar]

Yes mine was really hot too. It fried the motor pretty sure! My tank is heavily planted as well but I’m not sure about sponge filters yet. I do have a big one as a back up for a potential long term power outage…. Couple battery operated air pumps and loads of batteries, just in case! I like to be prepared.

What model Aquaclear do you use? I do keep my water level at an inch from the top always.

I have 3 running at the moment. AC 70, 30, and 20.

Here's what I notice: When I do a water change I leave the filter running. If/when the level drops below the intake tube, the pump obviously stops flowing. (I usually turn it off then) While refilling the tank I turn it on as soon as the water level hits the intake tube, but it struggles to fill and flow until the level gets closer to the top. I never need to add water to the filter box, it refills on its own. This is why I suspect low levels could be an issue.

 

[GenF211]

My aquaclears would never restart, but for HOBs, I think seachem tidals are some of the best. They self prime and have a lot of room for media. I love my tidal 110s and swapped out my ac110s with them.

What would a good tidal be for my 45 gal? 110?

 

[cjcummings]

Seachem makes the Tidal series HOB that selfs starts without priming. They start from 35 gallon up to the 100 something gallons. Pretty much any HOB that has the pump inside the tank will not require manual pump unless your water is below the water line for the pump. Marina makes slim filters that self prime as well but they go up to 20 gallons so you can always get 2 lol. I'm sure there are others but those are the only ones I have experience with.

 

[Cadillac15]

What would a good tidal be for my 45 gal? 110?

I like to over filter a lot, so I would go for a Tidal 75 for a 45g tank. That's what I had on my 40b before selling it.

 

[cjcummings]

What would a good tidal be for my 45 gal? 110?

don't always go by the double filtration or over filtration rule. It mainly depends if your tank inhabitants prefer low current or don't mind stronger current. For example if you had like young fish or any other species like goldfish or some tetras that don't thrive in strong current, it might be harder to get a good flow with a larger GPH filter as opposed to a smaller one or one that is meant for your tank size, which will allow you to dial it down to proper flow.

However if you have stuff that love or thrive in strong current then go for the higher rated one.

 

[GenF211]

don't always go by the double filtration or over filtration rule. It mainly depends if your tank inhabitants prefer low current or don't mind stronger current. For example if you had like young fish or any other species like goldfish or some tetras that don't thrive in strong current, it might be harder to get a good flow with a larger GPH filter as opposed to a smaller one or one that is meant for your tank size, which will allow you to dial it down to proper flow.

However if you have stuff that love or thrive in strong current then go for the higher rated one.

I have DN Rainbows, neons and Ember tetras. Rainbows love flow and the others don’t. I think the Tidal 75 might be the best option. Also two SAE’s… they won’t mind either. Thank you
I just read up on the Tidals and the self cleaning impeller is also a perk! Thankyou for all your input today! Off to work now…boo!

 

[BlockHead1981]

I would recommend a canister filter for your 45g. All I've used are Eheim canister filters and they have been flawless. They run super quiet and they can go months depending on your stocking before you need to clean them. Cleaning them is def more work than HOBs by far. If I was to go with a HOB I would get 2 Aquaclear 50's and pick up some extra intake pipes to make them longer, having 2 filters will help you filter both sides of the tank, more filtration and if one has an issue you have a backup or 1 Aquaclear 75 and place it on the side of the tank. The only issue with Eheims is the flow isn't that great, but if you get a 2217 you will be more than fine, I had one on a 45g once and the tank was impeccable. I have a 2217 on my 20 long with a spray bar on the side and although the flow is on the high end, I prefer that for my plants and for the overall cleanliness of the tank. It primes itself when I turn off the power or the lights go out, so I don't have to worry about that.

 

[member133559]

The Aqueon Quiet Flow HOBs also self-prime. They produce a pretty strong flow, are probably not as custom media friendly as other makes, and their intake pipes are on the shorter end (in my case that is a plus having sand as substrate). Nevertheless, I like them better than the AquaClear and Tetra Whisper filters I had before. The QFs get the job done, bypass is negligible, are pretty easy to clean, and are more affordable than some of the other HOBs.

 

[jtjgg]

i've replaced all my Aquaclears with Tidals, no regrets.