Getting ready to buy some HOB filters what ones do you guys like

I have use aquaclear and marine land for years. I like them both. I think Ac is better and quieter. I see all the rage about the tidal filters but just don’t know if they are any better than AC’s? It will be a 75 gallon planted community tank and I prefer two smaller filters instead of one big one.
The marine land filters I can get two 350’s for $50 so that’s attractive. The AC70’s are $50 each. The tidals are about the same as the AC.
What would you all do and why?
Thanks

 

The tidals seem to have good reviews even in here. Personally I like my aquaclears. I'm still running an ac500. That's a 19 year old 110. Lol.

 

I don't really use HOBs, most of the people I know who do prefer AquaClears, but I wouldn't be the one to ask. I just thought I'd note that Seachem has been really successful marketing the Tidal series and you often see them touted for their specs and bonus features (surface skimmer anyone), but everyone I know who has actually bought one has been really disappointed in it.

 

I would wait for the new marineland filters to be released. Any day now... they look like they work great and sound quiet

 

I would wait for the new marineland filters to be released. Any day now... they look like they work great and sound quiet

Oh interesting. Do you have a link to specs.
Thanks all for the replies. The Tidals don’t impress me that much.

 

I might suggest a Seachem Tidal Filters for just some of the following advantages:

• A flow knob to control water flow from 100% down to 20%. 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.
• Draws water from three locations, top (skimmer), middle and bottom for better water filtering, not just the bottom.
• Another knob to totally shut off the bottom intake if you only want to filter the middle and top of your tank only.
• If the mechanical media at the lower portion of the media basket ever gets clogged it has a slightly higher bypass in the basket so the water will still be filtered through your media and continues to run efficiently.
• Media basket locks in place so it will never rise up pushing the media cage up possibly causing an overflow and flooding your floor.
• Removable no spill media basket comes out for easy cleaning using the lid as a no spill carrying tray. No need to turn the filter off either just remove the basket.
• Self priming w/submerged under water pump so it’s quiet and you never have to worry about it not starting from a power failure or recovering from maintenance, especially if you are not home.
• Includes the best media, Seachem Matrix that can harbor anaerobic bacteria needed to reduce Nitrates.
• 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.

 

The new marine land ones do look pretty interesting. For sale end of next week.

 

Great. Looks like they added a flow control. Still has the useless bio wheels though.

 

The new marine land ones do look pretty interesting. For sale end of next week.

Ya they are very similar to the tidal but they may be even better. We will see.

 

Ya they are very similar to the tidal but they may be even better. We will see.

they Look nice. Maybe I’ll try one of these and an AC. I do t mind trying new things but the time tested is also a good thing.

 

Which has the most usable space for DIY foams and bio media.

 

I just did the Tidal 110. I bought it from amazon so it will be here Thursday. I’ll see how I like it. I wanted an in the tank motor for quietness. I’m not so sure on it. I hear good and bad reviews. I’ll likely evaluate it and get a second back up filter of something else or another smaller tidal if I like it.

 

Filter got here today. I opened the box and thought no way in heck I'm keeping this filter. The part with the pump and the surface skimmer that goes in the tank is a huge. I calmed down and said let me see how it will look in the tank. It looks ok. I have a huge piece of driftwood that will cover most of it. Some plants will take care of the rest. The bright blue is stupid, horrible, and sticks out like a soar thumb. No clue why they didn’t stick with black, dark grey, dark green??!! The leveler fell off behind the tank and was a pain to get. I bought it because the Skinner box well I keep my water level about 1/2” above the tank rI'm and the top of the slimmer box is just level with the water line. I’ll have to put my heater cords under the filter with so wedges to raise it up of the skimmer box will be useless. The flow is less than expected and it’s a lot of surface agitation. That’s good and bad. I have half beaks and they needs a bit slower flow at the top. I’ll add another smaller filter to the other side and it will be fine. Just an FYI. There is plenty of leftover room for media. The house seems like very cheap plastic. The media basket system is nice and I like the clip to keep it in place. Easy to use and works!! I like the extra room in the back for other media. I’m not using the heater clip and I wish the flow of water got down to the bottom of the tank a bit better. I’ll likely get a smaller biowheel pro filter to compare. I think for the price the Tidal 110 is a good option. I think for the money though a regular biowheel filter is still a great choice and I’ll see what I think of the pro if and when I get one. I might do the aquaclear since the flow is directed down and has a good waterfall effect for the half beaks I have. I could also keep the half beaks in my 20 gallon. Decisions. I’ll update when I have more time with the new filter.

 

Interesting. Here are my thoughts. The blue knob is blue on purpose. Anyone who sees that in a tank from a distance and in pictures knows it is a Seachem Tidal filter. Pretty smart for marketing. Leveler fell off most likely it was not inserted hard enough in its holder. Once done it won't come out. The plastic box can withstand a drop onto the floor. An Aquaclear will crack because of its hard plastic.

See here on how to customize Seachem Tidal filters.

Easy Basket Customize For Seachem Tidal Filters - Filters and Filtration 393988

 

saltwater60 The MarineLand Penguin 350 BIO-Wheel Power Filter was just on sale yesterday for $10 at most online retailers (Amazon, Chewy, Petsmart, etc.). I'm not saying it's the best as I haven't used it but I did just buy one because I don't think I can go wrong with that price. Maybe you can still find it for that price online. Good luck!

 

Interesting. Here are my thoughts. The blue knob is blue on purpose. Anyone who sees that in a tank from a distance and in pictures knows it is a Seachem Tidal filter. Pretty smart for marketing. Leveler fell off most likely it was not inserted hard enough in its holder. Once done it won't come out. The plastic box can withstand a drop onto the floor. An Aquaclear will crack because of its hard plastic.

See here on how to customize Seachem Tidal filters.

Easy Basket Customize For Seachem Tidal Filters - Filters and Filtration 393988

Sure marketing is great and all but I don’t want to see it in my as natural as looking can be tank. My goal is invisibility.
The leveler fell off because I had to adjust it and it got caught on the tank rim. It was only a pain for me because how my stand is set up. It’s home made and I had to get a broom and get it from one side of the tank to the other that way. Then it went under the back and it was just a pain. It’s on there now and level.
As for the overflow I place some composite shims under it and now the overflow is about 3/8” above the water line. That should do the trick. Also seems to have with the water getting to the bottom of the tank.
Thanks for the link about modding the skimmer basket. In the long run I think it will be a good filter.

 

As far as the blue knob again, just wait about 6 months and it will be covered in algae... just like mine and blends in now just fine.

 

As far as the blue knob again, just wait about 6 months and it will be covered in algae... just like mine and blends in now just fine.

I figured. Also I will be able to likely hide it with plantings. If that’s the biggest issue with the filter I’ll be happy. Everything is a trade off. The skimmer box is good but big. That’s life right?
I really like the screen over the intake for the skimmer box. Do you just pinch it and it’s held in place by pressure right? I have some sitting in my basement I’ll make that up tonight.

 

Do you just pinch it and it’s held in place by pressure right?

That's it. Easy to clean too.

 

Sure marketing is great and all but I don’t want to see it in my as natural as looking can be tank. My goal is invisibility.
The leveler fell off because I had to adjust it and it got caught on the tank rim. It was only a pain for me because how my stand is set up. It’s home made and I had to get a broom and get it from one side of the tank to the other that way. Then it went under the back and it was just a pain. It’s on there now and level.
As for the overflow I place some composite shims under it and now the overflow is about 3/8” above the water line. That should do the trick. Also seems to have with the water getting to the bottom of the tank.
Thanks for the link about modding the skimmer basket. In the long run I think it will be a good filter.

The new penguin is all black. I think it’s designed better than the tidal.

 

I think the only HOB's I'll ever own are AC's. Simple to use simple to maintain and their bulletproof. But.... the self priming is the only thing I don't care for.

 

Lol had to get up and look for this blue knob. Yes it’s covered in algae .
Well best bang for the buck is the Marineland 350. I have 3 2 running 1 spare. Get rid of the cartridge and replace with a sponge than add a bag of matrix in front. I like the tidal 110 it’s quiet and very good. Had it for over a year now and it does a great job. I have one of each on my 90 gal.
Had ac filters years ago never had problems. These are the 3 best hob filters. Would only recommend these.

 

The new penguin is all black. I think it’s designed better than the tidal.

Do you have one or have you seen them in person? I have not seen one so just curious. I think I’ll get one for the other side of the tank.

 

Just looked at that add. New 350 looks very promising. It even has a media basket. Waiting for the reviews. Yes some say the bio-wheel is useless but I believe it is still building up bacteria. Like in a wet/dry system. It’s a different type of bacteria that grows in a heavily oxygenated area unlike the bacteria that grows inside our filters. That bacteria grows with very little to no oxygen.

 

Do you have one or have you seen them in person? I have not seen one so just curious. I think I’ll get one for the other side of the tank.

I’m still waiting for them to come out so I haven’t bought mine yet!
If you skip to 6:45ish you can see exactly what it looks like.

 

I have a Marineland 350 too and it has been working very well for me, I also like how quiet it is.