Marineland Penguin Hob Vs. Aquaclear Hob

Pretty new to the aquarium hobby, but I have already encountered a HUGE debate between which type of HOB filters are best. So, the top dogs that I hear about a lot are the Marineland Penguin filters and the AquaClear filters. Me, being the total newbie that I am, went with an Aqueaon QuietFlow. I did some upgrading such as adding an intake sponge filter and added my own filter and carbon media bag. I still have a 25-29g tank left to play with that was given to me. I am not sure which HOB filter I should go with! I am looking for customizable options (adding own filter and media) and durability for sure!

Alright you aquarium hobbyist, let the debate begin! Please enlighten me on your experience and professional advice!!

Thanks,
MysticSkye

P.S. This is my first post to Fishlore, I am a newbie to the site, as well

 

I personally like AC filters. Yes, they can be noisy sometimes, and every so often they're difficult to start back up once being unplugged.. but the customization you can do with them to me make up for those minor issues.

 

I personally like AC filters. Yes, they can be noisy sometimes, and every so often they're difficult to start back up once being unplugged.. but the customization you can do with them to me make up for those minor issues.

Thank you, SarahBear, for the response! I really like the AC options to add my own filtration options! I did hear about the startup issue that is quite common for AC filters, but what is causing the issue and how can you fix it? As far as noise, are we talking about water flow into the tank (I personally like this as it helps me sleep) or the actual filter being noisy? If it is the actual filter itself, is there an option to reduce the noise?

Thanks again!

 

To me the top 2 contenders are the Aquaclears and the tidals. If you look everyone updates their filter to be like them. So why not just go that route to begin with. I have experimented with my Aquaclears. Unplugging them during a water change. They always restated till I got around 4 inches low on water. So if you keep your tank filled this is not an issue. If you unplug during a water change a few cups of water is all that's needed to re prime them.

 

Again, you might want to check out Seachem Tidal filters...

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 slightly 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 using the lid as a no spill carrying tray. Don’t even have to turn off the unit either.

7. Self priming w/submerged pump so you never have to worry about it not starting and recovering from maintenance or loss of power, especially if you are not home.

8. Includes the best media, Seachem Matrix, that handles 100 gallons that can harbor anaerobic bacteria needed to reduce Nitrates.

9. 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.

 

Thank you, SarahBear, for the response! I really like the AC options to add my own filtration options! I did hear about the startup issue that is quite common for AC filters, but what is causing the issue and how can you fix it? As far as noise, are we talking about water flow into the tank (I personally like this as it helps me sleep) or the actual filter being noisy? If it is the actual filter itself, is there an option to reduce the noise?

Thanks again!

It's the actual filter noise. Unless its just mine that are noisy due to old age lol I've had mine for a long time (and sometimes if you have sand as substrate it can get into the filter and cause more noise). That's why I always try and use a pre filter sponge on the intake tube. Helps keep stuff out that shouldn't be in there.
I am not sure how to combat the noise though. You can try cleaning it out, but I've done that with mine and it hasn't helped. Luckily the noisiest ones are in the living room where its drowned out by general family shenanigans and the TV.

As far as the starting up issues, not sure why this occurs, but I've found moving the intake tube to the slow setting so that you can see the impeller, and taking something long and thin and poking the impeller with it gets it going. I have found the longer I have an AC the more I have to do this.

 

I run ACs on all my tanks. No complains. Mine are always silent and they are highly customisable.

If budget is no issue, the Tidal is also a great HOB, the main advantage for me that the tidal has over the AC is the surface skimmer

 

To me the top 2 contenders are the Aquaclears and the tidals. If you look everyone updates their filter to be like them. So why not just go that route to begin with. I have experimented with my Aquaclears. Unplugging them during a water change. They always restated till I got around 4 inches low on water. So if you keep your tank filled this is not an issue. If you unplug during a water change a few cups of water is all that's needed to re prime them.

Ahhh, yes! I did read and hear about the Tidal HOB, as well! Hmm...I am interested!

Again, you might want to check out Seachem Tidal filters...

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 slightly 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 using the lid as a no spill carrying tray. Don’t even have to turn off the unit either.

7. Self priming w/submerged pump so you never have to worry about it not starting and recovering from maintenance or loss of power, especially if you are not home.

8. Includes the best media, Seachem Matrix, that handles 100 gallons that can harbor anaerobic bacteria needed to reduce Nitrates.

9. 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.

Well! I like all of those wonderful benefits you mention with using the Tidal. Sounds like a great filter! Wonder why I do not hear too many YouTube aquarium vloggers speaking about this one Its always the AC or Penguin HOBs....ah well....I will be looking into the Tidal filters for sure.

Thanks a lot for the information!

 

I can't speak for the tidals since I have never owned one yet. My Aquaclears are old enough to vote. Lol. I expect one of them to die at some point so might try a tidal.

 

Welcome to Fishlore!! I use the Marineland Penguin 350's on my 125 gallon Oscar tank and my 72 gallon JD tank!!! They do an INCREDIBLE job!!! They are inexpensive and quiet.

 

Wonder why I do not hear too many YouTube aquarium vloggers speaking about this one Its always the AC or Penguin HOBs....ah well....I will be looking into the Tidal filters for sure.

Thanks a lot for the information!

That's OK, nobody ever heard of Velociraptor until they saw Jurassic Park.

 

The Penguin is a better value than the AC and self-priming is a huge advantage that's important to me. Short power outages are fairly common and the AC can't restart from even a few seconds off, which makes me nervous to leave them for any length of time. Even though the wheel is almost guaranteed to stop spinning and they may as well do away with it, the Penguins still come out ahead..

 

Tidals are new on the market. Maybe 2 yrs now. My main go to is the marine land filters. Like the AC filters they’ve been around forever. Marineland are cheap and work well. I have the tidal 110 and it is a great filer. No complaints . More money but worth it. I have it and a Marineland 350 on my 90. The only thing I don’t like on the tidal is it’s hard to get to the impeller to clean.

 

Question on the skimmers on the Tidals - if you leave the filter on when feeding, does food get sucked into the filter? Having to shut the filter off every time I feed seems like a big hassle to me. Also, when I am OOT and have to feed my fish on auto-feeders, I'm obviously not there and can't turn off the filter just to feed them, unless I sync up some kind of timer.

Can you block off the skimmer?

 

You can close the skimmer and it will just draw water from the bottom .

 

Question on the skimmers on the Tidals - if you leave the filter on when feeding, does food get sucked into the filter? Having to shut the filter off every time I feed seems like a big hassle to me. Also, when I am OOT and have to feed my fish on auto-feeders, I'm obviously not there and can't turn off the filter just to feed them, unless I sync up some kind of timer.

Can you block off the skimmer?

This is what I do on my Tidal 75 and 55. Just a small piece of plastic mesh.

 

You can close the skimmer and it will just draw water from the bottom .

Sorry, incorrect. You can close off the bottom and just use the center and skimmer. You cannot disable the skimmer unless you just put a piece of solid plastic over the slits. Then it will use the bottom tube totally. I just use mesh and it works perfect.

 

Thanks. I may have to give the Tidals a try. I don't really see much of an advantage over the Aquaclears, though, except for the self-contained media basket. As for the self-priming feature...meh. If I keep my tank filled, my Aquaclears restart just fine, with less volume and filter ugliness inside of the tank.

 

Thanks. I may have to give the Tidals a try. I don't really see much of an advantage over the Aquaclears, though, except for the self-contained media basket. As for the self-priming feature...meh. If I keep my tank filled, my Aquaclears restart just fine, with less volume and filter ugliness inside of the tank.

I think I am going to try a Tidal in the future. They are $55 on Amazon for a 75 gallon. The AC 40-70 gallons is $49, so I may spend the extra $5-6 for the Tidal.

 

I think I am going to try a Tidal in the future. They are $55 on Amazon for a 75 gallon. The AC 40-70 gallons is $49, so I may spend the extra $5-6 for the Tidal.

One other thing you might be interested in.

See here on how to customize Seachem Tidal filters.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...t-customize-for-seachem-tidal-filters.393988/

 

One other thing you might be interested in.

See here on how to customize Seachem Tidal filters.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...t-customize-for-seachem-tidal-filters.393988/

Thank you!! Very nice. One more thing...If I wanted to set up a new tank and use my old HOB for the new tank, how would switch the Tidal to my new tank without causing a disruption in my cycle and water levels? In other words, I want to put my old HOB filter in my new tank and add the new Tidal 75 to my current tank.

 

Thank you!! Very nice. One more thing...If I wanted to set up a new tank and use my old HOB for the new tank, how would switch the Tidal to my new tank without causing a disruption in my cycle and water levels? In other words, I want to put my old HOB filter in my new tank and add the new Tidal 75 to my current tank.

Best thing to do is run both filters in one tank for about 2-3 weeks. Then move your old filter over to your new tank. Or place some media from your old HOB into the new HOB and you should be good to go.

 

Best thing to do is run both filters in one tank for about 2-3 weeks. Then move your old filter over to your new tank. Or place some media from your old HOB into the new HOB and you should be good to go.

Whelp, I just bought the Tidal 75! Can't wait! I will run this in my current tank for the 2-3 weeks then take out my old one to put on the new tank. Thanks again! Hope it works well as people are saying!!!

 

Welcome to Fishlore!! I use the Marineland Penguin 350's on my 125 gallon Oscar tank and my 72 gallon JD tank!!! They do an INCREDIBLE job!!! They are inexpensive and quiet.

Agreed. Penguin 350s on my 65 and 75

 

Just my two cents to add..I have marineland penguin on four tanks and have every size. I've used them for over 20yrs. They are very customizable and put out amazing flow. And for the price well, I believe it can't be beat. I have looked into the tidal and like what I've read and seen. What stopped me was the price. But I might try one on next tank.

 

Just my two cents to add..I have marineland penguin on four tanks and have every size. I've used them for over 20yrs. They are very customizable and put out amazing flow. And for the price well, I believe it can't be beat. I have looked into the tidal and like what I've read and seen. What stopped me was the price. But I might try one on next tank.

I agree with Rhonda. I only had 3 sizes of penguin filters but customized the filter media without a problem. And they performed way better in power outage situations than my ACs did.

I researched the tidal pretty hard last year before upgrading to a larger tank size. It is fascinating, but in my opinion overpriced and not big enough.

 

Very interesting responses. I have only had a penquin. I like it fine. I did personalize the filter. My only disappointment, it doesnot have any way to adjust the flow rate. Since I read the Aqua clears and the Tidals do I will investigate them in the future. Thus seems to me they are superior to the penquin except in price.

 

I'm an AC fan. I've two of them and they work great. I'd recommend it 100%