Seachem Tidal Hob Filter & Flow Rate

I'm starting up a new aquarium. It's a 50 gallon tank, and will be a planted, community aquarium with mostly smaller fish. For filtration, I'd like to use Seachem's Tidal HOB filter. The question is, should I get the Tidal 55 (250 GPH) or the Tidal 75 (350 GPH)? The recommended thumbnail flow rate rate of four times tank volume per hour would be 200 GPH. So my question is "is more GPH better"? Will the 75 give me too much flow, especially with small Tetras, Barbs and such? I'm also going to attach an **** Filter Max Pre - Filter to the intake tube (which might slow it down a tad?). Thanks!

 

HI there. So with HOB's most experienced aquarium keepers agree that you should aI'm for about 8-10 times the amount of gallons in the tank. With canister filters usually we aI'm for 4-5 times. So for a 50 gallon with an HOB you should try to hit about 400-500 GPH.

Now with that being said, the Tidal filter has a large media basket similar to the Aqua Clear HOB's which usually means it can run a lower GPH rate successfully. I would still try and aI'm for at LEAST 400 GPH with the Tidal.

Flow will not be an issue for the fish you have described in a tank as large as 50 gallons.

 

Thanks, RYRY, in that case, I would consider the Tidal 110, which has 450 GPH. But I just read that the ATI Sponge Pre-Filter won't fit on the Tidal intake tube! That might be a deal buster. I would then consider the Aqua Clear 110, which has 500 GPH. I'll have to confirm that the ATI filter would fit on that.

 

29 gallon in pic, tidal 55 on there. Works well but for me was light on flow but I have a longer tank. Picked up a in very well condition fluval 206 canister , I'm kicking my butt for not just spending the extra 100$ to have had it that much earlier. Waters the cleanest I have ever seen it

 

Thanks. A canister is an additional option, but they're APITA, as far as maintenance. For that reason I also considered the The API Rena SmartFilter HOB. It has similar attributes as a canister as far as low flow - through. But I read it's being discontinued.

 

Not to cloud the issue, but...
For a 55 gal I’d go with either the tidal 75 or AC70, at least.
The AC 70 and 110 share the same size of intake tube, so if your desired prefilter won’t work on the 110, it also won’t work on the 70, regardless of whether it works with the tidals. But u can always cut something from a block of sponge.
The range of flow adjustment on the tidal filters is huge, way more than on the AC’s. You can dial them back to a trickle if u want (but then ur underfiltering, sooo...).
IMO, with either AC70 or tidal 75 on a 55, you’re probably going to want additional filtration and/or water movement capability; second hob, sponge filter, water mover, etc.
For myself, I have a tidal 55 and an AC70 on a mere 33 gal (36” long). Tidal is on max flow, AC on min (which is not all that much less than max), and I’m very happy with this setup, even with sand substrate.

 

I agree on 2 filters, as far as even using one for just for constant good circular ing flow, thay was my point in I've have the next size tidal just for my 29 and it just couldn't give me enough return. But would blast the first cross through my tank. One more thing and I'll stop, just trying to save you time, the out flow is just to close to the return and I could watch stuff be blown back before it could get sucked up

 

Thanks. OK, maybe two Tidal 55's, or two AC 70's would do the job (with some kind of pre-filter on the intake tubes).

 

I have the Tidal 110 On my 60 and It's awesome. Really adjustable flow and the GPH is 450. I'll be buying a second one soon. Huge compartment for filter media.

 

U really don't need the prefilters, one of the good things about the tidal design and as long as you are doing the maintenance

 

Thanks, RYRY, in that case, I would consider the Tidal 110, which has 450 GPH. But I just read that the ATI Sponge Pre-Filter won't fit on the Tidal intake tube! That might be a deal buster. I would then consider the Aqua Clear 110, which has 500 GPH. I'll have to confirm that the ATI filter would fit on that.

You want 10x turnaround. So you could probably get by with a Tidal 110. Or you could run a 110 and a 50 together.

 

Thanks. What would be the difference or advantage in having two different size HOB's? ("a 110 and a 50 together") rather than two 75's?

Also, anybody know how long the intake tube on the Seachem Tidal is? I've read that, unlike the AquaClears, the intake tube can't be adjusted or extended. On AC HOB's I've had, I extended it to near the bottom of the tank, so its not so near the outflow. Also, I like the ATI Sponge Prefilter for a few reasons: it prevents debris (and small fish!) from being sucked in, and it provides more mechanical (and even biological) filtering.

 

I was just brainstorming. Two 75's would be better haha.

Sorry, I don't know much about the Tidals. They sell them at a store I'm starting work at but I'm a poor student so I have an AC. The owner considers the Tidals to be essentially the step up from AC's. That's all I know.

 

The intake tube is telescopic, and there's a skimmer vent ordeal for the top, works well the shortest the tube can be is about 3.5 and extends another 3, but it's at the bottom of the filter with is about 4-5 inches

That's the 55

 

The intake tube is telescopic, and there's a skimmer vent ordeal for the top, works well the shortest the tube can be is about 3.5 and extends another 3, but it's at the bottom of the filter with is about 4-5 inches

Looks like a fine distance.

 

Wow, thank you so much! Pics are great. Those intakes are fine. I think I’m going to go with the two Tidal 75’s. I’ll figure out the prefilter issue later. The only other criticism I remember was the odd configuration or shape of the media box, as far as shaping sponges and contents to fit right.

 

The only other criticism I remember was the odd configuration or shape of the media box, as far as shaping sponges and contents to fit right.

You would only shape the sponges, and the one it comes with is obviously fitted. Presumably that will last for years. Everything else is cram and fit, though I do find the reservoir on my Tidal 55 to be slightly small - but then that’s in comparison to my AC70.
One other major design diff between tidals and ACs is water return: tidal really pushes water outwards along surface more, where AC is a bit more of a downward cascade. Since tidal also has the skimmer feature I was worried at start that it wouldn’t mix vertically enough, but I’m not seeing anything to suggest that’s an issue over the 6 or so weeks I’ve had it.

 

Thanks, RYRY, in that case, I would consider the Tidal 110, which has 450 GPH. But I just read that the ATI Sponge Pre-Filter won't fit on the Tidal intake tube! That might be a deal buster. I would then consider the Aqua Clear 110, which has 500 GPH. I'll have to confirm that the ATI filter would fit on that.

You can get pre filters in many many sizes and shapes. You can also make any pre filter sponge attach with lightly applied zip ties. Trust me don't let the sponge dictate the filter.

 

"RyRyTheAquariumGuy, post: You can get pre filters in many many sizes and shapes. You can also make any pre filter sponge attach with lightly applied zip ties. Trust me don't let the sponge dictate the filter


Agreed. I just liked the way the ATI FilterMax
was set up - already to slide on with a tube fitting. But you’re right. It shouldn’t be a deal buster.

As far as surface agitation being greater on the Tidals - that could be a negative as far as the plants. I think it gives off more Co2. Maybe I’d be better mixing an Aquaclear and a Tidal? The AC might have more of a shorter downward flow, too. Give a varied circulation. A one Tidal 75 and one Aquaclear 110?

 

As far as surface agitation being greater on the Tidals - that could be a negative as far as the plants. I think it gives off more .

That would only be an issue if you're supplementing CO2, I think. Can't see in info above if that's the case here.

 

Thanks for all your help!