Thinking of getting a Tidal 55

I have a 44 gallon tall pentagon corner tank. The current HOB came with it (I bought the tank and equipment used) and is too loud. This is in the main room of the house. I don't mind a waterfall noise, but I don't want to hear motors and stuff. In addition, the "holding tank" part of the HOB does not have room for me to add media and the flow rate is not adjustable. I also have an Aquarium Co-op medium sponge filter (for 20-39 gallons) and also an air stone in there.

So, I'm leaning toward a Tidal 55 for a few reasons:
1) I understand the motor is underwater and therefore, QUIET
2) It has a lot of room to add your own media
3) It has the bonus of a skimmer
4) It doesn't have to be primed every time the power blips. We get a LOT of power blips because they need to enlarge the grid as the growth in our area has surpassed the grid. So the self-priming option is very attractive.
5) It fits the cut out of my hood (the Tidal 75 does not)
6) The flow rate is adjustable.

Anyone have this filter? Do you like it? Am I understanding the pros correctly? Are there any cons in your experience or any cons you forsee for my tank I need to be aware of? Will the 55 plus the sponge be enough filtration for a heavily stocked tetra/cory planted tank?

Thank you!

 

I have a 44 gallon tall pentagon corner tank. The current HOB came with it (I bought the tank and equipment used) and is too loud. This is in the main room of the house. I don't mind a waterfall noise, but I don't want to hear motors and stuff. In addition, the "holding tank" part of the HOB does not have room for me to add media and the flow rate is not adjustable. I also have an Aquarium Co-op medium sponge filter (for 20-39 gallons) and also an air stone in there.

So, I'm leaning toward a Tidal 55 for a few reasons:
1) I understand the motor is underwater and therefore, QUIET
2) It has a lot of room to add your own media
3) It has the bonus of a skimmer
4) It doesn't have to be primed every time the power blips. We get a LOT of power blips because they need to enlarge the grid as the growth in our area has surpassed the grid. So the self-priming option is very attractive.
5) It fits the cut out of my hood (the Tidal 75 does not)
6) The flow rate is adjustable.

Anyone have this filter? Do you like it? Am I understanding the pros correctly? Are there any cons in your experience or any cons you forsee for my tank I need to be aware of? Will the 55 plus the sponge be enough filtration for a heavily stocked tetra/cory planted tank?

Thank you!

We have one on our 20 long and I think they are fantastic filters very quiet holds a lot of media can turn the bottom intake tube off to just use it as a surface skimmer of sorts and the flow regulator is great to set it from a very slow trickle to a good strong flow. Haven’t had any issues and have had it running for at least close to a year now.

 

Be sure to check the dimensions and compare it to where you plan on hanging it. I had to return mine because it wouldn't easily fit between the wall and the back of the tank.,

 

You don’t need a skimmer if freshwater

 

We have one on our 20 long and I think they are fantastic filters very quiet holds a lot of media can turn the bottom intake tube off to just use it as a surface skimmer of sorts and the flow regulator is great to set it from a very slow trickle to a good strong flow. Haven’t had any issues and have had it running for at least close to a year now.

thank you! It’s great to hear a review from someone who has used it for a year. Reviews from new ones are helpful, but when it is a year out and still good, that’s helpful. Thanks!

 

You don’t need a skimmer if freshwater

That’s true. You MUST have one for saltwater. While it isn’t necessary for freshwater, it can be helpful for removing any oils that may exists from frozen foods, etc.

 

I don’t think you need if sw, if you have a lot of beneficial bacteria, you don’t overfeed, you have lots of soft coral and macro algae (No hard corals) or a fowlr reef with lots of wc, it is basically useless

 

Please don’t derail the thread, the op’s tank is freshwater not salt

 

Thanks, everyone! I picked one up today while I was out and will try and install it tonight. I really appreciate the input and advice!

 

That’s true. You MUST have one for saltwater. While it isn’t necessary for freshwater, it can be helpful for removing any oils that may exists from frozen foods, etc.

The skimmer on the Tidal Is not a protein skimmer as would used in a salt water tank. It’s a surface skimmer which is a fantastic option for any tank. You can adjust the intake flow from the skimmer to the drop intake fully or any where in between.

Great choice for a HOB. I own a couple of them. The motor/pump are extremely reliable. self priming is great to. Keep the water level in the tank up or they get noisy, otherwise very quiet. Better choice than an aqua clear any day of the week.

 

I've got one that I used for a few months. I didn't much care for it, so it's sitting in my box of extra stuff in case I need to replace something on the fly. They're ok, but bypass too easily imo.

 

I've heard good things and was going to get one for my 20, actually ordered it but they refunded me as they were out of stock. Went for a canister instead and very happy with it. The thing with the tidal is that I have a shrimp tank and also usually have random fry in the tank from my breeding projects and all the inlets would have caused problems.

 

So I installed it last night. It is SOOOOOOO quiet! I love it! Of course I have no idea how good it will be at filtering yet, but as far as noise goes, I can already attest to it being completely silent. I only hear the waterfall but no motor.