55 Gallon Tank Tidal 110 vs Aquaclear 110

I've been trying really hard to like the Tidal filters. I went through two Tidal 110s, and they were both way too loud for me. Seachem even did a warranty exchange on the motor for me, which made no difference. I downsized to a Tidal 75 and it also loud, though not as loud, but it had bypass. I pulled the basket out and drilled as many extra holes as I could in the bottom to try to minimize the bypass and it didn't help. The filter is sitting in a box in my garage.

Today, I pulled out the Aquaclear 110 I bought used off of Craigslist 2 years ago for $30 and plugged it in. With my impeller shaft lubricated, AND the lid on, I can barely hear it. It's maybe 3 feet from my ear, hanging on the front of the tank, so there is nothing between me and the filter and it's quiet. There an ever so slight hum, but that's about it.

I am really impressed with the noise level of this filter.

 

I've been trying really hard to like the Tidal filters. I went through two Tidal 110s, and they were both way too loud for me. Seachem even did a warranty exchange on the motor for me, which made no difference. I downsized to a Tidal 75 and it also loud, though not as loud, but it had bypass. I pulled the basket out and drilled as many extra holes as I could in the bottom to try to minimize the bypass and it didn't help. The filter is sitting in a box in my garage.

Today, I pulled out the Aquaclear 110 I bought used off of Craigslist 2 years ago for $30 and plugged it in. With my impeller shaft lubricated, AND the lid on, I can barely hear it. It's maybe 3 feet from my ear, hanging on the front of the tank, so there is nothing between me and the filter and it's quiet. There an ever so slight hum, but that's about it.

I am really impressed with the noise level of this filter.

I prefer AquaClears over Tidals for filtration, but I honestly can’t imagine anything being louder than an AquaClear.

Glad it’s working for you!

 

Right now, this thing is as quiet as the Eheim 2217 in the stand.

 

I exchanged two aquaclear for the tidal filters 110 and 75.

I have the opposite experience as you.
I think that the water level needs to be higher for the tidal filters. Most people on here seem to keep their water lower.

Perhaps the reason for the difference in opinion, is that the skimmer is pulling air in causing the noise ?

 

Aquaclears only make noise when there is air in the intake tubes or impeller area. If you plug it in and it’s noisy, unplug and try again. I like to fill mine manually, about 75% with water and then plug it in. Sometimes, if I try a few times and I’m not getting anywhere, I’ll remove the intake tube to relieve the water and try again.

Mine is extremely quiet, I just get a gentle hum of the impeller...similar to what a refrigerator sounds like

 

So, it's been a little over 2 weeks since I put the 110 in service. Water is nice and clean, and the filter is clogged. Basket is popping up like a toaster. I think I may want to put an intake sponge on it.

 

So, it's been a little over 2 weeks since I put the 110 in service. Water is nice and clean, and the filter is clogged. Basket is popping up like a toaster. I think I may want to put an intake sponge on it.

The AQ has slots where the basket clicks into the frame of the HOB. It stops the basket from rising. I recently put some polyfil in mine and it’s a game changer