ChrissFishes01
- #1
Product Overview: The Top Fin MF10 is a bang-for-your-buck internal filter that uses a cartridge-based design with non-traditional cartridges - they’re just sponge and carbon! The cartridges don’t have to be replaced, and extras can be found for $2.99 or less. The filter has a max flow rate of 80 GPH (gallons per hour), but that can be adjusted down to around 40 GPH. It has a relatively narrow flow output, but the turnable output makes it easy to aim the flow at a wall or a decoration to break it up if the flow is too strong.
My Experience: I’ve used this filter for a bunch of different applications over the past 6-7 years. I originally bought it for a cheap hospital tank filter, and whenever I found that it worked well, it became my go-to for any situation where I didn’t already have a filter on hand. I’ve used this for quarantine tanks, hospital tanks, display tanks, water polishing, and even just for water movement. I currently own 5, and run 4 daily on several different tanks as water polishers and biological filters.
The Main Draw: For me, the best part about this filter is the filter media. It comes with a sponge filled with carbon that’s intended to do biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration. These sponges are much, much more sturdy than filter floss pads, and can be used for years. I’ve got some of the original sponges I bought with these filters years ago, and they’re still usable. You simply have to clean them out every few weeks, just like you would a sponge filter. You can load carbon (or any other chemical media) into the sponge if you like, but I personally toss the carbon and don’t run chemical media in my tanks. I find it to be unnecessary most of the time - but the option is absolutely there. This sponge-based system also means that you can easily load almost any media into the filter - I’ve used AquaClear sponges, filter floss, plastic pot scrubbies, Purigen, Chemipure Blue, and small bioballs. They all worked well, with the exception of the bioballs - I’ve found ceramic and plastic medias to reduce flow to a trickle in this filter, probably due to the chamber being so small. The largest size (MF40) does come with some biorings included, so I assume that if you’re using ceramics, that might be a better buy.
Specifications: The filter measures 5 ¾” tall, 2” wide, and 2 ½” deep. It attaches to the tank with four suction cups (that are amazing for such a cheap product), and has an 8 foot long cord. The motor is very quiet after it’s worn in, but can make some scraping noise the first day or two. The flow output can be modified with an included spray bar attachment, but I’ve always found it to be underwhelming and messy - I do have insanely hard water, though, so any splashing is likely to cause mineral build up. You folks with softer water may not mind it so much.
Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a cheap filter that you can get from your local Petsmart, I don’t think you can go wrong with this. Even in larger tanks where it may be lacking flow-wise, it should still have more than enough filtration capacity to keep those tanks healthy. For smaller tanks, 20 gallons and below, I think this can be an excellent source of filtration, and when taken care of, will last you for years. At $12.99, it’s a steal.
Q/A: This section will be reserved for some questions I’ve been asked about the filter, and will be edited with questions that are asked below.
Q: Do you find it has strong flow for something like a betta? By betta06
A: It really depends on the tank size! In something 5 gallons or larger, definitely not. In smaller tanks, you may have to turn the output towards a glass wall or decoration to bounce the flow and slow it down, especially for long-finned bettas. You can also try the spray bar. Should work well for a betta tank, though!
Q: Will it suck up my fry?
A: Likely, yes. I think that as long as you have some filter floss around the intake livebearer fry will be safe, but I’m fairly positive small fry (Pseudomugil, Cory fry, maybe pleco fry) will get sucked into the filter and trapped.
My Experience: I’ve used this filter for a bunch of different applications over the past 6-7 years. I originally bought it for a cheap hospital tank filter, and whenever I found that it worked well, it became my go-to for any situation where I didn’t already have a filter on hand. I’ve used this for quarantine tanks, hospital tanks, display tanks, water polishing, and even just for water movement. I currently own 5, and run 4 daily on several different tanks as water polishers and biological filters.
The Main Draw: For me, the best part about this filter is the filter media. It comes with a sponge filled with carbon that’s intended to do biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration. These sponges are much, much more sturdy than filter floss pads, and can be used for years. I’ve got some of the original sponges I bought with these filters years ago, and they’re still usable. You simply have to clean them out every few weeks, just like you would a sponge filter. You can load carbon (or any other chemical media) into the sponge if you like, but I personally toss the carbon and don’t run chemical media in my tanks. I find it to be unnecessary most of the time - but the option is absolutely there. This sponge-based system also means that you can easily load almost any media into the filter - I’ve used AquaClear sponges, filter floss, plastic pot scrubbies, Purigen, Chemipure Blue, and small bioballs. They all worked well, with the exception of the bioballs - I’ve found ceramic and plastic medias to reduce flow to a trickle in this filter, probably due to the chamber being so small. The largest size (MF40) does come with some biorings included, so I assume that if you’re using ceramics, that might be a better buy.
Specifications: The filter measures 5 ¾” tall, 2” wide, and 2 ½” deep. It attaches to the tank with four suction cups (that are amazing for such a cheap product), and has an 8 foot long cord. The motor is very quiet after it’s worn in, but can make some scraping noise the first day or two. The flow output can be modified with an included spray bar attachment, but I’ve always found it to be underwhelming and messy - I do have insanely hard water, though, so any splashing is likely to cause mineral build up. You folks with softer water may not mind it so much.
Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a cheap filter that you can get from your local Petsmart, I don’t think you can go wrong with this. Even in larger tanks where it may be lacking flow-wise, it should still have more than enough filtration capacity to keep those tanks healthy. For smaller tanks, 20 gallons and below, I think this can be an excellent source of filtration, and when taken care of, will last you for years. At $12.99, it’s a steal.
Q/A: This section will be reserved for some questions I’ve been asked about the filter, and will be edited with questions that are asked below.
Q: Do you find it has strong flow for something like a betta? By betta06
A: It really depends on the tank size! In something 5 gallons or larger, definitely not. In smaller tanks, you may have to turn the output towards a glass wall or decoration to bounce the flow and slow it down, especially for long-finned bettas. You can also try the spray bar. Should work well for a betta tank, though!
Q: Will it suck up my fry?
A: Likely, yes. I think that as long as you have some filter floss around the intake livebearer fry will be safe, but I’m fairly positive small fry (Pseudomugil, Cory fry, maybe pleco fry) will get sucked into the filter and trapped.
but i can definitely see it. Spent enough time in/on/around the oceans of the world to know how that works!