“This is where people will get heated!” I really hope you use that line in a aquarium heater review series. With that said great reviews, I do have 2 of the filters you didn’t like as much as the rest but like you said “ they work.” I also use a canister filter on my 40 and sponge filters in most. I would like to see what you think of the “Aqua-tech 30-60” I know it’s a bigger filter and a cheap one at that. But when your on a budget it’s a great alternative to some of the other 30 gal filters. Got mine at Walmart. It’s been good so far and the flow is really good. Again great videos. Thank you for all the information you put out there for us!
A bit late here but for anybody that comes in the future looking, the AquaClear rattling on the top of the filter can be fixed by just sticking a rubber band around the top and setting it back on that way. Never have to worry about the vibrations again.
Tidal Filter Cons and Pros: Cons: 1. The 110 Tidal is a little on the loud side, louder than my Aquaclears and Penn Plax HOBs. I shut the door in my bedroom that is down a 25 ft hallway and my bed is about 40 feet away and hear over my Aquaclear 70, Penn Plax 300. Also hear the tidal over my furnace when it kicks on and the return air grill is on floor in hallway. 2.The skimmer sucks up small floating fish food and plugs up with 2 1/2 to 3 mm floating fish food and skimmer weakens the down spout. 3. Rounded / arched shape wastes potential space. 4. Bottom holes for white tray not enough entry holes to get flow into bottom sponge and clog quickly, can fix by adding additional holes at bottom and bottom sides to help reduce some bypass. Pros: 1. Great surface agitation best of all my HOBs even at mid setting due to angle of water exit scoop and bump / texture design. 2. lot of media space regardless of poorly designed shape. 3. Skimmer feature really large, Tidal 110 will not fit into the pre cut slot on my older TruVu 90 gallon, but fits my 50 gallon SeaClear. 4. Filter housing is made out of a strong flexible plastic unlike my Aquaclears and Penn Plax HOBs that have gotten stress cracks during removal and maintenance. 5. Pump in tank is a plus, sometimes my Aquaclears do not start up after a power outage or after a quick filter clean.
FYI. My Penn Plax 300 HOB has never needed a propeller or motor change out running about two years, but need to remove cover and bio drip and then mod media to make useful. I have had many Aquaclears ranging from the smallest to the largest. The 110 housings crack due to wait during removal and maintenance and the 70s and below eat up propellers, shafts and sometimes motors pretty easily and I use small gravel not sand. Sometimes twice a year. The Aquaclear 70s and below need wider shafts, preferably ceramic. Also, Fluval should change housing material, too brittle and tends to rattle. Plus the smaller Aquaclears have a lot of play at the snap on prop that gets looser over time. If you clean the motor and propeller too much they rattle for a day or two until the gunk in your filter helps quite them up a little, but if not cleaned enough they will not go on when plugged back in. The 70 is my favorite not to heavy. The 110 to heavy and awkward and the housing stresses under the wait when handled. And lastly put the motor in the tank already.
You should compare test kits and test strips The api liquid and strips, the tetra, the nutrafin and others. You should also review the fresh water Hanna checkers. I’ve seen people use them in saltwater but not that much In Freshwater
I had 2 Aquaclear 50s that ran nonstop for 13YEARS on my 60gal. They started to get load because the impellers were wearing out. Will always recommend them. I have a total of 4 at the moment, will never get another HOB
I realy like my tidal filters. Switched out all of my aquaclear filters. I traveled a lot for work and would dread coming home to a filter that didnt restart after a power outage.
I've had one for 15+ years and just as of today I had to unplug it. Because the little plastic tab on the motor where it screws to the filter broke and caused a leak. But the motor was still running and pumping away 15 years everyday all day
@@charliesleeseman4643 they become part of the family. You know them so well. When mine would play up, i would talk to it. " oh Jerry don't you be lazy" 🤣❤
I watched this video like 2 years ago and followed your recommendations to the “Tidal Seachem” and I got the BIG one on my 30 gallon tank. It’s been incredible and I use it to this day 🙏 highly recommend it to anyone
These HOBs are awesome. I have 2 that are 23 years old and still work perfectly. I find that if you have the water level in your tank high enough they re-start on their own.
I like the aquaclear best-because it pulls water from the bottom of the tank and returns it at the top. That seems more important than skimming action on the Tidal 35.
I purchased a Tidal 35, used it and compared it to my AquaClear. So far it has been unusually quiet and its best feature, i think, is the media basket which, unlike the AquaClear, has four sides to it which allows me to just dump in whatever bio-media i want without fooling around with net bags. I've now ordered up another, a bigger, Tidal filter for my other tank.
I have the aquaclear 50 on a 36 gallon it’s been running for 10 years. Like you said it’s has its problem with the power outage. I do keep it on high all the ten it does the job.
Easy fix on the Aqua Clear lid rattle... Cut a section of silicone airline tubing to fit the rear side of the filter box, slit it lengthwise and slip it over the edge. Done.
I know this is an old thread, but let me give you my input on Seachem Tidals.. I've been running two Tidal 75's for 2 - 3 years. Yes, all the good things are there, now for the bad. The motor and impellers are under water all the time and eventually they will get full of muck and will need maintenance, otherwise they will start running slow or simply freeze and not re-start once you disconnect. To remove the motor and get to the impeller for maintenance is the hardest I've seen on any filter. You need to remove an enclosure with a screwdriver or knife. Sometimes I need a hammer to push the enclosure apart. Part of the powercord is squeezed into the motor housing and enclosure. To put it back is also an ordeal ...this has not been well designed. Depending on your bioload, count on doing impeller maintenance at least twice a year, if not more.
Basically, you should be reviewing anything that has multiple brands of proforming the same job that we the consumer have to choose from. It might be boring but if it's educational, opinion based or not, the video will hold up long term. You can even do a one year review (not on these if you're giving them away) on any given piece of equipment and talk about how it held up. That's the kind of stuff people who are looking to get into the hobby want to hear about. Even after 35 years of keeping fish, some of my biggest fears are, am I being suckered into buying some slick talking advertising and a piece of crap or is what I've picked out genuinely good. Real world, practical experiences are what people want to hear about. Easy ideas: 1. Lighting 2. Filtration (canisters, sponge, sumps) 3. Heaters 4. Aeration 5. Sand or substrates as a whole
I agree. I only have a few tanks so HOB filters work for me. I've tried most the brands reviewed over the years but I have to say the the old Whisper series (not the IQ reviewed) have been very reliable for me. I have one that is 31 years old. I did have to replace the motor once and a few impellers over the years but because they haven't altered the design much these parts are readily available. I want something that is reliable and won't fail within three years. Just because it looks sexy and has bells and whistles doesn't mean it's a good product long-term.
the thing about replacing the whole cartridge is the throwing away of even more single use plastic. it all winds up in the ocean harming the aquatic life we love so much. something to think about!
If you do air pumps, sound measurement on them is very important. Especially bedroom aquarumist like me, it can help me out and other people like me. If you got the time to do it, a lot of people, including myself will appreciate that a lot! :)
Hi John. Long time fan! This isnt exactly related, but I think a really interesting video idea would be household/dollar store/ hardware store items that are useful and practical in the fish room. A few items that come to mind for me include turkey basters, forceps, pvc pipe, power bars, glassware/ containers for mixing and storing foods, extension cord reel for python hose, dollar store yoga mats or rigid styro (for underneath tanks), 5 gallon buckets and temperature gun. I am sure you could make that list go on!
Best choice John. And you tested the 35, not as awesome as the larger Tidals. Once you get to the 50 series it's so nice, quiet, self primed, best gph, quality made, everything is best. I bought two 110s this weekend at lfs. They were $5 cheaper per, than the same size AquaClears. Times change, products change, new products come out. Tidal is the best by far, currently. Thanks for the series John.
@@duncandonuts5268 I would agree except for one huge factor. If the water level drops just slightly, Tidel flakes out starts making a grinding noise. AQ wins for this reason as they are equal on every other aspect.
I love that I can put stuff on top of my Aquaclear filter while I'm cleaning my tank/feeding my fish!!!! The fact that you mentioned it makes me smile!!! LOL!! (And that you couldn't believe that you did!!) ;-)
I purchased a model 35 Tidal filter several months ago and installed it on a 10 gal. tank. Even though it is submerged in the water the pump still didn't start every time. I called manufacturer and they replaced the motor and impellor at no charge. The problem persisted. The Tidal model 35 now sits on a shelf out of water. Two other problems sealed its fate. The unit cannot be used in a tank where fry are present because there is no way to install a foam filter on the water intake which is also very close to the discharge. I like the skimmer feature but it isn't effective at all water levels also it is difficult to use aftermarket foam material in the basket due to its unusual shape. I have 3 Aqua flow filters which I have had for at least 10 years and I am very pleased with them. You're right. They don't always restart but in the years I have used them I never felt that was a reason not to buy another.
I've gotten into the fish keeping hobby again and have come to like your channel. Alsp the way you take the time to clarify things like around 8:50 I like that you're letting people know you can have a different opinion but that doesn't mean you cant be friends. Very informative and organic content. Great work 🙏🏼
Lol. First filter you mentioned is the one I have. I’ve had it for a year and it’s disappointing so I’ve been looking for a new one which is how I found this video!
John, thank you for taking the time and investing your money into buying and evaluating these six filters for us. Whether we agree or disagree with your choices, you let us know what you liked and were concerned about with each filter. We can then make our own, better informed choices, towards the filter we like the best. Overall, I agree with your selection of these filters. You asked about suggestions for future comparisons. I like air pumps, specifically for noise and air volume pumped. Also, heaters, based on accuracy of maintaining a temperature. On that same thought, aquarium controllers, specifically for maintaining the aquarium's temperature. Last, just keep producing videos and live streams that inform and entertain us. I've learned a lot from you and Lisa. Thank you.
"Aqua Clear 110 Filter comes in at 7.1 x 13.9 x 9.1 inches. As you can see, in terms of depth, it is slightly larger than the Seachem Tidal 110. ... As you can tell, it can process about 50 gallons of water more per hour than the Seachem Tidal 110"
I have to agree - I owned Aquaclear's for 2 years and just recently switched to the Tidals. Easier to clean, keeps the top of the water clear and restarts without having to put water into the filter so long as the water level is good. It is also easy to custom cut extra pads and easy to adjust flow - efficiently.
THANK YOU ! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I'm running out a buying one especially now that I know the 55 & 75 come with intake tubes! This filter is simply perfect! I never knew it existed until I watched your video so THANK YOUUUUUUUU!
The topfin is fairly new. They recalled over 150,000 of the old models in 2015 for electrifying people aquariums. The old one looked like it was made in the 1070's.
My first HOB filter didn't have the pump in the water. Power went out for a few minutes while I was at work. Didn't know it. Came home, and my filter had basically worn itself out trying to pump water that wasn't there. It gave up completely shortly after that. Switched it to a Whisper. I've never had that problem again.
The only thing I have to say as an aquaclear user is that I can pull one out of storage and use it... or give it to a friend even after 10 years and it still works. I do agree with you’re reasoning but aquaclear is a beast!
That little AquaClear is a nice filter. You can deform the sides a tad bit where the lid seats. This will stop forever the buzzing sound. You can use a heat gun, soldering iron, nail and lighter.. whatever. Great series you guys! Fun and interesting :)
I have used many Aquaclear filters in the past and they are very good. I tried the Fluval C series and it kept the water cleaner and the filter media was much easier to clean. If your looking for a filter for a bedroom tank I would go with one of the quieter HOB filters.
Marineland is what I use, the older model penguin 330 was discontinued, I use now the 350s but I liked the 330 a bit better, also use the 200s. They have been working for years and years great video I subbed today 8-26-20.
I have only used aqua clear hob filters before watching this video. I purchased the Seachem Tidal because of this video and I love it. Great filter!! Thanks for the review!!
I’ve only had Aquariums for about 5 months, and I got lucky when I got the Tidal 35 without any real knowledge or research. I also got an Aquaclear as well. The AC died after 2 months. Now I have 4 Tidal filters and I absolutely love them. I have two 35s, a 55, and a 70 all in the same room, and they make no noise whatsoever. I live in the woods 1/2 mile from the main road - no neighbors, no kids, no traffic - no white noise - and except for the fact you can see them, you wouldn’t know I have several tanks. You’re right. The baskets in the bigger filters are huge! Plenty of room for all kinds of different media. And I love the self-priming feature. My power is always going out so this is a big plus for me. Another plus is water clarity. My tanks are crystal clear, with the AC, there were too many things floating in the water, but not with the Tidal. I’m glad you rated the Tidal series as your #1. As a newbie, it helps me know I’m making some really good choices. I certainly have made enough bad ones!
Can't beat the MARINELAND Brand of filters. Used two of the two wheelers on the back of my 75gal. For 26 years without a flaw! Just be careful when you pull the spray bar out to maintain the pump asked it can cause pudding on the floor!!🤣😆😂
I came to stick up for the top fin. I bought one on sale 40% off. It's the 75. I find it just as quiet as an aqua clear and an aqueon which are both 35 or 40 or whatever the number is. I have a top fin ten gallon kit as well that has the top fin filter. I think the flow adjustment is super great. Yes it's not a great starter but no worse than the aqua clear. It also has a super long extension and long tip. I honestly don't think I would ever spend two or three times the price on what are all basically the exact same design other than the seachem. Great series, just wanted to share my top fin love.
I asked the folks at my local pet store before buying a filter, asking also about having a canister. I was in the process of setting up a 125-gallon after having a 30-gallon for a year. It had the Penguin and it just wasn't doing the job. The fella in the store told me the pros and cons of both kinds of filtration, and when I decided to go with a HOB, he pointed me to the Tidal and explained why he felt it was better than the others. I bought 2 Tidal 110 HOB filters and am so glad I did! They just work all the time. One point that some may appreciate is that the lid can be turned upside down and there are 2 protrusions that the basket can snap into, making the lid a tray to transfer the basket from the aquarium to the sink and helping to keep it from tipping over on the trip. Nice video. Keep 'em comin'!
With all due respect: I watch your videos because I like them. When I'm watching your videos, I am, of course, listening to you. However, my eyes are fixed on your fish frolicking in the background. They're beautiful, and I'm always wondering what they are. Couldn't you, at the end of your videos, give us a little tour of your fish and tell us what they are so that we might be able to look for them in the stores? I, at least, would be much obliged. :) Thank you for the time and effort you put into your videos for us...
So what I can observe, the tank that’s blue has 3 arrowanas, 2 Oscars, 2 blood parrots (maybe?). The other tank just looks like a ton of cichlids. I’m not the fish expert but I hope this helps!
My favorite is that Penguin filter with two baskets for media,,one on both sides of the motor. It's just more surface area, but I would fill them within foam to take up the entire compartment and put a foam cartridge on the intake.
John I really want to get a fish tank now. Haven't had a fish tank in 20 years. As a kid my whole life. Now I want a little five gallon planted tank. Maybe with a couple of little micro fish that you recommended.
I love my PennPlax Cascade 300 power filter, I had the marineland filter and changed to the cascade, it works so great that I changed all of my tanks to it (4 tanks).. super quite filter, good flow rate, keeps water clear... best filter I have owned in all 51 years in the hobby..
I’ve been running the same Marineland Emperor 400 since 1998. I’ve never even cleaned the impeller. If it ever breaks, I’ll probably go back to another one.
When you started this project, you didn't even know the Tidal existed and weren't planning to review it until several of us viewers told you about it :) Most people who try it, including me, prefer it to Aqua Clear and other HOBs for the same reasons you did!
I'm Chinese, my hometown is in Inner Mongolia。Aqua clear and Tidal are easy to buy in our country，Other powerfilter in the video can't be bought，It's a coincidence with your ranking review，HAHAHA… In fact, these filters are almost made in China, except Tidal…But Tidal has a fatal flaw，It can't be finely filtered! We think powerfilter or canister filter ，The best way to filter water is from bottom to top，But most powerfilter don't do that，So Tidal and aqua clear became winners。 And I'll never be your lucky giver，Because I'm not in USA…………哈哈 THANK YOU 谢谢！
I love the aqua flow 75 the o Lu issue is I go through I’d say about 1 every year or two because the power goes out, and they end up frying but I find them really good. I did hear you say there’s no 100% guarantee don’t worry
Great info I was about to buy #2. Wanting to do things right for my new tank I got second hand. It’s a 29g going to do a full aquascape and hardscape on! Very excited about this build with the new spiderwood I’ve found in the desert! If you want some I’d love to send some your way! Thanks for all your super informative videos they’ve been helpful through this journey from nano to larger!
Nice video. I'm a fluval fan. That is what my lfs carries. He carries enough spare parts you could build a filter from scratch, AC or canister. Makes life simple is you run into trouble when you are cleaning you tank.
Having filter cartridges that you can open up isn't "nonsense". It's a great feature if you're medicating the tank and you wish to remove the carbon while your tank is being treated. Geez.
I have the first filter in the video, idk if you set it up right but its the quietest filter I have. I have three, one is older than three years old and still running strong, another is an aquaclear which belive it or not I bought this year and was literally the same as the one I have that is 20 years old. Aqua clear is the loudest, but it is reliable will say. But out of my three I prefer the other two
I'm running the Fluval C on my 20 long and have been very satisfied with it. On my 40g I've been running the Penn Plax Cascade 300 which nobody ever talks about. All it does is just keep my tank spotless without any issues. Cheap and highly effective. The 300 is about as big as a '78 Buick as far as media space and has been dead silent the twenty plus months I've been running it. The flow control is an actual knob which goes from trickle to tsunami, all for around $20.
After two AquaClears in two years, replacing propellers and frustrated with vibration in the lids, I went with the Seachem Tidal 75 four months ago. It might perform better in a traditional aquarium but it couldn't do the job well enough in a 50g bow front. Boxed it up last week and dug out an AquaClear. I ordered the Tetra Whisper IQ yesterday and hoping it performs well. I also run a sponge as a supplement and have a battery backup air pump for power outages. I changed over to HOB filters after 15 years of canister filters and I do like the ease of cleaning the HOBs so much better. I think everyone has to experiment for the right fit and personal preference. Thanks for the great reviews, comparisons and experience with the different brands.
Air pumps are boring?!?!??!?! NOOOO!!!!!! Some are quieter, some are more powerful, some have more than one outlet.....etc. But you could do airstones in the same "tutorial". Finer bubbles vs. big bubbles. YES! DO IT!!!!
Finer bubbles or big bubbles in the end do the same thing. They pop at the surface and you get gas exchange of oxygen into the water. The only difference would be to get a stone that is engineered to give micro bubbles which pop underwater and release oxygen into the water under the surface.
@@GSP-76 Yes, but I have also noticed that the smaller (finer) bubbles are much quieter when they pop. And you must admit that the appearance of big bubbles and tiny bubbles are very different. I'm not saying that one is better than the other. (As you stated, they do the very same thing!) I have 3 tanks and 1 has big bubbles, 1 has tiny bubbles (a diffuser type air stone) and the other has both. Bigger bubbles disturb the water more. That's ok for some fish, not so much for others. I know, this is mostly about air stones rather than air pumps; but they go hand-in-hand.
A huge concern with any filter is longevity. A hob filter that only last a short time is junk no matter what. A budget light series ( say less than $100 for a 24- 30inch light) would be interesting. ex beamworks, aquaneat ect
I got the Tidal 110 for Christmas and I am loving it so far. The enclosed media basket it awesome, I never liked the two sided basket of the AC. I put a small piece of foam in front of the skimmer about 1/4" below the water line. It blocks 90% of the skimmer intake below the surface and you can really see an increase of velocity in the top film.
You may like the pump being in the tank but will the fish? I recorded the sound underwater of the Marina slim filter with the pump inside the aquarium it's not great , I would hate to be a fish living with that noise level. So I will be changing to an hang on with the pump on the outside.
For the Aquaclear, I've had about 4 of them and have lucked out with the rattling issue and didn't know it was a thing until I went on youtube. Thanks for posting this lists though. Gonna start a new tank and wanted a fresh perspective. Thanks for sharing.
He sells Tidal. This is a commercial for the product. Aquaclear are the best because they are just boxes to put whatever you want. Infact, don't over think it. A filter is just a box with media inside and a way to pass water into it. For example, my last filter was DIY HOB made of a breeder box with BCB made of cat litter and a cheap double sponge filter as an air/water lift into HOB. The system works great.
Tidal has the same option to load them up with your own media. It comes with Matrix and a sponge..Tidal is the best. Huge customizable media basket, pump inside, no overflow danger, and silent.
I can't tell you how many times I have had to dismantle my Aqua Clears after a water change, Something to do with the impellers. It's frustrating. Once I dismantle them and clean the impeller they start up again. But then again I keep planted tanks so that may be why they clog. I have NEVER had this happen with the Tidal series. I wish they made them for smaller (20 gal) tanks.
Hey John the air pump idea would be good as far as power, noise,and looks yeah kinda boring so add in the air stones and sponges with reviews just my opinion that way the viewers get what they asked for and good options for the pumps food for thought thanks again appreciate what you do for us
The only thing I don't like about tidal 35 is that it doesn't have a lower intake tube. The rest of the tidal series is fine, I seriously wonder why they didn't put an intake tube on tidal 35?
I have a aqua clear on my main display tank. I have the 20 gallon model. I'm using it on a 20 gallon hex. It's been running for the last year. I never ran into the top rattling on me. But I see whatcha mean about the external pumps. I'm using a penguin 30 (thanks to your video) on my 20 long guppy breeding tank. I'm also running the top fin filter (10 gallon version) for my 10 gallon beta tank. All my tanks are planted and I must say they all do a great job and some better then others. I personally think the aqua clear does an amazing job for it being a external filter. Your videos are super educational. I still learn stuff from your channel an I've always love keeping fish since I was younger. I'm 22 years older now and I convinced one of my fish to join the hobby. He has a 11 gallon salt water and a smaller tank housing a betta. You and your wife are a fish keeping power house! Keep up the good work! I hope you see this comment amongst the others
Question. So I have a 55 gallon filter that's an extra, I will be purchasing a 75 gallon aquarium. Can I just buy a 25 gallon or 30 gallon filter to make up the difference in gallons or do I have to buy one 75 gallon filter? Please help. Thanks
Yes! I actually prefer two filters. For a 55 gallon I have two Tidal 30’s. It reduces maintenance, and filters each side, as 1 filter will allow the opposite side to stay a little stagnant.
@@marlybizzle I decided to add a Matineland 360 model that is for a 100 gallon tank. I ran that for 3 weeks until this morning I wake up and there is water on my tile and carpet. The impeller seal is what Marineland stated is what's leaking most likely which really upset me. I went to my nearby Petsmart and there great customer service discounted me a Fluval FX4. Just finished setting that up right now and man is this a whole lot better now I know why they are so expensive.
John, Loved the reviews. I been using the Marineland Penguin Bio-Wheel 100 filters. The two drawbacks are the "pump in the filter" and lack of flow control. Self-priming after power outage is about 50/50 as a low water level and my use of a pre-filter sponge on the intake may not allow the pump enough suction to draw water from the aquarium. The high water flow tends to push my betta around when he swims past the filter output. I will keep the Tidal filter in mind if I get a tank larger than my 20 gallon.
