After nearly 60 years in the hobby, my opinion is that a corner Matten filter is the best choice for tanks under about 180 gallons. Air driven or with a powerhead- hands down in terms of biological, mechanical, and looks beautiful. Above 180, I go with a sump, using Poret foam in increasing porosity as the water flows through. Simple, cheap, beautiful, and most importantly the most effective approaches. When you add low maintenance and low energy costs to these two options, there is no other choice in my mind. The only down side, these filters are not "plug and play" with say adding an Aquaclear or cannister filter. You have to be willing to "tinker" a little bit.
I have 7 tanks 3 -75 gallon, 60 gallon, 48 gallon, 30 gallon n a 10 gallon I have a 70 gallon fluval filters on the 4 bigger tanks a 50 gallon fluval filter on the next 2 and a 20 gallon fluval filter for the small one with 2 - 75 gallon Sponge filter and one filter apiece on the 3 smaller ones and I only run 3 different pumps for all tanks never had any issues with my water quality and I keep all American chichlids from n inch to 8 inches I have to say watching ur videos has helped me tremendously thank you and keep them coming
For me = HOB After using undergravel filter for 27 years, 4 years with a canister and my actual Aquaclear for 8 months, I cannot explain why I waited so long to buy a HOB... Excelent and complete video!!! 👍🙂👍 Thank you!
Thank you for this vid. New to the hobbie and I was completely overwhelmed with the type of filters out there. Watched probably an hours worh of vids researching and you provided all the answer in this one vid. I will keep my mechanical filter
Apart from my 125 gallon tanks, I use sponge filters exclusively. They keep the water and tanks clean, I dont have the noise or cartridges of a HOB, and they are super easy to maintain.
When my canister filter started leaking 5 years ago on my 75g, planted, community tank I uncovered the four 'upright' holes, installed the upright tubes and hooked up 2 air pumps to my UG filter. (The UGF was installed when I got the tank over 12 years ago, I just removed the upright tubes when I got the canister and left the plates). A couple of years ago I upgraded the air pumps to Tetra Whispers and my aquarium has been running quietly ever since. I have a colony of Malaysian trumpet snails keeping the substrate clean and I keep the stocking levels low. My tank is in my Living room against a wall, so a HOB wouldn't work. I like the sound of bubbles and the plants and other decor hide the tubes pretty well. My philosophy has been "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so, until I have to take the tank down to reseal it, UGF is my filter of choice. 💕👍
Back in the 60's my go to filters were - box filters for my bare bottom breeding/grow out tanks, HOB for my large aquascaped display tanks, then came the addition of the UGF. Now I'm using double sponge filters in my breeding tanks (cheaper than box filters) central air supply with a linear air pump (super quiet) and Aquaclear HOB for my planted display tanks for polishing the water. For my 50+ years in the hobby I have always rinsed and cleaned my filters under tap water. I have never lost a cycle in any of my tanks either. People need to get it in their heads that there's beneficial bacteria on everything in the tank. Even rinsing sponge filters in tank water that was drained will cause a substantial loss of bacteria. I never relied on filters for a biological filter, more for particulate removal. I am considering making a sump for my 125G when I decide to go with Discus. Not a fan of canister filters. Can't see in side whats going on. My old handicapped butt can't crawl around on the floor under the cabinet to play with them. Sump should be easier, reach in and pull a giant sponge out.
I just tore down my tank and I'm starting back up and considering an aquaclear 70 and a sponge filter (instead of my undergravel filter) in my 55 gallon. I had the tank for 12 years and algae got out of control no matter what I did, and I think that is because my undergravel filter. I have a Marineland too that I need to repair which I'd prefer
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter. alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
Mister B’s -fish and things I’m still confused I didn’t even think that was a filtration system to clean the tank. Unless those wore under gravel filter ration system’s I don’t know as you can see I got to do a lot lot lot more homework but thank you I’m getting at least some of the terminology downI thought that was an oxygen delivery system
Thank you for this video. I use hang on the back filters with intake sponges and, watching all of the most well-known fish keeping youtube channels, I always feel like they're saying I should only be using sponge filters and HOB filters are for noobs and people who don't really know what they're doing. I like HOB filters and feel better about my choice now.
That is because they push the big expensive filters. Filtration is about mechanical and biological filtration. If the water is clear, you have good circulation and oxygenation through surface agitation and ammonia and nitrite read zero the filter does it's job. Of course, nitrate is controlled by water changes.
@@Kenney9120 I'm afraid you misread floatygimpy, he was saying that he feels several of the big fishtubers advocate for using sponge filters (pretty much the least expensive option) not the expensive filters you are thinking of.
@@annethornton9938 True. I was actually thinking of the pet stores and companies that sell the big filters. It makes sense of course since they are a business and need to make a living. It is good to see TH-cam's like Corey from AmericanCoOp and others educating new comers about their experiences.
Yourself and Corey from Co-op have sold me on sponge filters. I put them on my pickup tubes for EVERY filter. I rarely need to clean out my canister or hang on back filters, just the sponges! I also use hose and connect sponge filters to power heads and they work excellent to make my own filter.
Excellent comparison, including pros and cons. My tank and canister filter choice was made for me when a friend decided to get out of the hobby. He kept a community tank. Since moving to mbuna, I've added a second Eheim canister to improve turnover.
My favorites are canisters with a spray bar and sponge filters. For bigger tanks, the canister with spray bar: Super nice aeration/circulation, powerful flow but gentle at the same time. For smaller tanks (below 20g): Sponge filters. Ease of use, a single sponge filter is often enough! I don't like the turbulence hang on backs make though, you cannot have floating plants with them or they'll be pushed all around, plus on smaller tanks (
I totally agree with your statement. I have turned away from over the back filters for that very reason. It 100% decreases the area of the tank that is “comfortably livable” and turns a tank like a 30gl into a 20gl because of the waters disturbed space.
Fluval aquaclear HOB has been my go to for decades. Nice and quiet, does a great job at mechanical filtration, and the biological media is the best by far - some of my sponges and bio cube are 10+ years old, and still in great condition! :)
I use AquaClear HOBs too. Love them. Sometimes I hear from other folks that they are loud or not working properly. This is where good maintenance comes into play. Too many people forget that important part of things.
I didn’t hear you mention it, but I could have missed it. One major advantage to external filters (like a canister filter) is that they add volume to the tank... effectively making your tank volume larger by a couple litres.
One thing I don’t like about the hang off the back filters is the tank has to be that much further from the wall. It’s not a big deal on a small 5-10 gallon tank but a 75 gallon tank will be 5 or 6 inches from the wall
I really like HOBs for ease of maintenance and cost while also providing space for chemical media. I just set up a 55 gallon tank with walls so thick that I can't get an HOB on it and I don't have anywhere to put a canister. So I put a sponge filter with a powerhead on one side and a Sicce Shark on the other. So far, so good. They're extremely quiet, which is nice because it's in my living room.
My 125 gallon tank has a trickle or sump if you want to call it that. In the same tank in the 2 back corners are a over flow system with a sponge filter. An I put one of those air filter in it lol Then I just sat up a 20 gallon tank with sand at the bottom with a hang on. The water is still cloudy from the sand I guess don't have anything in it i just got it running yesterday. Thank you for the great video
I have HOBs on my 2x 10 gallons & 1x 5 gallon, simple Top Fins that I've hotrodded the media in, have Specs & Flex with built-in filtration, and run sponges on all the rest of my tanks, from 1 gallon (newborn guppy fry for a week or two) up to 25 gallons (heavily stocked with tetras). I'm putting together a fishroom over the next month or two, and will be running sponge filters throughout, with HOBs when &/or where I need greater/chemical filtration. As for running the sponge filters, I'm thrilled to have learned about the USB nano air pumps from Cory/Aquarium CoOp, because it's so handy and oh so silent, can't hear its hum over the gentle bubbling in our 5 & 7.5 gallon bedside tanks! Definitely will be picking up more, especially for our sons' bedroom tanks, and in case of power outages. Will check out your video on fishroom setup to get ideas on what air pump to get for the fishroom!
That's it I have to subscribe I keep looking up videos on my aquarium and all yours pop up and are the most helpful I appreciate everything you do keep it up man
I have lots and lots of guppies and I think nothing beats the old school air driven box filter for a guppy tank. Lee's Triple Flow works the best and I've tried every thing available. For fast moving fish like danios or minnows I use Penn-Plax internal power filters since they don't cost much and provide a current flow the fish seem to enjoy.
I had those air driven box filters as a kid in my first tanks. Moved up to an Eheim internal filter in the 90's and i am on canisters now. But i was thinking about trying to get an oldschool filter and set up a tank as i did as a kid. For old times sake :)
Thanks for this video. This is a great overview. A few questions: A On the sponges, what is the best pore size? We use the Aquarium Coop sponge you showed which has a solid construction and a number of well thought out features. It does have a coarser sponge. B. Is there a benefit in changing the up tube length on a sponge filter? (Video idea: Modifications for sponge filters?) C. At what size and/or age is a filter intake not a risk for sucking up fry? To You Question : We have 1 generic sponge filter, 2 Aquarium Coop sponge filters, and 2 canister filters. Thanks for you in depth topics. As a novice, you clear presentation and insight are appreciated. Jim
Great questions! I prefer fine for my needs because I have heavily stocked cichlid tanks and they help keep the water mechanically filtered a little better, but if that isn't a problem both can be good. The longer the tube the more movement you get through the sponge. The risk for fry really depends on the fish, their primary location and the location of the intake. Thanks for the great questions. :-)
Canister filters are generally my go to as I can put the inlet and outlet at opposite ends of my large tanks and the water will push all waste to the inlet, so nothing gets caught in the corners. I have 3 turtles, each with their own tabk. I have a 150gal, a 75gal and a 55gal based on each one's size. My 55 actually has an internal Canister filter because it's in a place that needs silence and the internal filter, being submersible, is the quietest type of filter in my opinion.
i have an Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo for my aquarium and i like it. it has a heater inside with outside knob for easy changing of the temperature and a very easy to clean first stage sponge for heavy muck. you just pull two levers and you remove the filter. the rest of the filters are like the old canister filters around
I used to have Fluval internal canister filters with sponges. They worked great, but I think they stopped making them. Now I'm using HOB filters. Initially I used them as-recommended with filter cartridges that need to be replaced once a month. More recently I replaced the cartridges with reusable sponges cut-to-size. It saves money and my plants seem healthier.
Hi I’m new to the hobby and picked up a 45 gallon to start out from watching one of your videos about how bigger tanks are easier to maintain, got some mollies to start out, been watching your videos religiously and subscribed, keep it up 👍🏼
Sponge filters. Easy maintenance, low electrical cost, consistent flow and i love the shape of them for some reason. Had a hob filter but one of the things i hate was having to clean off algae growth in the tubes which clog the flow. Whenever the hob filter is clogged, you need to clean it out immediately or you get a inconsistent flow in the tank. Sponge filters still provide a decent airflow even when they are somewhat clogged
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter. alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
Yeah I never bought one but ended up getting a couple of them with tanks i bought off fb mp. I think it's a good filter and would definitely purchase one if needed in the future. Just not a fan of the cartridges. Going to look into making my own somehow.
I'm very pleased with my tetra hob filters. Just the basic "whisper" not the iQ. Harder to find but they have been fantastic for me. The cartridge for them are accommodating for chemical filtration too.
I really thank you cause now I understand filters a little better and my questions have been answered.. thanks so much . Seriously appreciated 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I am learning to love sponge filters more and more. I my smaller tanks I am using a combination of an HOB and a dual cartridge sponge filter. I also use a single large sponge filter with an HOB. I really like the sponge filters from Aquarium Co-op but I can't get them in Canada yet. Hoping they will add them to their Amazon stuff soon. Jason Happy New Year to you and your family, you provide great information, always food for thought, who knows maybe I will make it down to the USA for a major event and I will get to meet some of you folks!
I switched from an Aquaclear to the Seachem Tidal which I absolutely love. I have one in each of my 4 big tanks. It’s so quiet, keeps my water crystal clear unlike the Aquaclear, and I can control the flow and they’re easy to clean. I also have a sponge filter in each tank, big or small.
So far I only used sponge filters and a hang on the back filter. For my ciclihd tank, I prefer hang on the back filter as cichlids produces more waste. As for my neon tetra tank and tiger barb tank, sponge filters are enough, which by the way are both ran by a single pump.. hence the savings.
I have never seen a 'hang on the back' filter here in the U.K, I don't know why they haven't cought on or are not popular but that seems to be the way. I have a shallow 4 food aquarium, (15 inches high I think), I have an internal pump for air circulation filled with sponges & two canisters that are connected to two holes at the underside of the aquarium, the less powerful canister doesn't make much difference to the water power going into the aquarium but does collect some crap from it. I also have a U.V light unit connected to each canister.
You're right, we don't really see them over here. I went to Maidenhead Aquatics the other day and they had 1 HOB filter on sale, a lot of other shops I've been to don't sell them at all. I have a HOB from All Pond Solutions and I have to say I'm very pleased with it, it's silent! I don't hear a thing, apparently it's filtering 800L/hr. It also has a built in UV light which can be isolated via a switch, I've not used it as I've not needed to. The water is crystal clear, my fish are happy, and my wife's happy and she picks up on the smallest of noises.
Thank you for your reply . Still is frustrating now what about compatibility . Wish I had your experience . This is my first time on a big tank . Just trying to get it right . Thank you for your patience . If there is going to be any shows that can help me , please let me know .
I so much appreciate this video. I'm one confused lady. I have a 20 gallon with a Top Fin hang on the back and a small fine sponge filter. I keep vacuuming and doing 50% water changes all tests come out perfect, but I can't get the water clear. I just ordered a medium sponge and a bubble Bio from Aquarium Co OP. So I'm hoping to get clear water. 😊
Thanks for all of your great content. If you ever decide to build a sump, I would be very interested in seeing how you would do it, what chambers you would build into it, and the types of media you would use.
I'll be using corner matten filters on all my future tanks and switching current tanks to them when the opportunity opens up. You can't beat their reliability, ease of use, and when the power goes out they are easy to get back online due to their low power draw. You're also avoiding most if not all potential failure points besides that tank itself leaking/bursting.
I use only canister filters, but after nearly a year with my 2 bigger tanks (~175 gal) i am switching to sumps for them since cleaning so many FX6 is getting tiring 😓😓 (never get a Panaque with a canister filter!) So from my experience I would recommend a canister filter for 125gal and under, above 125gal a sump 😅👍
Jason thank u as always for the great & informative video. My favorite & will always be HOB’s. Marinelands emperor penguin filters. Very easy to setup & service. Also can’t forget customizable. As you mentioned it depends on your wants & needs for your systems. Enjoy your day my friend.
I can't use those anymore, they refuse to prime up after every feeding I turn off the filters for like 5 minutes. It's ridiculous. Aqua clears have the motor outside the water too and they always prime right back up.
I have the marienland internal cannister filter you showed in your video. I use it in my turtle tank. Hands down the best filter I've ever had. I can add whatever biological media to the filtration; it's super easy to clean; the water stays crystal clear; and it's pretty cheap! Highly recommend for 55ish gallons
@Prime Time Aquatics You couldn’t time this video better even if I paid you. 😉 I went away on a 2 week vacation over Christmas and arrived home yesterday to discover that one of my internal power filters had stopped working. It is 3 years old now and was considering changing to a hang on the back filter for a while now. The thing is that hang on the back filters are almost non-existent in my part of the UK so I know nothing about them other than what I have seen on TH-cam. Also, it also gets confusing because we work on litres not gallons, so our fish tanks will always be vastly smaller compared to US/Canadian. Example of this would be that the average tank size here would be about 17 gallons/54 litres and the biggest you can find in stores is around 110 litres/30 gallons. Even then you really have to hunt them down on either eBay or Amazon as most fish stores just aren’t big enough to sell them. I nearly fell over in shock a few weeks ago when I went into my local aquarium shop to find a pre-owned 230 litre/60 gallon tank for sale. We do, do better with ponds but even then it still either a straight choice of sponge versus internal power filters. I just realised that I went off on a tangent there but as I found the seacam filter on Amazon and I note that you, @KGTROPICALS and several others have given good reviews for it so I will go with that one given that I can adjust it I need to. It’s for my goldfish tank which is also about to be upgraded in the next few weeks. They have loved there 17 gallon tank for 3 years but they are are not babies anymore and grown out of it now, so need to have there forever home aquarium. 😉
Just because you work off liters instead of gallons, doesn't have anything to do with the size of tanks that are readily available to you. It's just a measurement system. Even stores here in the US rarely have tasks above 20-30 gallons, unless you go to a real hobbyist aquarium-only store. The bigger tanks are usually special ordered as they're less commonly ordered.
There are new filters called moving bed filter. I use moving bed filter to improve good bacteria colonization and it helps to cycle oxygen and breaks down ammonia. And then I use hang filter(With UV Sterilization) to avoid alga's growth and it helps to cycle the water in a good way. I changed my tank water 1/3 every 1 week hehe
But... but... but... what filter is best for me??? I could not agree with you more. I use many types depending on the fish, the tank, the location... it just.... depends. They all work, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you end up with an extra filter.... buy another tank! Happy New Year Mr & Mrs Primetime!
I do a fine sponge on the intake of my HOB filter and get pretty crystal clear water. Threw a ten gallon bubbler in there to edit my volcano to create bubbles. The volcano had a air stone in it but I figured if it's gonna have bubbles might as well have a means of biological filtration so I rigged it up To a small ten gallon sponge bubbler. Works great.
I like my hob they do a great job and easy to maintain. My aqueons and sea chems with the pumps in the tanks are the quietest and always restart .My one canister filter is a hassle to maintain and going to replace it with a new and improved marineland Hob.A couple of tanks I also have sponge filters in them in case I need to set up a tank on short notice.
I have a question concerning gravel. I know that with a UGF the gravel contains a huge amount of bacteria as it is the bio media for that filter, but what about with other types of filtration? Would the gravel contain the same amount of bacteria with water flowing over the surface. of the gravel instead of through it. I am asking because I am wondering how much bio-media to add to a filter if you want to go bare bottom to compensate for the lack of surface area in the tank.
Great question! No, the gravel will be less populated with microbes without the additional water flow (oxygenation). However, unless the tank is super heavily stocked, most appropriately-sized filters will provide more than enough space for media to do biological filtration. I almost never stress about bio filtration.
Another great video. I've almost as many tanks as you. But all around the house. Having a water appropriate basementor one at all isn't really a international common thing. So I'm working with my carpeted loungeroom and single car carport. I run and love HMF. Amazing. My issue. You mention using HOBs. Most of them have internal pumps. So every time you have a power outage, they may start again. Maybe but unlikely. Stupid expensive new models have in Tank pumps. Resolves that. But wow the price. Something to consider if your in a area that has occasional power outages.
I have an Marineland Emperor 400 HOB on my 55gal tank and I'm gonna add an sponge filter after watching these type of vid for 2 days strait seems like an almost fail proof way to go if u keep it clean👍🏾☮&💖✌🏾
Hi. Thanks for your videos. They are providing great information. I have a 72 gallon bow front that I plan to have a few crappie in it. What do you recommend for filtration?
I have an important Question.. Where the heck do I find a 30 gallon Breeder tank ?? This tank would be Perfect for my start in keeping Shell Dwellers.. Or, maybe you have a better tank that you could recommend.. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.. I am getting back into keeping fish.. I had to take a break because we unexpectedly had to move.. I have been researching for the last few months and I have watched Many of your videos.. Again, Thank You Very Much..
Thank you for watching! 30 breeders are hard to find - you'd probably have more luck finding a 50 gallon low boy by Zoomed or a 33 long, which are really good for shellies.
So glad I found your page , I have a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , the Oscar is getting big fast , and it seems he has outgrown the filter system I have now , I have the aqua filter that sits on the back of the tank , it uses the replaceable carbon filters . I am wanting to get a newer filter system , which one would you recommend for a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , now 12” long ! He is not a clean fish ! Constantly having to vacuum the tank , a lot of work for myself . Thanks for your help
I see that as a separate issue. Water changes are based on nitrate concentrations and no filter removes nitrate unless it is utilizing specialty media.
my fav. filter is no longer on the market because everyone had trouble when it comes to keeping a syphon going on the intake tubes of them. I have three of supreme's "Aquaking" filters. I've been offered as much as $250.00 for one of them and I'd never give them up for a strange reason no one has even thought of... EVERY HOB filter on the market today has the water return flowing down an open front but what I need is a filter that has a return that's coming out of one solid pipe or hose. The reason for me needing this is the fact that I use the water coming out of the HOB filter to go into my Under Gravel Filter (UGF) I use UGF's but I use them in a reverse flow so anything that sinks down into the gravel never gets trapped inside the gravel but gets pushed up and away from the gravel. this leaves my gravel not only so clean that you can look under my 55 gal. tank and see that there is NO trash, dirt or mulm under the UGF or inside of the gravel but the second reason is the fact that I have up to 3 inches of crushed coral as gravel in my two marine tanks where I breed Mandarin fish and seahorses growing food naturally in the crushed coral that has not been moved in over 6 years. in a few offices where I rent out tanks and charge for the care every month I've made these types of HOB filters out of "Lee's" Large specimen containers using powerheads to run them. I do use "Aquaclear" HOB filters on most tanks but anything over 55 gallons gets to be a pain if you have to do gravel cleaning on planted tanks.
As i use jewel tanks the box filter fit in the tank it also houses the heater and you can fit lot of different media.as i add a new tank i can put say one sponge from each of my existing filters to have bacteria ready to go.
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Thanks for the excellent explanations.
0:00 Introduction
1:14 Sponge filters
3:48 Mat filters
4:25 Hang-on-back filter
7:30 Internal canister filter
8:40 External canister filter
10:59 Sump filters
12:30 Conclusion
After nearly 60 years in the hobby, my opinion is that a corner Matten filter is the best choice for tanks under about 180 gallons. Air driven or with a powerhead- hands down in terms of biological, mechanical, and looks beautiful. Above 180, I go with a sump, using Poret foam in increasing porosity as the water flows through. Simple, cheap, beautiful, and most importantly the most effective approaches. When you add low maintenance and low energy costs to these two options, there is no other choice in my mind. The only down side, these filters are not "plug and play" with say adding an Aquaclear or cannister filter. You have to be willing to "tinker" a little bit.
Thanks fort sharing what you do!
Ya I agree they are great but man I hate doing anything close to diy stuff haha
@M P I would use 20 ppi (pores per inch). Go to the Swiss tropicals site and you can buy the plumbing from them or make it yourself
I have 7 tanks 3 -75 gallon, 60 gallon, 48 gallon, 30 gallon n a 10 gallon I have a 70 gallon fluval filters on the 4 bigger tanks a 50 gallon fluval filter on the next 2 and a 20 gallon fluval filter for the small one with 2 - 75 gallon Sponge filter and one filter apiece on the 3 smaller ones and I only run 3 different pumps for all tanks never had any issues with my water quality and I keep all American chichlids from n inch to 8 inches I have to say watching ur videos has helped me tremendously thank you and keep them coming
Thank you for being here!
Prime Time speaks the truth... on ALL his videos... and not just trying to sell products like a few that shall not be named!!!
Thank you. I just try to share my experience with stuff. Hopefully, people benefit form that.
For me = HOB
After using undergravel filter for 27 years, 4 years with a canister and my actual Aquaclear for 8 months, I cannot explain why I waited so long to buy a HOB...
Excelent and complete video!!! 👍🙂👍
Thank you!
I’ve been in this hobby for 110 years and work 74 hours a day this guy has no idea what he’s talking about
@@noobsinatube I agree. I'm learning. I'm a beginner in the hobby, but I learn slowly
Thank you for this vid. New to the hobbie and I was completely overwhelmed with the type of filters out there. Watched probably an hours worh of vids researching and you provided all the answer in this one vid. I will keep my mechanical filter
Good to hear! Thanks for watching!
I was feeling the same. Glad I found this video.
Apart from my 125 gallon tanks, I use sponge filters exclusively. They keep the water and tanks clean, I dont have the noise or cartridges of a HOB, and they are super easy to maintain.
Sponge and filtration system combination for 55 and up
When my canister filter started leaking 5 years ago on my 75g, planted, community tank I uncovered the four 'upright' holes, installed the upright tubes and hooked up 2 air pumps to my UG filter. (The UGF was installed when I got the tank over 12 years ago, I just removed the upright tubes when I got the canister and left the plates). A couple of years ago I upgraded the air pumps to Tetra Whispers and my aquarium has been running quietly ever since. I have a colony of Malaysian trumpet snails keeping the substrate clean and I keep the stocking levels low. My tank is in my Living room against a wall, so a HOB wouldn't work. I like the sound of bubbles and the plants and other decor hide the tubes pretty well. My philosophy has been "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" so, until I have to take the tank down to reseal it, UGF is my filter of choice. 💕👍
My favorite filter is the Aqua Clear HOBs. Excellent filter. Sponges can be reused and replacement parts are easy to get.
Sponge filters for the win.
When cleaning out canister filters watch out for that unintended siphon! Hair dryers do a good job of drying out carpet...
Good tip! : -)
K P canister filters have locks
Back in the 60's my go to filters were - box filters for my bare bottom breeding/grow out tanks, HOB for my large aquascaped display tanks, then came the addition of the UGF. Now I'm using double sponge filters in my breeding tanks (cheaper than box filters) central air supply with a linear air pump (super quiet) and Aquaclear HOB for my planted display tanks for polishing the water. For my 50+ years in the hobby I have always rinsed and cleaned my filters under tap water. I have never lost a cycle in any of my tanks either. People need to get it in their heads that there's beneficial bacteria on everything in the tank. Even rinsing sponge filters in tank water that was drained will cause a substantial loss of bacteria. I never relied on filters for a biological filter, more for particulate removal. I am considering making a sump for my 125G when I decide to go with Discus. Not a fan of canister filters. Can't see in side whats going on. My old handicapped butt can't crawl around on the floor under the cabinet to play with them. Sump should be easier, reach in and pull a giant sponge out.
I use both hang on the back (Marineland) and sponge filters. 😊😊
Same here this is the best way to go.
I just tore down my tank and I'm starting back up and considering an aquaclear 70 and a sponge filter (instead of my undergravel filter) in my 55 gallon. I had the tank for 12 years and algae got out of control no matter what I did, and I think that is because my undergravel filter. I have a Marineland too that I need to repair which I'd prefer
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter.
alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
@sharrn miller can I use 10gallon back power filter like topfin and 10gallon biological sponge filter together in my 20gallon startup tank?
Filtration. One of the most misunderstood topics. Tnk you for your input on this topic.
Mister B’s -fish and things I’m still confused I didn’t even think that was a filtration system to clean the tank. Unless those wore under gravel filter ration system’s I don’t know as you can see I got to do a lot lot lot more homework but thank you I’m getting at least some of the terminology downI thought that was an oxygen delivery system
This helps out a lot when choosing a filter
My favorite filters are the aquaclear 110’s. I have 2 running on each of my 90 and 150 tank. Thanks for going over filter pros and cons.👍🙂🐠
I just got a 45 gallon, do you think 1 aquaclear 110 will be enough?
@@jakedeane3003 Absolutely. That would be more than enough.
Thank you for this video. I use hang on the back filters with intake sponges and, watching all of the most well-known fish keeping youtube channels, I always feel like they're saying I should only be using sponge filters and HOB filters are for noobs and people who don't really know what they're doing. I like HOB filters and feel better about my choice now.
That is because they push the big expensive filters. Filtration is about mechanical and biological filtration. If the water is clear, you have good circulation and oxygenation through surface agitation and ammonia and nitrite read zero the filter does it's job. Of course, nitrate is controlled by water changes.
@@Kenney9120 I'm afraid you misread floatygimpy, he was saying that he feels several of the big fishtubers advocate for using sponge filters (pretty much the least expensive option) not the expensive filters you are thinking of.
@@annethornton9938 True. I was actually thinking of the pet stores and companies that sell the big filters. It makes sense of course since they are a business and need to make a living. It is good to see TH-cam's like Corey from AmericanCoOp and others educating new comers about their experiences.
Yourself and Corey from Co-op have sold me on sponge filters. I put them on my pickup tubes for EVERY filter. I rarely need to clean out my canister or hang on back filters, just the sponges! I also use hose and connect sponge filters to power heads and they work excellent to make my own filter.
Very cool!
Excellent comparison, including pros and cons. My tank and canister filter choice was made for me when a friend decided to get out of the hobby. He kept a community tank. Since moving to mbuna, I've added a second Eheim canister to improve turnover.
this dude reminds me of bill burr... awesome video! thank you!
I like canister or sump for esthetics, but sponge filters are great for breeding and all around.
My favorites are canisters with a spray bar and sponge filters.
For bigger tanks, the canister with spray bar: Super nice aeration/circulation, powerful flow but gentle at the same time.
For smaller tanks (below 20g): Sponge filters. Ease of use, a single sponge filter is often enough!
I don't like the turbulence hang on backs make though, you cannot have floating plants with them or they'll be pushed all around, plus on smaller tanks (
I totally agree with your statement. I have turned away from over the back filters for that very reason.
It 100% decreases the area of the tank that is “comfortably livable” and turns a tank like a 30gl into a 20gl because of the waters disturbed space.
Fluval aquaclear HOB has been my go to for decades. Nice and quiet, does a great job at mechanical filtration, and the biological media is the best by far - some of my sponges and bio cube are 10+ years old, and still in great condition! :)
Good to hear!
I use AquaClear HOBs too. Love them. Sometimes I hear from other folks that they are loud or not working properly. This is where good maintenance comes into play. Too many people forget that important part of things.
Canister are the easiest to clean. Take it outside with a hose and take it apart rinse and snap back together. These are my fav by far
I didn’t hear you mention it, but I could have missed it. One major advantage to external filters (like a canister filter) is that they add volume to the tank... effectively making your tank volume larger by a couple litres.
It may not be more swimming area, but more water is more buffer, and that is always amazing!
I started with HOB filters and have found that for me sponge or matten filters work best
One thing I don’t like about the hang off the back filters is the tank has to be that much further from the wall. It’s not a big deal on a small 5-10 gallon tank but a 75 gallon tank will be 5 or 6 inches from the wall
I really like HOBs for ease of maintenance and cost while also providing space for chemical media.
I just set up a 55 gallon tank with walls so thick that I can't get an HOB on it and I don't have anywhere to put a canister. So I put a sponge filter with a powerhead on one side and a Sicce Shark on the other. So far, so good. They're extremely quiet, which is nice because it's in my living room.
My 125 gallon tank has a trickle or sump if you want to call it that. In the same tank in the 2 back corners are a over flow system with a sponge filter. An I put one of those air filter in it lol Then I just sat up a 20 gallon tank with sand at the bottom with a hang on. The water is still cloudy from the sand I guess don't have anything in it i just got it running yesterday. Thank you for the great video
I have HOBs on my 2x 10 gallons & 1x 5 gallon, simple Top Fins that I've hotrodded the media in, have Specs & Flex with built-in filtration, and run sponges on all the rest of my tanks, from 1 gallon (newborn guppy fry for a week or two) up to 25 gallons (heavily stocked with tetras). I'm putting together a fishroom over the next month or two, and will be running sponge filters throughout, with HOBs when &/or where I need greater/chemical filtration. As for running the sponge filters, I'm thrilled to have learned about the USB nano air pumps from Cory/Aquarium CoOp, because it's so handy and oh so silent, can't hear its hum over the gentle bubbling in our 5 & 7.5 gallon bedside tanks! Definitely will be picking up more, especially for our sons' bedroom tanks, and in case of power outages. Will check out your video on fishroom setup to get ideas on what air pump to get for the fishroom!
Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into your filtration! Nice!
That's it I have to subscribe I keep looking up videos on my aquarium and all yours pop up and are the most helpful I appreciate everything you do keep it up man
Thank you for being here!
I have lots and lots of guppies and I think nothing beats the old school air driven box filter for a guppy tank.
Lee's Triple Flow works the best and I've tried every thing available.
For fast moving fish like danios or minnows I use Penn-Plax internal power filters since they don't cost much and provide a current flow the fish seem to enjoy.
I had those air driven box filters as a kid in my first tanks.
Moved up to an Eheim internal filter in the 90's and i am on canisters now.
But i was thinking about trying to get an oldschool filter and set up a tank as i did as a kid.
For old times sake :)
Thank you so much for your advice ♥ now I'm relaxed on what to choose cuz I picked one 🙏
Thanks for this video. This is a great overview.
A few questions:
A On the sponges, what is the best pore size? We use the Aquarium Coop sponge you showed which has a solid construction and a number of well thought out features. It does have a coarser sponge.
B. Is there a benefit in changing the up tube length on a sponge filter? (Video idea: Modifications for sponge filters?)
C. At what size and/or age is a filter intake not a risk for sucking up fry?
To You Question : We have 1 generic sponge filter, 2 Aquarium Coop sponge filters, and 2 canister filters.
Thanks for you in depth topics. As a novice, you clear presentation and insight are appreciated.
Jim
Great questions!
I prefer fine for my needs because I have heavily stocked cichlid tanks and they help keep the water mechanically filtered a little better, but if that isn't a problem both can be good.
The longer the tube the more movement you get through the sponge.
The risk for fry really depends on the fish, their primary location and the location of the intake.
Thanks for the great questions. :-)
I run a Cascade 1200 Canister filter and a Seachem 55 HOB on my 55g Mbuna tank. Have 4 Yellow Labs, 4 Yellow Tail Acei, and 4 Rustys
I mainly use hand of back filters. They are easy to use. You can pimp them out to make the bio load higher. And they usually last a while.
Canister filters are generally my go to as I can put the inlet and outlet at opposite ends of my large tanks and the water will push all waste to the inlet, so nothing gets caught in the corners. I have 3 turtles, each with their own tabk. I have a 150gal, a 75gal and a 55gal based on each one's size. My 55 actually has an internal Canister filter because it's in a place that needs silence and the internal filter, being submersible, is the quietest type of filter in my opinion.
i have an Oase Biomaster 250 Thermo for my aquarium and i like it. it has a heater inside with outside knob for easy changing of the temperature and a very easy to clean first stage sponge for heavy muck. you just pull two levers and you remove the filter. the rest of the filters are like the old canister filters around
Am thinking of getting a biomaster 250 and what do you think of them?they look easy to clean and was wondering do they come with a spray bar
I used to have Fluval internal canister filters with sponges. They worked great, but I think they stopped making them. Now I'm using HOB filters. Initially I used them as-recommended with filter cartridges that need to be replaced once a month. More recently I replaced the cartridges with reusable sponges cut-to-size. It saves money and my plants seem healthier.
Very smart!
Hi I’m new to the hobby and picked up a 45 gallon to start out from watching one of your videos about how bigger tanks are easier to maintain, got some mollies to start out, been watching your videos religiously and subscribed, keep it up 👍🏼
Thank you for being here!
Prime Time Aquatics no problem, watching your videos is what made me want to start an aquarium, going great so far👍🏽
Sponge filters with box filters full of ceramic with a little floss on top. AND pothos.
What is floss and pothos?
you do explain things to the point !!
Morning Prime Time family!! Good luck in the New Year!!
Thank you! You too!
I love how he likes and replies to almost every comment
:-)
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you for this video BTW it was extremely helpful
Sponge filters. Easy maintenance, low electrical cost, consistent flow and i love the shape of them for some reason. Had a hob filter but one of the things i hate was having to clean off algae growth in the tubes which clog the flow. Whenever the hob filter is clogged, you need to clean it out immediately or you get a inconsistent flow in the tank. Sponge filters still provide a decent airflow even when they are somewhat clogged
are they ok for snails? I'm getting 5 mystery snails and I wanna make sure they are alright for them.
@@cxmet3355 definitely, they are good for pretty much any aquarium animals
@@Billy_The_Frog Ok thank you! I am currently cycling the tank
thanks for the advice jason i have a fluval 307 but less then 6 months its stopped working so im looking for a back up for the breeder tank of angles
I use every kind of filteration except sumps and gravel filters. Different needs for different tanks/species
hello! I just bought a 20gallon and am using the ocean free US-01 hang on back filter.
alot of people are telling it's not strong enough for my 20g! should I get a bigger HOB FILTER? or are hob filters just not good for large tanks in general??
DOPE VIDEO. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE IS PROBABLY THE AQUEON QUIET FLOW. DECENT PRICE, QUIET, AND VERY DURABLE. JUST MY PERSONAL FAVORITE!
I've tried them and like them too.
Yeah I never bought one but ended up getting a couple of them with tanks i bought off fb mp. I think it's a good filter and would definitely purchase one if needed in the future. Just not a fan of the cartridges. Going to look into making my own somehow.
The best filter is the one that meets your needs and you will service.
Well spoken
No duh
Which is what
There's always that guy...
@@BrianRoosa, 😄ALWAYS
Thank you. This answered all the questions I had about the different types of filters.
I'm very pleased with my tetra hob filters. Just the basic "whisper" not the iQ. Harder to find but they have been fantastic for me. The cartridge for them are accommodating for chemical filtration too.
I really thank you cause now I understand filters a little better and my questions have been answered.. thanks so much . Seriously appreciated 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
That's awesome - thank for watching!
I like the external rain drop Upper Boxes
I think it is the best filter ever,😊👍
I am learning to love sponge filters more and more. I my smaller tanks I am using a combination of an HOB and a dual cartridge sponge filter. I also use a single large sponge filter with an HOB.
I really like the sponge filters from Aquarium Co-op but I can't get them in Canada yet. Hoping they will add them to their Amazon stuff soon.
Jason Happy New Year to you and your family, you provide great information, always food for thought, who knows maybe I will make it down to the USA for a major event and I will get to meet some of you folks!
Hope to see you around some time!
Great video...... The other question is, “ sizing up the filter to # of gallons”.
That'll be coming soon too! : -)
I switched from an Aquaclear to the Seachem Tidal which I absolutely love. I have one in each of my 4 big tanks. It’s so quiet, keeps my water crystal clear unlike the Aquaclear, and I can control the flow and they’re easy to clean. I also have a sponge filter in each tank, big or small.
I have the long term update coming out on the Seachem 55 and it's been a good filter!
Is that a hang on the back filter?
So far I only used sponge filters and a hang on the back filter. For my ciclihd tank, I prefer hang on the back filter as cichlids produces more waste. As for my neon tetra tank and tiger barb tank, sponge filters are enough, which by the way are both ran by a single pump.. hence the savings.
I have never seen a 'hang on the back' filter here in the U.K, I don't know why they haven't cought on or are not popular but that seems to be the way.
I have a shallow 4 food aquarium, (15 inches high I think), I have an internal pump for air circulation filled with sponges & two canisters that are connected to two holes at the underside of the aquarium, the less powerful canister doesn't make much difference to the water power going into the aquarium but does collect some crap from it. I also have a U.V light unit connected to each canister.
You're right, we don't really see them over here.
I went to Maidenhead Aquatics the other day and they had 1 HOB filter on sale, a lot of other shops I've been to don't sell them at all.
I have a HOB from All Pond Solutions and I have to say I'm very pleased with it, it's silent! I don't hear a thing, apparently it's filtering 800L/hr. It also has a built in UV light which can be isolated via a switch, I've not used it as I've not needed to. The water is crystal clear, my fish are happy, and my wife's happy and she picks up on the smallest of noises.
@@ollie2244 What branch of Maidenhead Aquatics?
Thank you for your reply . Still is frustrating now what about compatibility . Wish I had your experience . This is my first time on a big tank . Just trying to get it right . Thank you for your patience . If there is going to be any shows that can help me , please let me know .
Compatibility is based on the fish. That will take a lot of research! :-)
The seachem tidal is interesting to me. If I get a HOB again, I'll try that one... But sponge filters work so well
Fggbnnb
That was exactly the information i was looking for! Thanks!
I so much appreciate this video. I'm one confused lady. I have a 20 gallon with a Top Fin hang on the back and a small fine sponge filter. I keep vacuuming and doing 50% water changes all tests come out perfect, but I can't get the water clear. I just ordered a medium sponge and a bubble Bio from Aquarium Co OP. So I'm hoping to get clear water. 😊
You could try buying som bulk filter floss for your HOB filter - maybe change it out weekly and see if that helps?
Hang on back with pre filter sponge is my favorite, acts like a sponge but got that power
Ya, that is a very good setup!
Same with me, why do one when you can do both
What do you recommend for a 55 gallon tank alone? It would be my only tank... I am having a hard time choosing which filter is best for me
If I were setting up a new 55 gallon I would either go with a Seachem Tidal 55 or the new Marineland Pro series HOB. Both are quiet and easy to clean.
Thanks for all of your great content. If you ever decide to build a sump, I would be very interested in seeing how you would do it, what chambers you would build into it, and the types of media you would use.
If I ever do a sump I'd probably call my buddy Tim over to help with the process only because he's got a lot more experience with them. : -)
My favourite filter is the Seachem Tidal HOB range
I'll be using corner matten filters on all my future tanks and switching current tanks to them when the opportunity opens up. You can't beat their reliability, ease of use, and when the power goes out they are easy to get back online due to their low power draw. You're also avoiding most if not all potential failure points besides that tank itself leaking/bursting.
I've done fish room tours where that is their main source of filtration!
Great video and really useful. Can you let me know which is better top filter or hobs?
I use only canister filters, but after nearly a year with my 2 bigger tanks (~175 gal) i am switching to sumps for them since cleaning so many FX6 is getting tiring 😓😓 (never get a Panaque with a canister filter!)
So from my experience I would recommend a canister filter for 125gal and under, above 125gal a sump 😅👍
TomSerious thanks for sharing!
Jason thank u as always for the great & informative video. My favorite & will always be HOB’s. Marinelands emperor penguin filters. Very easy to setup & service. Also can’t forget customizable. As you mentioned it depends on your wants & needs for your systems. Enjoy your day my friend.
I can't use those anymore, they refuse to prime up after every feeding I turn off the filters for like 5 minutes. It's ridiculous. Aqua clears have the motor outside the water too and they always prime right back up.
I have the marienland internal cannister filter you showed in your video. I use it in my turtle tank. Hands down the best filter I've ever had. I can add whatever biological media to the filtration; it's super easy to clean; the water stays crystal clear; and it's pretty cheap! Highly recommend for 55ish gallons
Great point for a turtle!
Thanks for the filter review again. We all need reminders and new ideas.
@Prime Time Aquatics You couldn’t time this video better even if I paid you. 😉
I went away on a 2 week vacation over Christmas and arrived home yesterday to discover that one of my internal power filters had stopped working. It is 3 years old now and was considering changing to a hang on the back filter for a while now. The thing is that hang on the back filters are almost non-existent in my part of the UK so I know nothing about them other than what I have seen on TH-cam. Also, it also gets confusing because we work on litres not gallons, so our fish tanks will always be vastly smaller compared to US/Canadian. Example of this would be that the average tank size here would be about 17 gallons/54 litres and the biggest you can find in stores is around 110 litres/30 gallons. Even then you really have to hunt them down on either eBay or Amazon as most fish stores just aren’t big enough to sell them. I nearly fell over in shock a few weeks ago when I went into my local aquarium shop to find a pre-owned 230 litre/60 gallon tank for sale. We do, do better with ponds but even then it still either a straight choice of sponge versus internal power filters.
I just realised that I went off on a tangent there but as I found the seacam filter on Amazon and I note that you, @KGTROPICALS and several others have given good reviews for it so I will go with that one given that I can adjust it I need to. It’s for my goldfish tank which is also about to be upgraded in the next few weeks. They have loved there 17 gallon tank for 3 years but they are are not babies anymore and grown out of it now, so need to have there forever home aquarium. 😉
I'm going to be doing a long term update on the seachem 55 and overall I like it.
Prime Time Aquatics Thank you, it really helps! 🙂👍
Just because you work off liters instead of gallons, doesn't have anything to do with the size of tanks that are readily available to you. It's just a measurement system. Even stores here in the US rarely have tasks above 20-30 gallons, unless you go to a real hobbyist aquarium-only store. The bigger tanks are usually special ordered as they're less commonly ordered.
There are new filters called moving bed filter. I use moving bed filter to improve good bacteria colonization and it helps to cycle oxygen and breaks down ammonia. And then I use hang filter(With UV Sterilization) to avoid alga's growth and it helps to cycle the water in a good way. I changed my tank water 1/3 every 1 week hehe
I love canisters and sumps for the increased water volume and room for media.
Great video. Any suggestions on tank mates for koi fish? I only have 2 small koi that are about 2 inches right now in a 70 gallon tank.
They can be tough to find tank mates for because they like cooler water. Maybe look at cool water shiners?
Great. Thank you
Very useful and informative video on filtration.
Thank you Mark!
Good info. Easy to understand. Thanks
Thank you!
After just 2 videos..... smashed subscribe
Glad you are here.
Very well explained. Thank you for your video.
Thanks for breaking it down. Great info.
But... but... but... what filter is best for me???
I could not agree with you more. I use many types depending on the fish, the tank, the location... it just.... depends. They all work, don’t be afraid to experiment. If you end up with an extra filter.... buy another tank! Happy New Year Mr & Mrs Primetime!
Now that's good thinking. : -) Have a great new year!
The sponge filter is the longest running biological sponge in the market, and being good for breeding and fry was a side benefit.
I do a fine sponge on the intake of my HOB filter and get pretty crystal clear water. Threw a ten gallon bubbler in there to edit my volcano to create bubbles. The volcano had a air stone in it but I figured if it's gonna have bubbles might as well have a means of biological filtration so I rigged it up To a small ten gallon sponge bubbler. Works great.
I like my hob they do a great job and easy to maintain. My aqueons and sea chems with the pumps in the tanks are the quietest and always restart .My one canister filter is a hassle to maintain and going to replace it with a new and improved marineland Hob.A couple of tanks I also have sponge filters in them in case I need to set up a tank on short notice.
I like both of those filters too!
Plants are my favourite filters. If I couldn't use them, then I'd probably opt for either sponges or HOBs.
Plants are great too!
I have a question concerning gravel. I know that with a UGF the gravel contains a huge amount of bacteria as it is the bio media for that filter, but what about with other types of filtration? Would the gravel contain the same amount of bacteria with water flowing over the surface. of the gravel instead of through it. I am asking because I am wondering how much bio-media to add to a filter if you want to go bare bottom to compensate for the lack of surface area in the tank.
Great question! No, the gravel will be less populated with microbes without the additional water flow (oxygenation). However, unless the tank is super heavily stocked, most appropriately-sized filters will provide more than enough space for media to do biological filtration. I almost never stress about bio filtration.
Kenny, great question.😁👍
Another great video.
I've almost as many tanks as you. But all around the house. Having a water appropriate basementor one at all isn't really a international common thing.
So I'm working with my carpeted loungeroom and single car carport.
I run and love HMF. Amazing.
My issue. You mention using HOBs. Most of them have internal pumps. So every time you have a power outage, they may start again. Maybe but unlikely. Stupid expensive new models have in Tank pumps. Resolves that. But wow the price.
Something to consider if your in a area that has occasional power outages.
Penn Plax .. Very reliable Canister filter , i have it for many years .. besides sponge filter for my 20 Gl shrimp tank ..
I have an Marineland Emperor 400 HOB on my 55gal tank and I'm gonna add an sponge filter after watching these type of vid for 2 days strait seems like an almost fail proof way to go if u keep it clean👍🏾☮&💖✌🏾
They can be a great back up too
Hi. Thanks for your videos. They are providing great information. I have a 72 gallon bow front that I plan to have a few crappie in it. What do you recommend for filtration?
Thank you! I’d probably run a Seachem Tidal 75 or 110 on it.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Is that a canister?
Very detailed video! Well done!
Thank you!
Lovely silver shark! 5:16
Thank you!
Finally some common sense when it comes to selecting a filter.
Thank you!
Hang on the back filter. Easy maintenance. But now that i am getting more fish tanks, im switching to sponge filters
Sponge it is!!!
Very informative. Thank you.
Thank you!
I have an important Question.. Where the heck do I find a 30 gallon Breeder tank ?? This tank would be Perfect for my start in keeping Shell Dwellers.. Or, maybe you have a better tank that you could recommend.. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.. I am getting back into keeping fish.. I had to take a break because we unexpectedly had to move.. I have been researching for the last few months and I have watched Many of your videos.. Again, Thank You Very Much..
Thank you for watching! 30 breeders are hard to find - you'd probably have more luck finding a 50 gallon low boy by Zoomed or a 33 long, which are really good for shellies.
So glad I found your page , I have a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , the Oscar is getting big fast , and it seems he has outgrown the filter system I have now , I have the aqua filter that sits on the back of the tank , it uses the replaceable carbon filters . I am wanting to get a newer filter system , which one would you recommend for a 50 gallon tank with 1 Oscar , now 12” long ! He is not a clean fish ! Constantly having to vacuum the tank , a lot of work for myself . Thanks for your help
Probably a Marineland PRO 450. That way if you can get him into a bigger tank like a 75 gallon you will be able to use the same filter!
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you so much , once he outgrows the 50 gallon I will be moving him to a 75 gallon . Thank you for the recommendation!
very useful. you didn't include water change factor in this comparison though.
I see that as a separate issue. Water changes are based on nitrate concentrations and no filter removes nitrate unless it is utilizing specialty media.
my fav. filter is no longer on the market because everyone had trouble when it comes to keeping a syphon going on the intake tubes of them. I have three of supreme's "Aquaking" filters. I've been offered as much as $250.00 for one of them and I'd never give them up for a strange reason no one has even thought of... EVERY HOB filter on the market today has the water return flowing down an open front but what I need is a filter that has a return that's coming out of one solid pipe or hose. The reason for me needing this is the fact that I use the water coming out of the HOB filter to go into my Under Gravel Filter (UGF) I use UGF's but I use them in a reverse flow so anything that sinks down into the gravel never gets trapped inside the gravel but gets pushed up and away from the gravel. this leaves my gravel not only so clean that you can look under my 55 gal. tank and see that there is NO trash, dirt or mulm under the UGF or inside of the gravel but the second reason is the fact that I have up to 3 inches of crushed coral as gravel in my two marine tanks where I breed Mandarin fish and seahorses growing food naturally in the crushed coral that has not been moved in over 6 years. in a few offices where I rent out tanks and charge for the care every month I've made these types of HOB filters out of "Lee's" Large specimen containers using powerheads to run them. I do use "Aquaclear" HOB filters on most tanks but anything over 55 gallons gets to be a pain if you have to do gravel cleaning on planted tanks.
As i use jewel tanks the box filter fit in the tank it also houses the heater and you can fit lot of different media.as i add a new tank i can put say one sponge from each of my existing filters to have bacteria ready to go.