In my 50 yrs experience with HOB'S, millions have been spent by manufacturer's on trying to duplicate and improve the basic Aquaclear filter design and performance. None in my experience would justify veering from the Aquaclear. The Aquaclear has survived all these challenges over many decades because its basic design is the best value for the money IMHO.
@@HalfManHalfCichlid I could not agree more , why are they always trying to reinvent the Aquaclear ? Why work so hard to reinvent a product that’s already proven to work just fine.
Looks like a nice functioning filter! Though I don’t like how high it sits. I’ve used Aqueon HOB filters for years and have been very happy with their performance. I use them along with an intake sponge. I use sponges and ceramic media inside the filter. 😊
Thanks for the review Ben. I can't imagine I would ever buy one of these. Not a fan of the overhead weir dropping onto the bottom chamber with no real forced flow pattern. Then of course I'm not going to use cartridges. And the additional height in this thing seems excessive and ridiculous. I'll stick to my Tidal filters that I know work like gang busters. But I do appreciate a look at this filter - thanks 😀
Nice with the pump inside the aquarium, not inside the filter. So few HOB's have this superior solution that just work if there is an electrical black out for a while! Personally, I don't like HOB very much, they take up a lot of extra footprint, while not providing much place for filter media. The surface agitation is very good, but you can get that with pretty much any other filter though. I have tested a few, but now I have air driven sponge filters, canister filters, internal filters and sump filter, all of which I like better than HOB.
I have a hob filter that came off a 29g kit on my 50g tank. The water is crystal clear. I think the cartridges are good for beginers. Then they can switch over to media
Ben great video. I would be curious to know from Hygger what the benefit of that sump type section on top is for. What benefit does it bring. I have a couple of whispers I need to replace. Might go the Hygger route.
Hey Ben, how are you doing friend? I ordered 2 of them 2 months ago and at first I loved them. 1 of them just stopped working 2 weeks ago. I took it apart and serviced it, it never corrected and the motor stopped working. I contacted hyggar and they simply did not answer my message. I’ll try again and if they don’t respond I’ll be forced to sadly do an update review of my experience. The shame to it is I really love the other 1 that’s still working. I hope yours will continue to bring you satisfaction. I will say that they definitely cleared up my cloudy, murky tanks, even my blackwater tank.
If you don’t hear back from Hygger let me know at ben.o.cichlid@gmail and I’ll give you my contact at Hygger. It comes with a one year warranty but that’s meaningless if they don’t respond!
Thanks, Ben. Great review 😊 I agree that it is a bit tall. Kind of interesting that they took that route. It seemed pretty quiet, which is always a bonus! I am curious to hear your opinions after it puts in some work for you over a few months. Have you tried a Tidal HOB filter? I really like them, but think they could do without the silly skimmer feature. Its not a deal breaker for me though. I did catch a case of FOMO and bought one of the "new" Fluval Aqua Clears to see if it's improved....
Hey Ben, thanks for the post. I was checking these out on Amazon. Interesting design. I think you put the cartridge in backward? Wouldn't the floss face the back? Mechanical
If couldn’t get a the penguin filter , I’d get the aqua clear. My question is , would the “ basket” that we use in the penguin hob fit in that filter? Cause we’re all about pimpin out our hang on backs .
True! The basket wouldn't be needed. The top compartment could be used for some media and the bottom for other media, including polishing floss. I think customizing HOBs, canisters and sumps is part of the fun.
Like a trickle filter. The biggest advantage is that there is no need to put water in the unit to start it. So if there's a power outage, when the power comes back on it starts right up. It a sort of gravity system. Hey, send me an email at ben.o.cichlid.com. I want to ask you a couple of things.
Yes I'm not liking the look. It's way too tall. I also would have concerns about the way that the top box drips into the backside of the bottom half. Because I would not use the cartridge I would use sponges. So by design it appears to just drop from the top to the bottom. So using sponges I don't see it filtering through the sponges. It would need the flow to push up from the bottom through the sponges then out to the tanks. Unless I'm totally misunderstanding they way it flows
Yeah, no thanks, that thing looks hideous sitting up that high!!!! Gonna be tough for any manufacturer to beat out the tried and true AquaClear or even the SeaChem tidal hobs.
@BenOchart Probably like you, I've got all kinds of Hygger brand items in my fish room and really like them all, but this filter is a definite miss for me. I was so hoping this was going to be a really good filter, but ehhhhhh. Have you seen the new Hygger external canister filter line???? Not the hob canister filters they've come out with, but actual full size "canister" filters???? They remind me a lot of the SunSun canister filters. Was going to buy one the other night but was hesitant as I haven't heard of or seen any reviews of them yet, so just bought, yet another, SunSun 704B instead.
In my 50 yrs experience with HOB'S, millions have been spent by manufacturer's on trying to duplicate and improve the basic Aquaclear filter design and performance. None in my experience would justify veering from the Aquaclear. The Aquaclear has survived all these challenges over many decades because its basic design is the best value for the money IMHO.
@@HalfManHalfCichlid I could not agree more , why are they always trying to reinvent the Aquaclear ? Why work so hard to reinvent a product that’s already proven to work just fine.
Dynoflo for life😊
Aquaclear wins in the filter category every time
@@josephtavares8178 you clearly never used a Tidal. Best on the market
I hate them, they don’t push the water across the tank just down,
I found your channel today and subscribed to it today 😀 I like your style unboxing 👍
Welcome to the channel and thanks for the sub 😀👍🏻
@@BenOchart you're welcome 😊
I've been using marineland emperor 400s for years on my tanks I absolutely love them
Great info Ben! I really like this style of review.
Looks like a nice functioning filter! Though I don’t like how high it sits. I’ve used Aqueon HOB filters for years and have been very happy with their performance. I use them along with an intake sponge. I use sponges and ceramic media inside the filter. 😊
Thanks for the review Ben. I can't imagine I would ever buy one of these. Not a fan of the overhead weir dropping onto the bottom chamber with no real forced flow pattern. Then of course I'm not going to use cartridges. And the additional height in this thing seems excessive and ridiculous. I'll stick to my Tidal filters that I know work like gang busters. But I do appreciate a look at this filter - thanks 😀
Nice with the pump inside the aquarium, not inside the filter.
So few HOB's have this superior solution that just work if there is an electrical black out for a while!
Personally, I don't like HOB very much, they take up a lot of extra footprint, while not providing much place for filter media.
The surface agitation is very good, but you can get that with pretty much any other filter though.
I have tested a few, but now I have air driven sponge filters, canister filters, internal filters and sump filter, all of which I like better than HOB.
It seems to be ok but would like to see and revisit to this filter in like 6 months. Thanks for sharing
Good video the filter your doing a review on its a bit like the seachem
👍🏻😎 Decent HOB. Thanks for the demo.
Great video Ben. I would just get an aquaclear and be done with it.
Love some Hygger products
I have a hob filter that came off a 29g kit on my 50g tank. The water is crystal clear. I think the cartridges are good for beginers. Then they can switch over to media
Ben great video. I would be curious to know from Hygger what the benefit of that sump type section on top is for. What benefit does it bring. I have a couple of whispers I need to replace. Might go the Hygger route.
Hey Ben, how are you doing friend? I ordered 2 of them 2 months ago and at first I loved them. 1 of them just stopped working 2 weeks ago. I took it apart and serviced it, it never corrected and the motor stopped working. I contacted hyggar and they simply did not answer my message. I’ll try again and if they don’t respond I’ll be forced to sadly do an update review of my experience. The shame to it is I really love the other 1 that’s still working. I hope yours will continue to bring you satisfaction. I will say that they definitely cleared up my cloudy, murky tanks, even my blackwater tank.
They clog easy too, but no problem I just rinse the prefilter sponge or if necessary rinse the pinky floss.
If you don’t hear back from Hygger let me know at ben.o.cichlid@gmail and I’ll give you my contact at Hygger. It comes with a one year warranty but that’s meaningless if they don’t respond!
Thanks, Ben. Great review 😊 I agree that it is a bit tall. Kind of interesting that they took that route. It seemed pretty quiet, which is always a bonus! I am curious to hear your opinions after it puts in some work for you over a few months.
Have you tried a Tidal HOB filter? I really like them, but think they could do without the silly skimmer feature. Its not a deal breaker for me though. I did catch a case of FOMO and bought one of the "new" Fluval Aqua Clears to see if it's improved....
Hey Ben, thanks for the post. I was checking these out on Amazon. Interesting design. I think you put the cartridge in backward? Wouldn't the floss face the back? Mechanical
Yes. Usually you want things like activated charcoal to hit the water last.
I love hob filters. I also like sponge filters
If couldn’t get a the penguin filter , I’d get the aqua clear. My question is , would the “ basket” that we use in the penguin hob fit in that filter? Cause we’re all about pimpin out our hang on backs .
True! The basket wouldn't be needed. The top compartment could be used for some media and the bottom for other media, including polishing floss. I think customizing HOBs, canisters and sumps is part of the fun.
Very nice
👍🤠 That top piece confuses me, why is it there? Unneeded gimmick to be different?
Like a trickle filter. The biggest advantage is that there is no need to put water in the unit to start it. So if there's a power outage, when the power comes back on it starts right up. It a sort of gravity system. Hey, send me an email at ben.o.cichlid.com. I want to ask you a couple of things.
🔥🔥
I’m a Seachem tidal kinda guy 👍
You praise the Hygger hg099-l but did you know Hygger doesn’t sell or offer replacement cartridges?
Nothing like Tidal
I’ll stick with my Marineland filters.
Yes I'm not liking the look. It's way too tall. I also would have concerns about the way that the top box drips into the backside of the bottom half. Because I would not use the cartridge I would use sponges. So by design it appears to just drop from the top to the bottom. So using sponges I don't see it filtering through the sponges. It would need the flow to push up from the bottom through the sponges then out to the tanks. Unless I'm totally misunderstanding they way it flows
Great info! Thanks, But don't like 1. The motor being in the water, n 2. It's way too tall. I'll take a pass
😀
Yeah, no thanks, that thing looks hideous sitting up that high!!!! Gonna be tough for any manufacturer to beat out the tried and true AquaClear or even the SeaChem tidal hobs.
Those two seem to be the standard. I do like how you don't need to put water into the HOB to get it going. Otherwise I agree, it sits too high.
@BenOchart Probably like you, I've got all kinds of Hygger brand items in my fish room and really like them all, but this filter is a definite miss for me. I was so hoping this was going to be a really good filter, but ehhhhhh.
Have you seen the new Hygger external canister filter line???? Not the hob canister filters they've come out with, but actual full size "canister" filters???? They remind me a lot of the SunSun canister filters. Was going to buy one the other night but was hesitant as I haven't heard of or seen any reviews of them yet, so just bought, yet another, SunSun 704B instead.