What is the best filter you've ever used?

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Aneamals

Aneamals

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Joined
Jul 23, 2014
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I've only ever had a lame Top Fin filter that came with my tank, and a Marineland Penguin. So I don't know much about filters. XD

I would like to know your experiences, so I can learn for the future.
 
Hang on Back : Aquaclear
Canister: Eheim

I have tried 1 or 2 other small brands, but they were not real good.


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the ones I have built myself. ;)

I know that isn't much help to you, but it's the truth.
I haven't bought a commercial filter in a very, very long time.
 
All of my filter have sucked. I've owned:
Many different sized aqua techs
An AC
marine land penguin filter
Sponge filters
Rena filstar ( probably the best I have used but it still sucks as every time I stop it and start it it always blows bobbles and sometimes plant/food matter).


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For hob I like the aqua clears

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PB_Smith said:
the ones I have built myself. ;)

I know that isn't much help to you, but it's the truth.
I haven't bought a commercial filter in a very, very long time.
Click to expand...
Oh, that's totally fine! I love to hear all kinds of experiences, and I think it's really cool that you made your own. If I were that handy, I'd prob try my hand at my own filter too. XD But as for now, I'm still a beginner with much to learn.
 
elephantnose said:
All of my filter have sucked. I've owned:
Many different sized aqua techs
An AC
marine land penguin filter
Sponge filters
Rena filstar ( probably the best I have used but it still sucks as every time I stop it and start it it always blows bobbles and sometimes plant/food matter).


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Click to expand...
Wow, I'm surprised you didn't like the AC. It seems the AC is everyone's favorite. What didn't you like about them?
And tell me about the Marineland Penguin too. I have one too, and it doesn't seem to be causing me any problems so far.
 
I'm just picky I guess. My AC was really load, I couldn't put the lid on and very often the filter would vibrate on the glass and annoy me. I have all the tank in my room. The marine land has a lot of power. I wish it had an even flow. If my water is too low it makes a lot of noise. So I have to keep the output under water. Doing this cases too many bubbles. I wish it had the option of reducing the flow. Also if your tank is planted the flow is a little too strong for them. Too much surface agitation is bad for plants releases too much carbon dioxide.


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Aquaclear has always been my favourite. Its all I'll buy, its so easy to set up/use/clean. And I find there's a big difference between low flow and high flow, so I can set it pretty much exactly how I want it.
 
elephantnose said:
I'm just picky I guess. My AC was really load, I couldn't put the lid on and very often the filter would vibrate on the glass and annoy me. I have all the tank in my room. The marine land has a lot of power. I wish it had an even flow. If my water is too low it makes a lot of noise. So I have to keep the output under water. Doing this cases too many bubbles. I wish it had the option of reducing the flow. Also if your tank is planted the flow is a little too strong for them. Too much surface agitation is bad for plants releases too much carbon dioxide.


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Click to expand...
Ohhh I see. Well I'm glad to hear the only problem the Marinelenad has is it's incapability to adjust it's flow. I don't have plants yet, so it's ok for me.
 
Fluval C series far superior to AquaClear

I own one AquaClear 50, two Fluval C3's and one FluvalC4. The Fluval C series is the latest technology makes the "1978" technology of the AquaClear practically an obsolete relic. Both are made by Hagen and even use the same motor up through sizes AC70 and Fluval C4.

The AquaClears are only three stage filtration with no polishing pad or trickle chamber. AquaClear suffers from severe bypass issues (just google it) or go here:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/aquaclear-bypass-issues-292796.html

The only way the AC works half decent is to use tightly packed floss because the "sponge" is so coarse is lets the fine particles right on through.

I find it easier to use custom media in my Fluval C's than aquaclears because the media basket is a mess.

Here is a link to my HOB filtration section on photobucket which shows both including the use of custom media. Click on each picture for a full explanation of what you are looking at.

HOB Filtration Photos by Paul1792 | Photobucket

Also, see posts 4, 5 & 21 here:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/aquaclear-vs-fluval-315148.html
 
Paul1792 said:
I own one AquaClear 50, two Fluval C3's and one FluvalC4. The Fluval C series is the latest technology makes the "1978" technology of the AquaClear practically an obsolete relic. Both are made by Hagen and even use the same motor up through sizes AC70 and Fluval C4.

The AquaClears are only three stage filtration with no polishing pad or trickle chamber. AquaClear suffers from severe bypass issues (just google it) or go here:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/aquaclear-bypass-issues-292796.html

The only way the AC works half decent is to use tightly packed floss because the "sponge" is so coarse is lets the fine particles right on through.

I find it easier to use custom media in my Fluval C's than aquaclears because the media basket is a mess.

Here is a link to my HOB filtration section on photobucket which shows both including the use of custom media. Click on each picture for a full explanation of what you are looking at.

HOB Filtration Photos by Paul1792 | Photobucket

Also, see posts 4, 5 & 21 here:

http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f60/aquaclear-vs-fluval-315148.html
Click to expand...
Wow, that is really helpful. I heard from another person too that the Fluval was one of the best. I think I may want one now. cx I could have it next to my Marineland Penguin.
 
I make my own my favorite being my sw sump/refugium 25gal Rubbermaid tub. I still use hob on some of my cichlid tanks but the maintenance is overwhelming, but for biology sponge filters are the best diy or store bought. Seems when it comes to filtration there are as many setups as are people keeping fish for me it's been trial and error do your research good luck!

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Aquaclear HOB, and sponge filters. Just picked up an Eheim classic 150 at savers for $6 and im liking it as well so far!
 
Yup Fluval C4 for a HOB, best HOB there is. Works on a 20g, works on a 29g works on a 55g, only issue is it wouldn't fit on the 1/2" glass of my 150g :(.

Otherwise Fluval and Cobalt canister filters are cool.
 
Aneamals said:
Ohhh I see. Well I'm glad to hear the only problem the Marinelenad has is it's incapability to adjust it's flow. I don't have plants yet, so it's ok for me.
Click to expand...

The older models of the emperor (I have an old 280 still in use, thing runs great even after sitting in storage for 8 years) did have flow control. Apparently sometime in the latter 2000s they took it out to help reduce prices/costs.

I really like my emperor, it's solidly built and does a good job at pumping the water through, but I feel the filtration customization is lacking compared to newer filters. I will note that it seems to add a lot of air bubbles into the water which is a pleasant effect. I also have a C4 on the same tank (overkill) and I really love its ability to change out different types of filtration media, but the pump can be a pain. In order to get it properly "seated" or whatnot I have to plug it in and let it spin up, then unplug it and replug it back in before it spins down or else its kind of loud/grindy.

For example, with the emperor I have: Standard filtration cartridge and I stuck a "the bag" full of purigen in the thing instead of the chemical filtration cartridge. It doesn't work fantastically, I have to lower the flow a little or else it spills out the front down the intake tube back into the tank.

The C4 has: A fluval edge pre-filter sponge (it was sucking up fry and I had to "rescue" them from inside of it), the standard physical filter, a ton of biomax in the media basket and the stock bio media in the tickle part of the filter.
 
Pylor said:
The older models of the emperor (I have an old 280 still in use, thing runs great even after sitting in storage for 8 years) did have flow control. Apparently sometime in the latter 2000s they took it out to help reduce prices/costs.

I really like my emperor, it's solidly built and does a good job at pumping the water through, but I feel the filtration customization is lacking compared to newer filters. I will note that it seems to add a lot of air bubbles into the water which is a pleasant effect. I also have a C4 on the same tank (overkill) and I really love its ability to change out different types of filtration media, but the pump can be a pain. In order to get it properly "seated" or whatnot I have to plug it in and let it spin up, then unplug it and replug it back in before it spins down or else its kind of loud/grindy.

For example, with the emperor I have: Standard filtration cartridge and I stuck a "the bag" full of purigen in the thing instead of the chemical filtration cartridge. It doesn't work fantastically, I have to lower the flow a little or else it spills out the front down the intake tube back into the tank.

The C4 has: A fluval edge pre-filter sponge (it was sucking up fry and I had to "rescue" them from inside of it), the standard physical filter, a ton of biomax in the media basket and the stock bio media in the tickle part of the filter.
Click to expand...
Ok, thanks for the good information. I think I've got my heart set on the Fluval C series now. XD I might try to get a C4 to work along side my Marineland Penguin. Or completely replace it.
 
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