I'm with you on having sponge filters for my breeding/grow out tanks for cost efficiency. My display tanks, I use hob or canister. Thanks for the upload!
Troy, Awesome video. I have all seachem Tidal filters on my aquariums. I can’t afford to buy a canister filter they are crazy expensive. I have a sponge filter in all of my aquariums but I don’t mind them I like the bubbles. I also use some internal canister filters no one talks about them to much but those are really quiet and you do see them on the tank but they filter like crazy. I love the versatility of the tidal filters. Appreciate the video. Maybe a future one on internal filters?
Ive been in the hobby for 15 months and i have 3 aquaclear hobs and 3 tidal hobs and I agree! tidals are beast and dont give me half the problems that the aquaclears give me... My 10gallon quarantine and 40gall grow out tank have sponge filters and theyre nice and cheap but theyre an eyesore and i hate the bubble noise
I had a tidal hob on my 75 gallon and it didn’t fit properly over the top of the frame for some reason. Because of that it sat higher than it should have so when the water level dropped even a little bit the splashing from the outflow was SO loud. The skimmer filter was raised higher as well and would make a loud sucking noise when the water level got too low. There’s a dial to turn the suction down but it doesn’t turn it off all the way so you can’t choose whether to use it or to just have it closed. Other than those issues though it was definitely my most reliable hob. I had bad luck with every other one i tried, they all just stopped working eventually for one reason or another. Sponge filters have not given me nearly as big a headache as the hob. The only problem i’ve encountered with them is having to replace an air pump if it starts being loud but thats only happened a couple times. Definitely have gone through more hob filters than air pumps over the last several years!
I used to be strictly sponge filters but lately I've been using the seachem tidal hob and hands down best hob because of the internal pump. That in combo with sponge filters give amazing filtration. Filter noise doesn't bother me I find it relaxing
I like hob filters. Don’t have canisters because they are too expensive. I have sponge too. The noisemaker of a hob filter is a marine land filter. Never had problems with the aquaclear brand.
I use both HOB and Sponge Filter in one of the tanks. The other one has both a Canister and a Sponge filter. The reason I use both as fluval filters are too expensive where I live due to import duties. So, I use affordable brands like Sun Sun filters which are great but they can't be compared with worlds of Fluval or Sicce. The additional sponge filter gives me more filtration and I find they are good at capturing fine particles in the tank for clear water. It's just me. Others might find this crazy.
I find that when air pumps start to buzz it usually means that the rubber diaphragm Has started to crack and dry out in letting air escape and is not as effective if it works at all at pumping air. Most companies you can buy replacement diaphragms usually two or three of them for the same cost of buying a brand new air pump It's cheaper in the long run because you don't have to waste plastic parts that get thrown away. Instead you just replacing the diaphragm.
Same here. I usually have a HoB and a sponge filter in the same tank. When setting up a new tank, I just move the sponge filter to the new tank and add a new sponge filter to the old tank so I always have 1 ready!!
I bought a 29 gallon set up from Petco and it came with a aqueon quiet flow, but the extender is not long enough. Not even halfway down. Just set it up so I guess we will see how it goes with clear water.
I think sponge filters are only ok for very small tanks. They don’t move much water and don’t really do much for mechanical filtration. HOB is much better. Especially the Seachem tidal filters. I have a few different sizes and they work well.
What are your thoughts on undergravel filters? I’ve been having high nitrates even with doing water changes and I’m starting to think it has to do with that filter. I also have a Fluval 407 canister.
I’ve used aquaclears for years , I love them but yes they’ve always been kind of noisy I usually put some weight like a book or something on the lid, inconvenient yes but I can live with it but yes you are right they can get noisy
Sponge filter are the most customisable filter out there, even more customisable than the canisters. I've been keeping sponge filters in every tank I have for last 6 years and my tanks never had any cloudy water or green water issues ever . Sponge media not only act as a mechanical filter but also biological filter too and to make it even more effective I put bio media on top of the sponge , not only that breaks down the big bubbles but also acts as foothold for plants. I've peace lily and monstera growing out of bio media. Thus 3 actions with one sponge . And it doesn't even look ugly . Only and only one problem is the vibrating sound , can't help with .
I know you love Sicce, and you persuaded me to purchase all different types. I've honestly never had such a horrible set of filters, pumps, and equiptment. even the zero went out on me. i had zero customer service and even spoke with jason? believe thats his name, and he even gave me a run around. Unfortunately, they will never receive my business again. I'll stick with Fluvals and seachems. Still love your videos and am glad all that equipment worked for you
When setting up any air pump with tubing into your tank 1E want to either make sure that the air pump is above the top of the water line Or you have a reverse flow check valve In Youtubing so that if the power goes out and your air pump shuts off You don't start a siphon flooding your house ruining your air pump draining your tank of water. You don't have to worry about that with hang on the back filter. Though you do have to make sure that You're safe and pump Into the hobby is secure and your impeller is clear Of debris Which will slow and impede your flow and suction and return into your tank
I avoid HOB's, their greatest draw back is that most of them can't handle a black out! They should really ALL have the pump on the intake tube, not inside the filter! That way, a short black out isn't an issue.
I want to come up with a sponge filter that looks like a rock so that you can’t really see it, I don’t have the resources to do it yet so no one steal my idea!
Never ever Clean Filter media In City Slash Town, because It is chlorinated and will kill off any beneficial bacteria in your filter material which you do not want to do. Instead you wanna take some tank water and put it into a bucket either through a siphon or a cup or some sort of transfer material, and rinse your filter material in that if you're not outright replacing it such as filter floss. Above all never use soaps or detergents to clean filter materials such as sponges or ceramics Or even the filter box itself. The best thing you can do is you can use water and baking soda to clean out canisters or the filter boxes and the tubing , or a weak solution Of water and vinegar To clean up filter material.
Touchy subject… considering anything you plug into the wall. Cost money. Depending in the fish or coral or shrimp etc … different filters do different things. I honestly started to unplug everything. And noticed the health of my tanks are way better. Honestly different strokes for different folks. I can tell you one thing. Any filter you have to plug in. Is a gimmick. Because a fish tank is just a puddle. They sell you the tank like this lol 😂 by the time your done you have like 4-6 outlets sucking energy. At this point i am 1 outlet keeper. Light !!! All you need is light !!! Light is life simple ❤
I avoid HOB's, their greatest draw back is that most of them can't handle a black out! They should really ALL have the pump on the intake tube, not inside the filter! That way, a short black out isn't an issue.
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I'm with you on having sponge filters for my breeding/grow out tanks for cost efficiency. My display tanks, I use hob or canister. Thanks for the upload!
Thank you! I've been researching on getting started and this is the best video by far. Simple and informative
Glad it was helpful!
Troy,
Awesome video. I have all seachem Tidal filters on my aquariums. I can’t afford to buy a canister filter they are crazy expensive. I have a sponge filter in all of my aquariums but I don’t mind them I like the bubbles. I also use some internal canister filters no one talks about them to much but those are really quiet and you do see them on the tank but they filter like crazy. I love the versatility of the tidal filters. Appreciate the video. Maybe a future one on internal filters?
Ive been in the hobby for 15 months and i have 3 aquaclear hobs and 3 tidal hobs and I agree! tidals are beast and dont give me half the problems that the aquaclears give me... My 10gallon quarantine and 40gall grow out tank have sponge filters and theyre nice and cheap but theyre an eyesore and i hate the bubble noise
I’ve found putting a folded towel under a sponge filter air pump reduces noise. Also helps to keep pump behind a cabinet door, in the stand
I had a tidal hob on my 75 gallon and it didn’t fit properly over the top of the frame for some reason. Because of that it sat higher than it should have so when the water level dropped even a little bit the splashing from the outflow was SO loud. The skimmer filter was raised higher as well and would make a loud sucking noise when the water level got too low. There’s a dial to turn the suction down but it doesn’t turn it off all the way so you can’t choose whether to use it or to just have it closed. Other than those issues though it was definitely my most reliable hob. I had bad luck with every other one i tried, they all just stopped working eventually for one reason or another. Sponge filters have not given me nearly as big a headache as the hob. The only problem i’ve encountered with them is having to replace an air pump if it starts being loud but thats only happened a couple times. Definitely have gone through more hob filters than air pumps over the last several years!
Great topic! Sponge filters all the way for me but they each have their merits for sure.
Thanks, Blake!
I used to be strictly sponge filters but lately I've been using the seachem tidal hob and hands down best hob because of the internal pump. That in combo with sponge filters give amazing filtration. Filter noise doesn't bother me I find it relaxing
Very straight forward and very informative. Thanks bro.
Thanks for watching!
I like hob filters. Don’t have canisters because they are too expensive. I have sponge too. The noisemaker of a hob filter is a marine land filter. Never had problems with the aquaclear brand.
I use both HOB and Sponge Filter in one of the tanks. The other one has both a Canister and a Sponge filter. The reason I use both as fluval filters are too expensive where I live due to import duties. So, I use affordable brands like Sun Sun filters which are great but they can't be compared with worlds of Fluval or Sicce. The additional sponge filter gives me more filtration and I find they are good at capturing fine particles in the tank for clear water. It's just me. Others might find this crazy.
Found your channel today and subscribed to it today 👍
Welcome to the channel!
@@CichlidBros thank you 😊
I have Two Tidal 110's on my 90 gallon, I love'em.
Which HOB filter should I use in my planted 5 ft * 2 ft * 1 ft aquarium?
HOB filters are the best in my opinion i run dem
aqua clear 70 n 110
Im not sold on sponge filter for filtration but aeration dats my take
I find that when air pumps start to buzz it usually means that the rubber diaphragm Has started to crack and dry out in letting air escape and is not as effective if it works at all at pumping air. Most companies you can buy replacement diaphragms usually two or three of them for the same cost of buying a brand new air pump It's cheaper in the long run because you don't have to waste plastic parts that get thrown away. Instead you just replacing the diaphragm.
Can I use both hang-on filter and sponge filter? Since I also needed to use air pump.
I have always used both together 😊
Same here. I usually have a HoB and a sponge filter in the same tank. When setting up a new tank, I just move the sponge filter to the new tank and add a new sponge filter to the old tank so I always have 1 ready!!
Hi, I have a 60 gallon tank and restocking it with peacocks. Will a FX2 canister filter be too much?
Very good information🤘
I bought a 29 gallon set up from Petco and it came with a aqueon quiet flow, but the extender is not long enough. Not even halfway down. Just set it up so I guess we will see how it goes with clear water.
I think sponge filters are only ok for very small tanks. They don’t move much water and don’t really do much for mechanical filtration. HOB is much better. Especially the Seachem tidal filters. I have a few different sizes and they work well.
What are your thoughts on undergravel filters? I’ve been having high nitrates even with doing water changes and I’m starting to think it has to do with that filter. I also have a Fluval 407 canister.
Great info and review👍
Thanks! 👍
Try Tetra air pumps. Quietest air pumps out there. You can't even hear them with the way the legs are designed
Like my Aqueon HOB but I think canisters filters are better for bio load
very cool video amazing reviews i like hob for display tanks
Thanks for watching!
Your welcome anytime my friend
I been running 4 emperor 400’s for 10 years. 2 on a 55 and 75 still running like new.
I’ve used aquaclears for years , I love them but yes they’ve always been kind of noisy I usually put some weight like a book or something on the lid, inconvenient yes but I can live with it but yes you are right they can get noisy
The new aqua clear filters are the best filter on the market, try them
My tidal 75 seems ok but thinking about going cannister for my 75 gallon with goober the oscar
Two Tidal 110 on all my 75 tanks. Perfect 👌
@@Swails-e9x so I'm under filtered you think even with only one Oscar?
Never buy the hob exactly rated for your tank. Go for the next size up.
Sponge filter are the most customisable filter out there, even more customisable than the canisters. I've been keeping sponge filters in every tank I have for last 6 years and my tanks never had any cloudy water or green water issues ever . Sponge media not only act as a mechanical filter but also biological filter too and to make it even more effective I put bio media on top of the sponge , not only that breaks down the big bubbles but also acts as foothold for plants. I've peace lily and monstera growing out of bio media. Thus 3 actions with one sponge . And it doesn't even look ugly . Only and only one problem is the vibrating sound , can't help with .
I know you love Sicce, and you persuaded me to purchase all different types. I've honestly never had such a horrible set of filters, pumps, and equiptment. even the zero went out on me. i had zero customer service and even spoke with jason? believe thats his name, and he even gave me a run around. Unfortunately, they will never receive my business again. I'll stick with Fluvals and seachems. Still love your videos and am glad all that equipment worked for you
When setting up any air pump with tubing into your tank 1E want to either make sure that the air pump is above the top of the water line Or you have a reverse flow check valve In Youtubing so that if the power goes out and your air pump shuts off You don't start a siphon flooding your house ruining your air pump draining your tank of water. You don't have to worry about that with hang on the back filter. Though you do have to make sure that You're safe and pump Into the hobby is secure and your impeller is clear Of debris Which will slow and impede your flow and suction and return into your tank
Another con to sponge filters is the lack of chemical filtration capability that you get with HOBs.
I avoid HOB's, their greatest draw back is that most of them can't handle a black out!
They should really ALL have the pump on the intake tube, not inside the filter!
That way, a short black out isn't an issue.
I agree on those aquaclear filters. I think their motors and lids are too loud vs other HOBs.
I want to come up with a sponge filter that looks like a rock so that you can’t really see it, I don’t have the resources to do it yet so no one steal my idea!
👍👍👍🇷🇺
Hate sponge filters, they look like crap in the tank take up space. Etc
Never ever Clean Filter media In City Slash Town, because It is chlorinated and will kill off any beneficial bacteria in your filter material which you do not want to do. Instead you wanna take some tank water and put it into a bucket either through a siphon or a cup or some sort of transfer material, and rinse your filter material in that if you're not outright replacing it such as filter floss. Above all never use soaps or detergents to clean filter materials such as sponges or ceramics Or even the filter box itself. The best thing you can do is you can use water and baking soda to clean out canisters or the filter boxes and the tubing , or a weak solution Of water and vinegar To clean up filter material.
I wasn’t recommending tap water or cleaning products. I typically use tank water as mentioned in the video
Touchy subject… considering anything you plug into the wall. Cost money. Depending in the fish or coral or shrimp etc … different filters do different things. I honestly started to unplug everything. And noticed the health of my tanks are way better. Honestly different strokes for different folks. I can tell you one thing. Any filter you have to plug in. Is a gimmick. Because a fish tank is just a puddle. They sell you the tank like this lol 😂 by the time your done you have like 4-6 outlets sucking energy. At this point i am 1 outlet keeper. Light !!! All you need is light !!! Light is life simple ❤
I avoid HOB's, their greatest draw back is that most of them can't handle a black out!
They should really ALL have the pump on the intake tube, not inside the filter!
That way, a short black out isn't an issue.
Yep, that’s why I always go with the Seachem Tidal. Pump is inside tank