Xpertmatic Upgraded Internal Filter * An Honest Product Review Video *
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- Two years ago I reviewed the original XpertMatic internal filter. It's turned out to be a reliable workhorse but there were several areas where I felt it could be better. I mentioned those to XpertMatic and it looks like they listened and made some very nice upgrades.
Here's my "Honest Product Review" of the upgraded 35W XpertMatic AF2000 Internal Filter. Is this filter a Sicce killer? Are you using this filter or the original 25W XpertMatic? Share your thoughts and tips in the comment section. We all learn from each other at this channel. Remember to always be learning and don't ever forget that you reading this right now - YOU ROCK!
Check out the Upgraded XpertMatic here: amzn.to/3DT9bLG
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That’s a pretty great upgrade they did. My thoughts would be to take a deemed tool and add some small slits into the outside of the middle piece. This way it would draw water from the bottom and higher up in the aquarium as well.
I’ve considered doing that
After running this filter off and on for about a month now I agree the venturi creates way too many micro bubbles, I won't use it. I have been using this just to polish the water. Stick some filter floss in the last two compartments and let it run for a few days. It helped my 180 get crystal clear, which has also cut down on how often I have to change the filter floss in my sump. Overall it isn't bad for the price point, I'm pretty happy with it. I personally wouldn't use it as my only means of filtration just due to how often those sponges clog up, but it is easy enough to do maintenance on.
The new one looks much better and probably has a better function only drawing water in through the bottom cartridge.
I would have liked to see the bottom holder have the slots all around it like the old ones, in addition to the bottom intake, both to distribute the intake suction power, so weak fish and fry doesn't get stuck and also distribute the area where most of the ditritus get sucked in, prolonging the needed service intervalls of the filter.
An easy fix with a Dremel or drilling machine, but I'd like to be able to actually buy a new filter and just use it, for once!
Thank you ben, I really enjoy new product reviews of yours and other channels also, as a means of learning what's out there. There are more new products in the last 6 or 8 years it seems, than in the previous 20. Again thank you.
You’re welcome and you’re right, every day I get emails about the latest and greatest product.
Im getting more drawn to these and the HOB ( Seachem Tidal ) filters instead of the canisters.....I find with the canisters they tend to encourage my laziness by being out of sight out of mind mentality...
I have used the Tidal and let me be the first to tell you, it's AMAZING. I was shocked at how awesome the Tidal 110 (whatever the top of the line one is called) performed. It really takes HOB filters to the next level.
That’s a good thing, no need to be cleaning cannister constantly
I always use a piece of acrylic to zip tie my internal filters and heaters too then hang them over the rim of the tank. No more suction cups and movement. 😉👍
Hi Ben. I got the same thing a generic one from China. You are right about the bottom canister getting clogged very quickly. Mine came with a coarse sponge for the lowest canister and medium for the other two. However, this way it polishes the water much better than with the openings on each canister.
Also I don't have to clean the top canister at every cleaning as it stays relatively clean and retains the beneficial bacteria.
Very cool. I use a aqua clear power head with Quick Filter attachment in my Walstad tank . Would love to use a quiet power head/filter combo like this in my other tanks
Looks good. I kinda like the way the holes are only on the bottom. its like a mini canister filter. What they should do is have a fine, medium and course sponges. Have all 3 the same May clog the bottom sponge. I am curious to see how it looks in 30 days.
JAJALE makes a 35w, 660GPH internal filter that has black canisters, but the top power head is blue. I have several of both the JAJALE and the Xpermatics. The top canister shape is identical, therefore interchangeable.
Hi Poeseewi! I saw that unit but that blue stood out too much for my black BG
👍😎 I do think it looks way better. I’m with you on the bottom being the only place to pull in water, but then again, canisters work that way. Suction cups over magnet’s? I don’t think so, magnet’s don’t wear out. Lazarus looking really good, ya done good Ben.
Been using the 35 watt model for about 6 months now, and I can tell you from personal experience that:
1) The Venturi will turn any tank into a snow globe, 2) every sponge gets gunked up, and 3) that flap will no longer stay put after a while.
Also one point to note is that the Sicce Shark Pro 900 can only go up to around 250 GPH, though it only uses around 10 watts. The only filter Sicce has that equals the Xpertmatic 35 watt is the SeaChem Tidal 110, which filters 530 GPH while using only 7 watts of power.
Great info. I wonder if algae or slim gets that flap to slip? I’m not gonna use the Venturi. Too many micro bubbles. Thanks!
@@BenOchart Could you not just silicone the flap into the position you want it at if needed?
@@lifewithnikka7440 yes or drill a small pin in place
Thank you Ben...I'm seeing this video at just the right time as in doing a review for a @Hygger product and this will help me in my approach to my video...Thanks brother✌️
Fill that thing with pinky floss has your tank looking like Fiji water
Hey Ben. You were the one that got me hooked on that filter. Now it may be just me . But I find that fish waste and other debris always find the low spots in the substrate. So with even the old model of it still draws some flow from the bottom. So my trick I do is put it in the corner like you do and I dig a little creator underneath it and when the waste finds that spot the filter seems to pick it right up. Just a thought. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks ..
What's up Chris...I didn't know it was pushing over 500gph! How has it been running for you?
I have the older model . But for a secondary filter it works pretty good .
To be honest GP .. I think for a few dollars more a hob does a better job I have aquaclear 70s and the title 110 . The 110 is a little expensive but will do alot. The tidal 35 will do 450 gph and is only 10 dollars more than the xpertmatic and is far easier to maintain.. just my opinion. Have a good 1 GP !!
My bad GP I trad it wrong. The 35 only does 130 gph they worded it wrong in my opinion lol . The 110 will do 450 gph .and the water has way more spong area to flow over .just saying
That’s a good tip, especially with a sand substrate. Thanks.
They were probably going for a "clear" casing to begin with, not actually white. But the real clear does make a difference! And everyone doesn't have blacked out tanks. (That being said, I do!! LOL!!!) But Yes, that looks like it would stand out. And ALL suction cups are crap. I have 3 of the first Sharks and all of the suction cups have failed. 😞But they still work perfectly; I've just had to rig them up. I do plan to buy the magnetic ones when these give out. Thanks for the review!
Hi Ben, I think that they should try to reduce de electric consumption of the head motor like Sicce has, as you know, when we add everything thing that we have in the tank, the bill goes rocket hi at the end of the month, so I always search for products with good quality being efficient and economic 😉
35W is a big draw. Sicce internal filters are very efficient but a much reduced GPH. Shark Pro 900 uses only 10 watts for around twice the price and half the GPH.
Ben after your review I purchased one I put it in in one of my tanks as it comes. So time will tell how well it works I replaced a wave maker for this. I may need some tweaks later on but time will tell.
Mines running strong and the directional flap is staying in place.
@@BenOchart well I have an update on my recent purchase of this filter for you Ben. So little did I realize my tank I stuck it in I notice today that I have fry that I didn't know about. Until I saw one of my fish franticly biting at it. And low and behold I have about 10 fry sucked up into the filter sponges. So I guess I would be careful if you plan on having babies in a tank with this filter. Other than that this performs really well.
These little filters are actually very good for small tank setups at 30g or less.
Not this one GP. It pumps over 500gph and would blow the water and the fish on to the floor. It’s recommended for a 180 gallon😲
@@BenOchart Wait what??? That little thing is pushing 500gph??? Damn...for $30? Ben, I think you need to send me one for "testing" lol
Thanks for the review. If I wanted to go with a non-sponge media in one of the compartments I would consider it. However, unless I missed something it seems that my sponge filter with a Marineland Penguin powerhead on top is a better value. The sponge sits on a weighted bottom so there are no suction cups to worry about. It does a good job in my 20 long. Also, a nice side effect with a powerhead is that it warms the water a bit which is helpful with an unheated tank.
The only thing to make it even more efficient take out cover on the bottom
Can you (or have you considered) putting polyfill in the top part? I do that with my Sharks.
I wonder if you could hot glue a Undergravel filter plate onto the bottom of the upgraded filter to try and keep it from sucking in sand when the suction cups inevitably fail. Use one with legs under it and cut as needed.
Love how you give the company some well thought out advice. The filter now does now look cool though. But having the only opening at the bottom does look a bit worrying. Hope the suckers stay in place. I do love venturies but the only really benefit is surface movement not the bubbles themselves.
I was also wondering about the bottom opening. If all of the sponges are fine would the first sponges get clogged before it would use the last sponge?
One person who has been using the filter for a few months commented that all three sponges get waste in them.
The flap seems to be staying in place allowing me to direct the flow upward. That will provide all the surface break up I need without all the micro bubbles of the Venturi.
@Ben Ochart That's good. I do like the look of them but I just bought a Shark Pro. Maybe I just need to buy another tank so I can try one. 😆
Hey when r u uploading a review on this filter
I also have the old one and wants to get the new one but waiting for yur review before getting.
My follow up on the Xpertmatic is included in this recent video: ruclips.net/video/HR_4z2ykq08/видео.html
Hey Ben, have you tried the new 3rd and bigger version? It’s a 45 watt version. Looks great. I just ordered it
filter media looks a lot better than the old one
So you can remove the sponge in the bottom or the middle altogether and fill the whole chamber up with say chemi pure or something like that right ?
Yes. Like an interval easy access canister filter 😀👍🏻
Did you decide if the slotted one works better ? I I want to get one air feature is just to much for my 100 gallon tanks😊
I like the look and design of the new model but for overall filtering effectiveness I think the older design does a better job, taking in detritus from all 3 sections.
Finally the right internal filter
It’s copy from those cheap super effective Chinese filters
Why those fancy company (Oase, Fluval, Sicce, and all others, all of them)produce filters that have multiple compartments with multiple openings???? It’s great intention but it DOES NOT work. Only upper compartment sucks in something.
It must be open only on the bottom and now floss can be installed in each of them. Now you got perfect polisher
Yes, big no if it falls and start to suck the sand. Just observe and correct.
Bravo Chinese. They copy even 3 sucking caps idea😅from Chinese filters
Mine dropped and sucked in sand so strongly that it compressed the bottom sponge. A quick rinse and it was back to working perfectly.
hoping for a red wave tonight....maybe i can start buying some more fish
I don't see it available on the Canadian Amazon yet
Great review presentation! Can you adjust the flow rate on this filter, and if so, what is the minimum you estimate it will run at?
No. I wish because it is very strong, perhaps too strong for anything smaller than a 55 gallon.
@@BenOchart That's disappointing. I was actually really interested in this for my 29 gal grow out tanks. The price is amazing, and I'm needing to get away from the basic sponge filters. I have rheumatoid arthritis so something so simple as snapping the lift tube off to clean them is really becoming an issue. Not to mention, I just hate them honestly.
I think many would pay a bit extra for flow rate control if it didn't cause sound issues....would truly make it versatile. That, or offer smaller motor options.
I recently bought one for 35W and it stopped working almost immediately...kindly help
If you contact Hygger they will replace. The have pretty good customer service. Tell them I sent you😉😀👍🏻
Hey Ben good afternoon, love the videos. How can I get you to Knoxville to come speak at our aquarium club ETAA. Hmu
Send info to ben.o.cichlid@gmail.com 😀👍🏻
Yo Ben u sound like u may be a little stuffed up, u coming down with something ?
I’m still recovering from too many late nights in Philly
How can you reduce flow? I just got a couple and it just blew my fish and plants to the far side of my tank
It’s a powerful unit. I point it toward the back wall.
@@BenOchartyea these were totally worthless, bought two on your recommendation, I will stick with sicce. No flow control, I wouldn’t use them in anything smaller than a 150g, spent a week trying to make just one work in my 75g, and even pointed at the back it just uprooted plants and basically destroyed my tank
At 35 watts, it’s not energy efficient
See id keep a course sponge on the bottom and filter floss in the top two
That could work. Or even coarse, medium then fine from bottom to top. My only concern with using a floss is rapid clogging.
@@BenOchart I just ordered this and plan to experiment with the media and hopefully find the best solution to clogging appreciate the content !
I might actually give this a try in my 55 gallons . 🤔 I have always loved using my Fluval/Aqua Clear110 HOB filters along with a sponge filter in every tank. I'm always up for trying new things especially when they work! Thanks for the honest review and glad to see the move to TN went well! 🧡🤍 #GoVols
Check out Dr Novak for some good tips on low maintenance