I like cartridge based filters. The whole point of a HOB filter for me is something that moves alot of oxygenated water, is very easy to clean, and filters out particulate matter. An Ac110 is better for bio media, but it's just about as much hassle as cleaning my fluval or sunsun canisters.
I liked the aqueon quietflow 75s for years. The blue bio holster held squares of poly pads just fine.
inecpensive unit and 400gph to boot
recently i went back to using whisper 60s for my mechanical filtering. I like the sponge inserts. The factory cartridges are super cheap but Its easy to wrap poly padding (quit store stuff) around the black inserts and make filter pads for pennies. They are quiet and parts are cheap. Did I mention the whole filter is cheap?
If you spend money for store bought filter cartridges for your HOB filters, then thats your problem
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