a filter that keeps everyone happy
- Thread starter GBaker1130
- Start date
Just about all HOBs other than AC and Tidal are cartridge style HOBs. The flow passes through the cartridge horizontally and you replace it by sliding in and out of the slot when it is clogged, which is signaled by overflowing into a spillway around the inlet pipe. They want you to buy their expensive cartridges, but most people make their own to safe money. I use Marineland Penguin, which sells media container box which I fill in with polyester batting.
I think Tidal has an escape channel when the foam is clogged, so it is an improvement over AC. The placement of the motor inside the tank also eliminates the fear of leak, but is it easy to clean.
Yeah, it's super easy to clean easier than the aquaclear, the media basket is also fully enclosed unlike the AC, so you just pull the basket out without the media going everywhere, ontop of that it has a surface skimmer and you can adjust the flow from 20% all the way up to 100%. If the tidal lasts as long as the aquaclear, I think the tidal would be considered by many to be better than the AC
I can assure you the motor will last forever. The magnetic drive motor is a miracle that can last forever, and I have yet burnt out one in all my HOBs or power heads of different brands. The part that will wear out is the impeller.
It's good that Tidal has adjustable flow rate and a skimmer. A slower flow rate can actually perform better in mechanical and biological filtration, and the skimmer can improve gas exchange at the air water interface. Most people focus only on the flow rate, the higher the better, not realizing that over powering flow rate relative to the media capacity can decrease filtration efficiency. But most importantly, Tidal doesn't seem to have any design deficiencies that can lead to spill and leak.
It's good that Tidal has adjustable flow rate and a skimmer. A slower flow rate can actually perform better in mechanical and biological filtration, and the skimmer can improve gas exchange at the air water interface. Most people focus only on the flow rate, the higher the better, not realizing that over powering flow rate relative to the media capacity can decrease filtration efficiency. But most importantly, Tidal doesn't seem to have any design deficiencies that can lead to spill and leak.
I thought about going with some Tidal 110s for my new setup, but I decided against because they are 8" front to back. I don't want my aquarium that far from the wall where I'm setting it up. The aquarium itself is already 24". With Fluval canisters, I can get it under 2".
I would definitely try them if they worked with the space though. Maybe on my next setup.
I would definitely try them if they worked with the space though. Maybe on my next setup.
Well my tidal is on my axolotl tank so I have it at the lowest setting, but 1 day before a water change I turn it up to suck up more of the waste so I can get more of the waste out
8 inch wide box does not mean all 8 inch sticks out from the back as a good portion is in the front. Cartridge style has thinner box design than AC style because the flow is horizontal utilizing the larger vertical cross section. My Penguin 350 sticks out 3 inch from the back. If your tank is rimless, you can fit thinner boxes from Marina Slim or other Asian designs that are popular for planted tanks. Bear in mind that they are low capacity filters you need to line up multiple of them to equal one normal size AC or Penguin.
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I just find the cartridge style to be severely lacking in media capacity. If nothing else higher turnover causes MORE passes through the filter an hour allowing MORE exposure to bio media while more times through the mechanical should catch more.. cartridges are less than 2 inches thick. My ac70 has about 4 inches of sponge plus floss and bio so based off media capacity alone the penguin cannot touch its ability.
I agree. I've modded my three fitlers that had disposable cartridges. I have bio material instead carbon, sponge and I use a course material for polishing that's cheaper to buy bulk.
