Comparison of Hagen's 2 HOB series...

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

Myarbro

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 31, 2010
245
0
0
Memphis TN
So I know that the AC series HOB’s are held in very high regard. What I have heard very little about however, are Hagen’s other line of HOB’s. The newer Fluval C series.

Now, I know that the C series does not have a version to match the AC 110. The C series offers counterparts to the AC 30, 50, & 70. However, I am looking to replace some old AQ HOB’s that are on smaller tanks. So what I am looking at is either an AC 70 or C4, and either an AC 20 or C2.

Has anyone dealt with both of these that can give me a good comparison?

The AC I know is very customizable with what you choose to put into it. The C series however, is a little less so. Sure, you could choose to remove the Carbon bag from it’s compartment and fill it with more Bio media, but it’s not as open as the AC series.

Also, the C series has a little less GPH than the AC’s, but I assume this is because of the little fountain that distributes some of the flow over a trickle pad for a smaller wet/dry effect.

Any thoughts on either would be appreciated.
 
Aquaclears would be my choice the other seems like a gimmick to release something that was not broken
 
No one else?
 
IMO, the C series just have unnesssary parts by looking at the pictures. I'd stick the the orginal AC. They are simple to maintain and work well.
 
I recently replaced an AC30 with a C4 on a 26gal for more flow and am pretty happy. With the AC30 I had to turn down the flowrate as it pushed around the inhabitants and bubbled too much for my taste. The different output spout on the C4 cascades the water over the surface which enables it to be kept running at full speed. I've no idea on the oxygenation difference.

As for media replacement I'm slightly less generous. As you suggest the location of the carbon bag's easy to replace with other media and the bio's easy to get to. I haven't messed around with the Mechanical yet but it looks like it may be a pain to replace without buying a Fluval cartridge.
 
The AC don't need special fluval cartridges, just take out the sponge and rinse it out and replace. That what made the AC filters so great.
 
C series is just a gimmeck for those who love spending $.

Get the AC series. Sure it doesn't look that hip and cool like the C series, but it gets the job done at the end of the day. GPH is the most important in filtration. You want a filter to filter the water, not just look pretty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom