External filter vs hang on filter

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Mr Pleco said:
HOB filters are junk for the most part unless your tank is less than 50 gals then they are adequate? Very noisy, poorly made!

They are designed to sell filter cartridges just like inkjet printers are designed sell ink . If you have small tanks and small fish its an option . Large fish , large tanks its like trying to plug a dam with your fingers? IMO


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I guess you never used an AquaClear hob. Best filter ever made. Most of mine are at least 15 years old with a couple over 35. Run them with two sponges only. Never replaced the sponges. Two AC110s can easily filter a 100 gallon tank.
 
Mr Pleco said:
HOB filters are junk for the most part unless your tank is less than 50 gals then they are adequate? Very noisy, poorly made!

They are designed to sell filter cartridges just like inkjet printers are designed sell ink . If you have small tanks and small fish its an option . Large fish , large tanks its like trying to plug a dam with your fingers? IMO


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I disagree. I use custom media, and have found them well made. :)
 
joe jaskot said:
I guess you never used an AquaClear hob. Best filter ever made. Most of mine are at least 15 years old with a couple over 35. Run them with two sponges only. Never replaced the sponges. Two AC110s can easily filter a 100 gallon tank.
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+1...I'd take 2 AC110 hobs over a canister any day.
 
joe jaskot said:
I guess you never used an AquaClear hob. Best filter ever made. Most of mine are at least 15 years old with a couple over 35. Run them with two sponges only. Never replaced the sponges. Two AC110s can easily filter a 100 gallon tank.
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I can guess we can agree to disagree😄.. Aquaclears impellers become noisy over time , cheap plastic in the newer models , sponges plug up too fast under a high bio load .


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Mr Pleco said:
HOB filters are junk for the most part unless your tank is less than 50 gals then they are adequate? Very noisy, poorly made!

They are designed to sell filter cartridges just like inkjet printers are designed sell ink . If you have small tanks and small fish its an option . Large fish , large tanks its like trying to plug a dam with your fingers? IMO


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I always use regular media in my HOB's that come with cartridges, and it seems to work just fine. IMO, there are plenty of well made, quiet HOB's on the market.
 
I purchased a few used Aquaclear 500(old ac110) at a garage sale recently. They are still unused and in the box. I think the older ones were a little more high quality. I'm running them side by side 110vs500 on separate tanks as secondary filtration.
 
1eyedbicher said:
Why not keep the h.o.b. going as well for the reasons stated above? I run two canisters so I can alternate maintenance.
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+1
Multiple units are a great safeguard for maintenance and malfunction. Should 1 unit fail, there's a backup. Plus, extra filtration tyically translates into cleaner water => healthier fish
 
Use canister as BIO-ONLY (with Prefilter on Intake) and use HOB as Mechanical. Best of both worlds, alternate cleaning schedules. Mechanical HOB -(clean once every 2 weeks or once a month), Bio Canister- once every 3 months (clean prefilter weekly at water change and replace on intake).
 
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