HOB filter performance?

[freeskierrocket]

You grossly under estimate the effectiveness of the AC 500 (or 110's) both with 500 gph ratings. I had 2 AC 500's on a 180 for years - running probably longer than some of the posters on this site have been alive. I had an extra AC 500 to add to the tank, but it was never needed. It is the best value vs performance out there - still is at $42 and under

I think lotech was just stating the obvious....(correct me if i am wrong), A single AC 110/500 cannot filter a 150g all by it's lonely...............500 gallons per hour is not being disputed.......very good flow rate.............yeah I sometimes regret the 350$ tag on the eheim when there are $40 AC's and EMP's out there.............

 

[AtomixIGN]

I just upgraded to a smaller cannister from the world of HOBs.

The eheim 2213 I have on my 33 is obviously a wonderful biological filter, but it's not a flow monster. Infact i was kinda put off at first at how little water it seemed to move compared to what I was used to running HOBs. My 5 gallon tank has a 100 gph HOB and the 2213 seemed comparable. And sure enough it's only rated to move 116 gph. I slapped on a penguin 200b I had in the box rated to move 200 gph just to improve mechanical filtration and flow.


I love the combination. I know the cannister is polishing my water. Loads of biological filtration combined with polyester batting makes for a brutal combination. While the HOB ups the flow in the tank and looks like it catches every little piece of debris in the tank. Infact I have to say that so far I haven't seen anything stuck in the intake for eheim as of yet. The penguin on the other hand always has a piece of fish poop or an uneaten flake/pellet in it in either it's top water or midwater strainers.

 

[Fry]

the AC110/500 doesn't move 500gph, it moves 428gph, it's probably one of the reasons they changed it to 110

i wouldn't trust it with a 100 gallon tank but it has kept my overstocked (~15 goldfish, big JD, pleco) 75 crystal clear by itself and a Marineland Airmaster 3000 pump with 12" airstone to circulate the water, 50% water changes weekly

 

[freeskierrocket]

the AC110/500 doesn't move 500gph, it moves 428gph, it's probably one of the reasons they changed it to 110

i wouldn't trust it with a 100 gallon tank but it has kept my overstocked (~15 goldfish, big JD, pleco) 75 crystal clear by itself and a Marineland Airmaster 3000 pump with 12" airstone to circulate the water, 50% water changes weekly

O.K. I stank corrected fry, did you do flow test or the such?? I was wondering why they changed the name from 500 to 110!!!

 

[LoTech]

You grossly under estimate the effectiveness of the AC 500 (or 110's) both with 500 gph ratings. I had 2 AC 500's on a 180 for years - running probably longer than some of the posters on this site have been alive. I had an extra AC 500 to add to the tank, but it was never needed. It is the best value vs performance out there - still is at $42 and under

I should have mentioned that my tanks are set up for breeding, so I have high bio loads and feed a lot. I agree that a well maintained 180 could be filtered with a couple of AC500s (still quite doubtful about using just one for the 150 gallon tank mentioned earlier). And yes, about the only thing that competes with a good HOB on price/bio-performance is a sponge filter.

Not trying to argue, mostly pointing out that I think I get a lot more filtration (both bio and mechanical) from a single Eheim Pro 2028 than from an AC500.

 

[Fry]

O.K. I stank corrected fry, did you do flow test or the such?? I was wondering why they changed the name from 500 to 110!!!

i'm not trying to be anal but if you guys look at the specs (right there on the box) it says 428gph (AC500 is a misnomer) and rated for up to 110 gallon tanks (not 150), it's easy to criticize something if you overrate it's promised capabilities

 

[Ducati996]

the AC110/500 doesn't move 500gph, it moves 428gph, it's probably one of the reasons they changed it to 110

i

Im looking at my AC in a box as I write this and it clearly states 500 Gph - and its the 110....still have the manual for the 500 and it says the same thing.....both filters are rated exactly the same because they are they same.....I see some of the specs on some website are inconsistant but the printed box is the same

 

[Ducati996]

I think lotech was just stating the obvious....(correct me if i am wrong), A single AC 110/500 cannot filter a 150g all by it's lonely...............500 gallons per hour is not being disputed.......very good flow rate.............yeah I sometimes regret the 350$ tag on the eheim when there are $40 AC's and EMP's out there.............

Sure it can !! I had to take a unit from my established tank to set up emergency tanks a number of times. I ran the 180 for a period of weeks without issue -keeping in mind feeding and how much stock in the tank (standard large cichlids). Keep in mind Im not promoting one AC110/500 for 150 gallon tanks as a standard long term setup, but these little filters are worth their weight in gold, and can save the day and absolutley perform as they are rated for.

 

[Ducati996]

i'm not trying to be anal but if you guys look at the specs (right there on the box) it says 428gph (AC500 is a misnomer) and rated for up to 110 gallon tanks (not 150), it's easy to criticize something if you overrate it's promised capabilities

It clearly states on the box and all literature - as well as Hagens site that its 500 gph...

Take my word for it- otherwise start wagering money on it - no less than $100 please

I can scan the image at anytime

 

[Ducati996]

Not trying to argue, mostly pointing out that I think I get a lot more filtration (both bio and mechanical) from a single Eheim Pro 2028 than from an AC500.

Big deal how much you pay for the Eheim? I dont think anyone questioned the Eheim has better bio than the AC. But at $39 bucks for the AC what else do you want thrown in with it? Nice try