Is it worth it to get a Seachem Tidal power filter?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Don’t forget that the op asked for opinion between AC and Tidal.

The OP already made their decision. lol

k, so I got a Tidal 35 for my 20 gallon and love it. I'm going to save up to buy a Tidal 75 now for my 55 gallon tank


It's not really that hard to only service the AC every few months, and not touch the impellers. Keep the bio-load (fish and plants) moderate to low.

Bingo!

My tanks look empty compared to yours, Tiger, hence why I can get away with the maintenance that I do. I also use probiotics to assist in keeping the sludge broken down. I haven't cleaned an impeller in years.....
 
Another thread on the same subject: O-rings are mentioned in that one as well, with similar results. lol


More o-ring conversion from Tiger, myself, and others here:


Where ironically, Tiger, you stated: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/canister-vs-hob.686031/#post-7730883

"Penguins are reliable restarter and the impellers only need to be cleaned every few months. Not sure about AC as I never like the design and don't own many long enough."

Unlike yourself, I have ran AC's long enough to give a pretty fair assessment of them. I have also been using them long enough to understand their limitations. If I had a tank packed full of fish, and plants, I would use a sump. Not a HOB of any make or model.
 
The newer models are different.

 
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What a cluster over a filter. If you want to try it go ahead. I bet it's a pretty good filter. Personally I'd prefer an aquaclear. They're very dependable, you can see when they're dirty, & extremely easy to keep clean. Making maintenance easy is what it's all about. Flow is really good and tweakable. These sit right beside my hydor power heads and silent one 5000 in the workhorse box.

I'll say this...someone is doing something stupid if they flood an ac
 
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I used Supreme Superking for 10 years before switching to magnetic drive HOBs. AC is the current champ in gph, only beaten by the former Superking, 600 gph. When the Superking filter is clogged, it would pop in the opposite direction by pressure compression the pad, allowing water to surge around,. But Superking never leaked or overflowed, only sounded like toilet flushing every few minutes when the pad was clogged. You can envision Superking as a hang on back mini sump system.
 
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Motors inside a tank quieter than a canister? If you have ever used a powerhead in the tank, it's not that quiet. There is a low hum, which I find much louder than a canister filter under the tank behind the closed doors.

It's not really that hard to only service the AC every few months, and not touch the impellers. Keep the bio-load (fish and plants) moderate to low. Once you start stocking a tank heavy, every filtration system needs more cleaning and maintenance.
Not sure what brand of powerhead you use that makes loud hum noise. I have both the AC powerhead and Koralia circulation powerhead, and they are absolutely silent. Canister is quieter only because it is hidden beneath the cabinet sound barrier. I have compared canister with HOB side by side, and canister is nosier. Placing the motor inside the tank provides some sound barrier effect, but if the impeller makes clicking noise, nothing helps.

True. The heavier your stocking, the more frequent you need to clean the filter and impeller. But the temptation not to stock one more fish is hard to resist. The biggest issue with magnetic drive pump is slippage. If the impeller is gunk up, it won't self start in power surge. So periodic cleaning of the impeller is a necessary maintenance requirement. But the more frequently you clean the impeller, the faster you can damage the O ring.
 
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