Which HOB is better?
- Thread starter Rayneuki
- Start date
Definitely Aquaclear!!! On all the tanks I've got, 3 out of 4 have an Aquaclear...only reason the other one doesn't is cuz the old ones haven't died out yet...when it comes time to replace I'm definitely getting another one!
I've got the 50 on my 20G, and the 70's on my 2 55's...(Oscar's tank has 2...I've got a Penguin biowheel like TabMorte had recommended...he's a slob and needs more...LOL!)
I've got the 50 on my 20G, and the 70's on my 2 55's...(Oscar's tank has 2...I've got a Penguin biowheel like TabMorte had recommended...he's a slob and needs more...LOL!)
Another vote for Aquaclear, I had the same question not too long ago except mine was a choice between the AC 70 and the Emperor 400, I have both, but I prefer the aquaclear, it is very easy to clean and maintain and does a great job and they now have biomax for some models, I love that stuff!
My Emperor is always getting clogged and it is not as easy to take apart and cleaning is a huge hassle. I have never heard of the Millennium 2000 though, so I don't know how good it is.
My Emperor is always getting clogged and it is not as easy to take apart and cleaning is a huge hassle. I have never heard of the Millennium 2000 though, so I don't know how good it is.
I really really REALLY <3 my biowheels. I run a 150 on my 10G ram tank and a 250 on my 30G Community tank. If you haven't bought a filter yet I seriously recommend taking a look at them. I love how much room they give you for filter media. I love how well the wheel helps aerate the water. The only thing negative I can say about them is not to use the extentions. They only created problems for me.
I use the aquaclear minis on my other small tanks but like I said definitly go a size bigger then what you think you need. I have an Aquaclear 20 on a 3G betta tank and a 30 on a 5G fry tank (with sponge over the intake which does slow it down a bit).
You can never have too much filtration! (Unless it's blowing your fish all over the tank!)
I use the aquaclear minis on my other small tanks but like I said definitly go a size bigger then what you think you need. I have an Aquaclear 20 on a 3G betta tank and a 30 on a 5G fry tank (with sponge over the intake which does slow it down a bit).
You can never have too much filtration! (Unless it's blowing your fish all over the tank!)
honestly I don't care for hob filters. to costly and having to buy cartrages every month or so gets too expensive. i had to have 2 hob filters that pumped 350gal per hr on my 55 just to keep it clear.All the time i used the hob filters my nitrate wouldn't go below 40ppm even with regular weekly cleaning and water changes. now all i use is a powerhead and sponge that is rated for a 80gal tank and the clarity of the water is great and the nitrate is 20ppm or less. i'll never go back to a hob filter again. i use sponges in all my tanks and they all look great. the quality of the water is the best it has ever been. and they are a lot cheaper than what i was using. the hob's i was using were the marineland penguin with bio wheels and they did a good job but just didn't help the water quality.
Truthfully all you really need media wise is something like a sponge, filter floss, etc. Just something to catch debris. Carbon really is useless unless removing medication out of the water, or to give it a slight polished clear look. Other then that nothing is needed. I only run a sponge in mine.
As for them being to expensive, just rinse them out more regularly, its what i do. No problems so far. Biowheels might be, but something like the Aquaclear is really cheap on a monthly basis.
Its even better for your tank to rinse the cartridges or sponges more frequently. Do it once a week. If you let it build up then when you do it, its going to play havoc with your params because you did it all at once. A little over the course of the month is better.
Whiskers i have to believe something is sketchy here. I've owned sponge filters too, and they got just as dirty, if not dirtier then my HOB filters. I never noticed any difference between the HOB and Sponge filter, truthfully the HOB was more efficient because it was pushing/sucking more water. The sponge filters collected far more wastes though being directly in the tank. I can't agree with you on them being better personally.
Sponge filters are great for fry tanks, or when paired with an HOB...but i personally wouldn't run them alone.
As for them being to expensive, just rinse them out more regularly, its what i do. No problems so far. Biowheels might be, but something like the Aquaclear is really cheap on a monthly basis.
Its even better for your tank to rinse the cartridges or sponges more frequently. Do it once a week. If you let it build up then when you do it, its going to play havoc with your params because you did it all at once. A little over the course of the month is better.
Whiskers i have to believe something is sketchy here. I've owned sponge filters too, and they got just as dirty, if not dirtier then my HOB filters. I never noticed any difference between the HOB and Sponge filter, truthfully the HOB was more efficient because it was pushing/sucking more water. The sponge filters collected far more wastes though being directly in the tank. I can't agree with you on them being better personally.
Sponge filters are great for fry tanks, or when paired with an HOB...but i personally wouldn't run them alone.
did you run a powerhead with your sponges Matt ? i have a couple that i run with air like for my 10gal, 20gal and one the same size in my 55 just to keep a extra one seasoned in case i start a new tank or as a replacement when one of my other ones get to old and worn out. the powerheads seem to move as much or more water than my hob's did. how do i attribute my better water quality to the sponges if the hob's work so well for everyone else ? i'm kinda confused. i know that my water, even with a softener, is still like 40ppm nitrate from the tap which i know isn't the greatest but the sponges seem to knock it down to 20 or less where as the hob's didn't. I don't want to tie up this thread with my confusion so maybe some time catch you in chat and discuss this a little further ok.