Which Hang on Filter

brians_224 · 02/16/2006, 07:47 PM

Thanks for your time.

Can you recommend a Hang-On type filter for a 10 gallon QT tank? Is one manufacturer better than another?

Andrew · 02/16/2006, 07:50 PM

Aquaclear power filters work pretty good. I use a Penguin 350 on my 20 gallon qt and ive used it on a 10 gallon tank before also.

mg426 · 02/16/2006, 07:51 PM

I like the emperor 280. have nice clam shell holders to run carbon in. they are cheap too and run forever. Just beware if using filter media to keep a close eye on it. Dont let it go more than a week without cleaning/changing or you will start to accumulate nitrates.

AZDesertRat · 02/16/2006, 07:55 PM

I like the Aqua Clears also. You can buy a couple of extra sponge inserts for $1 or so and stick them in your sump so they are primed with bacteria and ready to go at a moments notice. Never reuse the sponge, just toss it and use another one the next time. That way you don't risk adding something bad to your main system.

Lakeside518 · 02/16/2006, 08:06 PM

I recommend the Emperor 280. When i used Emperor HOB filters I ran Ehfimech with Aquaclear 70 carbon pads!.. Worked great

Most will recommend taking the Bio-Wheels out.

BurntOutReefer · 02/16/2006, 09:07 PM

AquaClears (IMO and IME) offer a great filter....one moving part.
great warranty, great filtration.....great product

Ti · 02/16/2006, 10:16 PM

I like the emperor filters

aquawolf · 02/16/2006, 10:22 PM

My vote also goes with AquaClear and if you want to save money on them, check out the web busters section of www.bigalsonline.com . They sell the AC110, used to be called the 500 for less than $40 while PetSmart and my LFS want over $70 for them.

Good luck.

nemo g · 02/17/2006, 12:21 AM

aquawolf, pestsmart online has the filter for $40, and will honor the price in store if you print the web page

about the aqua clears. im not sure if the design has changes since i used them in the past, but they do possess a design flow.

look at where the water comes into the filter chamber, and it doesnt logically follow the way the media is stacked.

the media is placed one on top of the other. which would mean that the water should come in from the bottom to go through each layer for proper and efficient filtration.

notice how every other filter has its media standing, forcing the water to go through it not around it as in the aqua clears.

nemo g

tygger · 02/17/2006, 09:41 AM

Actually, the flow does go through the stacked media. If you look closer, you'll notice that the flow is channeled downwards by the media basket (the U) and back up from the bottom of the housing to go through the media.

When the media becomes too dirty, some water will overflow over the media basket by-passing the media.

02/16/2006, 07:47 PM	#1
brians_224 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Brookfield, WI Posts: 1,172	Which Hang on Filter Thanks for your time. Can you recommend a Hang-On type filter for a 10 gallon QT tank? Is one manufacturer better than another?

02/16/2006, 07:51 PM	#3
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I like the emperor 280. have nice clam shell holders to run carbon in. they are cheap too and run forever. Just beware if using filter media to keep a close eye on it. Dont let it go more than a week without cleaning/changing or you will start to accumulate nitrates. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

02/16/2006, 08:06 PM	#5
Lakeside518 Clownfish Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Clifton Park Posts: 1,362	I recommend the Emperor 280. When i used Emperor HOB filters I ran Ehfimech with Aquaclear 70 carbon pads!.. Worked great Most will recommend taking the Bio-Wheels out. __________________ Zim Current Tank Info: 65 gal, LED lighting, Reef octopus 2000 HOB skimmer, Eheim G160 canister,Tunze nano 6055 w/ controller

02/16/2006, 10:16 PM	#7
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	I like the emperor filters __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

02/16/2006, 10:22 PM	#8
aquawolf Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Martin, South Carolina Posts: 343	My vote also goes with AquaClear and if you want to save money on them, check out the web busters section of www.bigalsonline.com . They sell the AC110, used to be called the 500 for less than $40 while PetSmart and my LFS want over $70 for them. Good luck. __________________ Most good judgment comes from experience. Most experience comes from bad judgment. Current Tank Info: 75 Reef, CPR CY294, Home Made Refugium, Coralife Aqualight Pro 48" Dual 150 MH / 30 Gallon Sea Horse Tank / 40 Gallon FOWLR

02/16/2006, 07:50 PM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Aquaclear power filters work pretty good. I use a Penguin 350 on my 20 gallon qt and ive used it on a 10 gallon tank before also.

02/16/2006, 07:55 PM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I like the Aqua Clears also. You can buy a couple of extra sponge inserts for $1 or so and stick them in your sump so they are primed with bacteria and ready to go at a moments notice. Never reuse the sponge, just toss it and use another one the next time. That way you don't risk adding something bad to your main system.

02/16/2006, 09:07 PM	#6
BurntOutReefer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Granada Hills Posts: 4,376	AquaClears (IMO and IME) offer a great filter....one moving part. great warranty, great filtration.....great product

02/17/2006, 12:21 AM	#9
nemo g Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: west side iz da best Posts: 1,039	aquawolf, pestsmart online has the filter for $40, and will honor the price in store if you print the web page about the aqua clears. im not sure if the design has changes since i used them in the past, but they do possess a design flow. look at where the water comes into the filter chamber, and it doesnt logically follow the way the media is stacked. the media is placed one on top of the other. which would mean that the water should come in from the bottom to go through each layer for proper and efficient filtration. notice how every other filter has its media standing, forcing the water to go through it not around it as in the aqua clears. nemo g __________________ nG Current Tank Info: tis da bestest tank eva

02/17/2006, 09:41 AM	#10
tygger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 1,631	Actually, the flow does go through the stacked media. If you look closer, you'll notice that the flow is channeled downwards by the media basket (the U) and back up from the bottom of the housing to go through the media. When the media becomes too dirty, some water will overflow over the media basket by-passing the media.