Great review. Your fish and aquariums are in top condition and I probably speak for a lot of people when I say “How do you do it?” More reviews would be great!
Very kind of you to say that Pete. I just do my best and I'm basically at my limit with the number of tanks I have right now. I can't see my expanding anymore, at least until my kids are old enough to do the maintenance for me lol
I have 2 of these on my 125. The sit on the rim exactly like yours and have no issues. The throw of the outlets is no where near the edge so it isn't really an issue. For the price it can't be beat honestly.
Great review Matt! I'm fairly certain that it would fit in the rim of a 55. They usually have thinner tank frame rims. I might try one for the hell of it
I have one of these on my 75-gallon tank, and I love it . Mine sits like urs did on my rim as well, and there is no issue. I do believe that the flow of one side filling up more than the other is supposed to be circulating the water as it pours out of the filter. I've had mine for a little over a year now, and i love it. It keeps the water crystal clear
I've had the issue of an h.o.b. filter not seating properly on the plastic rim before also. I simply cut a notch out of the "lip" portion and it dropped right in. YMMV. Great review
I do the same. Once i choose the perfect spot for my filter i just notch out the plastic with a multitool real quick. Slips right on and never moves. I did the same for fans.
on my 125 gallon tanks... I use 2 Aqua clear 110s... and 1 Aqueon 75 (all 3 with coarse foam prefilters) in the middle for water polishing! Those 3 filters keep the tanks crystal clear... the pre-sponges help tremendously with the biofilter as well. I buy oversized coarse sponges (not too big.. but big enough to not have to do maintenance on the filter as often as I would on a fine pre-filter). I use Aueon 40's + pre-filter...on everything else. (I know people will say Cartridges are bad... I don't go through many - I keep mine clean weekly and I add media in the HoB portion as well)
Thank you for the review Matt. Great video as always. I think that I will pass on this filter. I didn't like the water flow or the lack of room for the media. I also didn't like the fact that the filter is so narrow as well. I think I will stick with the Aquaclear 110 as I use those filters the most in my fish room. I agree with you 100 percent that hang over the back filters are the best and I use the Aquaclear 110 exclusively because I find them to be the best. I do have some canisters on my Asian Arowana tanks but I think that I will be moving away from those in the future. Thank you for sharing this video. Cheers bud.
Do you run your aquaclears with only sponges? I have a 75g with a green terror and some poopy plecos and it’s got the aquaclear 110 and then recently I added a fluval 407 canister. I’ve been trying to decide whether I should just go full sponge or maybe sponge layer then all biological media or just keeping it how it is. Also great review I’ve seen these filters around and I’ve been wondering if they’re any good. Good to hear the opinion of someone who definitely knows what they’re doing
Thank you Tim. On all my bottom tanks I only run sponges. Top show tanks I run hang on backs, mostly AC110s, with sponges also. Seems to work good for what I keep
I am using this 110 gallon model on a 30 gallon tank with 10 goldfish. Initially it seemed to filter better than the 60gallon HOB i had on before. However after running it a couple weeks ive noticed the water just get cloudier. The white sponge filters arent even dirty. I performed a 50% water change and even with that it wont clear up the water. Ive added water clarifiers that are supposed to bind proteins and trash and still wont do anything. Ive tried adding "diy filter floss" at the space where the water drops and although it does filter well, it makes the water overlow within 10minutes.
@@thecichliddojo4245 well it only overflowed if I add filter floss padding on the waterfalls. If I don't add it it won't overflow but the water remains cloudy and the sponges remain relatively clean
@@thecichliddojo4245 if you do it run a vacuum cleaner right next to dremel to suck up all the plastic dust. The first time i didn’t and made a huge mess in the water🤦♂️🤣
I have the topfin 50 only 2 things keep the water as close to the outlet as possible otherwise it will be loud and don't use the skimmer it makes a loud squishing sound
@@thecichliddojo4245 you’re welcome! Best thing is to put a filter floss pad, then a Aqua clear 50 sponge on both drop offs, and the sponges fit perfectly
It doesn't fit on my thank either l tried to make it work by putting spacers underneath but it just got louder l can't keep will return it to the store by the way fluval filters are very quiet l don't why this one is so loud
I just bought the TFP35 For my 20gallon. Its loud. Super bulky. Im not sure about why but skimmer doesnt work and it only fills enough to cover half the biomedia.. I may go back to aquaclear. Any update? Tips?
You are trying to put a top fin filter on an aqueon tank here. I recognize the curved lip near the center brace. I have a topfin 55g. They are kinda shooting themselves in the foot here. Top Fin seems to be petsmarts specific brand.
That's great it fit on your tank, seems like that wasn't taken into consideration when designing it. Yea is hard for me to tell how loud since it's in my fishroom that had other noise
@The Cichlid Dojo they definitely didn't consider the fit. I didn't think I would like the filter but after running it for about seven months I don't mind it. It's also good for aeration and very easy to clean. Like you I had the issue with water on the lid.
@@thecichliddojo4245 this is the tank I have it on. It's hard to tell how well it works because I have an aquaclear and a canister also running the tank. czcams.com/video/LxNk-z0sgoc/video.html
@The Cichlid Dojo yes many of them. The video in my previous comment is of a tank with a ac110, cfs700, and the filter your reviewing. I have a lot of sponge filtering this aquarium because it's a 120 gallon with 45 peacock cichlids in it.
I bet that thing is loud. Lots of parts to rattle around. You can't beat an aquaclear 110. I've got 2 on my 125 gallon along with a marineland c360 canister filter. They are 10 years old and going strong.
I originally saw this at PetSmart and picked up the 50 thinking it would be awesome to be able to easily customize. I hate it. The sections in the basket designed for media are too small, and if you fill them with media it bypasses. The sponge is also way to coarse and my tank always had junk floating around, and if you try any other filter media, it bypasses. Just not a fan. I switched to aquaclear and am much happier with them.
I definitely agree that there's probably alot of variations in the models. I love the aquaclear 110, my favorite filter. However I hate the aquaclear 70 and it overflows very fast. The model size makes the difference
@@thecichliddojo4245 interesting, I have both the AC 110 and the AC 70, and I have had no trouble with the 70 overflowing, and that's with a ton of Matrix in it, a fine filter pad, and the original sponge. The 110 is great as well. I will never spend money on any other filter again.
These filters are fair. I prefer it over a tidal because it has about three times the sponge a tidal comes with plus room for biomedia. Neither are as good as the aquaclear.
Don’t buy this piece of garbage, it wouldn’t be too bad if it wasn’t so loud. You can hear air going through it like there’s no tomorrow. I haven’t been this disappointed in a product in a long time. It’s louder with the cover on it than off it. The motor is loud and it has a hollow sound that comes from the holes in the box.
This actually looks like a pretty sweet filter for the money, thanks for the review 👍
You're welcome
Great review. Your fish and aquariums are in top condition and I probably speak for a lot of people when I say “How do you do it?” More reviews would be great!
Very kind of you to say that Pete. I just do my best and I'm basically at my limit with the number of tanks I have right now. I can't see my expanding anymore, at least until my kids are old enough to do the maintenance for me lol
Great review Matt you should do more of these bud 👍
Thanks bud. Yea for the price I wouldn't be opposed to adding a few more. Let's see how they do long term.
Thanks for the review. I think I’m going to try one of these out
I have 2 of these on my 125. The sit on the rim exactly like yours and have no issues. The throw of the outlets is no where near the edge so it isn't really an issue. For the price it can't be beat honestly.
Great review Matt! I'm fairly certain that it would fit in the rim of a 55. They usually have thinner tank frame rims. I might try one for the hell of it
Yea I'd love to hear how it fits and if you like the filter
I have one of these on my 75-gallon tank, and I love it . Mine sits like urs did on my rim as well, and there is no issue. I do believe that the flow of one side filling up more than the other is supposed to be circulating the water as it pours out of the filter. I've had mine for a little over a year now, and i love it. It keeps the water crystal clear
I've had the issue of an h.o.b. filter not seating properly on the plastic rim before also. I simply cut a notch out of the "lip" portion and it dropped right in. YMMV.
Great review
Great idea. Yea I'll see how I like this filter long term. If it does as good as a job as my AC110s I may have to do this
I do the same. Once i choose the perfect spot for my filter i just notch out the plastic with a multitool real quick. Slips right on and never moves. I did the same for fans.
I agree with your sentiment on the Tidal vs the Aquaclear
😅🎉😢❤😅 1 .😅
on my 125 gallon tanks... I use 2 Aqua clear 110s... and 1 Aqueon 75 (all 3 with coarse foam prefilters) in the middle for water polishing! Those 3 filters keep the tanks crystal clear... the pre-sponges help tremendously with the biofilter as well. I buy oversized coarse sponges (not too big.. but big enough to not have to do maintenance on the filter as often as I would on a fine pre-filter).
I use Aueon 40's + pre-filter...on everything else.
(I know people will say Cartridges are bad... I don't go through many - I keep mine clean weekly and I add media in the HoB portion as well)
Very nice. Best thing is to go with what works for you as we all could have different experiences
I have that filter on my 75-gallon Aqueon tank and my 125-gallon and it fits fine.
Thank you for the review Matt. Great video as always. I think that I will pass on this filter. I didn't like the water flow or the lack of room for the media. I also didn't like the fact that the filter is so narrow as well. I think I will stick with the Aquaclear 110 as I use those filters the most in my fish room. I agree with you 100 percent that hang over the back filters are the best and I use the Aquaclear 110 exclusively because I find them to be the best. I do have some canisters on my Asian Arowana tanks but I think that I will be moving away from those in the future. Thank you for sharing this video. Cheers bud.
Thanks for the feedback Jose. Yea its still very hard to beat an Aquaclear 110
I have the 110 and love it.
I like these better then AC, also the lid rattles are very annoying. No noise with the pro. I have 2 on my other tanks.
Good points
It does fit my rim on my 125. Though it’s a snug fit.
Do you run your aquaclears with only sponges? I have a 75g with a green terror and some poopy plecos and it’s got the aquaclear 110 and then recently I added a fluval 407 canister. I’ve been trying to decide whether I should just go full sponge or maybe sponge layer then all biological media or just keeping it how it is. Also great review I’ve seen these filters around and I’ve been wondering if they’re any good. Good to hear the opinion of someone who definitely knows what they’re doing
Thank you Tim. On all my bottom tanks I only run sponges. Top show tanks I run hang on backs, mostly AC110s, with sponges also. Seems to work good for what I keep
@@thecichliddojo4245 as in only sponge as the aquaclear media?
Sponge filters
I use only sponge on my AC 70 and only clean/rinse the bottom block.
I think the bio media bags have a lot of bypass.
It fits my Aquinas 75 gallon
I am using this 110 gallon model on a 30 gallon tank with 10 goldfish. Initially it seemed to filter better than the 60gallon HOB i had on before. However after running it a couple weeks ive noticed the water just get cloudier. The white sponge filters arent even dirty. I performed a 50% water change and even with that it wont clear up the water. Ive added water clarifiers that are supposed to bind proteins and trash and still wont do anything. Ive tried adding "diy filter floss" at the space where the water drops and although it does filter well, it makes the water overlow within 10minutes.
Wow overflows that fast? I'm still not having any overflow since I've set it up
@@thecichliddojo4245 well it only overflowed if I add filter floss padding on the waterfalls. If I don't add it it won't overflow but the water remains cloudy and the sponges remain relatively clean
just grind off the plastic on the tank?
Filter made for retail tanks not custom tanks? Thanks
It will fit on that tank just tap it down little bit and it will go down. I did it no problem. My thank 180 top is the same as yours.just try help
It fits on my 150 tamk
I dunno if you’d be willing but on mine i just trimmed the little lip on tank down with dremel and it fit perfectly
Good idea
@@thecichliddojo4245 if you do it run a vacuum cleaner right next to dremel to suck up all the plastic dust. The first time i didn’t and made a huge mess in the water🤦♂️🤣
I have the topfin 50 only 2 things keep the water as close to the outlet as possible otherwise it will be loud and don't use the skimmer it makes a loud squishing sound
Thx for the feedback
Maybe glue a small square of acrylic over the skimmer area on the seachem?
Yea that's a good idea. Definitely more work than blocking off this small hole on the Top Fin though
I had to cut my trim to get it to fit.
Was there ever a follow up review on this filter?
I haven't but it's probably due. Not a whole lot too update. It's average in my opinion.
Stuck two aqua clear 50 sponges on the top two drop offs , I don’t get any clogs or by pass, extra sponges would benefit this filter
Thank you for the feedback. I may try this
@@thecichliddojo4245 you’re welcome! Best thing is to put a filter floss pad, then a Aqua clear 50 sponge on both drop offs, and the sponges fit perfectly
I'm surprised you it did not fit your 75. being that I have that on mine same brand as yours. I not trolling it works fine for me
Nice, glad it fit for you
It doesn't fit on my thank either l tried to make it work by putting spacers underneath but it just got louder l can't keep will return it to the store by the way fluval filters are very quiet l don't why this one is so loud
Appreciate the feedback, sorry didn't work out
I just bought the TFP35 For my 20gallon. Its loud. Super bulky. Im not sure about why but skimmer doesnt work and it only fills enough to cover half the biomedia.. I may go back to aquaclear. Any update? Tips?
I Definitely prefer aquaclear however for the price I got this filter it may make sense
@@thecichliddojo4245 Awesome my same opinion!
Any update on the filter at this point?
Not yet, definitely overdue but no time lately
Do you think the is one is better than the emperor 450 by marine land?
Never tried that filter
👀👍👍👍👍👍
What do ppl have agains activated charcoal?? I find it makes my water crystal clear!!
Good tank maintenance
@@thecichliddojo4245 yeah but I've noticed the difference with and without charcoal.
Charcoal used consistently has been known to cause HITH
You are trying to put a top fin filter on an aqueon tank here. I recognize the curved lip near the center brace. I have a topfin 55g. They are kinda shooting themselves in the foot here. Top Fin seems to be petsmarts specific brand.
Yes that would make sense that they only made a filter specifically to their tanks. Not a very smart approach though
I thought I'd mention that I have the top fin on a 120. It's tight fit. Also these filters are loud.
That's great it fit on your tank, seems like that wasn't taken into consideration when designing it. Yea is hard for me to tell how loud since it's in my fishroom that had other noise
@The Cichlid Dojo they definitely didn't consider the fit. I didn't think I would like the filter but after running it for about seven months I don't mind it. It's also good for aeration and very easy to clean. Like you I had the issue with water on the lid.
@@thecichliddojo4245 this is the tank I have it on. It's hard to tell how well it works because I have an aquaclear and a canister also running the tank.
czcams.com/video/LxNk-z0sgoc/video.html
Sounds like some good and some bad. Do you have AC110s?
@The Cichlid Dojo yes many of them. The video in my previous comment is of a tank with a ac110, cfs700, and the filter your reviewing. I have a lot of sponge filtering this aquarium because it's a 120 gallon with 45 peacock cichlids in it.
How do I get my hands on some carpintis frm u?
You can message me through my Facebook or Instagram pages, or email me your number. Maat112@hotmail.com
Idk bout this just yet I'm not sold on it right now Matt
Yes, that's actually the point of this initial review. I won't be sold on it until at least a long term review
@@thecichliddojo4245 why would you not use the protein skimmer because I'm not familiar with the use or no use of the protein skimmer
How do you get the 30% coupon?
Petsmart texted me it. I think being a member you get them from time to time
Would you still say it's your second?
Yes, older model AC110s are still my #1
Too bad the TF Pro 110 is like 80 bucks now.
It is pretty nifty though.
Thanks for sharing. It was very helpful.
Yea I saw the price increase, that's crazy
Just bought this same one today my Fx6 broke so this was what I could find and damn it’s a nice filter. Wow check me out as well I have a channel
Yes it's not bad so far. Only time will bring out any other issues it may have. I'll definitely do a follow-up review
Looks like you can grow some pothos on that filter
Great observation
I'd stuff just a couple of lava rocks in that Las chamber
Good idea
Top Fin HOBs fit perfectly on Top Fin tanks. *wink wink, nudge nudge*
Smart move by the Topfin design team lol
@@thecichliddojo4245 if the idea is to sell fewer Top Fin HOBs. Sorta like Apple. HAHAHA
Exactly lol
Aquon
Hang on the back filters are the best, easy and fast to clean.
I agree
Probably designed for rimless tanks another 8th inch wouldn't have killed them
Yea exactly. Why not just make it to fit similar to the competition
"Only 120 gallon tank" 😅
Lol
I bet that thing is loud. Lots of parts to rattle around. You can't beat an aquaclear 110. I've got 2 on my 125 gallon along with a marineland c360 canister filter. They are 10 years old and going strong.
Yea ac110 is my favorite
@@thecichliddojo4245 i just sold a 75 gallon aquarium with a 20 year old aquaclear 110. The only filters I'll run.
I originally saw this at PetSmart and picked up the 50 thinking it would be awesome to be able to easily customize. I hate it. The sections in the basket designed for media are too small, and if you fill them with media it bypasses. The sponge is also way to coarse and my tank always had junk floating around, and if you try any other filter media, it bypasses. Just not a fan. I switched to aquaclear and am much happier with them.
I definitely agree that there's probably alot of variations in the models. I love the aquaclear 110, my favorite filter. However I hate the aquaclear 70 and it overflows very fast. The model size makes the difference
@@thecichliddojo4245 interesting, I have both the AC 110 and the AC 70, and I have had no trouble with the 70 overflowing, and that's with a ton of Matrix in it, a fine filter pad, and the original sponge. The 110 is great as well. I will never spend money on any other filter again.
I really have no issues with the top fin 110 for the price I got it. Think it was $30
These filters are fair. I prefer it over a tidal because it has about three times the sponge a tidal comes with plus room for biomedia. Neither are as good as the aquaclear.
Don’t buy this piece of garbage, it wouldn’t be too bad if it wasn’t so loud. You can hear air going through it like there’s no tomorrow. I haven’t been this disappointed in a product in a long time. It’s louder with the cover on it than off it. The motor is loud and it has a hollow sound that comes from the holes in the box.
Very interesting feedback, thx for sharing