Aquaclear HOB Filters

[Colin_T]

I bought my first Aquaclear HOB (hang on back) power filter in 1986. I think it was a 610 model, but can't be 100% on that. It was a wonderful filter that lasted many years until it got damaged during transit in 2001. However, it was replaced with another newer model (Aquaclear 60 HOB) that had been going strong until 2016 when someone decided to drop it on the floor and break the case.

The early versions like my first one had 3 compartments that went from right to left. Each compartment was separated by a plastic screen with holes in to allow water to flow through. As the sponges clogged up the water would bypass the sponges and flow over the top of them. So they had to be kept clean or they didn't work as well.

The newer models have done away with the dividers and have a mesh cage everything sits in. The side of this plastic cage helps direct incoming water to the bottom of the filter where it then flows upwards through various filter materials, before overflowing back into the tank. The new model is a much better design and more effective in regards the filter media and water flow.

The only drawback to the new design is when the filter sponges start to clog up. When they get really dirty, the entire cage with filter materials starts to lift up a bit. If you see this then your filter needs a clean.

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Pros

• Easy to clean
• Has space for 3 types of filter media. The filter comes with a bag of ammonia absorbing granules, 1 sponge and a bag of carbon. I leave the carbon and ammonia absorbing granules in the box and just use 3 sponges.
• Reliable.
• Adjustable flow.
• The motor is sealed in a plastic resin to prevent moisture getting onto the electrical circuits.
• The motor is very quiet, although there is some noise from water running back into the tank. However, this is helpful in aerating the aquarium water and can be reduced by having the aquarium water level higher so there is less noise from the water flowing back into the tank. Coverglass also reduce the noise and evaporation. All HOB filters have this noise.
• Spare parts (not normally needed) and additional sponges or other filter media are readily available.

Cons

• Hangs on the back, front or side of the tank and this can make it less attractive in a living area.
• Coverglass will usually have to be modified or left open a small amount for the filter to fit due to it hanging on the back, side or front of the aquarium. This means there will be a bigger gap in the top of the tank that is open and fish will have more chance of jumping out through the gap. Some fish also swim up the water flowing into the tank and swim around in the filter.
• Hoods also have to be modified for HOB filters
• The filter motor (pump) has to be lower than the water level in the aquarium. If the aquarium water level is lower than the pump, then the filter will struggle to suck up water and fill the filter if there has been a power failure and the water has drained out of the filter and back into the tank. However, the motors are very good and my pumps always worked after the filter was filled back up after a power failure, and we had a lot of power failures.
• The O-ring between the motor and filter case can dry out over time and start leaking, and they can leak from the same area if the O-ring doesn't seat correctly when you reassemble the unit after cleaning. This is easily remedied by smearing a small amount of Vaseline on the O-ring so it doesn't stick or pinch when putting it back on the case.

I must point out that all HOB style filters have the same Cons listed above. And the only real Con I can think of for the Aquaclear HOB filters is their price. They are a little more expensive that other brands of HOB filter, but they are so simple in design and easy to use, and they last for years so any extra expense when buying them is quickly forgotten. Plus if you use 3 sponges, you never have to buy any replacement filter media unless you specifically want to use carbon, which I don't recommend using except in emergencies.

Summing up, I think they are a very good filter that is easy to set up, use and maintain, and they have a lot of filtration media for their size. Both of mine lasted 15 years and only got replaced because they were damaged by people. I replaced an O-ring once on the first model and that is all I have replaced.

 

[mikey11]

The early versions like my first one had 3 compartments that went from right to left. Each compartment was separated by a plastic screen with holes in to allow water to flow through.
.

haha....i remember those!!!!

that design was the first filter i ever had when i started fish keeping in the 80's

the new design is much better.....i have about 6-8 aquaclear 500/110 filters.....i use two foam inserts in them.....excellent filters!!!!

they do the same job, if not better then most canister filters at half the price!

 

[Fishmanic]

I use an aquaclear 50 on my 35 gallon tall hex tank along with a large reticulated sponge filter. I load mine up with 2 layers of foam, 1 layer of floss and a bag of ceramics on top. I clean it at about 3 weeks. By then the floss is very gunked up. I squeeze out the sponge in tank water, do a quick rinse of the ceramics and put in a new layer of floss.

One issue that can happen to an aquaclear filter is if you use too much floss and let it go too long. The water can rise in the filter housing and can start overflowing. You then could have a nice flood if you don't service it promptly.

On another note, my aquaclear does not self prime after I do a cleaning or water change. I have to add water to the filter to get it restarted.

 

[mikey11]

On another note, my aquaclear does not self prime after I do a cleaning or water change. I have to add water to the filter to get it restarted.

thats normal.....you should fill the filter with water before plugging it in.....i believe that is in the instructions

 

[DrRob]

They've been annoying unavailable in the UK for some time now, so if we want one we end up importing them from the continent, which makes them uneconomical. Shame as they're good workhorse filters with the best media capacity I've seen on a hob.

 

[andreisdabest]

WARNING: i have an aqua clear 200 and i put the motor on backwards(other way round) and it leaked like hell. Another con is that shrimp get sucked up if you dont have a guard on the intake but overall its great!

 

[Rocky998]

I use an aquaclear 50 on my 35 gallon tall hex tank along with a large reticulated sponge filter. I load mine up with 2 layers of foam, 1 layer of floss and a bag of ceramics on top. I clean it at about 3 weeks. By then the floss is very gunked up. I squeeze out the sponge in tank water, do a quick rinse of the ceramics and put in a new layer of floss.

One issue that can happen to an aquaclear filter is if you use too much floss and let it go too long. The water can rise in the filter housing and can start overflowing. You then could have a nice flood if you don't service it promptly.

On another note, my aquaclear does not self prime after I do a cleaning or water change. I have to add water to the filter to get it restarted.

Where do I add water to prime it?

 

[Fishmanic]

just pour a cup of water into the media compartment

 

[Slaphppy7]

Where do I add water to prime it?

Straight into the filter, motor side or media side, doesn't matter.

 

[Fishmanic]

One issue that can happen to an aquaclear filter is if you use too much floss and let it go too long. The water can rise in the filter housing and can start overflowing. You then could have a nice flood if you don't service it promptly.

To prevent the above from happening, tilt the filter slightly inward using the leveling device under the filter housing.

 

[Rocky998]

Straight into the filter, motor side or media side, doesn't matter.

Seems easy enough... I'm sure I can find a way to mess it up LOL

 

[Slaphppy7]

I use nothing but AquaClears for my HOBs, love those filters...easy to maintain, highly versatile with whatever media you want to use, and very reliable.

I never use sponges in them though, for reasons already mentioned above, and for the fact that cleaning sponges is messy and tedious. Instead, I use poly batting in the bottom of the filter, which gets changed weekly during WC's, and fill the rest of the media compartment with ceramic media. I NEVER have the "rising basket" issue that happens with sponges when they get clogged; changing the poly floss weekly keeps my tank water crystal clear, as well.

 

[Slaphppy7]

To prevent the above from happening, tilt the filter slightly inward using the leveling device under the filter housing.

The ONLY thing about these filters that I do not like is the "leveling" device, poorly designed, falls off of the filter easily...I remove them, and use a folded piece of cardboard between the filter and the tank...use a double-sided piece of sticky tape to hold it in place.

 

[Slaphppy7]

Don't mean to steal @Colin_T 's thunder, but I've written a couple of posts about the AquaClears as well, if interested, see here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/for-those-who-use-aquaclear-hob-filters.472358/

 

[Coolysd]

Don't mean to steal @Colin_T 's thunder, but I've written a couple of posts about the AquaClears as well, if interested, see here: https://www.fishforums.net/threads/for-those-who-use-aquaclear-hob-filters.472358/

Thank you soooo much for posting this! I just purchased 1 AC 50 AND 3 AC 110. I got the AC 110's at Petco for approximately 20-30 bucks apiece. Between my rewards, them being on sale and the discount for ordering online and picking them up it was a HUGE come up!! Again, thanks bunches!!