I've not seen this filter before... are they new??? have you tried one??? are they any good???

[Magnum Man]

SeaChem filter... I'm familiar with some of their chems I use, but haven't seen this before... ( yes, I noticed they are just using their name, & it's made by someone else )

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I was looking for a similar, as I usually do multiple filters on tanks 55 gallons or bigger

the last I bought was this Aquaclear...

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

& was thinking about another for a 2nd tank, when I saw the Seachem???

 

[Magnum Man]

it flows 50 GPH more than the Aquaclear looks like it uses the Marineland Fit rite cartridges

 

[GaryE]

I always look at the filtration chamber, to see if I can get an AquaClear type sponge in, or bio media. Cartridges make money for manufacturers, and deliver a hit to your biofiltration/cycle when they're changed. If you can't modify the filter to avoid buying cartridges, I wouldn't buy it.

 

[TNG]

SeaChem filter... I'm familiar with some of their chems I use, but haven't seen this before... ( yes, I noticed they are just using their name, & it's made by someone else )

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I was looking for a similar, as I usually do multiple filters on tanks 55 gallons or bigger

the last I bought was this Aquaclear...

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

& was thinking about another for a 2nd tank, when I saw the Seachem???

Tidal filters are all from Italy. The pump is in the tank below the water line so the filter can be turned on and off without priming. You don't need proprietary cartridges for it, so cheap to run. The 75 has a long adjustable water intake which is good for deep tank. The only negative for me is that the water in the tank must be very high for the filter to work, if it's 7 - 8cm below the rim of the tank (for the 55 and 75) it won't work. If you hear guggling sound, check if the water is too low.

 

[Colin_T]

Stay with the AquaClear. They are more reliable and easier to work on. Got a lifetime warranty too as long as you are the person who bought it new.

 

[Ellie11]

I am transitioning to canisters for all tanks over 55 gallons, but started off with AquaClear HOBs. I later switched to the Seachem Tidal Wave and found them to be far superior. They self-prime or easily prime whereas the AC can be fussy. I also like the large basket which allows me to choose my media. I still use some Tidal 75s and 110s & discarded the ACs. My canisters are all Fluval FX4 or FX6.

 

[TNG]

Regarding AquaClear's lifetime warranty, it covers defects in workmanship and materials but does not cover moving parts. So it only covers the housing and the lid which are not expected to fail anyway. If you accidentally drop the housing or the lid and break it - too bad, it’s not covered. Other manufacturers may not offer life time warranty, but practically they offer the same warranty anyway.

 

[seangee]

I have 2 in different sizes. They are brilliant and bullet proof.

 

[Ellie11]

Regarding Fluval’s warranty on a <1 yr old FX4: they were awful & demanded numerous videos of the setup that had nothing to do with the dead motor. Their game plan was to frustrate me until I went away and I did. I bought the replacement part at Amazon.

Still, I think the FX6 and FX4 are the best big canisters. Like I said, their AquaClear HOB had too many problems. A particularly annoying issue was often it didn’t start up after being shut down for my weekly water changes. I had to tap/jiggle the tube thingy.

if you go with the Tidal, be aware it’s sensitive to the water level & will make loud noises if it drops. This happened often on my cold water tank that had an egg crate lid.

 

[Magnum Man]

I’m inclined to buy another aqua clear, because I already have one, and only in a couple months though, I haven’t had any issues… and I would rather have several of the same, as far as parts and consistency, than have one of everything, unless the 1st I bought had issues

I’m still not thoroughly convinced I need a “skimmer” I have a couple dedicated skimmers and they are off, more than they are run… not sure I want one incorporated into a main filter

 

[FranciscoB]

+1 about having uniformity of filters across one's set of aquaria.
I try to be uniform but do have a bit or a smorgasboard at this time - In current use, 3 canisters (2 FX6 and one Hydor 450), 13 AC (8 110, 1 70, 4 50) and 1 Penguin 350. Having the ability of quickly exchanging parts or media blocks between filters in use (or in storage) is a major advantage.

 

[Ellie11]

Magnum Man, you can insert all the media from an AC into the Tidal basket. Likewise into canisters.

I found when I was buying ACs, Amazon offered them at different prices, so be patient, if you don’t need it immediately.

 

[Uberhoust]

They self-prime or easily prime whereas the AC can be fussy

Agreed on the fussiness, is that a word?. AC filter are very easy to maintain, but their weak point is restarting after shutting down, especially after a water change. I still haven't found an HOB easily obtainable in Canada that works as super well. On paper the Tidals seem not too bad, might have to try one.

 

[Colin_T]

All external power filters (including HOB style filters) should be filled with aquarium water before turning them on. Then they don't have a problem running.

If you have an AquaClear HOB filter sitting on the side of the tank and it doesn't have water in when you turn it on, then it will have trouble priming and filling, but so will any external power filter.

 

[TNG]

All external power filters (including HOB style filters) should be filled with aquarium water before turning them on. Then they don't have a problem running.

If you have an AquaClear HOB filter sitting on the side of the tank and it doesn't have water in when you turn it on, then it will have trouble priming and filling, but so will any external power filter.

The HOB Seachem Tidal filter which is the subject of this thread is self-priming, like an internal filter. Its pump is in the tank well below the water line so, unlike other HOBs, there’s no need to fill it with water. That's the beauty of the Seachem Tidal !