Small Tank Owners - what's your top 3 Power Filters?

FishNCash

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Aug 1, 2009
4,779
1,300
179
Earth
i cannot decide between a fluval c series, marine land emperor, or ac. I am leaning toward the fluval c series but it is the priciest of the three choices. Is it really worth the price tag?
 

chopsteeks

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Jun 2, 2013
418
29
61
Denver
I don't recommend Fluval C series. Nice design, but 3 units I have are temperemental with impeller jam/stop working. I vote for the AC series of filters.
 

Cu455

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Mar 8, 2011
1,089
94
66
US
I used to mostly use . Now the aqueons 55/75 are my go to filter. It has lots of space and I like how the compartments are set up and the extra bio filtration added by the blue dividers and the blue strip up front.

Sun sun has a HOB filter with a built in UV. I never used it but it is something which might intrest you.
 

Username.

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Nov 30, 2014
314
52
31
Virginia, US
I think the aqueon 55/75 is the best. The aqua clears are nice too tho. No experience with the fluvals but the emperors make a lot of noise and I've had a lot of impeller issues with mine.
 

heavyhitter

Piranha
MFK Member
Mar 17, 2008
600
129
76
Nebraska
I'm sure people have had great results with various brands of HOB filters. I'm more of a canister or sump guy but, if and when I need a HOB power filter, Aqua Clear is the only one I would choose. I have ran some for a great many of years with no complaint.
 

spotfin

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Jan 2, 2006
4,748
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900
Maine
AC are my favorite.
 

freshisbetter

Gambusia
MFK Member
Mar 8, 2011
16
0
16
The South
Aquaclear and Fluval have been good values and worked well for me. If a good airpump and sponge type filters are an option, i prefer that on multiple smaller tank setups over the long term. Then again, it is hard to turn down good sales on the ACs and Fluvals when i see them.
 
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