Which HOF should I get??

**chansl** · 20th Apr 2012, 00:03

Hi Bro

I am preparing to set up a 35 x 23 x 23 planted tank would like to have a HOF. I went to research and there were many oversea reviews but little local review on them. I was thinking

UP 120 Hang on filter
Fluval C2 power filter
Ehiem Liberty

There are pros and cons hence could appreciate some comments on which HOF would you prefer if you can choose ? Fluval looks really good to me with its 3 different filtration method but there were review on its noise and i think it is really hard to replace its filtration medium like charcoal pad ..

Thank !!

**VSGenesis** · 20th Apr 2012, 01:06

Given the options, IMO, it's down to the Fluval and Eheim. (Not that other brands are lousy but a bias view on my part perhaps and since I got no experience with other brands)

Personally, I owned a Fluval C4. Not use Eheim HOF, hence, I cannot comment on it. The C4 has been really good to me. Large container. Mech, chem and bio filtration.

http://theaquaticgazette.com/2012/03...ssions-review/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep-Di...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMYFE...eature=related

As for the replacement, you might be right though I have yet replace mine. I've not actually checked where to purchase them. Can check with Petsmart if they ship it here. http://www.petsmart.com/search/index...kw=fluval&sr=1

I supposed you will need to find out which LFS will have these replacement items on their shelf. Rarely see it.

**VSGenesis** · 20th Apr 2012, 01:16

By the way, I think you can ask tetrakid for advice especially on HOF. Check with him if he can help you with your choices.

PS: I forgot to add. What noise did they talk about? No noise for me. If you're talking about the initial start up where the water is being pump up, yes but once filled, it's very quiet.

**chansl** · 20th Apr 2012, 01:20

Thank for your reply .. Appreciated

Do you think C3 is too big for my 1 feet tank ? And how long do you think you will change the media or will you change ? haha

Originally Posted by VSGenesis

Given the options, IMO, it's down to the Fluval and Eheim. (Not that other brands are lousy but a bias view on my part perhaps and since I got no experience with other brands)

Personally, I owned a Fluval C4. Not use Eheim HOF, hence, I cannot comment on it. The C4 has been really good to me. Large container. Mech, chem and bio filtration.

http://theaquaticgazette.com/2012/03...ssions-review/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep-Di...eature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMYFE...eature=related

As for the replacement, you might be right though I have yet replace mine. I've not actually checked where to purchase them. Can check with Petsmart if they ship it here. http://www.petsmart.com/search/index...kw=fluval&sr=1

I supposed you will need to find out which LFS will have these replacement items on their shelf. Rarely see it.

**aquarius** · 20th Apr 2012, 02:11

Another very good HOF which has got alot of good reviews from overseas is the Hagen Aquaclear. You can also read the review of a local from here,
http://theaquaticgazette.com/2012/02...gen-aquaclear/

IMO the Hagen's Aquaclear and the Fluval's C series is far better than the Eheim's Liberty cos if i'm not wrong, you can only use Eheim's own spongelike bio-media which to me is not flexible and also cannot hold as much BBs as compared to the other two filter.

**stormhawk** · 20th Apr 2012, 04:50

Hagen Aquaclear is pretty good, but they are related to Fluval. I think you can DIY your own replacement media if you own the Fluval C series.

**bernie** · 20th Apr 2012, 08:38

I am using using eheim liberty all 3 models, 2040,2041,2042 for tanks of various sizes. All very quiet and the water circulation is good.
I am also using a Hagen aquaclear 50 and it's nosier.
The Hagen filtration media are stack on top of one another , the sponge at the lowest layer , follow by carbon and the cr the topmost layer. So to clean the sponge you will need to stop the HOF and and take out all the media.

The eheim use drop in media cartridges. The carbon is the one that you need to buy and replace periodically.
There is no need to stop the filter to remove the media for maintance or replacement.
As i have a few liberty, I play around with the cartridges to achieve my objectives. If I want more bio filtration , I put more bio filter media,if I need cleaner water, I put in more carbon or mechincal media. That's the flexibility!! Do check out the number of media for each model though.
The eheim gives you better control on the outflow rate.

**tetrakid** · 20th Apr 2012, 08:59

For a 1ft tank, don't get the big models of HOF. Even the small models can be adequate for such a small tank. If you get big models,you may end up with excessive turbulence, causing continuous discomfort and loss of tranquility to fish. Though you can reduce the flow rate, I'd rather not waste power, because a bigger motor will still run at full power even if you restrict the water flow to minimum.

Once a tank is well-balanced biologically, there's really no need to change the media for a long time, since doing so will upset the tank's established balance. All that is needed is regular small water changes to act as a buffer to toxic agents. But that said, it is easy to upset the balance by uncontrolled feeding, and the addition of more fish.

Originally Posted by chansl

Thank for your reply .. Appreciated
Do you think C3 is too big for my 1 feet tank ? And how long do you think you will change the media or will you change ? haha

**chansl** · 20th Apr 2012, 12:17

Anyone knows where can i get fluval C2 or hagen filter .. And how much will they cost? Thank

**VSGenesis** · 20th Apr 2012, 12:52

Hi chansl,

I missed your earlier post. In terms of replacement of product. To be honest, I'm not too sure. 6 months-12 months? Hagen has a branch in Malaysia and we can write in to them to ask for recommendation? I did however remove the sponge once to wash using the same aquarium water. And then put it back. The media, I removed and use matrix.

Where to get? C328 and Aquastar. Please note that this observation was a month back. Might want to call before going down.

Give it more time and review the two options.

**chansl** · 20th Apr 2012, 12:56

Thank alot .. I saw your recommendation on another post and went to check out fluval which surpirse me for its filtration .. Probably i will remove the charcoal and replace with seachem matrix .. Then i will not need to keep changing the media ... I will wait a while more to see which bro can give me on aqua clear filter review ... Eheim is good just that its filtration media are pretty fix which prevent you from putting much ..

Originally Posted by VSGenesis

Hi chansl,

I missed your earlier post. In terms of replacement of product. To be honest, I'm not too sure. 6 months-12 months? Hagen has a branch in Malaysia and we can write in to them to ask for recommendation? I did however remove the sponge once to wash using the same aquarium water. And then put it back. The media, I removed and use matrix.

Where to get? C328 and Aquastar. Please note that this observation was a month back. Might want to call before going down.

Give it more time and review the two options.