AquaClear20 Power Filter, Fish Tank Filter for 5- to 20-Gallon Aquariums

UPDATE: 10/15/14I have just purchased my first Aquaclear HOB filter in more than three years. I presently own an AC 110, AC 70, AC 50 and 4 AC 20s. These are great filters because of their clever design and tremendous flexibility.I am presently using a pair of Aquaclear 20 filters for polishing the water in my planted aquaria. The filters are equipped with a mechanical filter pad and a micron filter pad, the later of which is used to remove the finer particles from the water column in these tanks.I like using the AC 20s as part time maintenance filters because they are small, very easy to clean, and do an excellent job of filtering my planted aquaria.I use an AC 50 in combination with an Eheim 2211 and Cobalt Aquatics DUO 500 in a Mr. Aqua 17.1 gallon aquarium. The DUO 500 is an internal filter, however, its primary function is as an LED UV clarifier.I downsized some of my tanks, so the AC 110 and AC 70 are no longer in use. HoweverI keep them around as spares, since you never know when you will need an extra filter.One of the best aspects of the Aquaclear line of HOB filters is that the motors in the AC 20, AC 30, AC 50 and AC 70 are the same. The only difference is that the impeller fan is slightly larger on each subsequent model of these filters.The fan can be easily removed, and either a larger or smaller fan (depending on the AC HOB filter that you are using) can be added to meet the demands of the particular aquarium you are using.This is why AC filters are so popular; their tremendous flexibility.For example, suppose that you have a 20 gallon aquarium and are using an AC 20 that doesn't quite get the job done. You can purchase an impeller assembly for an AC 50and then use it to replace the AC 20 impeller fan, which will give you twice the circulation that you had with the AC 20 impeller fan.As another illustration using the inverse of this situation, suppose you are using an AC 70 in a 30 gallon aquarium and find that even on its lowest setting it isstill causing too much turbulence for your fishes.You can replace the AC 70 impeller fan with an AC 50 impeller fan. This will still give you the filtering capacity of the AC 70, however, without the turbulence that the AC 70 impeller caused.Earlier...My recent purchase of an Aquaclear 70 HOB (hang on back of tank filter) filter ill make this my 8Th Aquaclear. I have five Aquaclear 20's - three on guppy tanks, and two kept as spares in the event of a breakdown. However, in over a year of constant service, I have yet to have an Aquaclear HOB filter's electric motor burn out.Moreover, one must take care to turn these filters off when you are using a sand substrate which is being stirred up in the tank, since the sand can get into the motor and cause it to run roughly, or seize up.Even if this happens, all it usually takes to get these motors running again is to remove them from the filter housing, remove the impeller from the housing on the motor and clean the unit with water and a q-tip.Once you have done so, the motor will usually begin to run properly again.However, once sand gets sucked into these motors, it mars the finish of the impeller, which can cause it to make noise.I also own an Aquaclear 50 which I now keep on my 10 gallon tank, and an Aquaclear 110 which I use to filter a heavily planted 20 long tank with about 16 fish.So the extra filtering capability of the Aquaclear 110 is nice to have.As for the Aquaclear 70, this will be replacing the Aquaclear 50 which I used to filter my 37 gallon tank, and have now moved to my 10 gallon.The Aquaclear 70 will be used in conjunction with a Fluval 305 canister filter for redundant filtration.The Fluval 305, like the Aquaclear, is another Hagen product. It seems like virtually every product that is sold for the aquarist is manufactured by a subsidiary of Hagen's.The 305 is also a very cleverly designed filter, which works quite well, and is very easy to maintain, thanks to Fluval's patented Aquastop feature; the Aquastop fitting allows you to disconnect the 305 from its tubing without losing suction, so that you don't have to reprime the unit once you've dumped the water from its container during a filter cleaning.All you do is reconnect the Aquastop fitting to the top of the 305's canister, and then open the flow valve until the 305 fills with water.You must open the valve partially to avoid creating a tremendous amount of turbulance in your aquarium, since if you open it all the way while filling the 305, the air bubbles will race out of the 305's exhaust tube disturbing your fish.As for the controvery between which canister is best, many people who consider the purchase of a Fluval also consider buying an Eheim, and there are those who own both. The Eheim - Fluval debate reminds this author of the Chevy-Ford controversy, regarding the merits of each.Moreover, I have owned both and find that Fluval and Eheim both make excellent canister filters. However, the Fluval's internal setup is much easier to use, given the trays Fluval includes to add filter media to, while the Eheim Classic series (I'm not certain if the other Eheim filters are the same way) just stack the media atop one another, making for a more complex arrangement, since the Eheim's filter media is in not in a tray.Both filters are well made and reliable. However, one must take care to re-lubricate the Fluval's o-ring after each cleaning to ensure that it does not dry out, since this will prevent the unit from leaking onto your floor. And careful removal of the impeller housing will ensure that the impeller that does not get damaged.After more than a year with the Aquaclear series of filters, as well as the several months with a Fluval 305, I must say that I am very pleased with these units. They are cleverly designed, well constructed, and should last for years provided that they are properly maintained.Jim

The AquaClear 50 Power Filter is hands down one of the best filters I’ve used for my aquarium. It runs quietly and efficiently, keeping my 40-gallon tank crystal clear. The multi-stage filtration system does an amazing job at removing debris and keeping the water parameters stable. I also love that the media is customizable, so I can adjust it based on my tank’s needs. Easy to set up, easy to clean, and super reliable! Highly recommend for anyone with a 20 to 50-gallon tank looking for a high-quality filter!

NOTE: This is an assessment after about 3 months of using the filter. So, I can't speak for the longevity, but I will review it's other (awesome) features.It has adequate water movement for my 30 gallon planted tank, and does a great job of keeping the water clear. I had been using a cheapy Top Fin before this and it could never keep up and I was constantly going through filters. With the sponge and ceramic pill things, cleaning is a breeze and cheap. Just wash them gently in the water from your water change and put them back. Eventually you probably will have to replace the sponges, but even then they are much cheaper and last longer than traditional carbon filters.To answer some concerns other reviewers had:Noise:It isn't dead quiet at first, I will admit. However, it is still quieter than the Top Fin I had before. And, with a little patience, the slime coat will build up inside and it will be quiet as a mouse. I had to check it a few times to make sure it was still running because it was so quiet.Filtration:as I said before, it is pretty darn good. Filtering from the bottom up is a genius concept. I typically do water changes every week (overstocked tank) but never has the filter media been so full it wouldn't filter properly. Not to mention never/rarely having to buy stupid pre-made filter bags!Reliability:It is a work horse. One time during a water change, I accidentally plugged it in before I inserted the tube and it didn't start. I noticed the motor was warm, so I took it off, ran some water through the insides to flush out any gunk, and put it back on. Worked like a charm. Sometimes gunk can settle in there when it's off, so to avoid this I leave enough water in it and just keep it running as I do a water change. After that incident, I've never had a problem.Clogging tubes:Ok I will admit this is annoying, but what do you expect? In a planted tank, larger shed leaves won't flow all the way into the filter and can clog the intake. Eventually they will slip through, but I always hate having that pressure on the motor. It's going to happen -- it's better than it clogging the sponge. To prevent this if I have a plant with issues, I just put a piece of aquarium filter from an old Top Fin filter over the intake. The leaves get caught on that and I just scoop them out. They're usually never a problem.All in all, I'd buy this again, recommend it to my best friend, worst enemy, everyone; they're awesome!