AquaMaxx has been manufacturing hang-on-back protein skimmers since 2010. Biological filtration can sometimes be limited due to the lack of water/air contact (a result of the high pressurization), but this drawback is offset somewhat by the canister filter’s size and ability to house large amounts of filter media. While being suitable for freshwater and saltwater aquariums, its style is a “Hang-On Back,” making it convenient for daily use. 49 $18.99 $18.99 You can just remove the filter media, and you won’t even need to take off the filter from the back of the aquarium. HOB Filters. * 100% Tank Tested * Most technically advanced bio-filtration substrate * High… They provide superior levels of both mechanical and chemical filters due to the method by which they pressurize and force water through their various stages. Usually, they will come with your fish tank if you purchase a kit from the store. For mechanical filtration, Power Filters use a standard floss or foam. All you need to do to set up your hang-on filter is to assemble the intake tube and filter cartridge, hang the filter on the back of the tank and plug it in. Some undergravel filters are equipped with small cartridges of granular activated carbon that sit at the top of each lift tube, but these should be discarded for two reasons. At the very least, you should use two hang on canister filters for medium sized tanks, but I’d suggest going for another source of biological filtration in conjunction with canister filters … Hang On Back (HOB) filters are only suitable for smaller tanks, you'll need a more powerful internal filter or external canister filter for tanks 2 ft & larger. It is far easier to clean or replace the sponge pre-filter often, rather than tearing apart the canister filter. Air powered aquarium filters. Most canister filters can hold 12 to 15 oz of carbon versus only one or two hang-on filters with that capability. A motor pulls up aquarium water through the filter, it then trickles back into the aquarium. We have used both so we talk a little about which one is better. Aside from replacing the filter media once every 3 to 4 weeks, a hang-on filter should require little else. Penguin® filters have the added component of patented BIO-Wheel technology which contributes to the three-stage filtration offered by these filters – mechanical, chemical and biological. These filters have a motor that relies on the water for cooling because it’s a magnetic system. Hang On Back Filters are a very common type of filter used by the average aquarium hobbyist. If used with a saltwater aquarium, they will require a greater standard of maintenance to maintain working order. Whatever you think, let us know in the comments! AquaClear™ filters utilize both foam and carbon inserts to remove solid wastes and to foster colonies of beneficial bacteria essential for maintaining the nitrogen cycle. Tankarium is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Sponge filters work well as a pre-filter on the inlet of a canister filter. It's pretty simple to put on and should have an opening or cut out for the filter. CoralVue Reef Octopus Classic 100 HOB. Hang-On Filters. The two main problems that you are likely to encounter with a Marineland filter both relate to its bio-wheel. It is the best hang on the back filter for small aquariums. Do you own a small aquarium and need a good hang on back filter? Some filters have individual baskets which indicate where each type of media should go. Penn Plax Cascade Hang-on-Back. Just like the canister filter, a HOB filter can do mechanical, biological and chemical filtration too. This is especially important if you have tank that is large, has lots of livestock, or might be saltwater (like mine!). The plastic material needs to develop a thin coating of “slime” so the foam does not collapse on itself on the way up to the collection cup. These types of filters can provide all 3 … These are critical to the building of your biofilter and should never be replaced. Air-powered internal filters are the most basic of all aquarium filters. Go all in and get the Fluval FX-6. There are drawbacks to the HOB filter’s process. We know we need to filter our saltwater tanks, but is it necessary to buy an expensive sump system when you already own a canister filter? It’s one of the most powerful canister filters on the market, can handle tanks up to 400 gallons in capacity, and includes plenty of extras (like the self-starting system and Fluval’s Smart Pump Technology) that make using it easier than many other canister filters. 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