Quiet Flow Filter

I've used this filter for the last 18 months purely for mechanical/chemical filtration. I use a fluval 204 canister filter that has all three trays filled with biomax ceramic media to take care of all the biological filtration so I can't speak to that aspect of the Aqueon filter's function. As anyone with a decent amount of fish keeping experience will tell you counting on a HOB filter (with inserts of the type the Aqueon filter uses) for biological filtration is not ideal since when you change or clean inserts you lose most of your beneficial bacteria colony.

However in regards to it's mechanical and chemical filtration performance: this filter has a really powerful pump that moves a huge amount of water and thus it does a fantastic job of pulling floating particles in when they get within 2-3 inches of the intake. On the downside this means the filter inserts (it uses 2 at a time) clog very quickly and the thin cotton material used on the official Aqueon cotton/carbon inserts doesn't hold up well to attempts at cleaning it; therefore these inserts must constantly be replaced.

Thus I found using those official Aqueon inserts gets pretty costly, even ordering them with free shipping on Amazon where they are half the price of a brick and mortar pet store. But as a previous reviewer mentioned using cut-to-fit filter media such as the cotton "Marineland PA0100 Filter Pad" and a seperate bag of carbon greatly reduces the cost of changing the filter media so frequently. I myself prefer to use the cut-to-fit "Deep Blue Professional DB Activated Carbon Pad 18x10" which is made of a tougher, thicker and more densely woven material with carbon bonded directly to it. This material imparts three major advantages in it's use as a filter insert: A) the carbon bonding means every bit of water flowing through the filter insert is getting cleaned chemically as well as mechanically, B)because it's more densely woven the material works as a water polisher by trapping fine as well as course particles, and C) the toughness of the material means that when the inserts get caked with crud you can give them a thorough cleaning and re-use them multiple times without them falling apart.

Since I've begun using these cut-to-fit carbon covered pads as the media inserts in the Aqueon 55/75 it does an amazing, and much more affordable, job of working in conjunction with the canister filter and a 24 watt UV sterilizer to keep the water absolutely crystal clear in my 55 gallon tank which is stocked with 28 full grown Mbuna African Cichlids.

Other things to note about the Aqueon 55/75:

1) The pump is silent but the water itself makes quite a bit of noise as it flows into and through the filtration area. Imagine having the sound of a small but fast flowing stream in your room. Some may find it soothing, while others will find it overly loud and annoying.

2) As was also mentioned in another review; because the pump creates such good suction at the intake the filter really does wind up pulling in food faster than the fish can eat it if it's floating around. I combat this by using fast sinking pellet food dropped well away from the intake.

I absolutely love this filter. Most filters are really noisy, and since I have a fish tank in my room, this wasn't an option. I ran into the quietflow for a 20 gallon and was amazed by its results. It's blissfully quiet and does an amazing job at filtering. The additional plastic piece that allows beneficial bacteria to grow fits well and does a great job. I was so pleased with the quietflow that I replaced all my fish tank filters with it and haven't been happier!

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Flows lots of water quietly. Would recommend to anyone with 50 gal or more. easy to adjust the draw tube.

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I have a 75 gal tank and originally bought a Marineland Penguin 350 to get started, which turned out to be REALLY noisy (impeller/motor). Ended up returning it as defective and getting this Aqueon power filter instead.

This Aqueon is much better! Motor/impeller are VERY silent, and the water return is also virtually silent (I have the water level up to the lip of the return). I forget what it's called but there is a blue splash piece on the return of this filter that breaks up the water flow just enough that it 1) eliminates the sound of the water returning to the tank and 2) slows the water current a little on the way out which is good if you have some smaller fish or top feeders hanging around.

The filters come with carbon in them, but there's still enough room behind the cartridges in the filter box to place additional media if you want. I've added a couple of small bags with extra carbon and they fit pretty easily.

This filter uses additional hard plastic grids to help bacteria grow. Different than the spinning Biowheel design on the Marineland, but honestly I can't help but think this Aqueon design is going to be much easier to maintain.

The filter comes with an extension tube that is adjustable. You simply slide it up or down. Easy to use.

The only reason I have it 4 stars instead of 5 is that there is some slight (but pleasant) water noise where the water comes INTO the filter. So, technically it's not 100% silent but I think for a filter that pumps 400 gal/hr this is about the best they get. Mine is new so we'll see how it holds up over time.

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Best filter I've ever purchased. My 55 gal. aquarium was really in need of major cleaning. This filter within one week totally cleaned the water crystal clear. Change the pads everyday for one week if your tank is really bad. After that, normal changes will keep it clean (once or twice a month). I am so glad I bought this item!

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