SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 110 Gallon (400 Liters) by Sicce

Works great for my 125gal and 135gal freshwater tanks, water stays clear.

Most aquarium filters aren't very good. My Tidals (I've had a pair of 110s since 8/20) are an exception, having won me over after my initial annoyance with a rattling noise in one, which I eventually fixed. Water flow is good, the self-priming feature is very welcome, and their reliability has been great.I use a pair of these filters on a 90-gallon planted, CO2-injected aquarium with five large angels, four young keyhole cichlids, five black neon tetras (great fish), seven emperor tetras, five corydoras, and three SAEs--so it's moderately stocked. I also run a pair of Aquarium Co-op's coarse sponge filters with two air pumps. I guess I like my symmetry!I like them better than my two Eheim 2217s. Yes, two again. The Eheims get rattly after about eight years, so I have to periodically replace the shafts and grommets. Canister filters are a PITA to maintain regularly. I've relegated them to my other tank, a 55-gallon with about 20 yellow lab cichlids (Labidochromis caeruleus). Obviously that tank is heavily stocked, but the Eheims and another sponge filter work fine in that setup.I like a lot of Seachem products, but I've found I don't really need anything any more besides Prime and Purigen, since I already have CO2 and my favorite fertilizers are pond tabs (cheap) for plant roots and NilocG for DIY water column fertilization for leaf feeders. Seachem's Tidal filters are a quality product, just like Prime and Purigen.

The media could not be loaded. I REALLY like this HOB filter! It is the best one I have ever owned.I am running it on my new 75 gallon aquarium. It currently has the foam and ceramic media that came with in it. I also put some polyester filter fiber, some additional ceramic media and a pack of Purigen.This filter has A TON of room for whatever media you want. I am using the Purigen to remove the tannins from the new driftwood.I am also using two large sponge filters with ceramic media in them, and finally a big canister filter. What is nice about this set up is that I can pretty much use the HOB for polishing the water and adjust that media as necessary. The three other filters can be primary bio filters.The only issue with these filters is with the packaging and the dust. Just like many other reviewers mentioned, the filter was covered in dust when I opened the package. That dust is from the bag of ceramic media that they include with this filter. The unfortunate thing about that ceramic media dust is that it acts like sandpaper. My filter looks like it has been sanded in several areas. It kind of ruins the aesthetics of the filter. It is not a deal breaker by any means. I just don't understand why SeaChem can't fix this problem. If it were up to me I would: 1) get better plastic bags that won't leak dust from the ceramic media OR 2) just don't include the ceramic media with the filter. It is annoying to get a brand new filter that looks like it is 20 years old.That being said, I love this thing!It's got good flow. It's quiet. I like that it's black and I don't have to look at dirty media.Oh, I almost forgot!The media tray lifts out AND the lid is made to carry it. Turn the lid upside down and set the media tray on the lid. The media tray clips on to the lid so you can transport the media and clean up without spilling water everywhere! What a great idea!I added a video of my Koi Betta and four more pics of the tank. Just look at that crystal clear water! This filter is really great!

I trust Seachem for the quality of their products so when I first saw they had built an HOB filter, I had to acquire one (two actually). I’ve been keeping fish nearly 40 years, both Marine and Freshwater and used a number of different filters including several brands of canister filters. My favorite filter until this one was an Aqua Clear from Hagen (Fluval), because of the ease of maintenance and their versatility in what media can be used. My only complaint about the Aqua Clear units is that more recently, the quality of their internal parts has dipped a bit, particularly the motor shafts and impeller assembly with the result being very noisy filters. They continued to function, but were loud. With all of that said, I am impressed with the build quality, design and features of the new Tidal line of filters. I have 2 110’s running in a 60 gallon tank that is heavily populated with Convict Cichlids. Current media load is the Seachem sponge, double bags of matrix and chemi-pure with the second filter the same swapping the chemi-pure with Purigen. So far, so good - excellent flow, quiet operation and yes, crystal clear water. At this point, I’m extremely satisfied with these filters. As with all new items, reliability can only be determined through extended use. After 6 months, I’ll post an update regarding noise and function.