Fish Tank Filter Showdown: Hang on Back Filter vs Internal Canister Filter! Which is Best?

[@darrylmoore5847]

What a nice surprise, I would not have expected you to upload on Christmas. Marry Christmas, I hope you have a great day with your family.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You too!

[@MegaKemper]

You've got the best fishkeeping channel on youtube. You're so pleasant and affable, and you stick to the facts in a relatively short format.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you for being here!

[@alexh.9550]

My favorite and nicest channel I’ve ever seen, most detailed videos helped me so much, I failed, learned again and succeeded by just watching this channel, thank you Jason for everything, you helped me cycle my tank, choose the right filter, choose the right fish and maintain my fish tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you for being here!

[@jacks4733]

Merry Christmas!

[@jacks4733]

What's Joanna cooking up?

[@eggpelao]

I'm from latin america and your pronunciation is amazing and very easy to understand for people like me! Excellent video 👍👍👍

[@phreakerbythespeaker9902]

Happy holidays, Merry X-mas, Happy Hannaka, Love all around!

[@RedsMyFavoriteColor]

Merry Christmas. Great video I like both filters!

[@ArsenicShooter]

Hey Jason, I hope you're doing well! Thanks for the video! Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and all the best for this upcoming new year :)))

[@fbasantajr]

Merry Christmas to the Prime Time Aquatics family

[@elizabethpolyak4522]

Thanks for another great video. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[@ejfishes7610]

Merry Christmas to the entire family Jason! Great video as always!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Merry Christmas man!

[@karac5337]

Merry Christmas and Happy Everything! Many to Blessings to yall and yours!! I like my hang on backs. I have a marineland on my 75 gallon with a large sponge filter at the other end and the only thing I hate is the waterfall sound. It's so loud. At least I know when something's wrong haha. The filter itself is quiet. Love how much sponge and floss fits in it. Got an aqua clear and am Not impressed. While the media basket is big, it does not fit over the rim of my other 75 tank and I have to keep an eye on the one I have on my 10 gallon. Every month it stops. Have to open it up to rinse the impeller. No q-tip required. Just a quick rinse under the faucet. The motor housing gets pretty dang hot when that happens because it's always a day that I'm gone and busy from sun up to sun down. Hasn't died yet though and it's been 7 months. Still thinking about a new motor for my old marineland bio wheel for the 10 gallon.

[@snoopdogg734]

Great video. ..Merry Christmas fish nerds!

[@finnwiggles28]

Merry Christmas fellow Nerd!

[@feralon9570]

I am a fan of H.O.B, My husband bought me Fluval Aquaclear last week when he was out Christmas shopping, I am such a huge fan of Marineland but omg this filter is amazing! I have never bought or used the Aquaclear before and I am seriously impressed with this filter. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

[@TankTastic]

Also aesthetics, all depends on what you want. Good review dude!

[@pelhamsaquatics]

Hang on back filters are what I use mostly, great info as usual! Merry Christmas Jason and family🎄-jeff.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Merry Christmas!

[@iqbaljumani4717]

I think over head filter is best for many reason Best wishes for new year

[@oatmilll]

Merry Christmas Sir. May God bless you and your family and your all dreams come true.

[@farmert9679]

Great tutorial. Merry Christmas to you and your family and to your you tube family.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You too!

[@MBBTigger1357]

Merry Christmas Jason and Joanna! I consider this video to be a great Christmas gift so Thankyou. I prefer hang on the h.o.b filters. I have them on all of my tanks....aquaclears. Unlike some others I have little to no noise with them. In tank canister, for me takes up to much space and detracts from the aesthetics of the tank. I am hooked on h.o.b’s. Sincerely, Marty Borst 😀⛄️

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you - Merry Christmas!

[@finnwiggles28]

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!! You were really inside my head on this one! I'm considering internal filtration. I'm moving a tank into the bedroom and I'm really just SO Over the noise of the HOB and air pump for my sponge. I love the filter you have in your shellie 50 lowboy. Thank you for the thoroughness in this Video!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Cool! Good luck!

[@davidadkins8805]

H.O.B. I have the marine land internal. Mostly used it for clean up to clear the water. Haven’t used in months though.

[@petery4801]

Merry Christmas

[@angiemoore1741]

Merry Christmas to you Joanna and family . Best wishes for a new year. Thanks for the interesting comparison video. Internal canister filter is something I haven’t really explored. I love my hob filter so far.

[@pa.fishpreacher6166]

dig the tidals, been using a 55 for some time but all the sudden it has gotten noisy just order 2 35's

[@MridulSinghMusic]

Merry Christmas Jason and Joanna! Great video, and I too prefer the Hang on Backs over Internals if flow is not necessary for my scape/fish. Hope you've had a great holidays!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You too!

[@MBBTigger1357]

Hi Jason and Joanna. I just had an idea about a video you could put out. What to do with tanks during a power outage. Not everyone can afford a generator to keep the tanks running and warm. What do you think? Sincerely, Marty

[@johnwood738]

Might have to try one on my next set up. Three hang ons,one Ziss and sponges trying an under gravel on tank I’m setting up now. So far the sponges rule,but it’s fun trying new things! My firm belief is every tank/ fish is different so what works for one may not work for another, but the sponges work for most.

[@finnwiggles28]

"every tank/fish is different..." LOVE this!!!

[@johnwood738]

@@finnwiggles28 hard water soft water,city water well water,high flow ( hill stream loach) low flow ( bettas) and to many other things to list.

[@Michaelplays53]

I always use marine land filters and sponge filters does a great job on my tanks never had a problem.

[@kirkscobey3031]

I’ve used hob filters for years but now use the Topfin brand internals from Petsmart and I love them. They are also very inexpensive. Merry Christmas to both you and your lovely wife!!!!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you - Merry Christmas!

[@dewittgeorge9242]

I have a 75 gallon tank and have 3sponge filters, 1penn plax 600 internal canister filter, 2 marineland 375 pros hang on back filters, and a fx4 canister filter, & that's because my nephew's tank had a leak and I had too take about 17 of his convict cichlids and the 75 gallon was all I had so until he gets another 125 gallon tank gotta do what I can to keep the fish healthy.

[@lifewithabiologist5471]

I tried the internal canister filter that you're holding in the video, personally didn't care for it as it was quite a hassle and too much flow for my planted tank. If you have a huge tank without plants like a bare cichlid tank it may be worth it. I use sponge filters currently, but I prefer the HOB filters out of those two options. If I had fish liable to escape through the HOB gap or if a HOB was otherwise not an option and I needed more than a sponge filter, I would probably use an external canister filter. That said, for everyone who has success with internal canister filters I'm glad you've found something that works.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's pretty much how I use them - In non-planted cichlid tanks.

[@lifewithabiologist5471]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics They do have a purpose just not in my current setups 🙂

[@frodehokholt3944]

Thank you for all your great videos! Internal canister filters actually can put water on your floor. A friend had a suction cup failure on a highend Eheim with a very powerful pump, the filter ended up in a position that a lot of the output went out of the tank. It put about 75-80% of the water on the floor in record time, then the motor burned out:-( Probably a freak accident, but it's not impossible. Luckily the fish was ok.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Well, that stinks!

[@nuseek]

Merry Christmas, Jason! Thank You for the good quality videos! I have both HOB and internal Filter (PowerHead with Dual Sponge) in my 40 gallon aquarium. I think it's the Best solution If You don't have space or budget for external canister Filter 👍

[@f4ujmb]

I like my Hob filters . Maintaining them is quick and easy , I have tetra,tidal and aqueon and with the pumps in the tank I have no problems with restarts or noise.

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

Got to love the showdowns👍 Thanks for giving us all the pros and cons on the filters!! Great points to know!! Wishing you continuous blessings through the holidays🙏🌿🐟🌿💚

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you! :-)

[@stephenjackson7932]

First comment yes , but love these comparison videos keep up the good work 👏

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Thank you!

[@Tony21TT]

Happy Christmas

[@markhunter2244]

Merry Christmas. Hope you, Joanna and family had a great day 🥳🎄

[@matthewzito6130]

Two more advantages of Internal Canister filters: 1) You don't need a large opening in the lid that fish can possible jump out of. 2) They're better for tanks where the water level is kept low, as in many semi-aquatic turtle and amphibian tanks.

[@therandomman6647]

Yeppers! Less lid holes means less evaporation, too!

[@wendihamlett105]

Thank you!! Merry Christmas

[@newenglandendler]

i still like my 2 aqua clear 50s , since buying them ive added old school air powered under gravel and box filters . totally happy with these combos in a 20 and 29 . thanks for vid. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[@ExoticBoxofWater]

Test the cascade 300 hang on back filter, please!

[@muhammadfazli3875]

happy new yaers coming nice allways

[@ArsenicShooter]

Hi Jason! I have a little question. Would you mind doing a video about the Fluval C-Series? I'm interested in buying one (the C3) and didn't find any serious review about it on KZbin. That would be awesome! Have a great day!

[@theshushshushman8496]

You should do a show off between the hang on back filter and an internal filter

[@James-yv1qq]

Just got the fluval spec 5 gallon, i am definitely getting a betta for this!!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That will be cool!

[@OrcHead]

Gj Jason :) prefer internal myself I use aquael turbo filter 2000s

[@brianbowers2759]

The Marineland is available on sale some times on amazon for $32 and is able to be used as a diatomaceous earth filter. It polishes water better than anything! When using sponge filters you use it for about 30 minutes on water change day. Picks up everything a water change can't. I would never give any of mine up. When your done you take it out and put it away till the next time.

[@brianbowers2759]

Now that I am thinking about it I have to point out the lack of diatomaceous earth filter videos. Just an idea...

[@akira3871]

It was never a question imo. Swimming space is too valuable to even consider an internal filter. I'd rather inconvenience myself than take away from my fish.

[@matthewguilfoyle7854]

Running fluval U2 internal filter on sons nano tank super silent and super efficient

[@s.d.k874]

Hi im late but merry christmas! What woud be the quietest hang on back for 10 gallon tank with guppies? Thx

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Check out the Aqueon Quiet Flows! Merry Christmas!

[@SkipCoins]

The Sicce shark internal filter is in every way so much better and easier and cheaper than the marine land filters and it’s Sicce they run soooo good

[@EpicConspiracy]

If you add that marineland canister to your list and watch it on Amazon, It goes on sale for 37$ all the time.

[@lucadesanctis9063]

What about the co2 dispersion with the hob filters? Is there a way to resolve that problem in planted tanks? Thanks!

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It's not as easy because of the water flow issue. You almost need a wave maker to blow the CO2 gently across the tank.

[@thepaddocks7928]

hello. im looking for advice... I have some yo yo loaches and want to get some khuli loache are these compatible. i know this nothing about the video which i enjoyed but i know you know what your doing. thanks

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I had the combo work, but it was in our 150 gallon with lots of rocks and places for everyone to go when they wanted to get away.

[@thepaddocks7928]

thank you very much stay safe

[@samwright1184]

Do you do product reviews of new products?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Yep - have a whole playlist!

[@hamaquatics6853]

What are your thoughts on using a Fluval/Marineland multi-chamber holding & breeding box as a hang on back sump. I 'm experimenting with the idea using sponges, anoxic filter, and bio balls. I like the idea it is run by air rather the electric. Merry Christmas. Looking forward to your opinions.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Merry Christmas! I think the downside is water flow - there isn’t very much of it?

[@kalasag9113]

Is there a way to dial down the water flow? I find my fish getting overwhelmed and stressed out in my 40gal tank using the Marineland Magnum filter. :(

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

You could try putting an intake sponge over the return?

[@arturoalvarez410]

Hey do you think I can take off the blue filter for the magnum polishing filter and fill it with poly-fil instead ?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That's what I do once the blue filter gets old.

[@arturoalvarez410]

Prime Time Aquatics One more question I want to do poly-fil instead of th blue filter from bottom to top of the canister do I do carbon first or purigen packs first or vise versa ??

[@armanduval.83]

Whay would I pick an internal canister when I can get a sponge filter?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Possibly for the horizontal water flow, quieter, more water flow and better mechanical filtration? Still, I prefer the sponge filters.

[@dp-r.est.8995]

New to the hobby, can you use more than one hang on the back filter to get your water clearer?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

Sure!

[@9zQx86LT]

does the flow of internal filter bothers fishes? excuse my knoweledge as I am a beginner :D

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I haven’t found it to matter.

[@courtneyfarrell9931]

I have a 55 gallon corner fish tank with 5 very large very attitude-full goldfish, my question is what internal filter would you recommend?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

The one featured here might work - also take a look at the Penn Plex line as well.

[@monaangela4667]

Merry Christmas and Happy Holydays 🎄🎉

[@chrismac7868]

Hi all, sorry but I cannot see it anywhere. What is the name of the hang on back shown throughout the video?

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

That is the Marineland PRO 375

[@chrismac7868]

Thank you Jason! I was worried you had stopped checking this thread. Love your work.

[@ignaciogarcia98]

Good filter cleans the water goood

[@fasthracing]

I have an Eheim external canister filter. The noise it makes drives me mad!

[@abigail001tovey5]

I have a question. A long time ago my mom bought aquarium decor for her bearded dragon tank. I now want to use that used decor in my new fish tank. Can I do that? Will it cause problems in my tank?

[@finnwiggles28]

I love this question because I see so much cool drift wood for reptiles in my lps, and less so for aquariums.

[@abigail001tovey5]

@@finnwiggles28 what's ur answer to that? It has been used by the berdie for about 10 years so

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

If it was sold as fish tank decorations I would just use 10% bleach - soak it for 15 minutes and rinse well - then let it dry thoroughly. If it was wood I would use hydrogen peroxide and soak it in that then rinse and dry.

[@abigail001tovey5]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you so much!!

[@cama3209]

Hey, I am thinking of copying your set up which was shown when you did the video on red tail black sharks, I was just wondering when I start the tank do all the fish need to be similiar age/size or can I have a fully grown Severus for example and a baby red tail shark and a mix of age/size in all the fish shon in that video? Thanks😊

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I think it would really help if they are the same size (small) when doing a tank like that.

[@cama3209]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics ah ok I’m just nervous about if I get them all as babies, as the Oscar grow very fast and more fast than others, it could eat them...

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

"Because I don't want to look at the filtration inside the tank" is the exact reason why I don't use internal canisters. I'm not a fan of sponge filters either... although most of my tanks have them. I have them more so for aeration than for the actual filtration aspect though.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I hear you!

[@TheOfficialSteelReign]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics You can put lipstick on a pig, but that don't mean you think it's pretty 😆

[@catfishcave379]

Have I got an opinion? Oh boy do I ever! 🥸 I like them both depending on the situation. 😎 Happy New Year! 🥳

[@zeonabdul2001]

Sound travels further when it originates in the water column so by putting the pump motor into the water instead of outside like the older HOB filters do, you are creating noise for your fishes. No one talks about that, only concerned with the noise that you can hear. Imagine what it is like for the fish to hear that hum all day and night.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

I'm not sure that is any different from a sponge filter?

[@zeonabdul2001]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics A sponge filter has the pump located outside of the tank so the only sound the fish will hear is water bubbling, very natural.

[@sammygonzalezjr.9858]

In your opinion FX six would be OK to run on a 55 gallon tank.

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

It would probably be a lot of water flow. I might go with the four instead?

[@sammygonzalezjr.9858]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you. I have a chance to go with 75 or 55 gallon tank.

[@GuppyDundee]

Tidal 110 number 1.

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

Firstestist! What's the filter shown at 2:09?

[@csp203]

Looks like a penn plax

[@woodworkerroyer8497]

@@csp203 lol I was just looking on Amazon at a marineland and saw a penn plax just like it🤣 It looked like some cheapo ebay powerhead or something! Thanks for the reply!

[@finnwiggles28]

Penn plax Cascade?

[@chico6085]

I hate hang on back filters. I keep these marinelands on most of my tanks. Been using for years. Also if you take out the middle cilinder out you can fill the whole thing up with media. I fill mine about half way with biological media, ceramic rings etc, and the top with cut to fit medium and course sponge. Then take one of the lids off the cilinder and place it in the motor part of the filter, it actually clicks in perfectly. Using the filter this way stops it from almost ever clogging up like it usually does and allows you to hold more then double the media so you have a stronger more trustworthy cycle

[@PrimeTimeAquatics]

We pack ours full of filter floss :-)

[@chico6085]

@@PrimeTimeAquatics nice so you use it more as a polishing filter then. That's a good idea

[@RodrigoSotoCastro]

Hi Jason! Merry Christmas haha. I know this is not the topic of the video, but today I came across this article that talks about how microplastics affect sedimentary microbial communities and the nitrogen cycle and I was wondering if this research could be relevant to our hobby. I came to you because your channel is my main scientific reference in our hobby. Thank you very much for all the effort you put into this channel! Link: www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16235-3

[@missthang4982]

Thank you 😊 Sudbury, Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦✌️

[@Rustybojangles]

Sponge filter for the win!

[@ZacharyDarkes]

Sponge filter is the best

[@jennifermartin506]

Internal would seem more cumbersome. Takes up space inside the tank. 👎Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🎄

[@wtfmrb293]

Hang on back are way uglier than a internal filters. Plus the internal you can hide behind decor, plants

[@reba4327]

Merry Christmas