10 Hacks to Make the PERFECT Hang-on-Back Filter

[@GirlTalksFish]

*Which filter hack was your favorite one?* Also, if you have more questions about filtration, check out my favorite filter videos here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eISamHx-itCbq9E

[@r0syyyy]

I LOVE floating plants and I hate how they always get pushed down with HOB filters. I’m for sure doing the ring with the suction cup ASAP! Great video!

[@Sabriel3632]

Wifi timer is a great idea! I’m also very curious about the protein skimmer

[@user-qo6il9vg3n]

Love your videos, you’ve help me improve my bettas life so much. From a small cylinder tank to a filtered, heated, and planted ten gallon tank.

[@SirStarGazer00]

All of them, I was just about to ditch my HOB filter. Thank you so much.

[@clopez6768]

ive burned two motors just because ididnt know that 😢

[@macdavey1463]

Between you and Chris over at FFT you've probably saved so many fish from unneeded deaths. Thank you for all your hard work and keep up these awesome videos!

[@lilkush7147]

Kg tropicals?

[@moondive4ever]

Ive been using these tricks for over a year now and its saved me a tremendous amount of money. The filters are easily better than what you buy to replace. Thanks again Girl talks Fish!

[@diamondking6086]

This was one of THE BEST hack videos for HOB’s I’ve ever seen. I love them and still use them. Never thought about plants in the filter or the soap dish to calm the s0und of the running water. 10/10 would recommend all these hacks. NICE!

[@cruzin54321]

This video is wonderful!

[@optimusprime3813]

Oh my gosh, I have watched many Co-Op videos, other fish keeper videos, and rich people videos lol.... This is by far the most amazing video I have seen so far. All of your suggestions really help the poor man like me, really have great ideas to keep my fish and I happy! Bless your heart Girl!

[@redsea3382]

So what filter do you use

[@Oceanboxdesigns]

Hello GTF! Thank you for mentioning our surface skimmer add-on! One important note for anyone thinking of using it, make sure you have a way to constantly monitoring your water level and automatically topping off evaporation, for me it is critical to be using an Automatic Top-off System to keep the salinity (salt) level on point in a reef tank. Otherwise you'll run into problems where the intake will start sucking air in (struggling to pull water in) as the water level dropped inside the overflow box. Love your channel and keep up with the great work!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much for the word of warning! That definitely makes a lot of sense.

[@ktrimberger]

Fish newb here... I just bought the Marineland Portrait 5 Gallon tank and am researching options to modify it. I've watched TONS of KZbin videos from various people on all the topics - fish, tank size, filtration, media, etc. And I am SO impressed with Irene's straight forward, well informed opinions and insights! So refreshing! I really appreciate it. Keep up the great work! (yes, I subscribed). Thank you!

[@carlflemmig4962]

Hi Irene, I use both HOB and sponge filters in my tanks. One thing I would suggest is using a piece of of Poly Bio filter pad under your bio ringers or whatever you use. It's suppose to be great stuff. Anyway I use it in all my filters because I'd rather safe than sorry.

[@waterpredators6890]

I actually cut a hole with a hole saw on my ac70 lid. Then insert the pothos plants thru the hole. Half of the roots grow into the filter and the other half into the tank. For Aquaclear filters, I highly recommend adding spacers to make the back of the filter tilt into the tank. This way the water won’t leak out the back if it overflows.

[@sarahwoodring5587]

The rubber band trick is genius!

[@juli8vdberg562]

Or chewing gum … works perfect

[@harlowhazardperry255]

So many great ideas!! I've been fishkeeping for almost 20 years, I'm constantly searching aquarium tips, newest knowledge, diy hacks etc. I've never seen some of these tips, A+++ content :D

[@user-qo6il9vg3n]

The nine dislikes are the companies that make you get filter cartridges for money.

[@jl644]

Glad Irene is part of Aquarium Co-op team....

[@georgeduncan8946]

Excellent ✌🏿👍🏿....i used eheim intake & made a 90 degree elbow to move input 9-10 " away from return flow

[@davidlee50]

You made me think of my idea again, where the intake tube gets changed out for Flex tubing and a bottom attachment to clean out the tank. Then the intake tube is reattached after being cleaned. 2 in 1 intake tube now

[@bothetetrabreeder8734]

The only problem I have with hang-on-back is loud noise especially when water level gets low..hack 4 sounds really a good solution, I might try it sometime. Thanks for sharing those ideas!

[@headerahelix]

Are external filters quieter? I just want something as silent as possible whilst maintaining some level of a clean aesthetic

[@bothetetrabreeder8734]

You can just use a canister filter to achieve that.

[@robertspringer9477]

UGF with a power head makes no noise.

[@markb8954]

Don’t let your tank water get so low. Thats an easy fix.

[@rachaelmaass3312]

I just LOVE watching your content i always learn things i never think of!!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you so much! I actually learn a lot myself when I start researching a topic for a video or when I ask my viewers for advice.

[@funnyfish9360]

hello, great video about the aqua clear! i have a ac50 myself for my 29 community, just wanted to reccomend putting that filter floss in before you put ceramic or any biological media, the floss should really clean up the water so you wont have to worry about the tiny pores getting clogged with detritus as much, making your filter a bit more efficient. but otherwise it shouldnt matter much and is still a really great home for plently of bacteria.

[@Angela-qw2ix]

OMG1 thank you so much for this video. You just save my pocket. I went to petsmart today and they told me that I have to change everything in the fluvial filter every single month. What was very wired is that their carbon replacement itself only one unit was $19.99. That is why you just save my pocket, Bank account etcccc. I already subscribed and gave you a like 👍🙏 By the way you have a very pleasent voice and good diction. Kind regards, Angie

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

The skimmer idea is new to me and sounds really good. Thanks for sharing these awesome "hacks".

[@GirlTalksFish]

My pleasure! Yeah, I find that I end up learning several new things myself when I research topics for a video or ask the audience for advice. 🤯

[@RioCahyadiDrayka]

Agreed, i might make one out of plastic bottle with some suction cup behind it.

[@jacobhudson1072]

I love the soap box idea for the baffling the flow. I’ve done the water bottle thing and hated the way it looks. Thanks for the great idea.

[@BENfromSUNDIAL]

I still don't have my tank set up, but the tank stand plan has evolved to include an indoor garden around the aquarium and a lighted grow box underneath. I gotta talk to this Rat Dragon!

[@jimmyreese4740]

Another great video keep them coming!!

[@butterflyera4628]

First and this video is exactly what i need right now since I'm new to HOB filters. Thanks Irene!💚

[@metamario9728]

Great video. I’d also add (if it hasn’t been mentioned) that you can buy coarse filter sheets like the one the co-op sells to fill out the HoB filter.

[@maryellensweeney7855]

Weird like M.E.! My favorite aquarium hobby hack predates even the amazing AquaClear HOT filters. Who remembers the first acrylic box filters? Fiberglass media (ugh)? Charcoal? Cut to the chase, and just use bio-active gravel substrate as the media. Thanks, Lee Finley!

[@thatdude._.]

This video came out at the perfect time! My mom had been struggling with her HOB filter, and I bet this video will help! Tysm!! 💛😁

[@Ishiisan]

holy cow! soap dish!?!? I didn't think about that!

[@adamdvorsky5136]

about the hack 8. In smaller tanks you can also use chopsticks and do like barier in half of the aquarium

[@c_8link]

Thanks for making such a comprehensive video! In my previous betta tank I used a sponge filter but in my new setup I'm going to try a hang-on-back filter so I can add more mechanical and biological filtraion. I got a lot great tips from you and will definitely be implenting most of them in my new tank :)

[@carolineraimbeau1124]

The rubber band on the filter lid is the best hack I have seen in a while! Thanks for the great idea!

[@jrkc9218]

Plant crazy and I love fish…..I never knew I could do that to a filter. Thank you!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Thorough explanation, thanks! I was given a used hang on back just like yours when I started up a new tank a few years ago, if I'd watched this then I might have used it. But compared to the sponge filters I decided to use instead, the hang on back seems bulky, overly complex, inconvenient and potentially troublesome. After a few years of looking at the options, I believe I would go with a cannister filter if I went with mechanical filtering in the next tank I build. But likely I will go with sponge filters again.

[@stevefrancis1191]

Thank you so much for making this video! I’ve been researching a lot and just the sheer amount of helpful knowledge is awesome thank you. Side not I love what you, Cory and the whole co op team put out. You are just so likable and really good at getting your point across, Cory just has this natural sarcastic funniness and who doesn’t love Dean the master. Sending good vibes from New York, I hope one day I can come to the store and meet you awesome people. Seems like such an awesome place to work. You hiring? Lol

[@SturdyOakTree]

This is one of the most helpful videos I've ever watched!

[@muffemod]

For Hack #5 you can cut and trim the impeller blades on the motor to reduce flow. Remember it's not how much you cut but how much you don't cut. A small change will make a large difference.

[@davisn456]

The soap dish idea is absolutely amazing. I've looked for baffle options and none looked decent and a lot of them wouldn't fit my tank. That would totally work for me.

[@epicexposure]

I use Pure-Flo Fine Filter Pad with 100 Microns 18"x30" by Coralife. Really works wonders on my water column looking crystal clear. It also can be cut to fit any mechanical filter application. They come in thin sheets so they wont add any extra bulk to my hang on back filter. Thanks so much for these amazing videos!

[@GirlTalksFish]

Woah, it looks like it's machine washable and reusable! I'll definitely have to check this out; thanks for the recommend.

[@epicexposure]

@@GirlTalksFish Oh absolutely! I'm glad you like my tip and thanks again ☺

[@idir7981]

Nice one! Thanks irene and to all those who provided the innovative solutions :)

[@shesellsfish]

Great HOB filter tricks. HOBs are so versatile. 👍❤👍

[@bundlesofjoe]

For hack 8 I find the second way works best. As if you use a suction cup your floaters will all float away when the water level gets lower than that suction cup. If you let it free float but use the HOB to hold it in place it will raise and lower with the water level preventing you from needing to scoop up floaters and move them back.

[@barbarawheat4079]

Thank you so much. The info on the hang on the back filter was great. As was the floating plants idea. My floating plants are always getting stuck around the filter. I'm going to make a ring right now. Thank you so much.

[@SirStarGazer00]

I use a small piece of plastic mosquito screen mesh on top of the aquarium floss for additional filtration, and I also wrapped a piece of it on the filter intake. Instead of the pre-filter sponge. Thank u! Cheers! 🥂

[@MehHalfhearted]

Hob filters are excellent planting beds! Just pop the top, throw some aquarium plants in, and shine a light on it! Most common stem plants, such as ludwigia, bacopa, monte carlo, and pearlweed will do great. One of mine has a huge mat of hydrocotyle triparta and baby tears growing out of it. It serves as a resting place for my betta, filter baffle, extra biological filtration, and beautiful decoration all in one.

[@JGotYa187TTV]

Really good video definitely some things I didn’t think of

[@pbk808]

I plant both Pathos and lucky bamboo in most all my Aqua clear filters, even the smaller 50. The plant roots will eventually grow into the sponge. I sometimes, in the larger ones use two sponges. Once the roots really grow down into the sponge, the sponge rarely gets clogged and stays clean. However if you must clean/rinse it, you can pull the basket and rinse the “planted” sponge with roots under running water. Put it back and it’s perfect! My tanks always have plenty of beneficial bacteria so rinsing the rooted sponge under the faucet never hurts.

[@EA-mh3qu]

Hi I want to add a pothos to mine. Should I worry about whether the plant was grown with fertilizers for the safety of the fish? Where do you get your plants safely?

[@michellearnold2396]

I have been using aqua clear hob since the late 90's & love them. I have 2 different kinds of sponges, bio max & aquarium floss. I absolutely love the hang on back filters.

[@MegaMindyLou]

Great info! Love the longer format. ❤️

[@johnwood738]

Run mainly sponge filters,but do run two hang on backs. One with a Ziss on my fifty five breeding tank and the other on my grow out tank with a sponge filter. Somethings I’ve done and some I haven’t.nice job.

[@GirlTalksFish]

Thank you! How do you personally decide when to use sponge vs HOB filters? I'm still debating whether or not to install it (mostly because I'm lazy and the sponges are working).

[@littlecoffeebean6744]

Just got this filter and this was all super helpful! Thank you! Subbed!

[@attitude3849]

Instead of covering the filter pipe's input at the bottom with sponge, i used cotton and the water is crystal clean as removes all the finest suspended particles. It needs to be replaced frequently though.

[@dynamicdeadhead]

AWESOME VIDEO!!! TONS of really good information! Thank you!!! 😁

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

Thank you. I always learn so much from you.

[@jerryp8808]

I knew most of this but I didn't know about the surface skimmer that's pretty cool I might have to try that

[@jordanforever2345]

I think I got most beneficial suggestion is the WiFi plug for a budget heater. Got WiFi plug laying around the house and was thinking to throw it away. 多謝🙏

[@aorjarsrelaxingvideos6126]

I followed your hang on back filter with plants/filter floss in the filter, the tank is so crystal clear 100% ... Thankyou 😁

[@LushWisdum]

I have an AC50 on my 90gl GF tank. I use it for polishing the water. I use 2 course foam , 1 medium thin foam, 1 fine foam & top it with the media stones it came with. I also use a course pre filter that I clean weekly & I usually change the fine pad every 2 weeks depending on how dirty it is. My water is very clean I also run a Ehein 2215 & a 2217 for biological filtration with the Ehein pre filters which I clean every 2 weeks also. This way I only clean out my canisters ab out once a year.

[@Dfath]

Thanks for showing this easy method

[@pancudowny]

Among the tricks I've seen done with/for the AquaClear HOBs, one for flow control that stands-out in my mind is how the impeller for the models 20-70 can be interchanged, as each has a higher or lower floe rate, respectively. Also: inTank has a laser-cut acrylic basket for each of the AquaClear series that makes servicing and arranging one much easier than the factory-included basket.

[@-8_8-]

A well earned like. Love the crowdsourcing.

[@techwithbec]

Very helpful 👍 Thank you for the tips!

[@Kyddoemiko13]

I have a 5 in 1 Aqua Miracle filter and I want to use the Purigen 100 ml bag thanks for sharing the layering technique.I will give it a try . 👍🏼😁

[@audrameyer9558]

Thanks Irene. These are great tips. I will be implementing the rubber band trick today. So clever. I love what Aquaclear filters do, but they have some quirks that I cannot stand.

[@judithmarks-jacoby2385]

You've liked, you've commented (or at least you are taking time to read one)....if you haven't created an Aquarium Reference/Tips folder for yourself yet, now is the time and this video should definitely make the cut! It's so helpful to create your own reference library. THIS VIDEO IS ONE TO SAVE for sure. Totally accurate info, easy to understand, and has creative ways to change things up- loved the airline tube floating plant DIY idea- I can't believe I ever spent $$ on this floating rings that look and work just as well. Thank you Girl Talks Fish!:)

[@Texas_Takeover]

PERFECT timing, I'm upgrading to a hang on back this weekend

[@nancyzepp7247]

For Pothos you need to have a node for it to grow.

[@Ian-qw1zb]

In the direction of the water flow ▶️ course pad first▶️then fine pad▶️media ▶️and then back to tank. Two reasons one because you pick up the big stuff then the small stuff and that keeps all or most of the particulates out of your media and that way it doesn't clog the pores and you get the most efficiency out of your media. I find also if you put a course sponge on your pickup tube as a pre-filter and that picks up even bigger stuff before it gets inside of your filter. The cleaner your media the better it works. That's what I am finding works best in any type of filter hang on the back or canister. The other reason is usually if a filter bypasses when clogged it runs the water up to the top and out. So if you have your media up at the top it's still going to pass through and get some type of beneficial bacterial filtration upon returning to tank. You just have to remember to replace the flat fine pad often and you need to know which direction your water flows in your filters some canister filters are harder to figure out but most of the HOB's are straightforward.

[@colinm.4052]

I have actually used just a single disposable filter media pad for 4 years now! I’ve only ever had one problem with this, which was that one time ick broke out in the aquarium and I found ick all over my filter media! Hang on backs are my favorite. They will give you necessary aeration and not take up any space in the water column

[@thejohnsaye]

Sorry... 22 years of fishkeeping and one red rubber band blew my mind! That's great!

[@amymandeville8342]

Some of these hacks I never would have thought of! Thanks!

[@wildbill9919]

I used to have a severely oversized AquaClear 50 on a 10 gallon tank because it had a much larger media compartment than the AC20. To reduce the flow, l used an AC20 impeller in the 50.

[@sergioluna3073]

Congratulations!!! 👍Good job and nice ideas. Greetings from Álvaro Obregón, Ciudad de México.🤜🤛 🐟🐠🐟🐠🐟🐠

[@burstable252]

Can I ask you why you put the filter pad after the bio media? Don’t you want the bio media to be protected

[@andibandi1190]

some would put the filter floss after the sponge, and before the porous rings🦊

[@sbelazeros]

this is an amazing hack! definitely gonna try

[@cagarden8808]

Justin and Ady, at Ocean Aquarium in SF, recommended that I replace the activated carbon and ceramic bio rings in my AquaClear filter for my planted tank. Now my filter only have pothos, and polyester fiber with the AquaClear sponge. The API water quality checks are consistently good. Hack to baffle the AquaClear waterfall on the lowest setting-I have java moss on a plastic leaf that has a suction cup. Now my betta isn't bothered by the water current.

[@robertmartin4135]

I have the pre-filter on all of my tanks. Not only does it save the fries, but also gives my shrimp another place to feed. 😊

[@GirlTalksFish]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that as one of the benefits! I also forgot to say that I recommend coarse pre-filter sponges (versus ones with fine porosity) because they don't clog up as easily. 🤦‍♀️

[@robertmartin4135]

@@GirlTalksFish Agreed!

[@juliaheinritz3264]

I love your videos and all the input from everyone. Thanks

[@gitarmac]

Those were great tips! I had a couple aquaclears and one broke. I tried to use my spare top fin, it came with the kit but I only used it a little while. It was too small so I went to get another aquaclear. They were out of the size I needed but had a "top fin pro" which looked similar but was also less expensive. I actually like it better! The basket is easier to get in and out, it comes with a sponge for the intake, and you can even put floss or something in a chamber that the water comes out of! Anyway, great tips, thanks for sharing.

[@lc4817]

So many great ideas. Thank you.

[@lacrosseguy108]

this is exactly what i was looking for!

[@xmaTKDmma]

i love the hang on back filters. always used the carbon cartridge so maybe i will try to swap it out with media and a sponge. i already is a sponge on the instake so not having carbon may help as i didnt realize it also removes tannins.

[@mikesmith-wk7vy]

i love the aqua clear ive got a 110 on my 55gal tank , it lets me just pick what media i want to use based on what i need at the time. most of the time i use the factory bottom sponge and poly-fil in a filter bag or sheets of filter floss , the customization options are really nice over the Tetra Wisper i used on my small tanks

[@jacobg7966]

I have a marineland filter that pushes all my duckweed down, which makes it get stuck to my prefilter sponge. I’m going to buy some suction cups and thicker vinyl tubing and try to make that guard for the outlet. Thanks for the tips!

[@warrenmartin1607]

I personally love the water noise. My room sounds like a mountain stream. Sleep like a baby. My gf finally got familiar with it and also enjoys it.

[@thrilleex]

Using two HOBs is the best hack I've got, my tank is 200Lts and I couldn't find any HOB with enough capacity for it (600lts/hr being the highest), I don't want internal filters that take real state in the tank and I don't really have a way to hide a canister one, so one HOB on the left most corner and one on the right, great filtration and also no water dead spots.

[@krisgoyette9938]

good ideas and the skimmer is a new one thanks.

[@ChelseaODay-Navis]

AMAZING TIPS! Thank you so much 🙂

[@Am.a.Stranger]

very useful and practical tips finally after looking around so many different videos in youtube. 🙆🏼‍♂️

[@Charles-bb4bp]

Read a report of a 56 yr old woman in Maryland that caught a bacterial infection from her freshwater, tropical fish aquarium. I typically wash hands, wrist prior too and following a water change, but it looks like the CDC was recommending gloves to cover cuts, etc. Was wondering if you had seen the article and if you take any such precautions.

[@Maggie19701]

I knew someone that was on IVs a healthy person for a year and a half, marine infection pretty serious she diagnosed it her self Running to countless hospitals and doctors with the help of her veterinarian friend go figure

[@cracklingice]

Love those AquaClear HOBs. They're more like small square cannister filters. I ran the sponge, a bag of crushed coral, polishing pads and a bag with some bio media in the AquaClear 70 I ran on my 30g cichlid tank. Had another that I ran on a 30g goldfish tank without the coral. Absolutely love the versatility. I'd usually only clean one of the bio media per water change since the crushed coral would also serve to house some biologicals and it'd keep the tank perfect.

[@DestineeQc]

Hi ! I've been watching your videos for a bit (ok binge watched over the past weeks, lol) and I love that you also share the tips from the community ! The aquaclear has always been my favorite hob filter but the sounds it made were too much.... The rubber band for the cover, i'm definitely adopting the idea !!

[@zwierzobzik4008]

thanks for this video! I will use these ideas!

[@WhatIsMisophonia]

I have a large green pill bottle with the bottom cut off and the edges notched for surface skimming, and with the cap opening connected to the intake of a powerhead placed upside down. Because you can stuff anything you could put in a HOB down in this thing, it does everything I could need, only looks slightly ghetto, and has air bubbles for surface agitation because the power head has a venturi type opening on the outflow connected to an airline tube. The King of DIY sends his regards. P.S. if there's any weakness to this thing, its that cheap suction cups can come loose.

[@josejavierperez1]

Thanks for these videos. I have been learning a lot!

[@juli8vdberg562]

I use a regular kitchen sponge with the rough green/blue side and soft spongy side, cut it into small piece or entirely in your filter and the bio material underneath.. easy

[@MrWest9]

Thanks for all the help the noise thing

[@sairvinginthestacks]

I'm planning on adding a few more fish to my 10 gallon Betta tank and needed more filtration capacity. Bought an Aquaclear but the impeller was rattling. I took that back and bought a tidal 35. 10 mins later, I decided it was the best HOB. You can't add a prefilter sponge but if you remove the motor, a thin piece of sponge can be added behind the intake slits. I also baffled the flow. Best part, the filter is silent. Although, if you have shrimp or fry, this probably isn't the best filter to use.

[@torokun]

These are great tips. I will try them out for sure.

[@sophisticatedwrat]

I wanted to have an aquarium with an aquaponics system and I ended up getting a free 10G tank with this filter. I was running it filterless for a while but when I watched your vid I added on that filter and now I have a bunch of plants in there. My strawberry plants are thriving and I think they might even produce fruit soon. Just FYI about the filterless thing. I'm not a novice keeper and ik what I'm doing. Everything was thriving in the filterless setup because of all the plants and I still had an air pump running and yes, I also did regular water testing to make sure everything was fine.