Seachem Tidal 35 vs Fluval C3 | Super detailed review and comparison!

[@OntarioGuy430]

Thank you for showing the filters on the tanks. I have some driftwood I don't want to disturb and seeing how much of the filter (Tidal 35) is in the tank really helps.

[@metallixro]

TY for pretty solid presentation/comparison, still relevant two years later.

[@craighealy6186]

I like the Fluval c3 it keeps my tank noticeably cleaner than the aquaclear filters which i have many of. The c3 is much less expensive than the tidal 35. I have been thinking about getting the tidal 35 i think it is easy to change out your filter medium, which will probably lend to you changing out your filter medium more often. I think that is the biggest benefit of the tidal 35. I won't like the tidal 35 filter so much in the hot months, the pump in the tank will be an additional heat source.

[@gregghorner9107]

The Fluval appears to be more efficient but the Tidal is just so much easier to maintain. It is so easy to pull out the media basket for a quick clean. My main complaint with the Tidal is it tends to overflow if you try to add or modify the media.

[@mitchellmak]

Hi greg, when you modify the media, the water overflows or the media overflows? I also noticed that when I removed the net for the Matrix, some of the floating matrix tended to flow out.

[@k0d0kan]

Thank you for the review. I think I will try the Tidal 35.

[@elizabethG633]

Do not use a Tidal 35 on a 29/30 gal tall tank. It won't work right, as there is no intake attachment. I switched back to my Fluval C2. My Fluval C2's run quiet and I have one on the 30 gal and one on a 10 gal. I will use the Tidal but not on anything larger than a 20 long, or a 10 gal. The impellors are easy to clean and the chambers in the Fluval is so that you shouldn't change all your media at the same time. If you are changing the First stage, then in a week or two change out your media in the basket under the trickle chamber. The filter on the trickle chamber can be rinsed in tank water when doing a water change, and then they don't clog up. I have extra sponges for the first stage and then I add my own filter floss, (the flat kind) for the first stage, and if I need to get rid of meds or other debris I can add a small bag of carbon, plus I use Purigen for cleaning and polishing the water.

[@Bullboy_Adventures]

Don't use the 35 at all cause it's just awful. Who's the genius that thought putting a vent on the filter itself was a good idea? Even the shitty ones from Walmart have something as simple as an intake tube

[@tanwilson1343]

did you turn on tbe filter all the time for that small tank,conern about the flow rate for the residence small fishes in tbe tank

[@k9m42]

I have had the Fluval C4 and Tidal 55. The Fluval is far better in keeping the water clear. The large flat surface area of the mechanical filter is much better than the Tidal. The tidal media is too narrow and needs to be maintenance every few days or the water bypasses. Could not get my tank clear with the seachem with a low fish load.

[@edyoung6573]

wow! I was actually thinking of replacing my Fluval C3 that has been running on my 29 gallon community planted tank for 4 years with the Tidal 55 (thinking the Tidal was better from all the videos on it) I make cut my own Mechanical media pads(no chemical) and have Seachem matrix in the basket and drip compartment. Don't think i will now. Oh and my Fluval C3 is silent and primes itself with when the power goes out (I keep my tank topped off)

[@junito1957]

I GOT TIDAL 75 AND IT THE BEST HOB OUT THERE AND THOSE WHO HAVE A REEF TANK IT THE ONLY ONE YOU COULD RELY ON TO WORK FOR YOU , IT SKIM THE TOP LIKE A OVER FLOW NONE OF THE HOB DO THAT NO NEED TO PRIME IF THE POWER GOES DOWN

[@Alisha-gq5pb]

Thank you for your review, i like filter with skimmer, make water surface clear from oil, i think i will go with tidal

[@aleemscorpio]

Does Fluval self prime or do we need to add water after the power restarts?

[@mitchellmak]

You need to add water. It does not self prime.

[@k9m42]

Only after a water change when you reduce the water enough so the filter drains.. It will start after a power outage without being primed.

[@mikebird5148]

I have a Fluval c3 on my lil 20gallon, she keeps that thing crystal clear, has 6 tropical small fish inside (1inch)

[@carljeanne4218]

Wat filters pads do you use? The brand ones or the ones you cut ur self?

[@mikebird5148]

@@carljeanne4218 I use the ones that I have to cut myself, cheaper and I get more product.

[@carljeanne4218]

@@mikebird5148 okay but is it better than the actual branded filters?

[@carljeanne4218]

@@mikebird5148 I have a heavily stocked 20 gal hexagon tank 8 tiger bars (glofish)6 tetras( glofish) 1 glofish shark 2 dwarf gouramis one L82 pleco they reach a maximum size of 8" so pretty small for a pleco 1 Gold snail and one tiger snail and I was gonna remove my school of 6 neon tetras and move them to my 40 gal community but left 3 cuz I gave up tryna catch the rest lol

[@mikebird5148]

@@carljeanne4218 Yea the filter media that I have to cut lasts longer, not sure why but it does.

[@MaryDeanDotCom]

Thank you for this very helpful review. I am just a beginner and I have wasted a lot of money on junky products so I am going to get the Fluval.

[@fishy4mitchy307]

Thanks Mary, both work really well and mine is still running strong in my saltwater tank.

[@niceday1470]

I have both in each of my two tanks the fluval intake tube will crack easily. Get the tidal its very good 👍

[@monkeyguy80]

What do you think of Eheim Liberty HOB? 🤔

[@fishy4mitchy307]

Eheim stuff are great and the liberty hob has alot of space to put alot of media in, the only thing is that I find Eheim to be slightly pricy.

[@starcity6432]

👍 comparison.

[@aidilrahim7612]

How clearance do we need inbetween wall and tank for the tidal ?

[@mitchellmak]

About 10cm

[@aidilrahim7612]

@@mitchellmak 10cm same goes for the fluval c3....im contemplating for the fluval c3 or the tidal 55

[@mitchellmak]

@@aidilrahim7612 depends on your application. For saltwater tank, I suggest the Tidal 55 as there will be salt in every part of the fluval. It is easier to clean the tidal. Just use a toothbrush and brush the entire thing.

[@earifin]

Other things to consider, C2 is using transparent container, it's an indicator when the whole parts need to be cleaned, otherwise it will show off all the build up dirt/muds, secondly the transparent plastic and it's moving parts tends to breaks over the time, it is not as durable as the black plastic somehow.

[@earifin]

for Seachem Tidal 35 what is aquarium cover hole size required to fit the submerge part ?

[@mitchellmak]

You need a 3.5cm gap from the tank wall to the cover.

[@shinemendwoor]

6:00 I did not even know you could do this 😂 you have increased my IQ from 0 to 1