Customer Reviews

AquaClear 50 Power Filter - 110 V, UL Listed (Includes AquaClear 50 Carbon, AquaClear 50 Foam & AquaClear 50 BioMax

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The Aquaclear power filters are the best in the market. These filters provide a HUGE surface area for an efficient biological treatment of the aquarium water. I own four of these filters and have been running continuously for more than three years! They are extremely quiet. I have experienced only two problems with these filters. First, the filters drain into the aquarium during power outages and will not restart on their own. Second, if not cleaned frequently the foam blocks will be pushed upwards and displace the cover. Overall, these are great filters and I would not replace them for another power filter.

I use this in my 29 gallon, and the filter is excellent. The best part about it is the ability to control the amount of water brought in. It is also very quiet. However, when the power goes out and comes back on, it won't begin working again. You must add water to it to get it up and running. This has been a problem when I've gone on vacation and I've come home to cloudy water. The refills are also pretty expensive, and can get a bit messy. It's all worth it, though. It keeps my tank in nice condition. :)

These are by far the best filters I have ever used. I have had aquariums for approx. 23 years, and these filters are so easy to maintain. They do a great job.

Length:: 6:38 Mins

This review was updated on 12-25-2011.

I purchased two of the AquaClear 50's on a buy one get one free deal. The price was right for the two filters and it gave me spare parts and extra media. The first filter was noisy from the impeller vibrating. I read various postings online about checking the impeller for damage, and manufacturing flaws. I also used petroleum jelly to lubricated the motor shaft, it was still very noisy from the rattling of the impeller. I removed the lid just to see if that made a difference, it did, but I could still hear the impeller vibrating from 15-20 feet away. It sounded like I was running the filter dry. I hooked up the second filter to see if it was any different. It still had a slight vibration/rattle, but it was not as much as the first one and was acceptable. I have been reading that this slight vibration/noise will go away in a month or so. After a week, the filter impeller started to quiet down and is hardly audible. I exchanged the noisy Aquaclear 50 for another Aquaclear 50.

***Update: 12-4-2011: The filter is now quiet with just a hum of the motor running.***

The small amount of noise coming from the current Aquaclear 50 has even subsided and is almost silent at this point. The lid does rattle from time-to-time, but it is not very loud.

The Aquaclear 50 was hooked up on 11-25-2011. Today (12-2-2011) I had to clean the foam as it was matted on the underside with debris that had collected on it. I could tell it needed cleaning as the flow was somewhat slowed.

My previous over the back filter was a bio-wheel 100. I have a 20 gal tank and the bio-wheel worked well when I first got it about 5 years ago. Over time I found myself getting annoyed with the bio-wheel stopping all the time. I also have an undergravel filter to help with biological filtration. When I saw the Aquaclear 50 on sale (buy one, get one free), I decided it was time to try something different than the bio-wheel 100. The Aquaclear 50 has double the flow rate (200GPH) than the bio-wheel 100 (100GPH) and is a much improved upgrade from the bio-wheel 100. Higher flow rates are available in the bio-wheel line as well, but I wanted to try another brand of filter.

The water in my aquarium has not been this clean for a long time. I have not any problems with the filter not restarting after the power is has been shutoff. I did a few tests to see if it would restart on its own after being stuff off for 15 minutes and it always restarted. This could change over time, and I can see this being a problem if the water level in the tank goes below the equilibrium line of the filter and the tank's water level.

I do recommend a pre-filter for the intake tube if you have small fish as the rate of intake can catch fish. I had this happen with one of my guppies and added a Fluval Edge pre-filter to the intake to prevent this from happening again.

I like the ability to be able to rinse the foam insert in the filter without having to replace them entirely (although the manufacturer recommends every 2 months) unlike the bio-wheel system's filter cartridges. The foam insert can be cleaned many times, in conditioned water, to get the debris and to keep the nitrifying bacteria. The bio-max can also be rinsed in conditioned or tank water to allow it to be used longer. With the old bio-wheel I had to replace the filters every month due to the activated carbon in them. With the aquaclear I can run the filter without the activated carbon.

Other than the noise of the first unit (which was exchanged), and to some extent the second unit (very little noise), I am very happy with it.

The Aquaclear 50 comes with a foam insert, carbon filter, and bio-max media. There are two extension tubes that come with the filter. The filter is easy to assemble and attach to the back of the aquarium. There is an adjuster to level the filter with the aquarium that is located on the bottom of the filter.

I am currently running it with two of the foam inserts and one pack of bio-max. I am debating on running only one foam insert and two bags of bio-max.

Tank Size: 20 gallons.
Current Filters: Aquaclear 50 and undergravel filter.
Prior Filters: Bio-Wheel 100 and undergravel filter.
Fish: 3 platies, 2 guppies, 4.5yr old angelfish, 4 albino corydoras catfish.
Other: 3 ghost shrimp and 15-20 ramshorn snails.

In my video I mention that the lid was a bit difficult to put on. It is much easier to put the lid on when the filter is actually installed on the back of the aquarium. It is not really an issue at all. Just something I came across while doing the video.

Producto super recomendado! llevo una semana de uso en mi pecera y el agua permanece cristalina. Cumple de manera eficiente su trabajo. Ademas de mantener los olores a raya. No es para nada ruidoso, solo es cuestion de mantener un nivel de agua alto para evitar que el agua de la cascada salpique mucho. A un precio super competitivo.

What may be the problem if the filter stops working?

One possibility is that a particle of sand, small gravel or debris has clogged the magnetic impeller.

To check on this take the filter unit to a sink and unscrew the black motor assembly about ¼ turn. Carefully remove the impeller with its cylinder magnet and flush with water and flush out the impeller casing. Carefully reinsert the impeller and then test the filter to make sure it is working.

Additionally, you may want to purchase a round black cylinder sponge to cover the filter inlet tube in your aquarium that should help in preventing debris/etc. from getting into the filter, as well as, small fish. The coarseness of the filter sponge will determine the size of debris the sponge filter stops. This sponge filter should also provide mechanical and some bio filtration.

This is a simple filter system that one can be creative and use a variety of filter media to make it work best for you. It can even with some adaptation be hooked up to power an undergravel filter as a pre-filter and be hooked up to the new Hagen surface filter attachment. The main advantage of this system is its flexibility to your needs compared to other filters than require you use the manufacturer's filter media.

Hope this helps.

I've had this filter for quite a while now and I have no complaints what so ever. While reading other reviews on here I do want to point out as with any filter that you buy that it does require maintenence. You might have come across that the sponge pushes up and displaces the lid, yes this does happen. How do you fix it? Rinse it in aquarium water and put it back in. I've only had to replace the sponge once (great beneficial bacteria build up that I don't want to get rid of).

It's a very quiet filter. It did make noise at one point and that is because when I had first set it up it wasn't level with the aquarium. All you have to do is look at the bottom of the filter and you will see a rotating thing with different groves on it. Just adjust it to make sure it is level and also clean the rotor once a month and guarentee you will see a difference in performance.

I'm very pleased with this filter and in the long it costs less money! I have to replace the carbon every 3 weeks but as far as other filter media in there unless it's falling apart I just rinse it in a bucket of aquarium water and it's good as new. If a fish gets sick and I want to add medication all I have to do is take out the carbon media. With other filters that have "cartridges" you have to take out the whole thing and put in some foam. While doing this is hassle and it also isn't good for the beneficial bacteria you've built up in the filter. Not only does it have 3 stage removable filter media (this allows you to custom your filter to your tanks needs) you can control the water flow as well. This is a great feature that most HOB filters do not have. This is a great filter and after having used some of the other ones out there I would never go back to them.

This is our 3rd AquaClear filter in about 5 years - they seem to last 18-24 months, and then die. Since they're cheap, we just keep a spare on hand, and for the price, we've been pretty happy.

However - the most recent one we bought was SUPER LOUD. It made a rumbling and grinding noise from the moment it was plugged in, loud enough to be heard across the room and over conversation.

After some dis-assembly and investigation, it seems like the impeller (the white plastic spinning part) wasn't properly cast,so it rubs on the housing as it spins.

I contacted Hagen support, asking for them to send a replacement impeller, but they said no, I'd have to return the product to Amazon instead. Seriously? You think I'm going to box up a filter that's been in my fish tank and send it back in the mail? Well, ok, they probably knew I wouldn't go to the trouble, and they end up ahead.

Since that seemed like a hassle, I decided to just wait - either the plastic would wear down and it would get quieter, or it would die. So far, after a couple of weeks, it seems this idea is working - its not silent yet, but closer. But for our next filter, we'll be buying another brand...

I got into the aquarium hobby back in the seventies with my dad. From this perspective, aquarium filtration has vastly improved from the old floss filters. Any of you old timers remember those? Floss filters with metal frame tanks, boy those were the days: not! I have learned one valuable lesson from years of fish husbandry. Never use the manufactures suggested sizes for filtration. At the very least, double it if you want a good clean tank. I run two Aquaclear 50's on my forty gallon tank. I changed to this configuration from a Marineland canister with a bio wheel. The advantages of a two filter set up should be self explanatory. I run one of them with a Hagen Fluval Surface Skimmer to keep the surface clear of scum. It is a setup that works well. This is an easy filter to run with custom media too. I buy my charcoal in bulk and use filter bags. This is cheaper then buying the individual bags.
The only issue with the filter becomes apparent during a power outage. If your tank is low, it might not regain suction. No damage will occur to the filter though as they are magnetically driven. Keeping your tank topped off is the best way to avoid this issue. I have never had an issue with this filter leaking outside the tank. It only has a slight inside leak if run wide opened. It is also easy to disassemble and clean. I have had to replace one broken impeller.
This is a very dependable and stable filter that is easy to maintain.

Hello everyone,

Tank: 30 gallon tall bowfront
Fish setup: Freshwater/tropical
Fish: 2 male guppies, 2 dinos, 1 bala shark, 3 angel, 3 cori catfish, 1 algae eater, 2 random silver fish, 1 powder coated guarmi

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As you can see, I have a array of different fish. Most aren't that big of 'mess' creators par se, but still wanted something with a lot of power.

First off, I owned a 2213 Classic EHIEM Canister filter, so I am well aware of what a good water filtration is suppose to look like. Well I was getting quite disapointed with the 2213 performance and I was tired of all the tubing, expensive media, and overall cleaning of the system. It just wasn't worth the time, effort, and most of all money putting into the 2213. I was looking around for a new filter system that had cheap media, easy to set up and take care of process, and customization. Let me just tell you now, nothing fit into those 3 categories BUT the AquaClear 50,70,110 series. So it wasn't hard to pick out my next successor for my tank. They got great reviews by most so I decided to try it out. Of course I got it on Amazon because it is by far the cheapest place to buy it from. This is 49.99 at most pet stores/local fish stores so it was a breeze doing it here. The media is cheap, just go do a search and it cost 3-4 dollars to get a 3 pack of replacements. I received it in 2 day shipping (prime) put it together in about 10 minutes then saw it work. Grade A+ for performance, it is powerful to the max. In less than an hour my water is it's clearest it has ever been. I don't see why I ever purchased a 2213 (89.99+) canister when I could have just got this. My fish are happy, I am happy, my water is SUPER clear, the bio filtration is amazing, it is super quiet, another satisfied customer.

Enjoy.