Best HOB filter
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manufacturer:
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as far as hob go the best buy for tanks with large cichlids is the aquaclear 110 by hagen. it offers a large area for bio media(for an hob) and has superior flowrates compared to all the other brands. it also is somewhat customizable and replacement parts(impellors and shafts) are readily available and inexpensive. and as an added bonus once it is setup with media there is nothing else to buy(no replacement cartriges).
i personally have used them for years now as an addition to my canisters and find them to be solid filters.



just my 2 cents

Hob is good for extra media volume as necro pointed out. I would have to agree that the Aquaclear 110 is the best. I think it is called something different now though, Aquaclear 500 I think.

Hob filters are something that are not really very popular over here in the UK, in fact I haven't even seen them for sale in any of the online stores by frequent, or in any of the local fish stores.However, I just did a search on for the first time, found a UK stores selling them, wouldn't be any good for me though, they wouldn't fit on my tank which is something you should take into account before purchasing one of these

www.fhas.co.uk/cube/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=116

I don't believe HOB filters are as efficient as most canisters, however I purchased the emperor 400 bio wheel to supplement my other HOB. I have Leo(Natural Oscar) in a 55 right now. When I upgrade to my 100+ aquarium this summer I am going to use the Emperor to supplement The Marineland C-500 series canister filter. I believe this will be an efficient combination. Agree?I

not sure if your asking a question or not but on a 100 gallon tank the combination of filters you mentioned, even though not the choice i would make, should, in theory, be adequate for your setup. the emperor and c 500 series canister should give you just about enough filtration for a 100 gallon cichlid tank.

and you are correct in your assuption that hob filters are not nearly as effective as canister filters.

I use a HOB in my 90Gl tank but only for extra mechanical filtration.
My canister filter is large enough for the biological part, and I only use the HOB for extra cristal clear water.