Recommendations for best HOB Biological filter?

My two cents worth.

I have three different types of HOB's. Emperor, Panguin, and AC's. In my opinion my Emp 400 cleans the cichlid tank to crystal clarity. I will be switching from carbon to floss on my AC 30 in a week or two but even without floss in my Emp 400's extra media tray it keeps the water clearer. All the noise from my Emp 400 comes from water movement. My motor makes no detectable sound over two spary bars and cascading water.

IMHO

Sorry can't spell today. :o
 
I use a Tetra Tec 500 with a Fluval 404 with my African tank and it is kept crystal clear, but I would not recommend a TetraTec to anyone, much too noisy.

I'd go with AC. I use them on my smaller tanks and the reliability and easiness to clean make it a winner in my eyes.
 
leaks

I've read that the AC can leak if not cleaned on time.

The Penguin 330 cannot, overflow returns to the tank. If the water level is kept high it is very quiet, I hear no splashing and if the impeller makes noise it needs cleaning. I got the clamshell cages and use cut-to-fit padding instead of the bought cartridges. I rinse a few times in the sink under high spray to clean then replace.

If the tank is not as clear as I'd like, I'll rinse the biowheel under used tank water to remove any excess bio-slime and clean the uplift tube (I like that it is clear enough to see if it is dirty).

I am running that 330 on a discus grow out tank along with a HOT 250 and HydroV sponge. The HOT 250 is easy to use but hard to get to where I have it placed so I don't use it to polish water very often, though it does a great job with the micron filter.
 
I've never had any of my ACs leak... the worse I've seen happen is that the water will spill back into the tank around the left tube. I guess if the AC was positioned so that it wasn't level that the water could spill out the back...
 
I've ruled out the Emperor 400 as the motor is too noisy for my quiet office.
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There is something wrong if you can hear the motor on an Emp. I've used them for years, and the filter itself is as close to silent as any HOB I've ever owned.

It is by far th best biological filtration for an out of the box HOB. but there are many viable options and good filters available as the other replies have said.
Dave
 
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