Seachem Tidal 110 filter

[FreshyFresh]

I needed to swap some filters around on my tanks and was in the market for a new large HOB for the tanks on my double (upper/lower) stand. I was intrigued by these new HOBs and got one for just over $62 shipped to my door. This filter has about the same specs as an AquaClear 110, with a slightly smaller footprint.

Pros:
- Has a heater clip on the side.
- Nice threaded leveling adjustment.
- Media basket designed for your own media and media configuration.
- Nice fitting lid with no rattling with low, but some vibration.
- Low mounted pump which allows it to self prime.
- Flow adjustment can be dialed from no flow to full flow.
- Built by Sicce, which I'm told is good.

Cons:
- No replacement parts or media available yet.
- Very skimpy mechanical media and it's an odd shape, not real easy to replicate.
- Bypasses easily if you add more media.
- Do not seem to get much suction from lower suction strainer. Most flow gets drawn into the top skimmer.
- Just as noisy as any HOB, with some splashing noise even with tank topped up.

Below is a pic of the Tidal 110 sitting on top of an AC110 and a mechanical filtration sponge for the Tidal 110 on the left and an Aquaclear 110 sponge on the right.

 

[apastuszak]

I bought one of these also. I got the 55 and saw the media bypass demonstrated on a YouTube video. Every filter is going to have SOME bypass. But it's kind of disturbing that they give you so much room for media, and packing it full will cause a bypass.