I have always used Aqua Clear for all of my serious fish tanks. I only have a 40 gallon tank but I bought the big filter to help clean my tank. My tank right now is super clear with this filter. I only change my water once a month at the most and it always looks clear! The price isn't bad and it's the best quality filter I've seen out there.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1XZ43PZGAIHWY I set up the Aqua Clear in water that was yellow and pretty cloudy. The Aqua Clear clear cleaned the water and diminished the yellow tint within a day.

I was being told by my local pet store that the Fluval filter was the best filter for my turtles. Even with cloudy yellow water, my local pet store said it was natural and fine.

It wasn't so fine with me. I could hardly see my turtles and had to change the filters every two weeks and use a turkey baster every day to pick up larger debris which that filter couldn't handle.

Now I have very happy turtles that are enjoying the water more and getting out of their shells, I'll let my turtles speak for themselves.

I use AquaClear filters on all my tanks from the larger 75 gallon, down to the smallest hospital tank. They are best hang-on-back filters you can buy, in my opinion.

The best part of these filters is their versatility. You can use the foam, carbon, and biomax media built for the filter, and you can also add your own media bags and filter media (even from other manufacturers) to make this a truly versatile filter. Plus, they move a lot of water for excellent filtration, they're easy to maintain, and relatively quiet.

best filter you can buy aside from canisters. I love this filter. It is very quiet, easy to set up. It works great. I don't have to clean my aquarium as often now.

This filter works. It's very powerful and moves A LOT of water. Great biological filtration with the sponge that lasts forever. Easy to manage. It's NOT super quiet. Probably because it's for a 100 gallon tank. My Aqua-tech is super quiet, but it doesn't have a fraction of power this one has. You are going to hear a whirrrr but ALL POWERFUL PUMPS ARE LIKE THAT--this one however, IS quieter than Penguin biowheels. I don't like bio wheels because the bacteria die when they dry out which is easy to do especially when cleaning. Penguins are very hard to clean. These Aqua Clears are simple as pie to clean.

When my fish tank is fully established with plenty of bacteria I do not use charcoal as a rule. I only use charcoal (1) When the fish tank is new; (2) I had to terminally clean the tank (change all the water and really clean it; (3) deliberately remove chemicals.

Once the tank is fully established I use those easy to cut flosses that can fit into any pump and remove the charcoal. That's just my choice. And of course I keep a close eye on the water (check ammonia, etc)