Aqueon QuietFlow 10 LED PRO Aquarium Fish Tank Power Filter For Up to 20 Gallon Aquariums

I inherited one of these filters used from a friend, and I have been using it nonstop ever since. I run some more expensive filters on my other tanks, such as the Fluval 306 canister filter, Marineland Penguin series, Tetra Whisper and Penn-Plax Cascade. I can honestly say that this Aqueon filter is one of the best filters I have, and if I ever have to replace one of my other HOB filters, there is a good chance I would get one of the Aqueon filters to do so.Let us first make clear that any HOB filter will require a minor investment in filter cartridges. I have run this particular filter on a tank with gouramis, and currently on a tank with neon tetras and albino corys. How do I make my cartridges last so long? Well, I have one of these attached to the intake:  Pre-Filter Sponge 3 Pack for Fluval Edge Aquarium  This prevents too much debris from being sucked into the filter while increasing the biological filtration, the most important stage in filtration, as any good aquariust knows. These Fluval sponges fit perfectly and in no way inhibit the flow. They have saved me a lot of money on cartridges, and when they get dirty, I just rinse them in some aquarium water and put them back on. My flower shrimp also love to eat particles of food from the sponge!As for being quiet, mine runs silently. I never hear this filter running. If you get one that makes a lot of noise, please see about getting a replacement as I have never had this problem, and as I said, this is a pre-owned filter.As for being reliable, because of its design, this filter starts right up after a power outage or water change. No priming for this filter! This is the main reason that I would replace one of my other HOB filters with one of these. The Marineland filters require priming, the Tetra Whisper filters are meant to be self-priming, but can be somewhat unreliable. My Aqueon filter has always started up again after being turned off. This is great peace of mind, especially when I am away from home for a few days.As for being effective, this filter holds its own against its competitors. True, it is not an Aquaclear, but it is just as good as any filter using a standard carbon cartridge. Its bio-filtration may not be the best, but this only becomes an issue when you have to replace the cartridge, and if you are using a sponge pre-filter as I recommend above, you should not have a problem with your tank cycling after a cartridge change.Now, let me make a few points:1. This particular filter should NOT be used for goldfish. This model is designed for ten gallons or less, and a ten gallon tank is not appropriate for a goldfish. Besides, goldies create so much waste that they require at least TWICE the recommended filtration. For example, on my 75 gallon goldfish tank, I run a canister recommended for 70 gallons, a HOB recommended for 70 gallons, and 2 Hydro Sponge filters recommended for 40 gallons each. Over-filtration? Maybe, but goldies don't mind the current, and it keeps my water clean. In addition, even the smallest goldfish will grow too large for a ten gallon tank, and if the fish itself doesn't grow, its organs will, and it will eventually die a painful death. I did once put a small common goldfish into a ten gallon hospital tank temporarily, but I did so with plenty of filtration. This Aqueon QuietFlow 10 is not enough for any kind of goldfish in any tank whatsoever.2. This filter should NOT, in my opinion, be used for any Betta. It doesn't create a super-strong current, but it is still too strong for a fish who prefers still water. I have found that a Hydro Sponge filter powered by an air pump is all you need to filter a tank for one Betta. I have a male crowntail Betta in a ten gallon tank, and I do just this. I also have a female Betta in a five gallon tank, and I use a Whisper internal filter set on its lowest setting, and this seems to work as well. The Aqueon filter is NOT appropriate for a Betta.3. If you overload your tank, you need more filtration, and you will have to change your cartridge more. Research and learn what kind and how many fish can go into a ten gallon tank, and don't exceed this amount. It's a bad idea for everyone involved, especially the fish.In conclusion, this filter is economical, silent, reliable, and well-designed. It suffers only from a somewhat inferior system for bio-filtration which can easily be remedied by the addition of an inexpensive sponge pre-filter. This would be a great filter for beginners because of its simple design, and also a great choice for those of us with more experience who are on a budget or for whom it is impractical to run a canister filter.UPDATE:Hey, everybody! I was browsing through some filters looking to add additional filtration to a 40 gallon tank I have in my bedroom, when I stumbled across this review I wrote on December 19, 2011. It is now January 23, 2014, and guess which filter is still running, now on my gourami tank? This old Aqueon! My gouramis are still as alive and healthy as ever -- never been sick. I did add a third gourami to my tank -- another female -- because the male was getting a little crazy with the one female I had. Sadly, I lost my flower shrimp, though.I've also made one adjustment to this filter. I didn't see any point in keeping carbon in a filter for gouramis, so I filled it with loose bio media instead. I never buy filter cartridges for this tank any more. I just rinse the bio media in aquarium water once every few months, and I'm set.After all this time, I couldn't be happier with this filter.

Very nice filter. At first I was scared because it was making A LOT of noise, but after letting it run for a while it barely makes a sound if I stand right next to it. Comes with carbon filter, sponge media and two LR44 batteries for the light. I have used one of these before and it has been going for about a year now without any issues. I have had power outages before and this filter starts right back up unlike some other brands, so it might be useful for people who travel a lot (though it might be useful to leave a battery-powered air pump just in case too) Make sure to do a drip loop if you can and keep cleaning the filter as needed.

Pro: compact, quiet, seems powerful. I like the motor's design/location that results in no-priming required.Cons: durability. Bought on 5/26/2015. After a year, the motor/impeller started to seize/stop. FYI, this is in 10gallon tank with biweekly water change (1/3 of the tank), and OEM filter change every 5-6 weeks. At the beginning, this seizing happened every 4-6 weeks. I'd have to disconnect the motor unit from the filter housing, force clean water thru, and force the impeller blade free. I never saw any debris that may be stuck in there. So I put up with this until Dec 2016. I like the design enough to buy a 2nd identical unit to replace the first one. However, the 2nd one is now developing the same ailment. I'm now trying to contact manufacturer to see their response. I will edit if I get a response.Updates 3/19/18:- Contacted mfr in Jan. Their response was very quick - Thanks Valerie!- Her initial suggestion was to check if I ever did remove the motor unit, and pull out the impeller blade as part of my regular maintenance. I obviously have done this as I've dealt with fixing mechanical pumps in college.- Tips for others who may not know for regular maintenance: you should remove ("unclip") the motor unit (the one that has the power cord to the wall electrical outlet). On that motor unit, there is a black plastic shroud (where the intake tube connects). Pry open that shroud, and you should see the impeller blade. You can pinch that impeller blade to pull it out of the motor cavity. Don't worry if it seems a little stuck, it is held in place by magnetic field - you won't break anything. Clean out any debris that may be in that cavity, especially if you have any plants (I have java fern, which can leave stringy debris when they decompose and get sucked by the filter).- Once she agreed that I have followed the maintenance protocol, she sent me two new motor units (without the whole filter housing). This worked for me because there is nothing wrong with my upper housing. I assume they sent two units because I've bought two filter kits (even though the first one must have been outside warranty period).- Upgrading to four star due since they stand behind their products (five star would be if there were no failure). I'll see how long the new motor units last. If no update/stays at four star, it means that it still sucks big time (in a good way for a filter:)

This is my fourth purchase of this filter over the last 10 or so years. It's easy to manage and keeps my 20 gallon tank clean. My only warning is that these filters do not like an interruption in the power. A giant snow storm knocked my latest filter out last weekend when the power was out for 2 hours. I was awakened by the familiar loud grinding sound that signaled it's death. I am extremely careful when I do a water exchange in my tank so I don't let the water low enough to shut my filter off.I know the information on this filter says it will reset when the power goes out, but that has not been my experience. That being said, the filter is a good one for a good price.

The media could not be loaded.  I love this filter! It keeps the water crystal clear and is soooo quiet. Easy to use out of the box. This filter works well in aquariums with live plants. Suction is just strong enough. No problems with this and I have had it 2 months now.

Just fits into the gap that is made into my 10-gallon tank. Works wonderfully and keeps my water clear. Gives the fish a bit a current to swim in, because my tank is on the smaller side of this filter's capability. Highly recommend!

Works way better then the old one and very quiet! Good value

Es bueno el producto

This filter is great for a standard 10 gallon tank, really does the job, cartridges are affordable and I have a couple tanks running on this same filter that have been for YEARS no issue. Super easy to take apart and clean.BUUUUUT it sucks that it doesn’t have a manual flow adjustment. Baffling the filter for my fancy guppies and bettas and the non adjustable intake length (to keep my baby guppies from getting sucked up) is a pain. I’d love to see new models released with a manual flow adjustment. I would 100% purchase new filters for ALL my tanks.

El título del producto no corresponde con la imagen que tiene el vendedor en la galería. Lean bien.

Very happy to be able to get this particular filter system as I have lots of replacement filters for it still but couldn't get the actual filter system in stores.