The Seachem Tidal vs Aqua Clear debate is a common subject for a reason. Both stand out among hang on back aquarium filters for their basket-style filtration system, and adjustable flow rate. More specifically, water comes from the bottom through the filter media and then out of the top. This allows for a lot of customization with filter media versus the cartridge type filters that give you no room for additional media.
In this product in hand comparison article, we’re going to look at the similarities and differences between the Fluval Aquaclear vs the Seachem Tidal, and decide which aquarium filter comes out on top.
I may use “AC” as an abbreviation for Aquaclear throughout the article.
Seachem Tidal vs. Aqua Clear
Fluval Aqua Clear
Based on my experience with these filters, it’s very hard for other brands to compete and make a good aquarium filter that compete. No filter that uses the vertical cartridges, like an Aqueon Quietflow, can compete. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
Aquaclear Pros:
1. Longevity
Aquaclears are known to last a very long time. I bought several used filters from my local fish store that someone had running on their tanks for 5+ years, and they have continued to run 5 years more with no issues. That’s 10 years running. These filters are simply unmatched when it comes to longevity.
2. Media Capacity
With Aquaclears, you can fit a pretty sizable amount of filter media in the basket. They have slightly more width in the basket versus Tidal filters.
3. Easily Adjustable Flow Control
It’s simple to adjust the flow right on the top of the filter by pushing the inlet tube back-and-forth.
4. Easy To Take Apart
This is a big one for me because these filters are incredibly easy to take apart and do filter maintenance and no other filters really compare to this. To access the motor and impeller to clean you simply twist the bottom off and that’s it. It’s very easy to clean the entire filter, there aren’t any hard to reach places.
5. Stackable Intake Tube
The intake tubes for the Fluval Aquaclear are able to stack on top of one another, you can connect multiple tubes together to make the intake as long as you want.
Aquaclear Cons
1. Not Self Priming
One of the biggest cons of Aquaclear filters is that they don’t self prime. Meaning, you need to manually put enough water into the filter to get it to start up.
While this is a minor inconvenience, it still can be detrimental if you’re out of town and lose power. If you lose power and the water level in the tank is low enough to suction the water back out, it will cause the filter to run dry, which can be hazardous and burn out the motor.
2. Basket Doesn’t Lock Securely
The filter basket doesn’t actually lock like the Tidal does, it just has a little spot where the basket can catch on. However, like many people, if you use custom filter media it might not push this into the wall enough to lock. When this happens it can lift the basket up and drain water from your tank.
3. Filter Basket Not Fully Enclosed
Unlike the Tidal, the filter basket isn’t actually enclosed fully, the filter walls partially acts as part of the basket. This means when you go to clean it, you better have everything.
I’m known for inconveniencing myself, and too many times I’ve added a bunch of seachem matrix or other ceramic bio media to my Fluval filters, and when I go to clean the filter media in a bucket, all of that falls out into the bucket.
4. Level Adjuster Can Fall Off
The level adjuster on the bottom of the filter that sits against the glass and controls how far it leans forward and backward, is removable. With that said, it can completely fall off and cause your filter to lean backward and dump water out onto the floor. (Ask me how I found that out).
Seachem Tidal
Seachem Tidal Pros:
1. Self-Priming
Unlike Aquaclears, Tidal filters do not need any manual steps to prime and start up the filter, which is very convenient and minimizes the risks that a non-self priming filter has with power loss.
2. Surface Skimmer
This is one of my favorite features of the Seachem Tidal. Basically all this does is create surface movement so the top of the water isn’t stagnant. A lot of the time hang on back filters will pour into the water rather than slide into the water and across the top to create motion on the surface. When no surface movement happens a lot of residue and scum can build on the surface of the water.
3. Lockable Media Basket
In contrast to the Aquaclear, this filter has a secure lock that can’t be bypassed. This means you don’t have to worry about using custom filter media and having the basket lift up.
4. Adjustable Flow Control
Much like the AC, this filter has a convenient adjustable flow switch. Being able to adjust the flow is one of the number one things I look for in HOB filter.
Seachem Tidal Cons:
1. Difficult To Take Apart
This filter is fairly challenging at taking apart to clean, specifically the intake tube and getting to the motor is very hard. Additionally, it’s hard to clean the surface skimmer compartment. Taking the piece off to get to the motor was nearly impossible for me.
2. Small Media Basket
Compared to the AC, the Tidal doesn’t give you quite as much space for custom media. The basket is made more narrow, but it’s still fairly deep and horizontally long.
3. Short Intake Tube
The intake tube is able to extend, but only by a certain amount. Unlike the Aquaclears, you’re unable to connect additional tubing to make it long.
In addition to this, I don’t like how small the intake strainer holes are, but this might be a very personal preference of mine.
Price Difference Between Filters
There is a difference in cost between these two filters. The Tidal is $79.99 on Amazon while the AC is $94.99. With that said, the aquaclear circulates 50 more gallons per hour than the Tidal, so these filters are not completely equal in power to begin with, and that should be taken into consideration when you look at the price difference.
Verdict: Which Aquarium Filter Better?
When you’re trying to choose a fish tank filter, specifically between a Seachem Tidal and Aquaclear, you need to analyze the pros and cons of each. I love Aquaclear filters personally, and I have witnessed how long the filters can last. They are known in this hobby, for their longevity and the Seachem Tidal has not earned that reputation yet. And that’s not to say that they are known for not lasting, they just aren’t yet known for their longevity like AC filters.
I think AC’s do a fantastic job of filtration, and I think how the water flows through the filter is a little bit superior to the Tidal.
On the other hand, Seachem addressed a lot of shortcomings with aquaclears, like the lockable basket, self priming, and more secure level adjuster. Not to mention the fact that the Tidal it’s self does a great job of filtration, and I have not personally had any mechanical issues with it.
My verdict is that the Seachem tidal is the best aquarium filter, and that’s because I think they took what the Aquaclear is, kept it, relatively the same, but addressed some major issues that needed fixed, all for a good price point. Although there was a declared winner, I don’t think either choice is wrong between these two because they’re both excellent filters, and you will have quality either way.
