AquaClear 70 Review
The larger AquaClear: the same refillable basket and adjustable flow that make the 50 so good, scaled up to 1136 L/h for tanks up to 265 L. A HOB that handles a mid-size tank.
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👍 Pros
- Very large refillable media basket — run any mix of foam, carbon and BioMax
- 1136 L/h clears the 4× turnover mark on tanks up to about 265 L
- Adjustable flow control lets you slow it right down for calmer fish
- Re-filtration path holds water against the media longer than a cartridge HOB
👎 Cons
- Big box and intake are noticeable on the back glass
- Needs a good water level to avoid outlet splash noise
- Impeller can rattle if it is not cleaned periodically
The AquaClear formula, sized up
The AquaClear 50 is our default hang-on-back; the AquaClear 70 is what you buy when your tank outgrows it. Same winning design — a large refillable media basket you pack with your own foam, carbon and BioMax, so you never throw away a mature bacteria colony on a disposable cartridge — but scaled to 1136 L/h for tanks up to 265 L. You service one stage at a time, and running costs stay close to nothing.
Flow you can tune, on a bigger tank
The flow-control slider carries over too. At full tilt the 70 comfortably clears the 4× turnover mark on a 265 L tank; slide it down and you get a gentler current for shrimp, calmer fish or a planted scape. The unusual re-filtration path holds water against the media longer than a cartridge filter, so — as with the smaller AquaClears — it filters better than its rating alone suggests.
HOB or canister for a mid-size tank?
If you would rather hide the filter entirely and keep the back glass clear, a canister like the Fluval 207 plumbs under the cabinet and runs more quietly. Want a HOB that also skims the surface film? The Seachem Tidal 55 is the alternative. But for a straightforward 150–265 L community tank with no cabinet plumbing, the AquaClear 70 is the sweet spot. Compare the options on our aquarium filters hub, and pick the right tank on our aquariums page.
The hang-on-back for a mid-size tank. It keeps everything that makes the AquaClear 50 great — refillable basket, tunable flow — and adds the muscle to filter a 265 L community tank.
AquaClear 70 — frequently asked questions
AquaClear 70 or 50 — which do I need?
Match it to your tank with the 4× turnover rule. The 50 (757 L/h) suits tanks up to about 190 L; the 70 (1136 L/h) suits 150–265 L. If your tank is 200 L or more, the 70 gives you the flow and media volume the 50 would be stretched to provide.
Can I turn the flow down on the 70?
Yes — the intake has a flow-control slider. That is useful in a lightly-planted tank, for shrimp, or for slow-swimming fish that dislike a strong current, while still giving you the turnover you need for clean water. On a big tank you rarely need to throttle it much.
Why choose a HOB over a canister at this size?
Simplicity. The AquaClear 70 hangs on the rim with no hoses, no priming ritual and no cabinet plumbing, and you service one media stage at a time so your bacteria survive. A canister filters more quietly and hides away, but the 70 is faster to set up and cheaper to run.
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