Fluval 407 vs AquaClear 110 – Which Should You Choose?

For every fish tank owner out there, one of the most important choices that they can make is which filter to choose for their new fish tank.

In this article, we will take a look at two specific choices: Fluval 407 filter and the AquaClear 110 filter and compare them.

What Makes a Good Filter?

When choosing the filter for your tank, there are many considerations that you have to make before you decide. Firstly, you need to pick the right filter for the size of your tank. The filter has to be strong enough to filter all the water in your tank.

On the other hand, if you buy a filter that is too strong, it can cause a lot of damage to the fish in your tank. Luckily, most filters nowadays have an adjustable flow rate.

Fluval and AquaClear

Fluval and AquaClear are both known as one of the biggest and most reliable companies in the market of fish tank filters. Fluval is known for bringing high-quality products for all means; they produce aquariums, filters, heating elements, water pumps, lighting products and more.

AquaClear, on the other hand, specializes in producing high-quality filters for home aquariums. Both brands bring a lot of quality.

In this article, we put the Fluval 407 filter head to head with the AquaClear 110 filter. We will compare the specifications of the Fluval 407 and compare it to those of the AquaClear 110 filter.

First, we will take a look at the pros and cons of the Fluval filter, and then we will do the same for the AquaClear 110 filter.

Both filters are very good, but which one is better?

AquaClear 110 – Review, Pros & Cons

To find out, we will first take a closer look at both individual filters and point out the best and the worst things about both filters. Let’s start with the AquaClear 110.

There are more variations of this AquaClear filter – they are separated by the sizes of the tank they are appropriate for. The 110 version is the largest and most powerful version. This specific filter works best for aquariums of 60 gallons to up to 110 gallons. This one is better suited for freshwater tanks.

It is quite a powerful unit. The AquaClear 110 Power Filter is capable of (or at least the box claims so) moving 500 gallons of water through the filter per hour. This is quite a lot considering all the factors (the price, the filter size). And it does this with not a lot of noise output. It claims to be one of the quietest filters of this range.

Another good thing about this filter is the fact that you get a lot included in the package. You will get ceramic rings and activated carbon and everything else that is needed for a quick set up and instant use.

As this is a power filter, it is very easy to set up – you just need to know where to place it. The best way would be at the back of the tank, as it would cancel out most of the noise and still be effective.

The cost can be a double-edged sword; for filters in its range (power filter), it can be expensive but is worth the price. However, when compared to the Fluval 407, it is significantly cheaper. This makes the AquaClear a better choice for simple needs and for tanks that are not so fully vegetated.

Let us take a look at some pros and cons of this filter.

Pros

• This power filter is really simple to use. It is effective and really easy to set up. Really good for tanks with not a lot of vegetation or filtering demands, but still strong enough to handle higher loads.
• You will get a 2-year warranty included in the package. This is nice insurance to have in case something goes wrong.
• You get everything you need included in the package, which allows for quick set up.
• Effective for freshwater tanks.
• Very good performance for the price.

Cons

• The AquaClear 110 Power Filter is not appropriate if you need a very strong filter where the loads are quite high. This goes especially for marine tanks and aquariums with a lot of vegetation and highly-populated tanks.
• It can be quite noisy if not placed in the correct spot. If you place it at the back of the tank, then all that noise can be turned down significantly.

Fluval 407 – Review, Pros & Cons

On the other side of the spectrum, we have the Fluval 407 canister filter. This filter is a part of the 07 family of the Fluval canister filters. The 407 is the largest and most powerful filter in the family; it can cover tanks of sizes of up to 100 gallons.

Due to the fact that this is a canister filter, it proposes a different experience to the AquaClear 110 filter. While it is a filter for similar tank sizes, it is actually quite more powerful than the AquaClear filter. But that does not necessarily mean it is a better choice for your needs.

The Fluval 407 claims to generate, or process, around 350 gallons of water per hour. It does this at a very efficient rate. Quality is the name of the game with Fluval. It is also very energy-efficient, as it tends to drain only about 10-20 watts of power, which is not a lot for a filter of these capabilities.

A great feature of this canister filter is that it will work very silently but efficiently at the same time. It is a silent worker, but one that gets the job done.

While it is a bit pricier than the AquaClear filter, it is definitely worth the price for the benefits it brings. It offers mechanical, biological and chemical filtration.

The whole package offers you everything you need; however, you will need to replace the foam filters from time to time. You do get a foam in the package, but you will need extra in some time.

As this is a canister filter, the offset is quite a complicated structure. You will definitely need more time to set this filter up, but it will be worth the hassle anyway.

Let us take a look at the pros and cons of the Fluval 407 canister filter.

Pros

• Really strong and effective filtration for tanks of up to 100 gallons. Works best in marine and heavily planted freshwater tanks where more debris and dirt accumulates.
• The whole design of the filter offers very silent operation, and it claims to be even more silent than the previous generations of the filter.
• The whole package offers a lot; everything to get started quickly.
• Very energy-efficient while bringing a strong performance.

Cons

• Quite a complicated structure and thus a more complicated setup process.
• It can be pricey if you are looking for a cheaper option.
• You need to replace the foams from time to time.

Which Filter to Choose for Your Tank Setup?

So what is the best choice for you then?

It really all depends on the way your tank is set up. The AquaClear 110 Power Filter is for those people who are looking for a simple, yet effective filter that will get the job done.

It is a great filter that allows you a very quick set up and very easy use. You can rely on this filter to do the job.

The cons of this filter are that it can be quite noisy and can get overwhelmed in fish tanks where there is a lot of vegetation and fish in it.

The Fluval 407, on the other hand, is a premium canister filter that combines efficiency with power.

It is a very strong filter that will filter your tank effectively if you have very dense vegetation and plenty of fish in it. It is also very good with marine tanks and operates very efficiently and silently at the same time.

The cons of the filter are that it can be hard to set up due to the complicated structure, and it is pricier than the AquaClear filter.

So, which one to choose? The AquaClear would be a great choice if you need a simple filter for freshwater tanks, while the Fluval would do better in heavily-populated and planted tanks where the loads are high.

Conclusion – Fluval 407 vs AquaClear 110

So what is the final verdict?

It depends. I know that some people are looking for conclusive decisions and for me to say “this one is better than the other one”, but it really depends on your needs. Both filters are excellent, but the final choice will depend on your tank set up.

You can opt for the simplicity and effectiveness of the AquaClear 110, or you can go for a more powerful Fluval 407 that will do the job in heavily-planted tanks. The choice is really yours.