FinnexPF-7 Nano Aquarium HOB Power Filter, 52 GPH,Clear Smoke

Great filter, very quiet. Bigger than I expected - about 6" wide.

It's on my UNS 30C (7 gallon). All I needed was some quiet, quick/adjustable flow and this filter delivered.Filter noise is a make or break thing for me because I keep my tanks in my bedroom. I've even recently transitioned my other two bedroom tanks into non-filtered aquariums, with the only filtration being the live plants. However, with my 30C being my first high-tech tank with powerful lighting and CO2, I needed a filter that could quickly oxygenate my tank when the lights are off.I think I made a solid choice with this filter.I have an Aquaclear and QuietFlow in my hallway right outside of my door that make horrible rattling sounds and were so noisy that I had to move them out of my bedroom into the hallway. This little nano filter, after a couple minutes of passing water through sponges and media, is completely unnoticeable from my bed (quieter than my computer), and the gentle humming is actually quite pleasant. That is with the top off though. Having the top on makes it noticeably louder and a bit rattly, but I don't mind taking it off.Despite its silence, the flow from this filter is impressive. I have the prefilter sponge on and flow turned down a bit, yet it still thoroughly circulates water around my 30 cm cube, top to bottom.With the carbon pad and piece of sponge in, there's still quite a decent amount of space to put in another small to medium sized media bag. I filled mine with a handful of cycled Fluval Biomax rings, and it fit perfectly. All of this while keeping a low profile on your pretty rimless tank.I haven't even gotten to the value of this filter yet. $11 USD is an absolute steal and I don't see a reason why anybody would have to buy another nano HOB. If you've stumbled across this review (completely unincentivized and unbiased), look no further. I pray that this filter lasts longer than some of the filters that other reviewers have received, because it'll be the best $11 I've ever spent on any of my aquariums.

Pros- super easy to set up- suction is strong/ creates enough surface agitation to oxygenate the water- it's near silent (reminder the propellor needs lube to be dead silent, gunk buildup helps turn it silent in less than a week)- comes with pre-sponge filter intake to protect baby fish/shrimpsCons- I wish it came with a wider media sponge, (I can just buy one from local fish store for $5 so no worries)- will update if neededI HIGHLY RECOMMEND this product!

I use this little filter on a 2.5USG plant grow out aquarium -- growing out plants as well as Endlers Livebearer fry & snails. Set on minimum flow with modified media (not using the cartridges available for the filter).... Have the little thing doing every aspect of filtration with heavy concentration on biological....Here's my setup for crystal clear water:• Main filter box has a layer of crushed lava rocks -- about half pea size --• A coarse sponge layer (15ppi) on top, .3" thick• A finer sponge layer (30ppi) over that, .5" thick• 2 layers of 2 diff't types of chemical media wrapped in poly-fiber• Topped off with another bit of coarse sponge• The outflow has a bit of bonded (blue/white) media & a thin layer of coarse sponge• The intake box also has a 30ppi section of sponge at the back and smaller sections of 15ppi along the sides.• The bottom of the uplift/intake tube is encase in a coarse sponge (15ppi) sleeve which acts as a pre-filter to keep plant matter out of the filter (and available to snails), but also protects the young fish and snailsWith the above formula + live plants, the little aquarium doesn't even require regular water changes for parameters to stay perfect & the water clear.... Only time there is any water change is when fish or plants need to be pulled out for sale or to be moved into a diff't aquarium. The chemical media gets changed out every 5-6 months or when flow rate shows a need for the bio-media to be rinsed. The pre-filter does need to be cleaned up a bit more often, but that's only because the tank is used for growing out plant clippings from plants with fine leaves that get into the water column.As for noise level.... The filter is fairly quite; one of THE quietest I've used at this size .... There is a low, constant hum from the motor which is amplified by the glass aquarium, so I put a bit of noise deadening, thin foam between the motor housing and the glass.... The cover also doesn't lock into place, so it can rattle from the motor's vibration --- I remedied that with a couple of small, but heavy, decorative rocks in just the right spots.As far as suitability.... A lot of folks like to get these little filters for Bettas..... So, I will address that.... For a Betta, 52gph is suited for 5-7 USG aquariums. It's not as simple as just the gph, however.... This filter isn't suited for small spaces where the flow gets turned back around too quickly as that amplifies the flow rate too much for a Betta -- bowls and vases, for example.Some noted the minimum tank line being of concern for rimless tanks or waterfall creation..... I think ppl are misunderstanding what that minimum water line actually means.... It's the minimum water level for starting the filter, not for it's continuous operation..... Once the filter is started and running, the minimum water line is actually the first joint on the uplift tube, so water can be lowered once the filter has reached stability (not spitting out water bubbles). The uplift tube joint sits about 3 inches below the minimum water line on the filter box itself. That makes this little filter suitable for creating little water falls or keeping the water level down a bit for fish that like stronger currents. This filter is NOT suitable for high bioload fish of any kind.I'd have no reservations in recommending this little filter for light bio-load aquariums from 3-8 USG. For seasoned, knowledgeable aquarists/hobbyists, the filter is surprisingly customizable -- can even make for a highly effective 100% bio-filter.

For the price it has good construction and design compared to my last filter. It is certainly overpowered for my 3 gallon tank, and when i first tuned it on the flow was enough to make some of my fresh plants to uproot. After adjustment it is perfect. Lots of extra room for Bio-media or sponges that i added also.