Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Hang-on-back (HOB) filters are one of the first filters I used in the fish keeping hobby because they are extremely customizable yet affordable. I decided to ask my audience to see what kind of cool hacks you all have for optimizing a hang-on-back filter so that it’s super-efficient and easy to use.
🐟 SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss my latest video: youtube.com/channel/UCNoNEF64ijgxK6OSTwdHOFA?sub_confirmation=1
🌿 BECOME A MEMBER for bonus content: youtube.com/channel/UCNoNEF64ijgxK6OSTwdHOFA/join
🛒 MATERIALS I USED
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from the links below. Also, I work for Aquarium Co-Op but do not receive commissions from their links.)
▶ AquaClear 50 filter: amzn.to/3DpjJjP
▶ Seachem Purigen (for reusable chemical filtration): amzn.to/3DnoB8V
▶ Fine poly pad (for crystal clear water): aquariumcoop.com/products/fine-poly-pad
▶ Pre-filter sponge: aquariumcoop.com/blogs/faqs/which-pre-filter-sponge-should-i-get
▶ Soap dish with suction cup (preferably with no metal to avoid rust)
▶ Flat mini heater
▶ Wi-Fi timer: aquariumcoop.com/products/kasa-wifi-light-timer
▶ Airline tubing: aquariumcoop.com/products/aquarium-co-op-black-airline-tubing
▶ SuperLube: amzn.to/3FvWc2r
▶ Surface skimmer overflow box: oceanboxdesigns.com/product/magnetic-surface-skimmer-overflow-box-aquaclear-ac50
📚 RESOURCES
▶ All the HOB filter hacks suggested by my audience: youtube.com/post/UgzA9CJP5HrYEnWOtFJ4AaABCQ
▶ Bill Smith’s rubber band idea: forum.aquariumcoop.com/topic/6853-quick-diy-hack-noisy-aquaclear-hob-filter-lid-vibrating
🦐 EXTRAS
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/girltalksfish
▶ Merch store: girltalksfish.creator-spring.com
EDITOR: Angela Guererro at angelaguererro.com
ATTRIBUTION
Music from Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/referral/2earpi (if you use my referral link, I get 1 month free 😀)
Diamond icon by VideoPlasty from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diamond_Flat_Icon_Vector.svg
SuperLube from theoringstore.com/store/images/superlube-21030.jpg
Cartoon_wink_magic_sparkle.save from freesound.org/people/MLaudio/sounds/511485
AC70 Surface Skimmer Overflow Box from Oceanbox Designs at oceanboxdesigns.com/product/aquaclear-ac70-surface-skimmer
0:00 Should I change from sponge to HOB filter?
0:51 Hack 1: Use reusable filter media
2:34 Hack 2: Add a pre-filter sponge
3:25 Hack 3: Grow a pothos plant
4:17 Hack 4: Minimize any vibrations
4:47 Hack 5: Baffle the flow
5:51 Hack 6: Add a mini heater
6:23 Hack 7: Use a WiFi timer
7:18 Hack 8: Make an airline tubing ring
8:15 Hack 9: Clean your impeller
8:46 Hack 10: Install a surface skimmer overflow box
9:53 Differences between HOB vs. sponge filters
#girltalksfish #fishtank #aquariumfilter
Hang-on-back (HOB) filters are one of the first filters I used in the fish keeping hobby because they are extremely customizable yet affordable. I decided to ask my audience to see what kind of cool hacks you all have for optimizing a hang-on-back filter so that it’s super-efficient and easy to use.
🐟 SUBSCRIBE so you won’t miss my latest video: youtube.com/channel/UCNoNEF64ijgxK6OSTwdHOFA?sub_confirmation=1
🌿 BECOME A MEMBER for bonus content: youtube.com/channel/UCNoNEF64ijgxK6OSTwdHOFA/join
🛒 MATERIALS I USED
(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from the links below. Also, I work for Aquarium Co-Op but do not receive commissions from their links.)
▶ AquaClear 50 filter: amzn.to/3DpjJjP
▶ Seachem Purigen (for reusable chemical filtration): amzn.to/3DnoB8V
▶ Fine poly pad (for crystal clear water): aquariumcoop.com/products/fine-poly-pad
▶ Pre-filter sponge: aquariumcoop.com/blogs/faqs/which-pre-filter-sponge-should-i-get
▶ Soap dish with suction cup (preferably with no metal to avoid rust)
▶ Flat mini heater
▶ Wi-Fi timer: aquariumcoop.com/products/kasa-wifi-light-timer
▶ Airline tubing: aquariumcoop.com/products/aquarium-co-op-black-airline-tubing
▶ SuperLube: amzn.to/3FvWc2r
▶ Surface skimmer overflow box: oceanboxdesigns.com/product/magnetic-surface-skimmer-overflow-box-aquaclear-ac50
📚 RESOURCES
▶ All the HOB filter hacks suggested by my audience: youtube.com/post/UgzA9CJP5HrYEnWOtFJ4AaABCQ
▶ Bill Smith’s rubber band idea: forum.aquariumcoop.com/topic/6853-quick-diy-hack-noisy-aquaclear-hob-filter-lid-vibrating
🦐 EXTRAS
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/girltalksfish
▶ Merch store: girltalksfish.creator-spring.com
EDITOR: Angela Guererro at angelaguererro.com
ATTRIBUTION
Music from Epidemic Sound: epidemicsound.com/referral/2earpi (if you use my referral link, I get 1 month free 😀)
Diamond icon by VideoPlasty from commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diamond_Flat_Icon_Vector.svg
SuperLube from theoringstore.com/store/images/superlube-21030.jpg
Cartoon_wink_magic_sparkle.save from freesound.org/people/MLaudio/sounds/511485
AC70 Surface Skimmer Overflow Box from Oceanbox Designs at oceanboxdesigns.com/product/aquaclear-ac70-surface-skimmer
0:00 Should I change from sponge to HOB filter?
0:51 Hack 1: Use reusable filter media
2:34 Hack 2: Add a pre-filter sponge
3:25 Hack 3: Grow a pothos plant
4:17 Hack 4: Minimize any vibrations
4:47 Hack 5: Baffle the flow
5:51 Hack 6: Add a mini heater
6:23 Hack 7: Use a WiFi timer
7:18 Hack 8: Make an airline tubing ring
8:15 Hack 9: Clean your impeller
8:46 Hack 10: Install a surface skimmer overflow box
9:53 Differences between HOB vs. sponge filters
#girltalksfish #fishtank #aquariumfilter
