Cobalt Aquatics 26505 Clear Vue 20 Mini Internal Filter

I have a half dozen betta aquariums and have tried many filters over the years. A lot of filters require special modifications to appease the stillwater-loving betta fish, but the Cobalt ClearVue is the easiest to modify, quietest, and most durable (can't say the same for their heaters unfortunately, but that's another story).I currently use this ClearVue mini 20 filter in a variety of small 5-10 gallon aquariums and even a couple 8 gallon bowls (the filter sits wedged between rocks and the bowl wall since the suction cups won't adhere to the curved surface).If the current is too strong, you can easily position the filter so it flows into the wall of the aquarium or aquarium decor/plants, dispersing the flow. You ALSO can jam additional filter media into the canister to slow the flow. I've never replaced the included sponge, just rinsed it with each cleaning and then added a small piece of fresh Poly Filter. I do have some bio media spheres on the floors of the aquariums as well as porous rocks for good bacteria to inhabit.Compared to hang-on-back and air-driven filters, the Cobalt is much quieter (you can barely hear it), and mine have lasted for years with monthly cleaning of the impellers. In fact, I'm buying another to replace the internal Aqueon "Quietflow" filter that came with my 6 gallon because it's become annoyingly loud. Buy this while it's in stock, don't buy the overpriced replacement canisters/sponges that Cobalt sells, and instead use bulk filter media/sponges/Poly Filter as needed to save some green.

This filter fit my need perfectly. I required a filter for my half filled cube aquarium that was easily moved yet only needed to be minimally submerged. This was itRight now it's inside my half filled cube with a Betta, in a rear corner with only 3 inches of water. It's doing exactly as advertised. The filter head can be rotated to direct the waterfall in any direction. I've also tried it 90% submerged in my fully filled tank. It created a medium flow that the fish seemed to enjoy.As far as I know, this is by far the most innovative filter I've found and opens the door to so many unique configurations that a back filter or a cannister sponge filter would have difficulty recreating as easily.And yes, you can fill the bottle with your own filter media. I ended up cutting the included sponge by a third and stuffing in Matrix media. No issues yet.

I plugged filter in to a working outlet after putting it in my fish tank and the filter didn't even turn on. Also, the hang-on clip for the filter that is used to hang on to the fish tank was missing. Extremely disappointed, as I paid a good bit for this hard to find item and my fish desperately needed one. I gave it a one star, because I was forced to choose a minimum one star.

My rating is four stars. Whoever is concerned about the one-star review, needs to read my comment at the end.1. I bought this to start my aquarium, a 55-gallon. The goal was to add 5 gallons water, let the live plants root in the substrate (fluourite red, covered with gravel) for several weeks... because I did not want my Seachem 75, or Fluval 405 running. As that current would whip plants all over the place. So I used the ClearVue 20 in about 15 gallons water just to circulate the water and get a bit of biological growth (presumably) in the cartridge.2. Second advantage. Clearvue 20 uses just 4.2 amps. As I plan to eventually put discus in my community tank (cherry barbs, cardinals, etc). I am very concerned about possiblity of a power outtage. I plan to keep this low-power filter in a corner of the tank, hooked up through a backup battery supply. I have not done careful calculations, but best I can estimate a Smart APC 1500 might power a 4.2 amp filter for an hour. (I have mylar blankets to wrap the tank and keep it warm. Heaters require too much power and would last just a few minutes with a computer-type battery backup).3. So, as a starter filter, with just 15, and then 30 gallons, it did just what I wanted. I have started running my Seachem 75. Will give the plants a total of at least 6 weeks to be strongly rooted before I start the Fluval 405.4. Of note, it is a bit tinny. Need to be gentle when handling it. But hey- it's a small, low power filter for a 20 gallon tank. Fine for what it is.5. I just re-started this filter after moving it to a different place in tank, and was pleasantly surprised to see a plant being blown over to almost horizontal by the force of the water coming out of this filter. look- it is rated to pump 80 gallons per hour, and I expect, based on the movement of the plant, that it does so.6. One person gave this one star. I understand his device did not turn on, and was missing a piece. However, that may have been on defective device.7. Still, all need to appreciate that especially if you are new to fish-keeping you should appreciate that both the quantity (in gallons per hour) and the quality of filtration are very important to the lives of your fish. This is a small filter and frankly, while it may be okay for a 10-gallon tank, if you do not have too many fish, you should preferably instead buy a SeaChem or AquaClear Hang on Back (HOB) filter. Both of these are high quality HOB filters. I also suggest you consider buying a filter rated for double the size of your tank.8. So, if I am an experienced fish-keeper, and my 55-gallon tank has a Seachem 75 HOB, and I am about to add a Fluval 405, why am I running This Cobalt 20? Excellent question! Here's why. In case of a power outage. I am connecting this Cobalt 20 to a 1500VA APC UPS backup battery. This unit is supposed to be able to power a computer/office load of about 80 watts for one hour. One reviewer wrote that it powered his 250Watt computer and a 27" display for 45 mins. I am hoping, hoping, that in case of power failure this APC 1500VA unit might just power the cobalt 20 for several hours! And all should know that no backup battery can give any reasonable length of power to an aquarium heater. If power is out for many hours you should wrap the tank in mylar blankets (available via Amazon) and add hot water (from stive... just not close to the fish!) every few hours. Watch the thermometer. I plan to add discus soon to my community aquarium. Since they are somewhat fragile fish and require very good water quality I am hoping the cobalt 20 on a backup battery will keep some biological filtration going (and water movement) during a power outage. And of course a D cell powered air pump with an airstone should be run during a power outage as well.