Seachem Tidal 35 Power Filter

The Seachem Tidal 35 is a hang-on-back power filter for aquariums of 35 gallons or smaller. It hangs on the rim, pulls water up through an intake, runs it through a media basket and spills it back over a lip. It’s a good fit for community tanks, planted tanks and small marine setups where you want easy access to the media.

Self-priming pump

Many hang-on filters need you to fill them with water before they’ll start, and they can stall after a power cut. Seachem built the Tidal’s pump to prime itself, so it restarts on its own as long as the water level is high enough.

Self-cleaning impeller

Seachem also says the impeller is self-cleaning. That helps keep flow steady between services. You should still check the impeller well during regular maintenance, since snails and plant bits can find their way in.

Setup tips

• Keep the water level close to the filter lip, so water doesn’t splash and get noisy.
• Fit a pre-filter sponge on the intake in tanks with shrimp or fry.
• Rinse new media in tank water before you use it.

Maintenance

Rinse the mechanical media in old tank water when flow slows, and replace chemical media on its schedule. Leave biological media alone as much as you can, so the bacteria stay put. Seachem backs the filter with a three-year warranty.

Who should look elsewhere

For tanks over 35 gallons, choose a bigger hang-on such as the AquaClear 110, or a canister like the Fluval 307. For a fry or shrimp tank, a sponge filter is gentler.