I currently have had two of these filter and they are good filters but have a few issues with them. Out of the two, one of them only lasted 9 months but the other one is still running good. It not loud like some other reviews claim but if the water level is low it does start to become loud. I do find that the flow value is essentially unless since there no big difference. On the bright side it is easy to set up and clean. I would recommend this for someone with a 5 gallon, never tried it with a 10 gallon but I'm sure it would do the job. Ill be buying another two for some other tanks that I'm trying to build.

This filter is great for any 5 gallon tank and below, this could even work for a 10 gallon possibly, but I'm not sure if it would be as effective since it is very small. Take it from me that I've had a lot of hang on the back filters and a lot are noisy and compared to most this filter is quiet. It has a very slight humming noise but like i said others are so much more noisier.

A lot of people say their HOBs leak in general and most will leak if you don't replace the filter cartridges in time, they get dirty fast and then the water level raises in the filter making it come out of the back and leak all over. This filter like other won't leak as long as you replace the filter cartridge and since this one has a small cartridge you have to replace it more often than others.

Overall I really like this filter it has a sleek look to it and is very effective. The back of the filter has some space for customization so I like to put filter media or carbon in mine and it fits nicely. After I ran out of the cartridge that came with this filter I hadn't orders them in time so I used a cartridge for a different brand filter and just put It in there and it works so you can really do a lot with this filter. Another pro tip, you can buy filter floss in bulk for really cheap and then aquatic carbon for cheap so you don't have to keep rebuying the filter cartridges.

Super easy set up and ability to change any media without any hassle. Love that it came with a sponge for the intake. Noise level of the filter itself is on the quiet end and is what you'd expect from a HOB option. There's enough space to add in activated carbon media without opening up any filter like they show in the video.

The tab to help stabilize the filter on the glass (at the bottom of the unit on the exterior of the tank) helps with the noise reduction as well. The tab on mine doesn't stay at the position I placed it over time (semi-expected that, tbh, as the filter does vibrate a bit as it should) but the tab falls out when I go to adjust it - which is a pain especially since I have an aquarium that's up and running.

The flow intake adjustment is a good idea but I really don't see any difference when I adjust mine and it's just an extra space to clean - but does give easier access to do the cleaning.

I also purposely bought a larger filter than needed for my tank (10 gal.) and the flow is quite strong so I've made a homemade baffle to help redirect the intensity.

Overall, I'm happy with my purchase minus the stabilizing tab falling out and trying to "˜fish' it out from behind the tank once I made the modifications to meet my needs.

Don't bother with the foam or carbon insert included. I also replaced the small foam tip on the intake with just regular filter foam cut to size. Used fluval filter foam inside as well, small square cut to fit, used ammonia diamond carbon mix in a reusable bag, fluval ceramic rings on top. It works amazingly well. I got this for a small 2.5 gallon and I had to modify it slightly to lower the flow. I would say its perfect for a 5 gallon, and would maybe manage a low bioload 10 gallon. I wouldn't really say its great for smaller than 5 gallon. I had to modify it, add extra media, use a diffusing tray and change the hard scape so that the waterfall flow is hitting the mopani wood and not just flowing freely. After that I've gotten it to a super calm but strong flow.

I bought this knowing full well that I would be making the internal media and likely modify it. Do not buy this thinking the stuff provided will work, trust me it won't. The flow is insane too with their media. But I would say its well worth the money. I was using the topfin betta filter and honestly as far as small internal filters go that one is great, but this filter once equipped with proper media is blowing that betta filter out of the water, they are relatively the same price except with the topfin filter I had a really difficult time using my own media and I didn't like that with the top fin filter its essentially just swishing water over a carbon filter...

Has a light hum. Its super tiny and cute, insanely strong! Like, almost too strong? Definitely use foam in the first chamber to slow the flow a little. Oh. And no clog indicator! So be mindful to check that the water level is where it should be to avoid overspill.

Overall. Better than any filter I have bought so far under 15 dollars. I highly recommend it. Its got as much power as some of the 30 or 40 dollar filters I've bought, those just come with media packs. Plus bigger and clunkier. I like how tiny this one is.

The replacement filters were a perfect fit