Is their another brand filter thats fits right in penguin 350?

[vanpudin]

I was wondering if anybody knows or has used another brand filter cartridge in the penguin 350 and that if it fits snug into power filter? I have used other media and other cartridges in the 2nd media slots on the power filter. Just curious. It seems the marineland cartridges are a pricey compared to a few others. Thanks.

[Easydoesit]

good Q, ive only used the marineland ones.

[TwoTankAmin]

You can rinse and reuse the carts until they start to fall apart. I have an Emperor 400 loaded with 4 carts and I buy maybe 4 a year. There are other generic carts for them that are a bit cheaper- FosterSmith sells one and kensfish.com also has one I believe.

[JimInIndy]

I got some of these some time ago, but the ones for the Emperor 400-and I must say they ROCK! They filter 10 times better than the pricey Marineland Rite-size cartridges. They are also Cheap! I plan on using the clamshell frame to make my own cartridges when I use up all of the Carbon/filter bags. Try these-they fit perfectly and work Awsome.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+13370&pcatid=13370

[BoredAgain]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+13370&pcatid=13370

That's what I use. This is how I have my 350 setup.

Two of these for just the sponge, or when I need the carbon:
http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20051227224530/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p_21005_24909V.jpg


And I use 2 of these filled with Seachem Matrix:
http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20060419181635/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/products/swatches/st_lg_19797_basket_FS28542D.jpg
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12320&rel=1

[vanpudin]

cool thanks. Can u find these at local stores to? Glad to see i'm not the only cubs fan here. I live in the Houston area.

[BoredAgain]

cool thanks. Can u find these at local stores to? Glad to see i'm not the only cubs fan here. I live in the Houston area.
Houston...good thing you are a Cubs fan...;).

I've been unable to find these in local stores...and even if I could I'm sure they'd be double the price. If you order the 4 pack Bio3, each box comes with 2 clam shells, 2 sponges, and 4 carbon bags...that should have you set for a while.

Here is a coupon code for drsfostersmith.com

Take $5 off any purchase at Doctors Foster & Smith with the coupon code: 29401101. Expires 4/30/2008. If that one doesn't work, send me a PM and I can get you another code. Actually, just try these others, enter them exactly as they appear.

2885/4078
28804031

[Easydoesit]

it looks to me like those steps are backwards bored.. shouldnt the sponge be step one, the floss step 2 and the carbon step 3? i thought floss should be after the sponge bc it captures the teeny tiny things and gets clogged quick when all the big stuff comes at it without being filtered out first

[BoredAgain]

it looks to me like those steps are backwards bored.. shouldnt the sponge be step one, the floss step 2 and the carbon step 3? i thought floss should be after the sponge bc it captures the teeny tiny things and gets clogged quick when all the big stuff comes at it without being filtered out first
Just flip it around. They want the floss to be step 1 because it will clog faster, needing to be replaced, making them more money. But we are smarter than that.

[br553]

I thought the Penguin 350 and 330 used a different size cartridge than the Emperor 400. Even though the Emperor cartridge is longer, can it still be used in a Penguin 330,350?

[RDaneel]

I was wondering if anybody knows or has used another brand filter cartridge in the penguin 350

You can use the Aqua-Tech brand #3 filter media. Available at your local Wal-Mart.
It's exactly the same as Marineland's Rite-Size "C".

Also, Aqua-Tech #1 = Rite-Size "A" and
Aqua-Tech #2 = Rite-Size "B".

[BoredAgain]

You can use the Aqua-Tech brand #3 filter media. Available at your local Wal-Mart.
It's exactly the same as Marineland's Rite-Size "C".

Also, Aqua-Tech #1 = Rite-Size "A" and
Aqua-Tech #2 = Rite-Size "B".
It is the exact same, so I don't think that helps. :)

[BoredAgain]

I thought the Penguin 350 and 330 used a different size cartridge than the Emperor 400. Even though the Emperor cartridge is longer, can it still be used in a Penguin 330,350?
They do use different sizes and no they can't be used.

[RDaneel]

Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought the original question was about a filter
for the Penguin 350 that was less pricey that the Marineland brand.

[BoredAgain]

Perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought the original question was about a filter
for the Penguin 350 that was less pricey that the Marineland brand.
I didn't know the Aqua Tech cartridges cost less...my bad.

[br553]

I didn't know the Aqua Tech cartridges cost less...my bad.

They do. You can get a 6 pack for around $9.00 compared to 16 or so for the name brand.
During the spring and summer, I use a jet spray on the garden hose to rinse out the pads. I able to do that because I use other media for my biofilter. This way a filter pad lasts about 2-3 months for me.

[BoredAgain]

Still a lot more expensive then other options listed.

[TwoTankAmin]

The generics are made in sizes for both Emps and Pengs.

[JimInIndy]

I thought the Penguin 350 and 330 used a different size cartridge than the Emperor 400. Even though the Emperor cartridge is longer, can it still be used in a Penguin 330,350?
These are available for both filters. Look on the main filter media page.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+13370&pcatid=13370

[br553]

These are available for both filters. Look on the main filter media page.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+13370&pcatid=13370

Thanks for the advice, but I no longer use the Emperor 400 on my tanks. It became too cumbersome to clean and maintain. I currently use an older model Penguin 330 with an Aquaclear on my 46g goldfish tank and whatever model of penguin uses the same pads as the 330, but just one at a time, on my 10g. They are alot simpler in design, relatively speaking, than the emp 400, and easier to clean

[vanpudin]

Cool, its good to know that their is a generic filter for the peguin. Now i can pick up filters while i'm shopping at walmart. I still may check out the drsfostersmith.com option, will see.

[BoredAgain]

I still may check out the drsfostersmith.com option, will see.
You won't regret it.

[vanpudin]

Thanks boredAgain, hey cubs winning big tonight!

[BoredAgain]

Thanks boredAgain, hey cubs winning big tonight!
Ha, yeah...laying it on the brew crew.

[Derringer]

Do they sell the ready to use media as well or do you have to use bags and assmble yourself when its time to replace? OR do you just have to buy another complete shell/media product?

Seen these as well ...

https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+13374&pcatid=13374

Maybe using these in the back slots and then using the blue sponges in the front slots might be a good combo.

[vanpudin]

Just picked up Aqua Tech filters for my Penguin for (3 for 6.12) at walmart. They are the same ones as the marineland brand. I decided to rinse out the old ones one more time to reuse.