View Full Version : Hanging filters
GEV83
04-18-2003, 12:12 PM
Hi I wanted to get everyones opinion on which filter they think is better the Aquaclear power filter or the whisper power filter. Im goint to need a new filter soon the one I have is a bit old and the pipe is broken. I know theres replacements but would rather just get a new one. What do you think is better and what are the pros and cons of both of these??? Thanks Alot.
bayoupr
04-19-2003, 8:04 AM
As for me, Aquaclear is the choice. I ran a whisper in the past then bought an AC and never looked back. On my 125g I run two AC 500, Eheim 2217 and a fluval 304 cannister. On my 60g I run a AC 500 and Eheim 2217 cannister. Probably could drop my cannisters on my tanks but I like alot of filtration.
NJ Devils Fan
04-19-2003, 8:33 AM
Yea, more people here will be on the AC side.
Well I like oth filters none have given me troubles til now. I have one tank where the power goes out if theres to many things running. Well AC shoot out all the water and when power is restored have a chance of burning out but they are more powerful and less expensive. But I like the whisper because it will keep running when power is restore it doesnt shoot everything in the tank but its cost more and isnt as powerful so if you were in my situation what would you go with. Its are circuit braker that is messed up need to get it fixed soon but its been put of several times so what would you go with.
brianfl
04-19-2003, 6:23 PM
I will go a different direction, I like the Emperor Bio Wheel the best of any hob filters.
But hows the price and how noisy are they both tanks I have are in my room so cant have nothing noisy also I got cockatiels and they have a high tendency of getting night frights so cant have nothing really noisy.
NJ Devils Fan
04-20-2003, 7:33 PM
Well, ACs are cheap and noiseless. Don't know about the whispers, but by the name, I am assuming that they are quiet. Go to big Al's online for the prices.
JSchmidt
04-21-2003, 8:32 AM
Just about any filter is better than a Whisper. IMHO.
Aquaclears are one of the filters that tend to be quite popular. The plusses are their affordability, the sponge media that lasts more or less forever and their high flow rate. The downsides include reports of the lids rattling, difficulty starting after power outages/water changes and the fact that the motor and the filter well are two separate pieces, making leaks possible at the o-ring seal.
You could do much worse than Aquaclear... like Whisper, for example!
GEV83
04-21-2003, 11:58 AM
AC it is then
bah, AC's are way overated.
They aren't that great a filter, and they are kinda noisy. Go with an eheim liberty...they are awesome.....great power, silent, and very easy to maintain.
Caleb
slipknottin
04-21-2003, 4:20 PM
The penguin filters without the bio-wheels are quieter than the ACs.
AC are quiet I have one on my 60gal and its quiet so is my whisper just never took care of my whisper so need a new filter.
gsmollin
04-21-2003, 9:27 PM
The Whisper gets clogged up at the top of the dip tube, and the bio-bags are expensive,and a pain to clean, if you don't want to replace them all the time.
The AC will leak all over the place if you allow the media to stick up above the water's surface. That's because the AC has insufficient free board above the water level in the media chamber, and also insufficient sealing around the lid. If the media is above the water level, the water can strike the lid, and it will run back and leak through the lid joint, and drip down the back of the filter all over the aquarium stand. Its a stupid design.
Maybe somebody will make a good HOB someday.
My AC never had any of those probs either have any of my current and previous whispers. Hmmmmmmm. Somethignfish going on here oh wait its a fish forum duh. Nah but never had any prob here just wanted to see which one people thought was best. Well with the whisper yeah the media is a pain I take a hose to it to clean off all the junk but then that cloth starts riping then I got carbon all over then you got to get a new thing. I think I will stick to AC had one leack on me but some one forced the bottom part on (it might have been me oops) but if it wasnt for that it wouldnt have leaked.
andruboz
04-21-2003, 10:23 PM
i liked my emperor until i got 2 more. the 2 new ones are a bit noisy. will try to build a box to lower the noise or 'dynamat' them and see if that works. the noise is my only complaint with them .
Whatever you do don't get a Wardley Sandman filter. IMO they are absolute pieces of crap.
i don't like ac or whispers because the plastic used to make them breaks/cracks to easily. I much prefer the black flexible plastic emperors and penguins are made of.
nboylie
04-22-2003, 1:14 AM
The retarded charcoal bag in my AC 300 broke a few months ago and is all over the bottom of the tank :rolleyes:
JSchmidt
04-22-2003, 8:45 AM
For cheap mechanical filtration, I've bought some of WalMart's Regent powerfilters. These are made by Marineland and are identical to the Penguin line, except they don't have the biowheels. I use Aquaclear foam in the filter well (not the blue bonded, charcoal-filled pads that come with the filter), so there is essentially no media cost. The result is a cheap, dependable mech filter that's really easy to maintain.
Not as good as a canister, but it works quite well and is very cheap.
Jim