aquaclear or Penguin?

[TheSmJ]

What would people reeccomend more; an AquaClear filter, or a Marineland Penguin?

After using both, my personal opinion is the Penguin does a much better job with overall filtration as the water must flow directly through the media to get back to the tank, and the bio-wheel. I'ts only downside being that you cannot remove the charcoal.

The Aquaclear's design has the water flowing over the media, which means less garbage would get picked up each passthrough. But, because the media isn't an "all in one" cartridge, you can remove the charcoal if you're going to medicate the tank.

So what do you guys think? I own two of each brand, and am wondering what the general concesus is.

 

[bayoupr]

When I was running power filters I preferred Aqua Clear. The only time the water flows over the media is when the sponge is clogged full of debris. I use only sponge filters now.

 

[JSchmidt]

I'd buy the Penguin filters and fill the media well with AquaClear 300 sponges. You get the best of both filters: the reliability and excellent biofiltration of the Penguin and the infinitely reusable mechanical media from the AC.

Probably, either filter would do you well.

Jim

 

[TheSmJ]

Originally posted by bayoupr
When I was running power filters I preferred Aqua Clear. The only time the water flows over the media is when the sponge is clogged full of debris. I use only sponge filters now.

Are you sure? It would appear as if the outlet from the pump chamber to the media is above the sponge, rather than below. It it below the charcoal bag, but obviously that's not quite made for catching the large pieces of garbage...

 

[blitzen25bm]

i like penguins/emperors more than aquaclears, aquclears are stronger and quieter though. on the aquaclears the water comes from the bottom and flows up through the sponges.

 

[Captain Hook]

For a bedroom tank or anywhere quiet is really important: AC

For a tank where a little noise won't bother anyone: Penguin.

I had always used aquaclear filters and been really happy with them until recently. I bought a used tank package and it came with a penguin 330. I think the penguin is a very good filter so far. LOTS of room for sponges, bio balls, etc. The actual plastic housing isn't as solid as AC ones and this causes the filter to rattle a little bit. Overall it's a great filter though.

I don't think you can go wrong with either. AC's are very solid and reliable.

 

[blitzen25bm]

Originally posted by Captain Hook
The actual plastic housing isn't as solid as AC ones and this causes the filter to rattle a little bit.

the plastic on emperors are way better, the only thing that would rattle is the lid. the plastic on aquaclears are cheap and thin where the emperor ones are less brittle and would absorb shocks way better.

 

[Bristlenose Chuck]

I love AC's but the plactic on the AC 500 is so thin I feel like Im going to break it when I clean it out.