Filter OK for 10 gallon?

mhmh

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Sep 19, 2002
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The Poconos of PA
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I just bought a "Neptune 10 gallon economy aquarium kit" from Petco for $30. I want to use it as a quarantine tank (I already have an established 90 gallon). This new tank came with a hood with two incandescent bulbs, and a Penguin mini power filter. The filter doesn't have a biowheel, so I'm wondering how this setup will maintain its bacteria. Wouldn't I cause a cycle every time I change the filter media?

Any suggestions?
 
Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
That's weird, my penguin mini came with a bio wheel. On my 10g tank, I have a Penguin 125 just for better filtration.
According to Marineland's Web site, the Mini's available with or without the bio wheel. I guess when the kit's only $30, they cut all the corners they could.

Now that I'm thinking about it, maybe I should have posted this in Freshwater Products & DIY. Slipknottin, maybe you could move it?
 
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bacteria will establish themselves in the substrate, on the plants, in the water, even on the walls of the filter itself. Just changing the media shouldn't have a terrible effect on the biological filtration of your tank... I've got a h.o.b. without biowheels on mine and it does fine. I think biowheel filtration is overrated, personally. Too many moving parts, too much noise, and no noticeable effect on the filtration that I've found. About the same level of clarity and requirement on water changes either way. Just costs more for the extra part, that's all.... I would consider supplementing the filtration with something a little bigger than a mini, though. They're best for a 5 gal, not much larger, IMO.

If you're really worried about biological filtration, invest in a ugf (unless you're planning on planting the tank). That's pretty much what they do (bio filtration, that is...).

HTH.
 
Originally posted by pinballqueen

If you're really worried about biological filtration, invest in a ugf (unless you're planning on planting the tank). That's pretty much what they do (bio filtration, that is...).

HTH.
Hmm, that sounds like good advice since I'm using UGF on my big tank. It will provide aeration, too. Thanks, PBQ.
 
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