I have all Penguin filters, the 300 bio-wheel model on the big tank X2, and a mini on the 10 gallon. I like having the bioo-wheel to add to my "good" bacteria
Hang On Fliters
- Thread starter Flowerhorn916
- Start date
Biowheels are good if you tned to replace the whole filter media. That way you don't loose too much good bacteria at once.
They are the worst though if you plan on adding CO2 to your tank as they off gas the CO2 very fast.
They are the worst though if you plan on adding CO2 to your tank as they off gas the CO2 very fast.
Have you checked out the 'new' Eheim Liberty HOB filters ? I haven't tried one personally, but they seem to be getting some good 'press'
http://www.cloudytanks.com/reviews/filters/eheim.htm
I have been running a Penguin 330 bio-wheel HOB filter for over a year. From a biological filtration standpoint it does great, as I have never had an ammonia/nitrite spike in all that time. But from a mechanical filtration standpoint, it's mediocre at best because the single flat layer of filter media on the front of the filter cartridge loads up pretty quickly. Also, it doesn't remove very fine particles, thus leaving a trace of cloudiness in the tank water even with brand new filter cartridges. It also 'bypasses' very quickly once the filter cartridges start to load up. And to top things off, it causes very audible splashing if the tank level drops even slightly below the Penguin's spillway.
But if used in conjunction with a canister or modular filter, where the Penguin is handling mostly biological filtration while the canister is handling the brunt of mechanical and chemical filtration, you can get the best of both worlds.
http://www.cloudytanks.com/reviews/filters/eheim.htm
I have been running a Penguin 330 bio-wheel HOB filter for over a year. From a biological filtration standpoint it does great, as I have never had an ammonia/nitrite spike in all that time. But from a mechanical filtration standpoint, it's mediocre at best because the single flat layer of filter media on the front of the filter cartridge loads up pretty quickly. Also, it doesn't remove very fine particles, thus leaving a trace of cloudiness in the tank water even with brand new filter cartridges. It also 'bypasses' very quickly once the filter cartridges start to load up. And to top things off, it causes very audible splashing if the tank level drops even slightly below the Penguin's spillway.
But if used in conjunction with a canister or modular filter, where the Penguin is handling mostly biological filtration while the canister is handling the brunt of mechanical and chemical filtration, you can get the best of both worlds.
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I have also had problems with my AC restarting after unplugging it for maintenance. I would unplug it and plug it back in a few times before it started back up. The last time this happened I remembered that I hadn't thoroughly cleaned the impeller for a while. After doing that, it hasn't happened since.
TKOS said:
The Aquaclear filters do not self-siphon after shutting down. However the filter will never run itself dry even if the tank water isn't being drawn in through the intake. it will just recycle upon itself. Burning out the motor becomes impossible.
Anytime the flow stops completely after a power outage just take a cup of tank water and pour it into the intake area and it will draw water almost instantly. How hard is that?
I have a Penguin Mini, Emperor 280 and an Aquaclear 100. I prefer the bio wheel ones. The Aquaclear does no treprime if power is lost and both the Emperor and Penguin do. I also like the bio-wheel. I will agree that out of the box the Aqua Clear polishes the water better. But, you can cut a sponge for the Emperor and it does just as good a job.
Hydor Bravo series are the best i have found. It pressureizes the water and forces it through the media. Check it out, i LOVE MINE!
http://www.hydor.it/inglese/bravo.htm
http://www.hydor.it/inglese/bravo.htm
