HOW OFTEN TO CHANGE FILTER ON PENGUIN 200 WITH BIOWHEEL

platytetrafan

platytetrafan

AC Members
Jan 20, 2007
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NY
Ok I want to make sure that I am doing the right thing. My 36g has been up and running and cycled for quite some time. This filter takes the type of sponges that already have carbon in them. I was under the impression that it is better for the tank if the filter is changed every month. The filter sponge does get very gunky I also have a biowheel with this system that I was told holds the biological media needed to keep the aquarium water in check. I usually seed the new filter with the old one in place for about a week and then I chuck the old one. Am I doing the wrong thing? I have read that some members just rinse the existing filters in old tank water after a water change but then I have read that the carbon in the filter keeps the water clean so I am confused. By changing out the filter am I losing the biological media or am I doing the right thing because the media is actually in the biowheel. My water parameters have been fine have had no problems just needed some feedback on what others do with this type of filter system.
 
No, I would say you are not doing anything wrong. I have a Penguin 350 running on my 55 gallon. I rinse out the filter cartriges in tank water to get them clean. Same thing with the bio wheels when they get dirty. I only change the filter cartridge when they look like they are starting to fall appart.
 
So it is not necessary to replace the filter each month? I am a little confused by this because there has been talk about the carbon keeping the water clean supposedly it loses its effectiveness after two weeks. I will keep the existing filter and on the next wc rinse it in old tank water and see how it goes will only replace it if it gets raggy and continue to test the water. Thanks for clearing that up for me appreciate it.
 
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I usually rinse my filters about every two weeks and do about a 50% water change and by the next day my tank is pretty much crystal clear. The carbon is not what makes the water clear. In fact some people do not even use carbon in thier filters, it is not necessary. On my fry tanks I only run sponge filters and after cleaning them and doing a water change, the water will be clear again.

Chemical filtration is provided by carbon or chemical resins that extract toxins from the water. Activated filter carbon will aggressively remove chemicals from your water until the carbon becomes saturated. It will also remove med's from the water if you are treating for disease.
 
Yes I knew what the carbon does just a little confused as to when I should change the filter on this tank I also have an eclipse 3g and was doing the same thing changing the filter every month will take your advise and see how it goes thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving to you.
 
You could change the cartridges or just clean them under some water. Never replace or clean the biowheel (unless it stops moving completely). It is the biological filtration for your tank. If you clean it, doesnt that just defeat the purpose of even having it?
 
when i run the penguin/biowheels i just rinse them and reuse them about 3 times total or until the padding gets to that soggy point where it expands, you know what i mean. as for the biowheel i sometimes rinse it to get any solid off of it or use a cotton swab to clean any sludge on the plastic parts. the same cleaning with inside the filter just wipe off any sludge. a cotton swab for the impeller and magnet too. and stuff the inside of the straight pipes with a paper towel and push it out with a stick.

when you rinse the biowheel or the cartridges rinse with either room temp water or from the tank water if you're doing a WC.
if you want to seed the new filter just cut off the padding from the prior one and toss it in with the new one. and you can start using that old cartridge frame and put your own new padding.
 
I was told that when you are going to rinse the existing filter it should be with the old tank water after a wc same thing with the biowheel not with tap water since it contains chlorine and will kill off the biological media. If you are going to use a new filter you can use tap water but very little to rinse through the carbon.
 
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