Penguin Bio-Wheel filters

WinterWind

WinterWind

Mad pianist
Feb 11, 2005
957
0
0
Is this filter good?

I want to add an extra filter, and I will probably get the biowheel or tetra whisper. I'm not too sure of the biowheel. What does the wheel do? Do I have to replace the wheel often? I dont' want to spend money every month for a new and expensive wheel to replace. If I do get the biowheel, how often must I replace the wheel? Does the filter come with a few filter mediums or do I have to buy them individually, b/c I know the whisper filters come with a few free filter pads already. The whisper is also cheaper by like 5 dollars. So should I get the whisper or biowheel?
 
I would definately purchase one of the new Penguin biowheel filters over a Whisper, and I have both. The Whisper 30 that I have is easily one of my least favorite filters (not b/c it's bad, but the others are just so much better). I picked up 2 of the new Penguin 350's and they've got some decent space for customization of media (but no HOB beats an Aqua Clear for that), and if your biowheel never breaks you never need to replace it. (They come w/ filter cartridges, but I went with blue bonded pads that I cut to shape b/c I didn't need the carbon).
 
The penguins are great filters. You should never have to replace the biowheel. I bought a couple Aquaclear sponges and cut them in half and use them instead of the original filter cartridges for the penguins. I just rinse them out and reuse them.
 
The bio-wheel should probably never be replaced. Tghe only reason to replace it is if there is something wrong with it that causes it to no longer turn. The bio-wheel grows bacteria and puts it in your water. Some bacteria need lots of oxygen that the bio-wheel provides. It gives the maximum amount of oxygen possible.

You can replace the media by DIY methods for these types of filters (even wisper). There is an article about it in the articles section.

I had this filter for severla years and never replaced anything. I just washed off the pads really well and dumped out the water in the filter once or twice a year. Its important not to do this too often because it can really hurt your bacteria population. But sometimes there is just too much junk in the filter so its a good idea. I always look in the filter with a flashlight to be sure it needs to be dumped. And keep the bio-wheel in the water while you dump the filter.

Anyway, definately go with the penguin.
 
The bio wheel acts as a really small wet dry filter. You don't ever have to replace it, unless there is a mechanical problem.
 
Cool. I think I will have to go with the bio-wheel!

So how much for a 10 gallon model? I searched on big als and I think it was 15. How much can I expect to get it at an LFS? I went to walmart the other day, but didn't see it stocked, but the whisper was even cheaper than online at walmart!
 
If the lfs is petsmart, then go to their web site and see. There is a good chance walmart will have it and for the best price, but they usually have a limited selection. We can't really predict the price at the lfs. In some parts of the country gas is $2.50+ plus a gallon while in other parts its still less than $2.00.
 
If you're buying from petsmart, print off the page from their website with the filter you want & take it with you to the store. Their website is usually a lot cheaper than the store and if you have the page they'll give you the web price. If you don't mind buying online, big als or dr, fosters are usually the cheapest. As to size, I always go the next size bigger, or even better, 2 of the recomended size.
 
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