Which filter?

[Dragon Queen]

I'm looking at switching to a rugf and I'm thinking about putting a biowheel or those filters that hang over the back of a tank. What brand is the easiest to use and provides some current?
Top Fin
Aqua Clear
Whisper Power Filter
Penguin
thanks

 

[schiejr]

I have been going with Penquins lately due to the durability of the case. Bio wheels usu. get tossed fairly soon when they stop turning so I use them to power large sponge filters instead.

 

[YoFishboy]

Both aquaclears and penguins are good, solid performers that are easy to maintain.

 

[Soulcoffr]

Bio wheels usu. get tossed fairly soon when they stop turning so I use them to power large sponge filters instead.

You should never have to "toss" a bio-wheel. The wheels function perfectly if they slow down or even stop for periods of time. If they fail to turn completely, just swish the wheel around in some of your change water, and clean the bearings. They never need replacing, unless they are damaged. They're far more effective bio-filtration than a submerged sponge.

 

[slipknottin]

I use penguins without the biowheels. Ive found them to be the quietest and most reliable of the Hob filters. My ACs tend to have issues restarting.

 

[Obsidian]

I'm looking at switching to a rugf and I'm thinking about putting a biowheel or those filters that hang over the back of a tank. What brand is the easiest to use and provides some current?
Top Fin
Aqua Clear
Whisper Power Filter
Penguin
thanks

I have biowheels built into my eclipse tanks, have an AC on the goldfish tank. The AC is easy to custom adapt to your filtering needs... three different layers of media... sponge, carbon or ammochips, biomedia.. but you can add what you want. However, the housing is a little brittle... I managed to break part of it before I even got it set up. And restarting it is a problem sometimes (though that might be due to leveling problems in my house).

I had some other hob filter... penguin I think, for a tank that is now disassembled. It was sturdy and adequate, provided that you want carbon filtration. I could not customize the media at all, as it was a vertical cartridge.

They all work... just a matter of personal preference.

 

[Harlock]

I had some other hob filter... penguin I think, for a tank that is now disassembled. It was sturdy and adequate, provided that you want carbon filtration. I could not customize the media at all, as it was a vertical cartridge.

They all work... just a matter of personal preference.

It's easy to customize a Penguin. Rip up the cartridge, dump the carbon, attach a sponge or filter foam to the frame using rubberbands, insert cartirdge back in box. Also, the new Penguins have an extra media slot, so you have even more options.

 

[YoFishboy]

It's easy to customize a Penguin. Rip up the cartridge, dump the carbon, attach a sponge or filter foam to the frame using rubberbands, insert cartirdge back in box. Also, the new Penguins have an extra media slot, so you have even more options.

Great idea! Thanks for helping me save money!

 

[Harlock]

You're welcome. Also, just in case it wasn;t obvious, you can reuse the foma or sponge, simply give it a quick rinse and jiggle under some old tank water during water changes. Since the Bio-wheel has the biofilter (mostly) on it, you're safe in rinsing the sponges and using them over and over again.

 

[adgolde]

i have a 55 gallon with an aqua clear 500 (110) and a topfin 60 and they both provide good current and great filtration.