IMO, whispers, penguins, and just about any other cartridge-design filter are about even. It's that darn cartridge media design which is convienent, but just can't come close to competing with the media volume and versatility on an AquaClear. Honestly, I think the point behind the cartrige idea is to keep you buying replacements, because with an AC you can just rinse and reuse the sponge indefinately.
Yes, you can convert the cartrige to a sponge, but AC can fit THREE sponges (or two sponges and carbon, or one sponge, carbon, and peat, or...), and the design ensures water goes through them all.
I've got Three AC's, two Whispers, three of the Walmart imitation Penguins (made by Marineland, but no biowheel), an Emperor, and a Fluval cannister.
I love the AC's and the Fluval.
The only other filter I'd buy another one of is the Walmart imitation...
I know, but they're cheap, and when you're broke but just HAVE to have ANOTHER tank (or filter) it's hard to resist that low, low price. (they've always been just as reliable as any other filter, even run dry on several occasions and still work)
Haven't really had any problem with the Whispers restarting, but their uptake tube likes to fall off (it's a snap-on affair, not press-on, and the snaps break). My biggest complaint for maintenance applies both to Penguin and Whisper. Their stupid impeller design. Having the shaft and impeller one piece with the rubber end-pieces is just bad.
First, if any hair gets in the tank (2 people, 4 cats, 2 dogs - it happens!) and gets wrapped around the impeller shaft, it's a pain to get off! You have to use a pocketknife and tweezers to fish it out once the hair has gotten all wrapped up and worked in there.
With AC, just lift off the impeller and pull out any hair.
Second, those rubber end pieces get old and hard. The impeller no-longer stays on the tube part while you insert it into the motor. Then you have to fiddle with it to get everything lined up, or else the uptake tube won't seat fully on the filter.
No such problems with AC's drop-in impeller design. and, if you have to replace the impeller shaft, just pull it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers and stick a new one in (but you should never have to replace the shaft anyways)
Yes, you can convert the cartrige to a sponge, but AC can fit THREE sponges (or two sponges and carbon, or one sponge, carbon, and peat, or...), and the design ensures water goes through them all.
I've got Three AC's, two Whispers, three of the Walmart imitation Penguins (made by Marineland, but no biowheel), an Emperor, and a Fluval cannister.
I love the AC's and the Fluval.
The only other filter I'd buy another one of is the Walmart imitation...
I know, but they're cheap, and when you're broke but just HAVE to have ANOTHER tank (or filter) it's hard to resist that low, low price. (they've always been just as reliable as any other filter, even run dry on several occasions and still work)Haven't really had any problem with the Whispers restarting, but their uptake tube likes to fall off (it's a snap-on affair, not press-on, and the snaps break). My biggest complaint for maintenance applies both to Penguin and Whisper. Their stupid impeller design. Having the shaft and impeller one piece with the rubber end-pieces is just bad.
First, if any hair gets in the tank (2 people, 4 cats, 2 dogs - it happens!) and gets wrapped around the impeller shaft, it's a pain to get off! You have to use a pocketknife and tweezers to fish it out once the hair has gotten all wrapped up and worked in there.
With AC, just lift off the impeller and pull out any hair.
Second, those rubber end pieces get old and hard. The impeller no-longer stays on the tube part while you insert it into the motor. Then you have to fiddle with it to get everything lined up, or else the uptake tube won't seat fully on the filter.
No such problems with AC's drop-in impeller design. and, if you have to replace the impeller shaft, just pull it out with a pair of needle-nose pliers and stick a new one in (but you should never have to replace the shaft anyways)
