I went to the local pet store to buy a filter for my new 29gal. I had planned on buying an Emp 400 until I saw they were priced at $87!!! I know I could get one online for about $30 or $40 but I didn't want to wait. But I saw what I thought was an Emp 280 for about $40 so I went ahead and bought it. When I got home and went to set it up I realized I grabbed a new Penguin 200 Biowheel. I was kinda bummed, but I guess it's pretty much like the Emps but just w/o the spraybar and shorter pads. So has anyone else used these? Got any comments on them? The one I got is super quiet, but I have had a problem with it quitting every now and then. I just have to pull up on the propeller and reseat it. Not sure why though.
New Penguin 200 Biowheel
- Thread starter MrRngr94
- Start date
I don't have personal experience, but I'm about to buy one for my 10 Bichir grow out tank. When I get it, I'll tell you if it stops on me as well.
-Chris-
-Chris-
i have 2 of em running for 2 years with no probs at all. if yours is stopping due to the impeller make sure it is fully seated into the housing that you can pull out of the filter, if that doesnt work return it for another. sometimes the bio-wheel might stop which tells you to clean or change the filter pad or clean out the intake tube etc. but with proper maintenance you should never have this problem.
I've had a coule of Penguins before and I've had an Emperor 400 and currently have an Emperor 280. The Penguins aren't bad, but the Emperors are so much nicer.
benzjamin13;730075; said:
Which is why I was kinda upset when I got it home and saw I grabbed a Penguin instead of an Emp
I have several emp 280's and just recentley bought a Penguin 200, the new EMPS are so poorly crafted that I much prefer the Penguin....For instance latest EMP 280 cover wont fit properly the tube sits too high and when I push it down it grinds on the impeller....
This 200 I have is noisey. I know it's the impeller, but I can't get it right to where it's quiet and works.
Not even a month after I bought it the impeller went out on it. I tried calling Marineland to get a new one, but I have to wait till tomorrow. In the meantime I managed to get the filter running by wrapping silicone tape around the impeller to bring it back to it's regular shape. I think it's probably quieter than it's ever been. I might look at my Emp 400's tomorrow and see if I can get them a little quieter too.
You should go with the Emperor 280 on a 29 Gallon tank because the 400 is about 17" long and I doubt that if you have a cover it will fit, but the 280 should. I have a penguin 150 on a 10 gallon tank and w/ cover just fits. I think that the 280 is 9-10" long and about 2-3" wide so you can measure that out and see if you need to do any cutting. Well Gl with your filter
Well I originally thought I got a 280 until I got it home and looked at it. I'll be happy with the 200 as long as I can get it working without making a lot of noise or stopping on me. I'm thinking all my problems were from the impeller.