30g Test: AquaClear 30 vs. Penguin 150 Bio-Wheel

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
JakeH;3168724; said:
Ok, I'll bite. I keep seeing your posts about the Aqueon, so tell us why you like it. There has to be a good reason you would go public as an Aqueon fan, so now I'm interested! It's one of those cases where most of us would never even look at it in the store, just because of the brand, so what's the straight dope on Aqueons? Pouches or blocks? Bio-wheel or bag or screen? What else is special?
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Texs;3172238; said:
Besides the price...

What else is good about the Aqueon? or what do you like better on the Aqueon instead of the AC?

I'm not trying to change your mind I am just curious.
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I like the flowrate. I stock all my HOB's with the Hagen/Fluval media, and in my experience, nothing stands up to clogs, etc better than the Aqueons. I expect my HOB's to be low maintenance and there is nothing else that fits the bill quite like an Aqueon. AC's seem to slow down ALOT faster, and mine often just quit on me till i like shove something in the pump.

My 55 gallon rated Aqueon HOB went for almost 3 months on a 55 with a big RDxLyonsi and a Common Pleco without a cleaning (i did clean the other filters in the tank) and it didn't lose a drop of flowrate.

Also, the fact that they don't need any priming is great. As long as the water in the tank covers up the whole tube, it starts right off.

I just wish they made bigger filters, like the Emperor 400's and AC110's.
 
gobucks1;3175264; said:
I like the flowrate. I stock all my HOB's with the Hagen/Fluval media, and in my experience, nothing stands up to clogs, etc better than the Aqueons. I expect my HOB's to be low maintenance and there is nothing else that fits the bill quite like an Aqueon. AC's seem to slow down ALOT faster, and mine often just quit on me till i like shove something in the pump.

My 55 gallon rated Aqueon HOB went for almost 3 months on a 55 with a big RDxLyonsi and a Common Pleco without a cleaning (i did clean the other filters in the tank) and it didn't lose a drop of flowrate.

Also, the fact that they don't need any priming is great. As long as the water in the tank covers up the whole tube, it starts right off.

I just wish they made bigger filters, like the Emperor 400's and AC110's.
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What do you mean by shove something in the pump?

Oh and I am glad you answered the questions because now an Aqueon 55 gallon deluxe kit seems appealing. (Knowing that the filter it comes with is not complete trash):headbang2
 
I love my ac110 and ac70. Had the bio wheel. Didnt work for me.
 
Texs;3176498; said:
What do you mean by shove something in the pump?

Oh and I am glad you answered the questions because now an Aqueon 55 gallon deluxe kit seems appealing. (Knowing that the filter it comes with is not complete trash):headbang2
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Like shove a toothpick or something and move the impeller around. This may be because i have very small fine gravel in most of my tanks, and fish that dig. But it doesn't happen to my Aqueons.

Those kits are a great deal BTW, add on a Aqueon 30 gallon and you're filtered for just about anything!
 
you have to put something in the impeller sometimes after a power outage. the impeller chambers on all the AC's except the 110 are small and gum up easily and need a "push" if they are not clean. if not, when the power comes back on the impeller wont start spinning on its own.

or, your fish are digging and spitting gravel or sand into the impeller, which sometimes require the same 'push' with your finger, or chopstick or whatever.

this is an issue with most of the AC's. although I have never had the 110 size have this problem in almost 20 years, but that doesn't mean it couldnt happen..
 
aquaclear is the best by far easy to change media simple impellar access to clean. Penguin's are poop.

mr.reef24
 
wow everyone here likes ac

my used tank came with 2 penguin 350's and they work fine so I just stick with those.

which one is better in terms of noise level? i might get an ac for the tank in my bedroom :O
 
They all work, or else they wouldn't be on the market. AC's have a strong following because they are quiet & flexible & hard to clog & easily repaired.
 
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