Bio-Wheel Filters

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icefreeze57

Gambusia
MFK Member
Dec 7, 2011
248
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16
New Jersey
Hey everyone!

I'm putting together a 50 gallon tank and considering a few different filters.

I was told about this bio-wheel filter (Marineland Penguin 200B I think but should I also consider the 350B??)

So I wanted to know what the benefits of a bio-wheel filter are (and downsides)

thanks all
 
Benefit would be they're very good at growing beneficial bacteria, downside would be is IME they have a tendency to malfunction. I would go with an Aquaclear myself.
 
they're also good for oxygen . One of my tanks has been running emperor 400's for several years with no problems ...and they were used when I got them ... I don't know about the penguin series ...
 
I had both penguins and emperors. I would not buy penguins cuz they sucked. Emperors are good though. Aquaclear is a bit brittle and easy to break.
 
i have used both for quarantine tanks. the 350s are good, they are even better if you use the refillable media baskets. I used two 350s on a 55g tank. If your 50g can't accomodate two filters, i would go with the emperor 400.
 
I would have to disagree that Penguins suck. I have used them with sand and they never broke down on me (old and new models). For me they are indestructable. (In fact I hear the Aquaclears have more of a problem with sand than Marineland filters?) The Emperors on the other hand... IME the flow rate after a while ended up being really weak while my Penguins are still going strong. I have a few Penguins from the early 90's that still are quiet and powerful, while I have a couple of old Emperors (from the 90's) that are WEAK (not in use anymore, but still work). Upgrading the Penguins with the refillable media baskets made them even better. There is the problem with the wheels on the Penguins jamming up after a while vs. the Emperors spray bar method of spinning the wheel which never jams. If that happens on the Penguins all you have to do is clean the plastic tabs that hold the wheel and play with it for a little...

Having said that... I have been converted and now recommend Aquaclears and Fluval C series filters (Hagen brand) and love them. I am still using the Penguins, but if they ever break down I would buy an Aquaclear or Fluval C series to replace them (depending on tank size). Don't see that happening though as my Penguins are tanks... even though I want an excuse to get some more Aquaclears and Fluval C series filters! (Almost happy my Emperors sucked so I could try the Aquaclears :))

To the OP: Get the biggest filter that you can fit. Much better to be overfiltered than underfiltered!
 
ECW said:
I would have to disagree that Penguins suck. I have used them with sand and they never broke down on me (old and new models). For me they are indestructable. (In fact I hear the Aquaclears have more of a problem with sand than Marineland filters?) The Emperors on the other hand... IME the flow rate after a while ended up being really weak while my Penguins are still going strong. I have a few Penguins from the early 90's that still are quiet and powerful, while I have a couple of old Emperors (from the 90's) that are WEAK (not in use anymore, but still work). Upgrading the Penguins with the refillable media baskets made them even better. There is the problem with the wheels on the Penguins jamming up after a while vs. the Emperors spray bar method of spinning the wheel which never jams. If that happens on the Penguins all you have to do is clean the plastic tabs that hold the wheel and play with it for a little...

Having said that... I have been converted and now recommend Aquaclears and Fluval C series filters (Hagen brand) and love them. I am still using the Penguins, but if they ever break down I would buy an Aquaclear or Fluval C series to replace them (depending on tank size). Don't see that happening though as my Penguins are tanks... even though I want an excuse to get some more Aquaclears and Fluval C series filters! (Almost happy my Emperors sucked so I could try the Aquaclears :))

To the OP: Get the biggest filter that you can fit. Much better to be overfiltered than underfiltered!
Click to expand...

+1 penguins are GOOD ,acs are BETTER
 
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