I have the same 6 ft 125 gal as yours and run three Penguin 350. I have heavy fish load, over a dozen medium to large cichlid, and the water is crystal clear. Very few people use UGF anymore today as canister is essentially external UGF. I maintain a thin substrate, about 1/2 inch gravel, that provides good bio filtration as long as good flow is maintained over it. You better go with more HOBs than Canister for better mechanical filtration as Canister is PIA to clean.
Filter for 120 gallon
- Thread starter jwitty
- Start date
The biggest problem for me to run 3 penguins on the back is simply room. My tank is inside my furnace room with a hole in the wall to look out to family room. It’s near impossible for me to get into the tank for cleaning or even putting fish in on the side I have the penguin on now. If the tank was in a more open spot I’d be more tempted for more penguins, but it just won’t allow and it’s just a pita to take the penguin I have in it now out to clean. I got an fx4 mainly for size and flow reasons. And I really don’t mind cleaning out filters, I actually kinda like doing it lol.
Have you considered a sump system with an overflow box. It’s much easier to clean than a canister. You can locate the sump away from the tank similar to the canister, and you can even DIY but the design is tricky though.
Good mechanical filtration requires frequent filter pads replacement. In my set up with heavy fish load, I replaced filter pads of all 3 Penguin about twice a week. I don’t run the biowheel though, not needed IMO as long as good circulation is maintained.
Good mechanical filtration requires frequent filter pads replacement. In my set up with heavy fish load, I replaced filter pads of all 3 Penguin about twice a week. I don’t run the biowheel though, not needed IMO as long as good circulation is maintained.
No real feasible room for a sump. I do run the bio wheels but also bought the media trays that are available for the penguin 350 and I think 200 and I added rings in it.
Do you use filter pads or just the rings. If so, you have too much biological filtration (your UGF is all biological), and none for mechanical. The rings are too porous and won’t catch fine. You can cut your own filter pads by buying cheap polyester batting by the yard from Johanne Fabric and fit into the filter basket. I do it in all my Penguins and replace new pads as soon as over flow occurs, which is twice a week in my heavily loaded tank.
You don’t need the rings or biowheel, just focus on mechanical and change new pads as soon as overflow occurs. You can improve the efficiency of your Penguin to pick up fines by installing a internal circulation pump. But with only one HOB, you may need to change new pads daily, plus or minus depending on fish load.
I change filter pads maybe once every other week to a month. They apparently don’t get near as dirty as yours. If I don’t have the rings or bio wheels I effectively have 0 bio filtration then...?
I looked at those but the reviews on new ones seemed very poor. Especially comparing it to Fluvals or Eheim
