There's also the same few defenders of the penguin series. Seems more to be a preference thing, but I'll hold strong and say you get more bang for your buck with the ac line in most cases
What's a good budget friendly HOB filter that will fit in a 125?
- Thread starter Irecruitfish
- Start date
Not a defender, just a practical realist. While an o-ring failing on an AC is always possible, it seems about as probable as lightning striking me as I cross the street. I'm not sure of the OP's local prices and/or sales, but I have purchased all of mine over the years during sales. They were cheap, even for CAD pricing and taxes - and they are all still working.
I can post a link to someone's (fill in the blank model) filter, failing, all day long. lol
What is that supposed to prove? My response to your post last time you linked to it, Tiger.
…….. which at the end the OP stated: "I had stuffed a extra inch of polyfill on top the sponge and other stuff. It fluffed the more it got wet thus causing the overflow. Its running fine now"
Another clear case of operator error.
I have been running AC's for longer than many people here have been keeping fish, and have never had one overflow, or leak.
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
To the OP ………. good luck with whatever you decide.
I can post a link to someone's (fill in the blank model) filter, failing, all day long. lol
What is that supposed to prove? My response to your post last time you linked to it, Tiger.
…….. which at the end the OP stated: "I had stuffed a extra inch of polyfill on top the sponge and other stuff. It fluffed the more it got wet thus causing the overflow. Its running fine now"
Another clear case of operator error.
I have been running AC's for longer than many people here have been keeping fish, and have never had one overflow, or leak.
Is it worth it to get a Seachem Tidal power filter?
I currently have a Tetra Whisper filter in my 20 gallon, and a Marineland Penguin 350 power filter in my 55 gallon. Both, for multiple reasons, I'm looking to replace, and I am trying to decide if Seachem Tidal filters are the best option (I really only have space for HOB filters). Do you guys...
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
To the OP ………. good luck with whatever you decide.
Im not just an outspoken fanboy or mindless aquaclear-fluval parrot. My opinions come from hands on experiences with all the filters mentioned (except for seachem which i am curious about).
Theres some actual engineering and thought in the design of the aquaclear, which necessitates that all the water moving through it(much more than the penguin) moves down then up through all of the media (again, MUCH more than the penguin) on its way to the exit overflow. The media is easily rinsed and the foam is sturdy enough to use for years.
By contrast, the penguins flow splits moving back to front and hits two thin grate like foam chambers and then through an inexplicable spinny dealy on its way out. Like i said, if you have any kind of beefy fish those grates get clogged up fast. To mitigate this you have to change out the foam in the grates, which effectively removes a lot of the bb colonies that may have cultivated there, leaving the tank open to mini-cycles or ammonia spikes.
Theres some actual engineering and thought in the design of the aquaclear, which necessitates that all the water moving through it(much more than the penguin) moves down then up through all of the media (again, MUCH more than the penguin) on its way to the exit overflow. The media is easily rinsed and the foam is sturdy enough to use for years.
By contrast, the penguins flow splits moving back to front and hits two thin grate like foam chambers and then through an inexplicable spinny dealy on its way out. Like i said, if you have any kind of beefy fish those grates get clogged up fast. To mitigate this you have to change out the foam in the grates, which effectively removes a lot of the bb colonies that may have cultivated there, leaving the tank open to mini-cycles or ammonia spikes.
Can't argue with the results Tiger is getting with his tanks using Penguins. They're clean and the fish look healthy.
I'm currently running a Tidal 110 in addition to my canisters and don't have any issues with it so far. I'm using it for surface skimming and aeration, but the extra media volume is nice too.
I'm currently running a Tidal 110 in addition to my canisters and don't have any issues with it so far. I'm using it for surface skimming and aeration, but the extra media volume is nice too.
I personally have both brand of filters. One Penguin on a 29 gallon. I removed the bio wheel replaced it with a fluval sponge. Tbh I prefer AC HOB filters over any other because of it's history and the simple design that makes it easy to maintain.
I won't argue but will point out that, from what ive seen, tiger15s tanks are heavily scaped, heavily planted. Lots of surface in the tank to cultivate BB. I will also point out that his/her (just being pc idk for sure) tanks are not particularly heavily stocked.
Now if you have a bare bottom tank with oscars or other large cichlids in it, the media content of the filter becomes much more vital.
Which begs the question to
Irecruitfish
what kind of stock and how is the tank scaped?
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It's pretty much a bare tank. Housing two Dovii's. One is 16" and the other 6". Some quite a few rocks/caves. No plants. Very little gravel.I won't argue but will point out that, from what ive seen, tiger15s tanks are heavily scaped, heavily planted. Lots of surface in the tank to cultivate BB. I will also point out that his/her (just being pc idk for sure) tanks are not particularly heavily stocked.
Now if you have a bare bottom tank with oscars or other large cichlids in it, the media content of the filter becomes much more vital.
Which begs the question to
This is the tank ......…..
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
Umbee with white bump and white stringy poop
What's going on here? I'm going to do a water change now and add prazi pro. Any other suggestions?
www.monsterfishkeepers.com
In Amazon, AC 110 sells for $80 and Penguin 350 $30. It's very clear Penguin is the better bang of buck of the two as you can buy 2.7 Penguin for the price of one AC.
The AC foam measured 10"L x 3.5"w 3.5d, and Penguin 6"L x 4"w x 1"d x 2 pads. AC has much larger media volume, but slightly smaller cross section area. For mechanical filtration, cross sectional area matters more than volume because once the first 1/2 d is clogged, not much can pass through.
I am not a Penguin defender, as I believe all cartridge style HOBs (Whisper, Topfin, Marina etc ) have similar design and thereby similar performance. The difference between cartridge style and AC style is frequency of cleaning. Cartridge style need to be cleaned more frequently and many users perceive it as problematic. In reality, it is doing its job by catching fine effectively, and more frequent cleaning is better for water quality by removing solid waste as soon as it is produced.
