Aquaclear Filter Or Bio-Wheel Filter?

[mp0033price]

I'd like to know experienced opinions.. THANKS in advance for any replies!!!

 

[waterdrop]

There's not a whole lot of difference, they're both in the HOB category so generally less media volume than an external cannister filter. The AC filters are generally liked the best here among HOBs because the filter box is the most flexible, just a box allowing just about any sort of media the hobbyist wants to fit in there. The biowheel has the extra advantage/disadvantage of the biowheel itself. The idea of allowing your bacteria to be wheeled up in the air is to implement a bit of a "wet/dry" design (thats a whole category of filter design) and allow the bacteria to get more oxygen, which is a good thing, although probably overkill on a typical beginner aquarium. The disadvantage comes on those rare occasions of a power outage occuring when you happen to not be home for a while. The bacteria stopped up in the air will die if it gets dried out.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[drobbyb]

I have owned both and I like the AC better (of course you already know this from your other thread.)

 

[mp0033price]

Thanks waterdrop.. I don't know what HOB or AC filters really is.. Sorry.. But I went ahead and went with the Aquaclear! I'm excited.

 

[erk628]

Thanks waterdrop.. I don't know what HOB or AC filters really is.. Sorry.. But I went ahead and went with the Aquaclear! I'm excited.

I've owned both and from my experience I think aquaclear sucks. Several years ago I had two acs and they both started leaking about the same time. Two weeks ago I had a filter go down and had to go up and get another one I thought id try another ac. It was a lot louder then my other filters. A couple days ago while cleaning the tank the filter kept stopping like the propeller would stop and I had to keep taking the motor off and manually turn the propeller. Next morning when I got up it wasn't running again. Boxed it up and returned it ande got a bio wheel there biggest. Right now I have three bios and have never had problems with them. My votes for the bio hands down. I see you already made your choice though. If it breaks go for the bio

 

[rebrn]

I currently have both on different tanks. The AC (aquaclear) filter is easier to modify the type of media you use. As for the bio wheel I have 2 types the marineland eclipse and the marineland emperor 400. The Emperor is easier to customize than the eclipse because it comes with 2 customizable media holders and you can purchase more on line. With the eclipse it takes a little more effort. I had to cut the padding out from the cartridge and remove the carbon, then I filled the space with extra sponge pieces then placed the cut out foam over top. You can customize both the AC and the bio-wheel filters, just depending on the bio wheel you have you may have to cut the cartridge, or buy the extra plastic media holders. Both in my opinion seem to work fine, no real difference that I can see. But as you said you chose the AC (aquaclear) I don't think you will be disappointed, I personally prefer my AC only because it is much easier to adjust my media, but that is the only reason I prefer it.

 

[drobbyb]

Thanks waterdrop.. I don't know what HOB or AC filters really is.. Sorry.. But I went ahead and went with the Aquaclear! I'm excited.

I've owned both and from my experience I think aquaclear sucks. Several years ago I had two acs and they both started leaking about the same time. Two weeks ago I had a filter go down and had to go up and get another one I thought id try another ac. It was a lot louder then my other filters. A couple days ago while cleaning the tank the filter kept stopping like the propeller would stop and I had to keep taking the motor off and manually turn the propeller. Next morning when I got up it wasn't running again. Boxed it up and returned it ande got a bio wheel there biggest. Right now I have three bios and have never had problems with them. My votes for the bio hands down. I see you already made your choice though. If it breaks go for the bio

I guess different experiences for different people. The 2 that I have had never leaked once and always performed excellently.

 

[waterdrop]

Agree Robby, my ACs have always performed well. I pulled out an old one to use on our current Q-Tank and its working well despite its age. On the other hand, it should be understood, I guess, that we're basically in "budget" filter territory here with all these filters. Except for perhaps the largest models these are probably not really in the same class with the cannisters like tetratec, fluval, rena and eheim. Its a given that these HOBs will be noisier.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[mp0033price]

Well, I got the 70 AC which should be very very efficient with my 29 gallon. I got it incase I get a bigger tank in the future. I'm excited now whereas before I was super worried about the walmart filter that came in my kit. I can use it for maybe a 5 or 10 gallon for quary maybe??? THanks to everyone for your wonderful input! I sure need it on this. I'll let everyone know how the AC works for me and if it doesn't, I'll try the bio wheel for sure..