Filter

[fish_r_great]

Well I'm replacing my old filter and want to know what you guys think is best to use.

 

[vantgE]

The aquaclear, those who say otherwise are wrong or joking
A cannister is a good, option in a larger tank but in smaller tanks is alot of maintenance for what it is worth, and even more money


marineland biowheel I say is crap

and again

 

[julibob]

Well, I still have the Fluval 3 plus running in my 29 Gallon, but have added an Eheim Ecco 2236 (External canister), due to the fact that I will probably have to overstock. This is just what was recommended to me by my LFS.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

your the leader of the fishes. I'm sure you know which one is best. I don't know what type of tank you have going, but I reccomend either the emporer or the penguin. Some have stated that they're crap, but biowheels are actually some of the best filters, not only in my own experience, but in those of other more experienced hobbyists and experts. If the aquaclear is what I think it is (a regular HOB power filter) then there really is no point in getting that over one with a biowheel.

Lets take a closer look at the gph argument. For one thing, the gph of most filters is inflated. Filters never run at the maximum gph stated by the company. Gph is reduced by many factors, including age of the filter. Since the true gph has not been accurately measured by anyone in the forum, and we know the gph stated by a company for their filter is inflated (and who can trust business anyways), then the gph argument is not very significant.

Also, if you notice, the tank size rating for each filter changes by company even though the gph rating is the same. This is not because one filter is inherently better, but because the company decided thats the size tnak it could service. If one company says its 100 gph filter is good for uip to a 20 gallon tank, and another says its 100 gph filter can do a 35 gallon tank that does not mean one is better than the other. They are both same, with the same capacity and in reality are not even good enough for 20 gallons. The tank size rating is invalid and always inflated. Therefore, the argument that an aqua clear is better because it can filter a bigger tank despite having the same gph as another filter is a lie.

Then theres the "maintenance" argument. Really, if you have trouble servicing your biowheel and think it takes too long, then you probably shouldn't be messing with it. Biowheels are just as easy to maintain as a regular power filter. Not only that, but with the biowheel you have super powered biological filtration. Biowheels are, at the moment, the leader in practical biological filtration.

 

[freddyk]

Biowheel, no bio-wheel, you'll get equal filtration. Go with what you like. The biowheel fixed a problem with the aquaclears that was never actually a problem, though it proved to be an excellent selling feature.

I don't see how a canister filter is any harder to maintain then an HOB - open, rinse the baskets, close. I prefer them myself, but again it's nothing but personal preference, everybodies is different.

 

[fish_r_great]

Well I'm thinking canister because I've never had one before. Which one is good?

 

[freddyk]

Eheims are as good as they get, Rena filstars are excellent, Fluvals are more budget minded but get the job done, Cascades seem to get good results. As long as you go with something decent it will do what you need it to - people can argue their favourate brands till they're blue in the face and in the end they're probably all right anyway.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

I'm not understanding what you people are talking about when you insist that the biowheel does nothing. The biowheel is actually a very significant move foward in bio technology.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

I'm not understanding what you people are talking about when you insist that the biowheel does nothing. The biowheel is actually a very significant move foward in bio technology. For tanks that have a large bio load the biowheel is far superior in handling these loads than a filter which does not have a biowheel.

As I have had a much experience in the retail lfs trade I have come to realize that when it comes to fish people won't buy something if they don't understand it. The biowheel is something most people don't understand so they go with the regular power filter. I usually end up seeing that same person a some time later when they ask me whats wrong with their tank.

The biowheel is not a "selling point" but actually upgrades filtering action. Its simple yet extremely effective. And the fact is that penguins on average have no cost difference up to only a couple dollars difference, depending on what filter your comparing it to. SO the "it costs more" argument isn't very significant. Its just as easy to maintain as a regular power filter and it is a superior biological filter. There is no regular power filter with the same gph that can be said is better than one with a biowheel.

 

[freddyk]

I understand the concept of the bio-wheel, and I can assure you they've never done a thing the Aquaclear was not able to do - this is why it is a selling feature. I never said the bio-wheel does nothing, it does a lot.

Like I said, we can argue till we're blue in the face. I don't become biased, I try it and judge. The emperor did a remarkable job in my overstocked tank. So did the Aquaclear. That's my point. You're safe either way.

 

[Boxcar Muzzdogg]

I see what your sayin.