Penguin 150 Bio-wheel

[shockshockshad]

I have a penguin 150 filter, and I have been recommended that, since i am going to have plants (with fertilizer), and the same insert contains both sponge and carbon, just let the carbon sit there and it will eventually wear out, not removing the fertilizer. But I just read that once the carbon is "full", it will leach everything back into the tank. Should I just get rid of the inserts that go with the filter, and get some sponge and bio-max (the stuff in my aquaclear- I removed the carbon)? If that is not good, what should I get?

 

[arvlyn]

I have a penguin 150 filter, and I have been recommended that, since i am going to have plants (with fertilizer), and the same insert contains both sponge and carbon, just let the carbon sit there and it will eventually wear out, not removing the fertilizer. But I just read that once the carbon is "full", it will leach everything back into the tank. Should I just get rid of the inserts that go with the filter, and get some sponge and bio-max (the stuff in my aquaclear- I removed the carbon)? If that is not good, what should I get?

I run two Marineland Penguin 330 power filters. I've never used the standard filter cartridges. I buy the large bags of Marineland Rite-Size Bonded Filter Pads and cut them to fit the filter inserts. If I need to use carbon to remove medications, I'll add some to one of the BIO-baskets. This process has served me well for the past 7 years.

I will be adding some Aqua-Clear BioMax ceramic rings to a BIO-basket in each filter as soon as I'm past treating for ich.

I've never heard of carbon removing fertilizers, others here might know more though. Regardless, carbon should be replaced within 48 to 72 hours of placement or it does start to leech everything it's removed back into the tank.

 

[shockshockshad]

Okay, thanks arvlyn. What are bio-baskets? I mean ive heard them, but i didn't know they can go in a marineland penguin? Do you think they would have the bonded filter pads at petsmart?

 

[Musho3210]

depends on the quality of the carbon and the quality of the water if it will leach out or not.

 

[arvlyn]

Okay, thanks arvlyn. What are bio-baskets? I mean ive heard them, but i didn't know they can go in a marineland penguin? Do you think they would have the bonded filter pads at petsmart?

The BIO-baskets came with my filters. I know you can order them separately from marineland.com. My lfs has them as well. PetsMart has replacement BIO-Wheels but I've never seen any other parts there. They do have the filter pads.