Who Has A Penguin, Biowheel Filter?

[Binge]

I have 3 tanks all runningt at least one biowheel filter now I fish in cycled the first two and dint have many issues water quality wise only had too do a couple changes aweek for like a month and they were good. (I did use bottled api bacteria since I baught it before I knew much) dunno if the bottled bacteria helped but they cycled fast and seem well. the only non bio wheel I have is an earlier version of the 350 that uses ceramic instead that I got used it runs quiet as long as I dont get sand in it

All in all I highly recomend them.

 

[The chilly dipper]

I have 3 tanks all runningt at least one biowheel filter now I fish in cycled the first two and dint have many issues water quality wise only had too do a couple changes aweek for like a month and they were good. (I did use bottled api bacteria since I baught it before I knew much) dunno if the bottled bacteria helped but they cycled fast and seem well. the only non bio wheel I have is an earlier version of the 350 that uses ceramic instead that I got used it runs quiet as long as I dont get sand in it

All in all I highly recomend them.

hmmm this does sound like a good filter indeed guys,
thank you for your input.

the review is inenguins arent that bad lol
could any one please tell me how much media space there is behind the wheel?
a rough measurement would do.

just so i know exactly what space im working with.

 

[colleen0309]

I have been using penguin biowheel filters for almost 20 years. I think they are great, but I am in the process of replacing all of my HOBs with canister filters.

why the change colleen???

After almost 20 years, they started slowing down and one just quit. I thought about getting newer ones, but everyone swears by the canister filters, so I figured I'd give it a try. If they don't work out, I will definately get another penguin biowheel.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

After almost 20 years, they started slowing down and one just quit. I thought about getting newer ones, but everyone swears by the canister filters, so I figured I'd give it a try. If they don't work out, I will definately get another penguin biowheel.

If I could get 20 years out of mine I would be ecstatic!

 

[This Old Spouse]

After almost 20 years, they started slowing down and one just quit. I thought about getting newer ones, but everyone swears by the canister filters, so I figured I'd give it a try. If they don't work out, I will definately get another penguin biowheel.

Colleen, please let us know what you think of the canister once you've had it running. I'm asking myself if I should switch too.

 

[colleen0309]

I've had the cannister running since December and it works real well. I don't think it works better than my penguins, but it is alot quieter. I don't think it's normal to get 20 years use out of any filter, but 3 out of 6 of my penguins lasted that long. The only thing that seemed to slow them down is the cartridges. They don't last. Alittle dyi and new forever cartridges from Drs Foster and Smith did the trick.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I've had the cannister running since December and it works real well. I don't think it works better than my penguins, but it is alot quieter. I don't think it's normal to get 20 years use out of any filter, but 3 out of 6 of my penguins lasted that long. The only thing that seemed to slow them down is the cartridges. They don't last. Alittle dyi and new forever cartridges from Drs Foster and Smith did the trick.

I would love some more information on this....

 

[The chilly dipper]

I've had the cannister running since December and it works real well. I don't think it works better than my penguins, but it is alot quieter. I don't think it's normal to get 20 years use out of any filter, but 3 out of 6 of my penguins lasted that long. The only thing that seemed to slow them down is the cartridges. They don't last. Alittle dyi and new forever cartridges from Drs Foster and Smith did the trick.

one i was reccommended was this.... its a tetratec ex 1200

but im thinking of ...the penguin

and in this one...

in the above pic you can see the blue filter media.
has anyone modified the media before ,here?.

 

[colleen0309]

I've had the cannister running since December and it works real well. I don't think it works better than my penguins, but it is alot quieter. I don't think it's normal to get 20 years use out of any filter, but 3 out of 6 of my penguins lasted that long. The only thing that seemed to slow them down is the cartridges. They don't last. Alittle dyi and new forever cartridges from Drs Foster and Smith did the trick.

I would love some more information on this....

what would you like to know? I'm not real good at explaining things, but I'll give it a shot. I bought one of those cheap brand name knock off cannister filters off of ebay. I know this isn't the best idea, but the husband has been out of work for almost two years now, so money is tight. It seems to be a good filter. I've got good flow and my tank stays pretty clean. My water parameters are good- ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrates 40-60 (they are 40 out of the tap). I had the same results with my penguin ( can't remember what model was on that tank). The only problem I had with the penguins was the cartridges. They restrict flow within 2 or 3 weeks. I was looking at a Drs. Foster and Smith catalog and saw http/www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4136+11351&pcatid=11351. They are called super cartridges. I don't like to use the carbon pad that comes with it, so I just cut a piece of bulk filter pad and use that in the slot. When water flow slows, I wash out or replace the filter pad. No need to buy any more filter cartridges, just bulk pads (cut to fit. alot cheaper). How did I do explaining?

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Ok. That explains it... I was thinking of going with these to replace the cartridges when they get all clogged. This is from kensfish.com, this is their generic version of the Marineland, but its carbon free. They are only $1.30 to replace, so I figure having a few extras on hand is a good idea, PLUS, I should be able to squeeze the gunk out of it pretty efectively, unlike the original ones. (Although, ultimately, I might just go with a sponge cut to fit the inside, rather than all these fancy cartridges. Or better yet, a sponge on the outside of the intakes, to prefilter the water as it enters the filter, and cut down on much of the stuff inside. And a sponge on the intake could be easily squeezed out every week with water changes with very little fuss... I just wish the intakes were more regularly shaped for the Penguin, instead of the strange shape they are.)

Your explanation makes a lot of sense. Did the penguin you have in the past have a biowheel? I think that the "biofins" on the one you found from Foster and Smith would add very little to my set-up. I have the biowheel, plus a sock of ceramics in the back, so my biological surface is very big. I might look into the cut to size filter media though. That is probably the cheapest in the long run...

 

[colleen0309]

All my penguins had biowheels, but you are probably right, it is a little overkill.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Actually thinking about it a little more, the biofins would be a nice mechanical filtration device for large detrius (not that I expect to have stuff that big... Definitely something to consider...