Right now on Amazon both the 150 and 200 penguin bio wheels are the same price. I was thinking of setting up a 25 gallon which only requires the 150 according to most sources. But since they are the same price why not get the bigger one right? isn't more filtration better? They look the same size as well. And this way I could upgrade if I ever need to. Any thoughts ?
There are 2 schools of thought with filters. And sadly we have no idea which school is ultimately right. What I will call the traditional school is that you need more water movement and lots of surface area in your filter be it from biomedia or sponges etc and this will provide the best filtration option for your fish and plants. The newer school is that you should have less biomedia and slower current in your tank and this will provide the best filtration for your fish and plants.
I find myself leaning towards the newer school personally. The idea being that you want between 4-8 times an hour tank turn over with preference being towards the 4 side of the spectrum unless you have fish that need faster flow. By focusing on sponges in your filter as opposed to biomedia you provide adequate surface area while allowing a moderately to heavily planted tank benefit from the other nutrients your filter does not catch.
If you are running with few plants you may wish to for different filter configuration.
I have run hang on back filters many times before and biowheels of various kinds as well. I frankly do not like them much because they tend to distract from the tank. As the biowheel fills with gunk it spins randomly making the sound of the water change which I find distracting. Thus it becomes another part to clean that is not really necessary.
So to answer your ultimate question, should you buy that filter? I would say no, instead buy an Aquaclear 30. It doesn't have the wheel which I prefer and is generally regarded as a very well made filter.
In my opinion, flow rate isn't necessarily in the "bigger is better" category. It will depend on your particular setup, but too much flow isn't good for a lot of situations. If the contents of your tank end up being blasted into a corner all the time, then you may have too much. I don't know how much adjustment you really get on either of the models being mentioned here.
Wouldn’t recommend any filter that uses premade manufacturers filter cartridges. Bio wheel is also not needed, in fact will lead to excess nitrate production in the tank.
In that size tank, 2 150gph filter would be my choice rather than one bigger filter. Anything over 200gph on any one filter is to aggressive on most planted tanks with smaller fish. Plus with 2 smaller pumps you cover entire tank with a more effective circulation pattern preventing dead zones of circulation.
I’ve alway used Aquaclear filters, reliable, easy to find replacement parts, simple filter basket design allows you to use whatever media you want. Want to add a layer of 25micron filter felt or bag of carbon, no problem with the design of filter basket.
One Aquaclear 50 will get it done for your tank, you’ll need little extra push if your talking about a standard 25 which is 24x12x20, mainly because of depth of tank. 50 is 200gph, so probably turn it down to about 180gph.
Most the time I just run the foam they come with for mech filtration, that’s it. Sometimes adding a blue/white bonded dual layer filter pad after that if you need some extra water polishing. Both the foam and bonded filter pad can be rinsed and used over and over again so saves you $$$ in long run. One roll of bonded filter pad costs about $6 and is enough to last you a decade in that filter.
I'm also in the group liking the ease of changing the media and Aquaclear is about as good as I find in HOB.
I actually run mostly canisters but there are times/places when HOB fit the bill. Being able to easily cut most and media to fit the Aquaclear does sell that brand for me. Almost anything that can be made into a somewhat rectangle shape can be used, so it is really open but I do find their specific sponge is worth buying as it seems just the right opening/pore size to filter well without stopping up too quick.
I really DO NOT like the bio-wheels as they tend to be a total nuisance for me as they stop spinning and when one side dries out when stopped, that section of bacteria will die and the second problem is that the spinning shaft rides on small plastic that they call bearings but are more like rubbing blocks and the shaft gradually works it's way down into the plast so that they need yet more maintenance. I do not like as they require too much fussy work.
I use the Fluval C series HOBs and like them as well as the Aquaclear . I am in the over filtering camp as long as you are not blasting everything in the tank . I use multiple filters of lower flow to accomplish this . I figure the filters get the mechanical stuff and some bio and the plants and tank in general get the rest of the bio . As long as water stays clean it doesn't matter how you get er done......lol and water changes are a must either way you go .
I’m in the school that gentle flow provides better filtration than vigorous flow. Don’t equate gph with filtration efficiency. The media capacity is more important than gph, and most HOBs have over sized gph relative to the media capacity. If high circulation gph is what one wants, get a dedicated circulation pump. When I retrofit my Penguin 350 with a smaller 200 impeller when it worn out, I achieved more thorough mechanical filtration by slowing down the flow rate and time to replace the media. I don’t install the biowheel for my Penguin as good circulation over the substrate will provide all the bio filtration one needs.
Aquaclear IMHO. Probably the most media capacity for given size HOB and you can adjust flow rate relatively easily.
Only thing I dont prefer about them is inability to change flow outlet direction without making your own dams or water diverters essentially. Think of that before you set one up so its easy to design and make before hand. I used a plexi shelf that I bent with a heat gun and some wood blocks. It slid under the filter and directed the water out and away from the HOB.
Only thing I dont prefer about them is inability to change flow outlet direction without making your own dams or water diverters essentially. Think of that before you set one up so its easy to design and make before hand. I used a plexi shelf that I bent with a heat gun and some wood blocks. It slid under the filter and directed the water out and away from the HOB.
Don’t count on HOBs to direct flow which is not what they are designed for. Get a circulation pump with a magnetic attachment so you can place anywhere to direct flow. Since HOBs provide back and front circulation, it’s best to attach a circulation pump at one end to provide longitudinal cross flow.
I am very pleased with Penguin line of filters and have a dozen running in my fish room. They are quiet and reliable self starter, an important consideration if you have power outage. Don’t buy their expensive media cartridge but make your own by filling their refillable baskets. With plants and good circulation over the substrate, there is plenty of biofiltration and no need to install the biowheels that steal the flow.
What are you planning on keeping in this tank? Lots of plants with a small group of nanofish? Heavy in plants and shrimp? A fish-centric aquarium with a few plants?
Context is important. I dont know how any answer to your question can be accurate without it.
Also: Something to think about. Just because an item is lower in cost doesn't mean it is universally "better" for everyone. It is "good" for you.
It is a personal value judgment that matches your goals, pocketbook- whatever...
And that's great.
For instance, I used the cartridges that came with my HOB's for 15 years. Did I know I could "DIY" this filter media? Yeah. Did I want to- no. Not in the slightest. Dont assume DIY is a "better" option. It is an option.
You can adjust the return flow of a HOB to a small extent, but no where to the unlimited extent of canister or circulation pump. With a tank top, you can sit an HOB on the back only. The return flow from a canister or circulation pump can sit on the back or side, top or bottom and practically any where. There is also flexibility in moving the return flow of canister or circulation pump anytime or direct the flow jet up, down, left and right with ease to optimize the circulation, not so with HOB which is only adjustable within a narrow range. HOB is intent for filtration, not circulation, and you can get more efficiency and bang for the buck to buy a dedicated circulation pump than a high gph HOB.
I read about new Penguin filters this week. My favorite filters are still the Top Fin MF10 and the Tunze 3161, both internal with foam.They are super basic, quiet, with controllable flow, and the Tunze can skim too.
I used to use canister filters on my saltwater tanks, but for my dirt tanks, I just like these really basic units to grab sediment and move water. I also avoid all risks from moving water out of the tank and back in.
I am surprised that I have not yet met anyone else on this forum using either of these.
I tried a couple different internals. Did not like them personally. Cant remember which ones except I know one was the fluval. I took that one back and gave two others away. They seemed like a pain to change out/clean the sponges and media. I also dont have good luck with suction cups staying put on the inside of the tank for long term. The removable portions I know I would have struggled with once setup in the tank. If I was doing a intank filter it would just be a air or powerhead sponge filter.
Thats just me though, not one thing works for everyone.
Would like to add that the oasi internal filter looks pretty good and the removal of the filter basket/cage seems to be more convenient then some of the others. If I tried again I would probably give that one a go.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The Planted Tank Forum
3.5M posts
130.6K members
Since 2002
A forum community dedicated to Aquatic tank owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about flora, fauna, health, housing, filters, care, classifieds, and more!