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- I just had to do it.....

Here's what I just sent Marineland...

Hi,

I'm planning to change my filter from a Penguin 170 to
either a Marineland Millenium 200 or a Whisper 40. My
preference is the Millenium, but there is one huge
problem for me - the inflexibility of marineland
filter cartridges.

I have a planted tank and the reason I want to switch
filters is because I need to retain co2 for the
plants. Too much splashing results in the co2
dissipating. I know the Millenium has an extra
oxygenating feature that can be shut-off and people
with planted tanks would likely do so.

However, people with planted tanks are also more
likely than those without plants, to run their filters
without activated carbon, because it is believed that
some of the plant nutrients are removed.

Also, people have other issues with activated carbon
and choose not to run it, like when medicating a tank.
Removing the entire pad is to remove mechanical
filtration as well as chemical, making the tank look
awful. For marineland filters, it requires us to
destroy part of the filter pad to remove the carbon
(which allows stuff to sneak through since it can't be
closed well). I know, I've been doing it on my
Penguin.

I was very impressed with Tetras approach to filter
media and as a result, may go with my second choice in
filters. They provide their bag or cartridge without
the carbon in it. Rather, that is in a packet that
can be added if you choose to use it.

I have a Whisper 10i on a small hospital tank. And,
to get it quickly seeded with good bacteria, I choose
not to use the carbon, but instead place a handful of
gravel from an established fish tank in the bag. This
puts nitrifying bacteria right in the water flow path.
Such a task on Marineland filters would be very
difficult and the pad would need to be sewn shut to
prevent rocks from falling out.

All I want to say, is that Marineland needs to
consider making flexible filter media for those who
want it. Continue marketing the current ones. But for
pity sake, make some kind of cartridge that will fit
in the filters that allows me to add or remove any
kind of media I want, from carbon, to zeolite, or just
a handful of ripe gravel from a seeded tank.

Got velcro?

Thanks for listening.

I'm going to tinker with my Penguin 170 and try a sponge rubberbanded to the lip as Tim suggested. But, if that doesn't work, then I'm going to try a different style of filter.

I just felt like speaking up to Marineland for not being as innovative as Tetra has about cartridges/bags. The fact that they (Tetra) provide a separate frame, separate bag, and separate media, allows you to do whatever you want.

I mean, how smart is this?

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4204&inm=1&N=2004+113067+113565

Well, it was about two years ago I sent a similar email to Jungle about the need for medicated food. I'm sure I wasn't the only one requesting, but today we have two outstanding products - Jungle Anti-Bacteria Medicated Food and Anti-Parasite. The latter has ingredients that I pleaded for (levamisol and praziquantel) since the only way they could be obtained otherwise is from farming stores or vets

Write, write, and write some more. In fact, I hope others will send Marineland similar wishes, or contact your favorite filter maker if theirs is as inflexible as Marinelands.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 22-Mar-2005 18:39

Last edited by Cory_Di at 22-Mar-2005 18:39

Of course you may want to sandwich some rocks between a couple of these, Di! http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11352&Ntt=filter%20media&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1]http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11352&Ntt=filter%20media&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1[/link][link=http://null

Gives you the flexibility to use foam as a bio-filter! Does this help or are you also looking to add bio-balls, EfiMech or Substrat? Note that this does not appear to be a MarineLand item as it is sold under the "Foster & Smith" logo. Nice thing about private enterprise, if you lag in providing it, someone will see the need and fill it.

Last edited by bob wesolowski at 22-Mar-2005 21:31

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

I saw that, but I don't know that it would fit into a Marineland filter. If it did, I would consider switching to that Millenium.

I sent an email to a Marineland tech after reading reviews where people claimed they did not self-start after power outages. I suspected it had something to do with low water levels. That is precisely what the tech pointed out. He said the filters will self start if the water level in the aquarium is high enough. He talked about the initial backsiphon that further removes water from the reservoir when it first starts.

Woo! I second the thought... I've tried removing the carbon from marineland filters and it just doesn't work very well at all. I do like the flexibility of other filters... almost makes me want to just buy a different filter and retrofit it for a biowheel... I've seen it done. *shrugs*

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

If anyone is looking for a good refillable cartridge for the Penguin/Aquatech filters (not sure if the Emperor ones are the same or not), I found this one works good for me at least. There is a link with a picture below, but I got mine from PetSolutions.com (item #47401215)

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/cshop/FCMA-PA1215.html?E+scstore

Last edited by MO at 23-Mar-2005 00:09

I just boycot their filters all together. I hate how they force you to destroy the filter to get the carbon out.

I use wispers for all my HOBs. They are great.

Mo - I wish they had a filter cartridge like that for Milleniums

Well, is it just me or is this a horrible customer service response? And, of course I know they don't manufactur Whisper. It seems as clear to me that I was telling them that I was considering a competitors filter. Is it not clear?

Hello Diane,
We do not manufacture Wisper products, nor have intentions of
manufacturing a "Flexible filter cartridge".
Thank you!
Marineland

Seems to me the answer would be to go ahead and buy the Whisper and then send them another letter referencing their recent reply to you as to why you decided on a competitors product. You may also want to mention that you posted their response to this forum as sometimes when confronted with the fact that others will also possibly purchase something else based upon their actions it can get their attention.


Jim

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Water, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. -- Mark Twain