FishProfiles.com Message Forums

My current filter (a whisper 5-15 from wal-mart) has not been impressing me lately. The damn filter gets clogged up every 2-3 days and water starts overflowing from the pump chamber.

I was wondering what filter everyone recommends. I want one that is mainly quiet, effective and low maintenance.

Has anyone had any experience with this type of filter? http://store.yahoo.com/animalworldnetwork/penguin125.html

Thanks

[span class="edited"][Edited by rtcpenguin 2004-06-28 17:11][/span]

I have never used a Penguin 125, but I have used both the Penguin Mini and the Penguin 330. I found them to be extremely effective, and highly recommend them.

Out of curiousity, what size tank are you considering putting it on?

Joe Potato

about 20 gallons

I have a Penguin 125 and a Whisper 10. I definitly like the Penguin a lot better.
Like you have experienced with your filter, my Whisper clogs fairly quickly compared to the Penguin. But mine doesn't clog in 2-3 days, it normally takes about 3 or 4 weeks. Of course I change it every 4 weeks, so that really doesn't bother me as much.
For a 20 gallon tank, your Whisper is way under powered. That may also be why yours clogs so quickly. The Penguin 125 would work much better. But for a few bucks more, you could step up to a 170. The 170's flow rate would be better suited for a 20 gallon tank.

The Penguin filters are good, but I prefer the Aqua-Clear filters myself. I find that the media is more versatile on them and that allows you more choices (and cheaper) in filtration. I have used sponges, carbon, "ammo-lock", phos-sorb and aquarium peat in them. With the penguin the choices are limited pretty much to the "rite-size" cartridges. Of course it does have the "bio-wheel" which is a great bio filter though. The best (IMO) option is to use two filters so that you can change one out while keeping the bacteria in the other which allows less disruption in the filtration. You may want to go with a Penguin 125 (or mini) and the AC 150 (or mini). Use the carbon in the Penguin and two sponges in the AC for its superior water polishing (again, just my opinion)

I use Aquaclear minis and have been very happy with them for my ten gallon tanks. They are much more versatile than the Whispers and Penguins for media IMO. I've never been much for biowheels, just one more thing to have mess up. I've never had an issue keeping my biofilter with some ceramic noodles in the Aquaclears, and I even rinse the sponges in tap water every week.

The penguins aren't bad filters though. A lot of people love them.

hmm, so aquaclear over penguin? is the bio wheel not worth it?

all my tanks have AquaClear on them from mini to 300 and i never had any problems the water is clear like fishes flies in the air and i belive that even without bio-wheel it can house as much bacteria than other filter with bio-wheel. the media are much larger and efficient i would recommend a 300 for a 20 gallons.

Well im stupid and I just bought an aquatech rated for my tank instead of an aquaclear. I guess I will be going to the pet store tomorrow and getting an aquaclear. I was just checking out the 150 model online and noticed that it didnt mention it has any bio filtration. Does it?

The new ones do, yes. They come with "Bio Max" ceramicish noodles in a little baggy. They work fine from what I can tell. You can clean the sponges in tap water and the noodles will have enough bacteria for it not to hurt the cycle.

Or you can just use two sponges and rinse one each week in tank water. Enough bugs can grow just on those.

If you want the noodles to be included make sure you get the newer type of box (what was a 150 is now an aquaclear 30 on the new box), the older ones don't come with bio media, just carbon and a sponge. New ones have carbon, sponge and bio max.

so the only difference between the two is that one has the bio bag thing and the other doesnt?

the reason i ask is because petco.com sells the older model (i think) for $15 and the store sells it for $33

For anything 20 imperal gallons or more I would surgest Eheim professionel exturnal filters, yes they cost but hey there well worth it. I would surgest the 2222, unless the fish you keep dont like current. The 2222 is over doing it a little but (more than twice the filtration you need) but what water quality.

rtc, the one on site aint diff from the store, the price is different cause they price their instore stuff higher than the online price, a worker even told me this.

you see... i was going to buy a emperor filter, it was aorund 40 online at their site but 69 dollars in their store. so i bought it online from a DIFFERENT site, got my emperor for 30 dollars at big als online. btw i recommend the emperor filters, theyre awsome . i cut the sponge from my old AC 150 to fill the media compartment