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i have a penguin 170 running on my 29g tank and its been working fine until recently. i noticed water seems to be running back down around the intake tube and back into the tank, there is still water coming out through the output and making the bio-whell spin but it seems like the filter is over-filling and the water is just spilling back into the tank, i was wondering if this is normal or if anyone else has experienced this and how to fix it... thanks in advance
james

Sounds like its time to change the filter or at least give it a good rinse.

jan

Yup, that's what you need is a new filter.

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

New filter? That would be a waste of money.

All you need to do is give it a good cleaning. Rinse or replace the filter pad, since it is probably pretty clogged and is impeding the flow of water through the pad.

While you're at it, clean out the intake tube and impeller area since gunk usually likes to collect in those areas, which in turn slows the flow rate down.

Also, while you are cleaning the filter, float the bio-wheel in the tank to prevent it from drying out.

Last edited by AndyCLS at 17-Mar-2005 17:15

So..How long do you use the same carbon?

Kim

ignore the carbon honestly. i have pengiun 330s - 170 - 125 and i cut the carbon out on all of them. carbon is really only good for polishing water or removeing water. after a while it stops working and im told it leaks some of the stuff back into the tank.

anyway i cut the backign and dump the carbon. i rinse the pad with a hose with a power sprayer or in the sink in the kitchen under the spray gun. the pads lasted me about a yr give or take and thats with heavy use. on my other tanks with little use they show no signs of clogging or fallign apart.

The water starts to run down the middle of my penguin 330 if I go more than 3weeks without changing the pads. Sometimes I get lazy and just lift them up a little to let water run underneath for a few days before I get around to changing them. Carbon is only good for 2-4weeks and doesn't need to be run continously. Alot of people make their own filter pads using the frames for the penguin filters and rubberbanding or in some way attaching their own filter media. I use carbon seperately in bags in the extra media section so it's cheaper and I can run it when I want. If after changing the pads and cleaning the filter you still have problems then I'd try replacing the impeller. It's only about $2 to order a new part from marinelands site.

You can buy pad frames and pads for the penguins to make your own cartridges here

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp?pn=47401353 The frames and pads are at the bottom of the page.

Before I switched to a canister I used to buy the pads and put a couple into the frames, they work great.

Mike

Last edited by fish479 at 18-Mar-2005 15:19

I was afraid the same carbon was being used for months


Kim

Going back to the original problem, yes, all you need to do is either rinse or replace the filter cartridge.

Now, on buying filter cartridge replacements or alternatives:
I bought two frames and a bag of pads (10 per bag) and they (the pads) lasted for six months – of course, they could have lasted more but I am two picky and, instead of rinsing them, I disposed of them (as they are rather inexpensive, especially, when compared to Marineland’s replacement cartridges).

I love the fact that you are not restricted to using carbon in between the pads. This alternative is especially useful when it comes to treating your tank with medications – as carbon removes them from the water. Most of the time, I use my frame and pads without carbon, because carbon also removes odor. I do not like using carbon, because the “fishy smell” reminds me that it is time for a water change (usually, every two weeks). In addition, it is true that carbon, when completely exhausted, begins leaching toxic compounds in to the water.

I hope all this helps! Good luck! Let us know if you need more advise…

-Angel

I agree with either rinsing your cartridge AND doing your monthly service as recommended in the manual. Just pull out the impeller and scrub the rubber ends free of the stuff that cakes on it. It can't spin as well.

Many say to rinse it in tank water, but I just let room temp tap water blast away the gunk. Afterall, my primary colony is on the biowheel which isn't cleaned. Therefore, there should be no spike. I do this all the time.

I do however, gently brush some of the excess slime off my biowheel when it gets too hard to turn good. The ends get caked. That I do in tank water only in the water change bucket.

sorry for late update, i cut a slit at the bototm of the filter pad and tried to remove as much of the carbon as i could,, then i thought about it and wouldnt the dirty water just go through the slit instead of the pad but anyways set it back up and running alot better now,, i think i'll take most advice and just buy the pads and make my own filter cartridges instead of breakin the bank on the marineland ones.. thanks for all the help
james

Have you serviced your filter yet (taken out the impeller, scrubbed it and the reservoir where it plugs in)? This must be done monthly, unless it flows over sooner.

i just did it this time while cleaning the filter pad,,, i dont do it monthly and dont think it needs to be done monthly but i check it when doing water changes...