Samurai_fish

Sorry if this has been posted before but I had a question about filters. Now obviously I know a filter with a Bio-wheel is the best but how good are the filters with the filter pad and then a second pad in front of that, one you don't replace, and is either made of foam or some sort of fiber material that is supposed to give the bacteria a place to live. Do these work as well as Bio-wheels or are they just plain crap?

miker

Bio-Wheel spinning in and out of water catches lot of oxygen that helps bacteria to thrive. On the other hand, regular filter pad also stores some bacteria in it, just not in huge amounts.

sgould

Sponge/cartridge filters work just fine too. I have 2 that have never given me a bit of trouble.

Trpimp147

more area space for bio to live.

Tavel

I've never had a bio-wheel, but didn't get one because of the negative things people said about it. And I agree, it's more complex than it has to be and thus prone to unnecessary problems.

I personally like the aquaclear box system. They have a washable foam block on the bottom, you can slip a bit of chemical media in there and fill the rest of the box with bacteria media...and it holds a lot.

Aquaclear is the definition of simplicity.

Trpimp147

bio wheel is vary simple too. you put the wheel in its place and your done, then you put your filter floss in and your done with the whole set up... same as any other filter set up for hob just has a wheel that spins around when the water comes out.

sgould

Up until the wheel stops turning.

COBettaCouple

I like the penquin biowheel HOB filters that have the biowheel and room for a sponge and filter floss.

Trpimp147

thats normal... for them stop and then theyw ill turn then, also all you have to do is take the wheel out and take a towel and clean there channel they rest in some times some debree in there not often tho. penquin states in one of there manuals that its normal for them to stop turning then they will restart at a later time... not sure why but thats how mine was with the emporer i have no problems with it. i love them