FL CommunityFans

Would a Penguin Biowheel 350 (rec size 75g) be decent filtration on its own for a 55g tank? The biggest con I've heard about these is the biowheels quit turning when they get loaded up/gunked up? What exactly is the story there? How do you prevent it/fix it, etc?

The aquaclear seems to be my other option (the AC70 ((300gph)))) This seems to be more of what I am currently use to as far as filter media is concerned.

((trying not to go over $50 on the filter at this time if at all possible - having to squeeze as it is))

Would just using 1 filter be fine for now regarding filtration? In the long run I want to have a canister filter there (months down the road) and then coupled with the HoB should have crystal filtration.

Thanks for the advice.

Gargoyle

I have two of the Aqua Clear 70's and although it is an excellent filter I do not see how any HOB filter be it and Aqua Clear or Penguin could effectively circulate a 4 foot tank by themselves.

With that being said... I know that if you use an Aqua Clear 70 with a small power head like an Aqua Clear 20 or so with the prefilter attached to it that they will do the job. The power head will keep the column moving while the Aqua Clear 70 does the cleaning.


I have very limited experience with the penguin and honestly never felt the need to get one since the Aqua Clears have always worked so well for me.

TheEssigs

I have 2 Penguin 350s on my 65g. General rule of thumb for HOB power filters is to have 10xGPH... so if you have 55 gallon tank, its best to get a filter(s) that will produce a turn over of at least 550 gallons per hour.

If the wheels get loaded or gunked up, just shake em out in tank water when you do a water change, and they will be fine... mine rarely stop working.

Tavel

The only HOB filter I think that could effectively circulate a tank that size is the Tetra PF300 or PF500 series. Only problem, they are junk. haha

COBettaCouple

It would be really good if you could get 2 filters and put them each about 1/3rd from each end of the tank. 2 of those Penquin 350s would give your tank excellent filtration. You could do one now and more frequent water changes until you could get the 2nd one, if needed.

Our biowheels don't get clogged up. Each week when I do the cleaning, I swish around the intake tube (seperated where you can pull the bottom part off) in a container of old tank water. I do that to get some of the gunk out and try to keep it from getting to where it restricts water flow and stops the wheels.

FL CommunityFans

I'll look at picking up either 2 penguin 350's today or 2 AC70's today... later this week. They're both affordable enough and I just need a visi-therm to add to the selection and I should be good for the basics I think.

With either of these filters, has sand substrate ever been a problem with them?

FL CommunityFans

$10 price difference in PetSmart and DrFosterSmith. Likely make a bulk order with DFS and get free shipping and save 40$ on things.

mlinden84

I have 2 whisper hobs on my 55, and I never had a problem with the sand substrate (when I had it). I'm pretty sure they are about the same filters, with the whisper ones being on the low end and the others being better. So I don't think you'll have a problem.

COBettaCouple

Check www.petmountain.com and www.thatpetplace.com too - they may have even cheaper prices than DFS.

Gamer

Good job. I don't think you can be wrong with two Penguin 350 BIO-WHEEL's for a 55 gallon. I have one on my 55 gallon right now which is doing well and I was considering a second but instead I'm going to scrap the current one and upgrade to two Eheim 2213 Canister filters.

Halibut

I run 2 penguin350's on my 55gal. With the 2 I can upgrade to 75gallon with out having to buy all new stuff. If I want to get bigger than 75 I'll go with the emporor biowheel.

FL CommunityFans

Ended up getting an Emperor 400 and Magnum 350 Deluxe!

Gargoyle

Excellent!! Let me know how the emperor does... I have very limited experience with them.

FL CommunityFans

Will do for sure. Everyone I spoke who used an emp and peng all said the emps were better so ended up going that route. It'll probably be a few months before it's up and running with fish, but I'll def let ya know.

Gargoyle

Lil update...

Just did my weekly 50% or so water change.. (took 27 gallons out of a 55). My filter was a mess, I am using the micron cartridge and the pump was actually sucking the micron filter into itself it was so gunked up with green.. LOL!! So I shut it down, undid the connectors, and drained this nasty pea soup out of my filter. Now I have a new filter to replace the old one while I clean the old one so no biggie there.

So after I take this pea soup out of my filter I am thinking "great I am gonna pull 27 gallons of pea soup out of my tank"... COMPLETELY didn't happen. I pulled bucket after bucket full of crystal clear water out of my tank!! I could not believe how clean and clear it was!!

This is my first Magnum 350 in my first 55 gallon tank with my first time using as many plants as I have with good lighting and dosing C02 with assorted ferts... The tank is pristine! The cleanest one out of the bunch!

Anyway.... Wanted to share..

FL CommunityFans

Awesome plants may be a key reason to that, making use of all that fish poop . Unfortunately, Im not going to be able to have plants, most likely with the tank setup im looking at

Gargoyle

My turtle eats my extra plants so I'm good there... LOL!!

Your doing a cichlid tanks right? When I had Oscars I could use floating plants... They would "uproot" them and the plants didn't care.. It was like a game. Some I stuck in tera cota (sp?) pots and that worked pretty good.. They would stay in the pots at least.

FL CommunityFans

These wouldn't uproot- it'd likely be an expensive salad bar.