Parnoia About Changing Or Adding A New Filter

[juniperlea]

I have a 75 gallon. It's about 3 months old. Aqadvisor said my filtration is about 62%, (stocking about 82%). My current filter is the Marineland Biowheel 350 (ps, i've yet to see a biowheel turn and I have 4 Biowheels). So, I just bought the Fluval 110 for 60 to 110 gallons.

My questions are:

Surely just swapping out the filters might not be a good idea, and if not, can I run both simultaneously?

Also, if I run them simultaneously (this is where my paranoia steps in), can the tank support that weight? What if the weight brings it down, crashing to the floor while I'm having sweet dreams about my upcoming 55 gallon? Maybe one filter placed diagonally from each other? It's like looking in the mirror and seeing a police car (apologies to CSNY)!

Oh, and, I also have API BioChem Zorb in the marineland. I suppose I can just take them out and sort of hide them somewhere. Or, is that not advisable?

 

[TucanSam]

I have a 75 gallon. It's about 3 months old. Aqadvisor said my filtration is about 62%, (stocking about 82%). My current filter is the Marineland Biowheel 350 (ps, i've yet to see a biowheel turn and I have 4 Biowheels). So, I just bought the Fluval 110 for 60 to 110 gallons.

My questions are:

Surely just swapping out the filters might not be a good idea, and if not, can I run both simultaneously?

Also, if I run them simultaneously (this is where my paranoia steps in), can the tank support that weight? What if the weight brings it down, crashing to the floor while I'm having sweet dreams about my upcoming 55 gallon? Maybe one filter placed diagonally from each other? It's like looking in the mirror and seeing a police car (apologies to CSNY)!

Oh, and, I also have API BioChem Zorb in the marineland. I suppose I can just take them out and sort of hide them somewhere. Or, is that not advisable?

Swapping out filters doesn't have to be as hard as it sounds. As long as it is cycled, the only important part of your filter is the filter media. I have a smaller biowheel and an emperor, and my biowheels spin, but they are really just extra area for the BB. There should be a plastic screen in the filter that looks like a cheese grater. This is where most of your BB will be. Move that over to the Fluval and you will have an instantly cycled filter basically.

There is no harm to running them both unless the current gets too powerful for the fish you have in the tank, but the Aquaclears have adjustable flowrates so that shouldn't be an issue.

As for the weight, unless you have a super weak stand, there shouldn't be any issue hanging them both on a 75. I've had to balance half my body on the edge of a 75 tank for a bit before and it didn't seem to care that much (though I don't suggest it for very long!) Two filters designed to hang on the back of a tank won't be any issue at all. How you decide to set them up doesn't matter. Most people with more than one HOB simply place them at opposite ends of the back of the tank.

 

[KinderScout]

Running two simultaneously will be better than swapping straight - you will know I'm sure that you need to build up the bacteria in the new filter anyway before getting rid of the old. When I swap filter media (except for the polypad) in my humble 120 litre tank I always add new media first cos I have the space and take the old media out the following week. And 75 US gallon? that's 300 litres which in water alone is 300kilos! Unless your filters are made of solid gold you ain't going to add much to that!

 

[kallililly1973]

Canister filters are the way to go. All that's attached to the backs of the tanks are an intake and return hose. I run both caister and a hob on my 55 . You won't have any issues with 2 hobs.

 

[juniperlea]

Swapping out filters doesn't have to be as hard as it sounds. As long as it is cycled, the only important part of your filter is the filter media. I have a smaller biowheel and an emperor, and my biowheels spin, but they are really just extra area for the BB. There should be a plastic screen in the filter that looks like a cheese grater. This is where most of your BB will be. Move that over to the Fluval and you will have an instantly cycled filter basically.

There is no harm to running them both unless the current gets too powerful for the fish you have in the tank, but the Aquaclears have adjustable flowrates so that shouldn't be an issue.

As for the weight, unless you have a super weak stand, there shouldn't be any issue hanging them both on a 75. I've had to balance half my body on the edge of a 75 tank for a bit before and it didn't seem to care that much (though I don't suggest it for very long!) Two filters designed to hang on the back of a tank won't be any issue at all. How you decide to set them up doesn't matter. Most people with more than one HOB simply place them at opposite ends of the back of the tank.

Thanks TucanSam.... I didn't know about the cheese grater thing. Guess I should have!!! Will check it out,. I'll place both filters on opposite ends at the back Hopefully, I'll not have nightmares about the weight. Last night I dreamt that I accidentally knocked it over, but was able to very quickly pick it up and save all the fish. Although, in the dream, I did find a stray fish swimming quite happily down the hallway!!!! I think it was a large Clown Loach. The tank a Marineland tank/stand/pine/ and possibly MDF or particle board. Scarey.

 

[TucanSam]

Thanks TucanSam.... I didn't know about the cheese grater thing. Guess I should have!!! Will check it out,. I'll place both filters on opposite ends at the back Hopefully, I'll not have nightmares about the weight. Last night I dreamt that I accidentally knocked it over, but was able to very quickly pick it up and save all the fish. Although, in the dream, I did find a stray fish swimming quite happily down the hallway!!!! I think it was a large Clown Loach. The tank a Marineland tank/stand/pine/ and possibly MDF or particle board. Scarey.

You should be totally fine weight wise, don't worry. If you are going to run both at the same time (a good idea) then you don't need to do anything special. The new filter will be seeded with bacteria eventually just by running. You can move a filter pad from the biowheel over and stick it in there with teh stuff the Fluval comes with (I believe they come with a bag of media) and that will give the fluval some bacteria immediately.

 

[juniperlea]

Running two simultaneously will be better than swapping straight - you will know I'm sure that you need to build up the bacteria in the new filter anyway before getting rid of the old. When I swap filter media (except for the polypad) in my humble 120 litre tank I always add new media first cos I have the space and take the old media out the following week. And 75 US gallon? that's 300 litres which in water alone is 300kilos! Unless your filters are made of solid gold you ain't going to add much to that!

It's absolutely, in my mind, terrifying that the US gallons,litres and kilos are is sitting precariously on this stand. The tank/stand were a Marineland kit. Someone, somewhere out there can probably understand how this stand can possibly support this weight. If only the filters were made of gold. But, this has worried me so much that I had nightmares last night. In one, I turned to look at the tank at the same time as Girling Foss, (my Trap Door snail), was being swallowed whole by a very large Portobella mushroom. I sat up, wide awake, in horror. Thanks though, because I know it's me being a little neurotic.

Canister filters are the way to go. All that's attached to the backs of the tanks are an intake and return hose. I run both caister and a hob on my 55 . You won't have any issues with 2 hobs.

When I grow up, I want to own a canister. Seriously, I do!!! But, I went to Petsmart today, looking for a 'foam filter or canister filter' type of thing for my African Dwarf Frog tank, they showed me things that were well over $150 USD. Yikes. It's a 20 gallon long that cost me about $95 USD

 

[kallililly1973]

When I grow up, I want to own a canister. Seriously, I do!!! But, I went to Petsmart today, looking for a 'foam filter or canister filter' type of thing for my African Dwarf Frog tank, they showed me things that were well over $150 USD. Yikes. It's a 20 gallon long that cost me about $95 USD

I just got a sunsun302 for $60 off of amazon and it is a very nice filter. Only been running for under a wekk but so far so good.
Edit I run a fluval 206 and an AC50 on my 20 long as well as a dual sponge filter. just saying

 

[juniperlea]

You should be totally fine weight wise, don't worry. If you are going to run both at the same time (a good idea) then you don't need to do anything special. The new filter will be seeded with bacteria eventually just by running. You can move a filter pad from the biowheel over and stick it in there with teh stuff the Fluval comes with (I believe they come with a bag of media) and that will give the fluval some bacteria immediately.

Thanks. I'll run both filters. It's funny, because this 75 gallon has been my most successful tank. Partly because it's bigger, but I suspect it's also because I cycled this tank (fishless) and just plopped a juicy Biowheel and cartridge (from my 20 gallon), right into the tank. I assumed they were full of good stuff. I'm doing the same thing with my new 20 gallon by using the Biowheel from a broken Biowheel filter (it croaked).

I just got a sunsun302 for $60 off of amazon and it is a very nice filter. Only been running for under a wekk but so far so good.
Edit I run a fluval 206 and an AC50 on my 20 long as well as a dual sponge filter. just saying

I saw a reference to a SunSun on myfroggy.com. It was one of their recommendations for ADFs, but their favorite was a Marineland foam/canister thingy. Truth be told, I have NO idea what a foam or canister filter is. But, I understand that they're better...... when I grow up.....!

 

[TucanSam]

I saw a reference to a SunSun on myfroggy.com. It was one of their recommendations for ADFs, but their favorite was a Marineland foam/canister thingy. Truth be told, I have NO idea what a foam or canister filter is. But, I understand that they're better...... when I grow up.....!

By foam do you mean Sponge filter? THose are hard (for me at least) to find in big box stores. You'd have to visit a local fish store probably to find one. Sponge filters are amazing.

And while canisters are great as well (I use a fluval fx6 on my big tank) you can easily get bywith some HOB's for a while.

 

[Islandvic]

juniperlea , I have the same 75 gallon Marineland tank/stand.

I have 2 HOB filters on the back, am Aquaclear 70 + 110. It will support your Penguin and Aquaclear without a problem. That's actually a good combination of filters you got.

You can stick a ton of extra media in those AC110's !

 

[LordGrim]

I use a HOB with bio-media and a sponge filter at each end of my 50 gallon tank. Extra filtration and I could clean 1 of them and leave 1 untouch so there won't be a big effect on the benefaction bacteria. The best part they are cheap and does it job well hahaha.

 

[juniperlea]

juniperlea , I have the same 75 gallon Marineland tank/stand.

I have 2 HOB filters on the back, am Aquaclear 70 + 110. It will support your Penguin and Aquaclear without a problem. That's actually a good combination of filters you got.

You can stick a ton of extra media in those AC110's !

I took the plunge and bought the AC110 at Petsmart, and hung it on the back, at the opposite end of the tank from the Penguin 350. I can't believe how filthy the AC sponge is only after about 24 hours! Aqadvisor said my filtration is now 204%!!! However, the AC110 is noisy. It hums constantly, either steadily or intermittently. Driving me nuts. Am going to return it and get the Marineland Emperor instead. I'll run it and the Penguin 350 at the same time. The more filtration, the merrier!!!

 

[Jonmott]

I took the plunge and bought the AC110 at Petsmart, and hung it on the back, at the opposite end of the tank from the Penguin 350. I can't believe how filthy the AC sponge is only after about 24 hours! Aqadvisor said my filtration is now 204%!!! However, the AC110 is noisy. It hums constantly, either steadily or intermittently. Driving me nuts. Am going to return it and get the Marineland Emperor instead. I'll run it and the Penguin 350 at the same time. The more filtration, the merrier!!!

Try putting some lube on the impeller, that worked for my AC, it should be super silent, I don’t even know mine is on it’s so quiet. Many people own this filter for a reason, it’s ability to easily modify the media basket. It’s a great filter and there is a reason why the sponge is so dirty, it’s working!

 

[juniperlea]

Try putting some lube on the impeller, that worked for my AC, it should be super silent, I don’t even know mine is on it’s so quiet. Many people own this filter for a reason, it’s ability to easily modify the media basket. It’s a great filter and there is a reason why the sponge is so dirty, it’s working!

I searched online about the AC110 noise and others have the same problem. The problem is that I'm only into this hobby about 3 months. I'd never heard of an impeller until I bought this AC110... I'm assuming the impeller is the automatic transmission (lol)?!! I do prefer the AC to the Penguins and I have a very quiet AC running in a 10 gallon. (I have M.T.S.)!! What kind of lube....? Like WD40?

 

[Jonmott]

Vaseline will work, most use food grade silicone but I’ve never had a problem with good ole Vaseline.
The impeller is the part that pushes the water, looks like a fan with a cylindrical magnet, lube the magnet area and the shaft itself, just a light film will do.
The impeller is at the bottom of the inlet tube inside the filter, just pull it out gently with your fingers if you can, or use a pair of needle nose pliers, just be careful pulling it out, lube it up and put it back in, that should help. It works for mine

 

[juniperlea]

Vaseline will work, most use food grade silicone but I’ve never had a problem with good ole Vaseline.
The impeller is the part that pushes the water, looks like a fan with a cylindrical magnet, lube the magnet area and the shaft itself, just a light film will do.
The impeller is at the bottom of the inlet tube inside the filter, just pull it out gently with your fingers if you can, or use a pair of needle nose pliers, just be careful pulling it out, lube it up and put it back in, that should help. It works for mine

Update: I turned off and unplugged every piece of electrical equipment in my kitchen and living room (except stove and fridge), in order to track down the source of the intermittent humming. Apologies to the AC110, the intermittent humming was my fridge! Then, I experimented with the Penguin 350 sound and the AC110, separately. I was surprised, because the Penguin does make a little humming noise. But, hands down, the AC110 humming is much, much louder. I suspect that it runs at a much higher RPM!!!! I will return it. I have a rule. Never return something that you don't like or doesn't work, for an even exchange for the next one on the shelf. Did that with three HP laptops, in a 6 month period, and I can prove it! I'm going to exchange the AC110 for the Penguin 350 and run both simultaneously.

 

[qquake2k]

I searched online about the AC110 noise and others have the same problem. The problem is that I'm only into this hobby about 3 months. I'd never heard of an impeller until I bought this AC110... I'm assuming the impeller is the automatic transmission (lol)?!! I do prefer the AC to the Penguins and I have a very quiet AC running in a 10 gallon. (I have M.T.S.)!! What kind of lube....? Like WD40?

Don't use WD40 on anything in or near your aquarium. It has solvent in it.

 

[Islandvic]

If you have a Home Depot, Lowes or other hardware store nearby, the plumbing section will have a small tube of food grade 100% silicone lube. I use Danco Weatherproof Silicone Grease from Home Depot.

You can use a q-tip to put lube on the impeller shaft and the oring on the motor, where it twist locks into the reservoir body.

Also, the larger Aqualclears will sometimes make the noise you describe, then quiet down after a month of running. This is common and completely normal.

I've noticed my 2x Aquaclear 70's are indeed quieter than the AC110. My AC30's are virtually silent.

The Aquaclear 110 and the Seachem Tidal 110 are basically the best HOB style filter available.

You may want to look at the Tidal 110 reviews on YouTube. The Ken's Fish website has them on sale for $62, with free S&H and no tax. I've made many purchases with Ken's, he has a great site for fish hobby gear and food.

When I looked last week, Ken's had the Hydor canisters on sale for good prices. I've used a Hydor 600 canister for over a year with zero problems.

 

[A201]

The AC-110'S are a little noisy until they run enough to "gunk up". The back lip of the lid needs to hang slightly over the back. Otherwise it will vibrate. The flow arm need to be pulled completely to the left (full flow) position, or it will vibrate. The 110's are a little quarky but once you learn how to handle the bugs, they work great.

 

[juniperlea]

Don't use WD40 on anything in or near your aquarium. It has solvent in it.

Thanks!!! I really was worried about that. I'm going to exchange the AC110 for the Penguin 350 and run both Penguins in the 75g. I'm convinced that the AC!!0 is more powerful, than the Penguin 350, which is perhaps why the AC110 is louder. That's just my newbie theory and I live in a fantasy world!!!

 

[qquake2k]

I was never a fan of any of the BioWheel filters. The wheels are very fiddly and frustrating to me. I've had a few Aquaclears, and like how the media is customizable. But my new favorite HOB's are the Seachem Tidals. My favorite feature is that they don't require priming.

 

[juniperlea]

I have 4 Penguins, which translates to 5 biowheels. The wheels on the bus have never gone 'round, new or old. Thanks for the Seachem Tidal referral. I've never heard of them, but I will definitely check them out. I'm so sorry for being stupid, but I'm only 3 months into this hobby and I don't know what 'priming' a filter means. I always use Seachem Prime, but I suspect what you're talking about is something I'm completely ignorant about. I will find out though!!!!

 

[juniperlea]

The AC-110'S are a little noisy until they run enough to "gunk up". The back lip of the lid needs to hang slightly over the back. Otherwise it will vibrate. The flow arm need to be pulled completely to the left (full flow) position, or it will vibrate. The 110's are a little quarky but once you learn how to handle the bugs, they work great.

I've researched and think you're right about 110s being quirky. However, filters are machines. I can put whatever I want in the relatively quiet Penguin 350. I think the 110 is superior to the Penguin 350, but that is simply because its' 'engine' is more powerful. I'm going to exchange the 110 for a Penguin 350 and run both Penguin 350s now that I've overcome my paranoia about the weight distribution factor... lol!!!

 

[CHJ]

It's absolutely, in my mind, terrifying that the US gallons,litres and kilos are is sitting precariously on this stand. The tank/stand were a Marineland kit. Someone, somewhere out there can probably understand how this stand can possibly support this weight. If only the filters were made of gold. But, this has worried me so much that I had nightmares last night. In one, I turned to look at the tank at the same time as Girling Foss, (my Trap Door snail), was being swallowed whole by a very large Portobella mushroom. I sat up, wide awake, in horror. Thanks though, because I know it's me being a little neurotic.


When I grow up, I want to own a canister. Seriously, I do!!! But, I went to Petsmart today, looking for a 'foam filter or canister filter' type of thing for my African Dwarf Frog tank, they showed me things that were well over $150 USD. Yikes. It's a 20 gallon long that cost me about $95 USD

The glass is the cheap part of the tank (until you go BIG). 1$/gal for the 20. ~40$ for the light. 20$ for the heater. Foam is negligible. air pump for the foam is ~20-30$. Though at this point I'm tired of Whisper's endless nose dive in quality so I will be buying a Jehmco and then "wiring" my house for air.
For canisters if you live in the US save up (sell plasma if you have to) and when Black Friday hits Petsmart has a 50% off deal on filters. FX6s for ~150-180$ (just an example of saving. an FX6 would be a cruel filter on a 20 gal.. Fishgaritas or some youtuber showing you can have an adult marbled sleeper in a 20 gal long).). I buy all my filters and backups during Black Friday.

 

[juniperlea]

The glass is the cheap part of the tank (until you go BIG). 1$/gal for the 20. ~40$ for the light. 20$ for the heater. Foam is negligible. air pump for the foam is ~20-30$. Though at this point I'm tired of Whisper's endless nose dive in quality so I will be buying a Jehmco and then "wiring" my house for air.
For canisters if you live in the US save up (sell plasma if you have to) and when Black Friday hits Petsmart has a 50% off deal on filters. FX6s for ~150-180$ (just an example of saving. an FX6 would be a cruel filter on a 20 gal.. Fishgaritas.). I buy all my filters and backups during Black Friday.

Thanks so much for the Black Friday Petsmart 50% off filters info ..... plus, Petsmart will also match their own website and Chewy prices. I'm eyeballing a tank at www petsmart that is about $30 less than the actual Petsmart store.

 

[CHJ]

Thanks so much for the Black Friday Petsmart 50% off filters info ..... plus, Petsmart will also match their own website and Chewy prices. I'm eyeballing a tank at www petsmart that is about $30 less than the actual Petsmart store.

That way lies madness.
I luckily had a friend who kept me from getting divorced one Black Friday when they had a pickup bed sized tank for 300$. It was super discounted (because it had no covers) and then 50% off that. Myself, my wife, and a GF could have comfortably slept in that tank.

 

[juniperlea]

That way lies madness.
I luckily had a friend who kept me from getting divorced one Black Friday when they had a pickup bed sized tank for 300$. It was super discounted (because it had no covers) and then 50% off that.

Madness doesn't lie. It lurks. And, always keep in mind that this hobby keeps you off the mean streets!

 

[Islandvic]

juniperlea , when you buy the Penguin 350 from Petsmart, be sure to have the cashier proce match the price on their own website.

They probably are still around $29 on their website l, while $15-$20 more in store.

The majority of PetSmart fish hobby supplies are priced 10%-40% lower on their website versus their in-store price. Cashiers will price match if you show them the same item on the website with your phone.

Also, since your starting with a new Penguin, I would suggest taking a look at this LINK on the forum. It has many examples with pics, showing how to skip using disposable cartridges and utilize reusable media instead. Also goes over the basics of filtration, and methods of keeping your colonized beneficial bacteria going.

The Penguin isn't listed in the thread, but feel free to post pics of yours if you find any part of that thread helpful and you end up adding your own DIY media to them.