Thoughts On This Filter?

I have a 30-gallon freshwater tank with 2 Fancy Goldfish and 2 Nerite Snails. For filtration, I currently have the Tetra Whisper 40, but I'm looking into upgrading to a more powerful filter because I plan on getting another Goldfish and more snails.

I found this filter on Amazon, what are your guys' thoughts on it? Does anyone know how loud it is?

 

I have been using them in my tanks for years and never had a problem with them. Remember never change and or do a really good cleaning on the bio wheels, as far as the cartridges, don't replace them all at the same time. I have 4 in my 55 gallon and I change 1 every 2 weeks.

 

I have been using them in my tanks for years and never had a problem with them. Remember never change and or do a really good cleaning on the bio wheels, as far as the cartridges, don't replace them all at the same time. I have 4 in my 55 gallon and I change 1 every 2 weeks.

How loud/silent are they? Do you think 1 would work ok in a 30 gallon and with 3 Goldfish?

 

it might be too much flow for a 30 gallon with fancies. I run 2 AC50's in my 29 gallon with 2 comets and 1 oranda.

 

It's a hob. The only noise it's going to make is the waterfall and the impeller. It should be about the same as your current filter, maybe a few decibels louder on the impeller noise, but you will have a lot more water falling. That will be where your noise comes from if you don't have the water level high enough to prevent that.

 

I just think the bio-wheel is a gimmick, and I must say even I succumbed to their charm when they originally came out.

But I found it's very difficult to customize those things and that actually, the more "boring" ... "low tech" HoB's like the AquaClears (or other brands) are far superior, are far more customizable, break down a lot less, and are cheaper to maintain in the long run.

Especially when it comes to goldfish (which I do own) ... you need a lot of good bio-filtration and a LOT of mechanical filtration.

 

instead of cartridges, insert fine foam ssd sponges in the reservoirs of that Penguin 350.

They are reusable, so you never have to buy cartridges again.

3-packs of Aquaclear 50 or 70 sponges can be found online for $3-$5.

Those work well for applications like that.

The YouTube channel has a couple of good videos on the Penguin 350 and one shows how to make your own cartridges using filter media that comes in bulk rolls.