All Penguin BIO-Wheel Power Filters deliver simple, easy, 3-stage aquarium filtration…without the hassle of air pumps, valves, tubing or air stones. Now there are new features, new sizes, increased flow rates and a BIO-Wheel that’s up to 50% larger! The new two-piece filter hood provides quick flip-top filter cartridge access. A noise- reducing vented cover ensures quieter operation. The adjustable mid-level intake increases water circulation throughout the aquarium and the larger 200 and 350 models feature extra media slots — you can add an extra Rite-Size Filter Cartridge or Penguin Refillable Media Cartridge for enhanced chemical filtration.
Aquariums Supplies has all your Aquraiums Supplies in one place. Aquariums Supplies is exactly that, everything Aquariums Supplies.
It should be said up front that I went from an under gravel filter to this… Under gravel filters are pretty much garbage from what I can tell and have been told so my review might be a little slanted. With that being said, this thing works great. I’ve had no problems with it ever. Set up was a breeze, and as long as you follow the instructions and fill the reservoir in the back before plugging it in you should have no problems. I would imagine if I put it together, did not fill the tank in the back, and then plugged it in it would make awful noises. It made some slurping noises for a few seconds upon initial use then corrected and is almost completely silent. It makes a soft churning noise that is about 3/4 of the noise of my old air pump. Hope this helps…
FYI Petsmart charges $30 for this.
-Ben
This is actually an excellent filter and I would have given it 5 stars. However, this is only the case when it’s working, though it’s only the biowheel that is faulty and outdated.
The biowheel on these older models turns as water is ejected out of the filter. However, within a few days (maybe week and a half) the filter either starts to slow down or the wheel gets stuck against the cover because it stops turning.
If you bought this item you probably bought it for the mechanical, chemical, and bio filtration it supposedly offers. However, about half of the time you’ll end up with just chemical and mechanical, as the bio filtration ceases when the wheel stops to function.
Still, the filter itself is an awesome piece of machinery and it is otherwise well built. Aside from the bio filtration, every other method of filtration works just great (though the filter pads could come with a bit more carbon).
I’ve had my 30 gallon aquarium for 3 years now and the Penguin 150 has been with me since day one. During the middle of my second year with it I bought an Emperor 280 (also by marineland) to work along with the Penguin 150. I believe the Emperor models is what the Penguin was supposed to have accomplished, except the Emperor models are a lot better. The wheel does not rely on the flow of the water being ejected from the filter and instead has a hose like tube spraying water on it causing it to turn. The Emperor also has larger filter pads and comes with an extra slot in which you can add whatever type of chemical filtration you want (also holds a large amount which is a big plus). If you’re looking at the Penguin models I strongly urge you to consider an Emperor model. They are a bit more expensive and a bit larger but they are incredibly effective. If you have a tank about my size, though, you’re going to have to cut the intake tube as it is a lot longer than the Penguin models.
Anyway, I decided to write this because I’m getting sick of my Penguin 150 and I’m about to retire it for a HOT Magnum also by Marineland.
The filter does a good job at keeping my tank clean. When I first got it, the impeller noise was ridiculous but now that things are seated its pretty quite.
The biowheel has stopped spinning for long periods of time a lot lately, cleaning the entire filter has not helped. Also, I’ve had to hook a UPS up to it, since most of the time it will not prime itself after a power outage. Keep the water level all the way up to the ‘slide’ to keep water noise down.
It is easy to maintain. Very little noise. I like the water fall. It keeps running as long as you maintain the water level. Good product and I recommend it.
I’m using this filter for my 20gal fish tank and it is working great. It keeps my aquarium very clean. It was a bit noisy in the first 2 days but after that there is no noise anymore, even Some times I feel like its not working at all!