Join the millions of other demanding aquarists that have chosen Penguin filters with complete, 3-stage aquarium filtration to keep their aquarium clear, clean, and healthy. These Bio Wheel Aquarium filters are one of the best aquarium power filters for any aquarist. Check out these fantastic improvements to the already efficient Penguin line. A larger Bio-wheel means more area for nitrifying bacteria to grow, keeping your aquarium totally free of harmful ammonia and nitrites. Increased flow rates maintain optimum water circulation and insure proper Bio-wheel rotation. Adjustable mid-level intake strainer allows you to take aquarium water from mid-tank for complete circulation. The Penguin’s all-new cover design and sealed motor dramatically reduces water noise while still maintaining optimum oxygenation. All Penguin filters use the handy Rite-Size filtration media cartridges so changing the filter is a snap. Penguin filter cartridges take care of all mechanical and chemical filtration in your aquarium and are extremely easy to replace. For complete, easy aquarium filtration for your aquarium, nothing works like a Penguin filter.
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I think this is an ok filter, it definitely does its job of providing chemical and mechanical filtration, but heres a tip.
I do ALOT of work with fish tanks and supplies. One thing I have noticed from cleaning, fixing and modifying aquarium supplies is that in the last few years, maybe a little longer, marineland has started using cheaper parts.
I have an older model of this filter and it has adjustable flow and a bit better construction. I liked it, so I bought a new one. The newer one is noticeably cheaper in construction and components, no flow control knob and after four months it periodically grinds and it is LOUD! I hear it across my decent sized home.
So bottom line, it does its job as a filter, and in my opinion its a great filter. Just has a few things it could improve on.
The one I had looked exactly like this.
Marineland Aquarium Products Penguin Power Filter 350 Gph – PF0350BPF0330B
My friend (later in the review) has this exact model and has no complants about it.
Ok… so I think the noise a lot of the people are talking about with these reviews are people that ether don’t know how to correctly prime a filter of this design, or they didn’t even try to see if they had the tube correctly seated on the propeller. Trust me folks you will know the difference in sound if you put the tube in wrong… And as for priming the water in the filter, the tank need to be “full” almost touching the bottom of the reservoir flow over. That’s where the water level is supposed to be when using this kind of filter.
I’m going to be honest to you guys, I did the fish thing for about 2 years in a fresh water 55 long. And it just got to where I couldn’t keep it maintained the way it needed to be and sold off every thing (fish included) to a friend. One thing I do know is this, every single ones of these hang off the back filters are going to make some noise simply due to the fact water transfers sound better then just about anything. Also this filter uses a completely sealed stator (for obvious water proofing reasons) and you can’t get a precision fit on the rotor (propeller). On a motor like that there is going to be some rotor wobble that makes noise (let’s not forget the AC buzz ALL STRAIGHT AC MOTORS MAKE). I had this filter shortly after going through and “testing” a few others so let’s say almost 2 years. After I sold it to my friend I think the thing lasted a good year after that (around 3 total). He is still using this type and brand of filter today in the tank I sold him, some of the fish are deferent but same stuff lol…
What does all that have to do with this review? Not a whole lot but this type of filter is going to make noise to a degree because of how it’s incorporated to filter the water (hanging on the back of a “glass water filled thing”). You`re just going to have to deal with it. If you must have complete scilence, I would look into (also read up on if unfamiliar) a canister set up. I’ve found this brand makes the least noise and that’s why I initially stuck with it. As time went on I found they work vary well and that bio wheel really dose help “good bacteria” find a home in large amounts where it wont be unsightly to look at. And the filters could not be more idiot proof and effective. The ribs keep the carbon from settling in the bottom unlike them cheap slide on kind and they fit like a glove and filter virtually all water that goes though the filter.
Here is some common info for first time owners of this type of filter:
Also folks keep the things clean, you have to clean them AT LEAST once a month or more (more then likely more) depending on it’s load (don`t forget the inside of the tube!!! tube needs to stay clean for max flow to turn the wheel). I highly recommend ether having a vary strong sprayer in the sink or buying some long bottle brushes for the thing, makes cleaning a lot easier. Also don’t clean the bio wheel with chlorinated water or you may kill off a lot of “good bacteria” that takes so long to grow on it. I personally just used a small stiff paint brush and tank water to “brush” not “scrub” off the excess bio mass from time to time (main reasion it won’t turn evenly anymore too). One more thing when you clean your tank/filter let the bio wheel/s float in the tank, don’t take them out or the bacteria could dry out and die. Keep the tank filled to the bottom of the filters return (reservoir flow over) if you don’t want to hear “turbulent” water the bio wheel makes as it turns. Something I found to be a big help is to twist up the wheel slightly (make the bio wheel have the faint appearance of a cork screw or drill bit, not much, just enough to see that the fins are not horizontal anymore.) Make sure the rotor is correctly seated in the bottom and that the tube support is as well. That right there is where most of the noise problem arises, not putting the stupid propeller and tube back in right after cleaning it or when you first get it.
“Free and clear” did a good job of explaining some of the things I covered as well, I suggest reading their review too.
The cleaner you keep your tank/s the better this and any filter will be able to work, it is a lot of work and that’s why I know first hand about this type of tank filter.
Just got an e-mail they are out of stock so the quantity they show on Amazon is false, dont order at this time.
Works great. I have 3 of these in 2 aquariums. They can get tempramental at times when I do a water changeout, but overall they are quite and efficient.
The best I have ever used . I have two 30gl. African Cichlid set-ups that I keep over crowded to cut down on the fighting for territory and a 30 gal . community tank and these filters do a great job with the bio-load of each . The bio-wheels do a great job of polishing the water , and a great place to grow good bacteria, this is why they slow down after they been used for awhile , the Bio-wheels build up bacteria and muck , simply rinse them off in dechlorinated water that is the same temp. as your tank water so you do not kill off the bacteria and they will continue to serve you well . Easy to change filters , which I change only one at a time so as not to remove all the bacteria in my filters . And even after my own laziness of going weeks without cleaning it , it will run smooth and whisper quiet . I have never had a problem with noise on any of my 3 Penguin 350 filters , after a water change or power outage just a little shot of water in it to prime it and it starts right up just as quiet as before , and sometimes that is not even needed as the water that was left in it will prime it for me . I will never use any other filter .