MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

[loopy119]

Sorry guys, but I was wondering what y'all thought about the bio-wheel filters. Do they work pretty well? Would it be a smart thing to put on a community tank with guppies/guppy babies? I have heard of sticking a sponge over the intake to protect the fry...has anyone ever done that? Is it necessary?

Rebekah

[wvgdiscus]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

What size of tank you got them in.

[Hanson77]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

Yeah, the sponge idea will work.  I used one of the fairly coarse sponges that you get for a RENA canister and cut through the middle to form a sock to go over the intake line.  It seems to work pretty well.  I had a Whisper 20 one time on a 10 gallon tank and the babies got sucked up and ended up in the cartridge area.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

IMO....bio-wheels suck.

Go with a regular Aquaclear, you will be much happier in the end.

[loopy119]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

Well, I haven't set it up...or even bought the tank yet, but I'm doing some research and I want some opinions on everything. Anyways, it will be for a 40gallon.  

Rebekah

[Hanson77]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

It's really a toss up on which filter is better or worse.  Seems like I have more maintenance work as far as cartridge changes on my Marinelands than the Aquaclear.  You also have more filtration options with the Aquaclears off the shelf than you would with the Marinelands.

2 pennies worth.

[nacra99]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

I don't like the bio-wheels either. I prefer aquaclear filters too, but without all the crappy media inserts that comes with the filter. Just use 2 sponges instead of the bio material that comes with it.

For guppy fry, i wouldn't take a chance with a power filter. I'd go old fashioned and use one of those "HYDRO" sponge filters.

[AK-71]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

I can only compare AC and Whisper -I like AC a lot.
Any filter media you want. I use one sponge, cut couple of these blue-white pads, sometimes "felt" on the top and ceramic tubes in a bag. One thing with AC is that you can't slow the flow all the way down. Some people sayAC is louder, but it actually became silent  after I put a rubber pad betwee filter and a frame/wall of a tank.

[Cesar]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

I use the emperor and marineland bio wheels and have had excellent results,cartridges are expensive unless you make a diy insert and clean it with old tank water,Ive had my 330 for about 5yrs now and its still going strong with nothing other than cartridge replacements every once and a while.You other guys may be using different substrate than what Ive got(impeller problems).Just remember that you should always go with a bigger filter rather than a smaller one,brand will be up to you in the end.
-C

[Zulaab]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

IMO....bio-wheels suck.

Go with a regular Aquaclear, you will be much happier in the end.

I am going to agree with EK, here... everything I have heard from seasoned people are that your best bet is to get a Aquaclear.
I dont have any biowheels on my HOB filters and they work wonders as they are.  IE bio wheel = marketing gimic

[rrocket2002]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

AquaCLear

As for saving fry......sponge or panty hose.

[Fire_chair]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

I'm going with the majority here and say Aquaclear.

[finfan]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

ok, now i feel stupid, so my whole eclipse system II is not going to do the job?  

i wish i had asked before i bought the thing, anyway, it at least looks good  

now, i hear all these sponge and panty hose talk, does that mean i can put any sponge or panty hose in the place of my filter cartridge when it is time to change it?

[AK-71]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

If I end up using power filter in a tank with fry - I will put this panty hose on intake, not inside the filter.
As for some particular type - I don't know, it will be confusing enough to shop for any type of panty hoses tonight  . I am not very advanced in this field, hope can I open the box before I buy  

[rrocket2002]

Re: MORE Filter questions...sorry...LOL

LOL...Knee highs unless you want the whole thing...lol