Does anyone use a filter bag in a Penguin 150? I want to get one and fill it with additional carbon but it doesnt look like theres much room in there for this. Also, where does the filter bag go, between the cartridge and bio-wheel or between the intake and the cartridge ( i would imagine it getting very dirty if before the cartridge, but no room between cartridge and biowheel).
spongebob ,do you have a second slot for2 filterpads? also aqua clear filters are nice you can add a few kinds of media and more of what your tank demands.
swp
I run a whisper filter - -took the cartridge out completly and filled it [not the pump side] up with Ehiem Mech to about 1 -1 1/2 inches from the "spillway" i then put carbon in a bag and lay it on top of the Mech and the water runs throught the mech and then through the bag into the tank - - the mech gets all kinds of green and brown bactieria on it - -i dump the filter into my water that i remove during a water change every other week swish it around and put it back together - -i change the carbon every 2 weeks as well - -this works extreamly well for me - - you could buy a small nano HOT filter and do the same thing and keep your present filter running in stock configuration
yes i have two slots. The one nearest the biowheel stays empty, there isnt enough room there for a bag. I might do as snowboss suggests and get an additional small HOB filter just for carbon.
Well, in response to putting it before the fiter pads, dirty is better than nothing if that's the only place you can fit it. You can also buy ammo-chips, or they make a combo of charcoal and ammo-chips and put it in there. I put cylindrical sponge filters on the intake of some of my hang-on filters, and this keeps the filter cleaner (requires less cleaning) and more conducive to growing bacteria, it grows bacteria itself very well, and when it gets clogged you can just rinse it in the sink. The way to clean it is to fill the sponge with water and smack it against your hand. Somehow this gets more crap out of it than just squeezing it under running water. It'll totally increase the capacity of your filter.
well, i just purchased a $15 whisper filter with 90 gph, as its the biggest that will fit near my Penguin. I will only put carbon in there with my media bag, and attach a sponge as u mentioned. Thanks for the input everyone.
Sounds good! I've got tonnes of hang-on filters, skimmers, about 20 powerheads, etc etc etc. I double up the hang-on's in the two tanks that I'm using them in, and I even installed one of my skimmers to a freshwater tank. It has no other purpose than to look cool. It looks like a water tornado. Some guy sold me a truck load (literally) of aquarium stuff for only $240.00. The 100 gallon tank, 4 others, cabinets, you name it, it was in there.
i would still put some thing in the bottom of the filter so the bag lays sideways and all the water returning to the tank has to run through it - -ammo chips was a good suggestion as well as the pre filter sponge - -the mech i use is like 8 bucks for a box that will fill that filter 4-5 times - -just my opinion - -hey PK wanna sell a couple Hot filters - -i got a 10 gallon id like to set up for a lion fish - -id like a filter that will do 50-75 gallons and a single power head FO tank ---OFO actually [one fish only] lol
Actually most of the hang-on filters are either in use, or in so many pieces I can't figure out what goes to what. When you have piles of similar function parts it's sometimes hard to get a match. Sorry! I have complete powerheads aplenty though. It was this guy who's wife pulled one of those "It's either the fish tanks go or or I go!" stunts, and he sold me everything he had obviously been collecting for years. SNOWBOSS: Don't you live in Canada? Would it even be worth sending you a powerhead or two? If You really wan't a PH send a mess to my inbox.
have been running the Aquaclear alongside my Penguin and also placed a full media bag of fresh carbon in my Penguin behind the cartridge, and man oh man is my water much clearer and odor-free. That was the best investment (and cheap!). Thanks for the suggestions guys, it pays off every time!!
Pete - - i'm in upstate NY - - power heads are pretty readily available to me - -i was interested in haveing a couple cheap back up filters - - I'm in the process of buying a 65 gallon set up from Pimp, i already have my 20 running and I'd like to set up a 10 gallon - -I like haveing extra equipment around incase of a failure - -or in the case of my 20 gallon....Im running 2 filters, 2 powerheads and a protein skimmer - - -so as you can see I like to over care for the water - - -just looking for that next good deal you know? - - thanks for the offer though bud, Boss
And YES Pleco - -when your advise is solid and your respectful we are thnkful for you 2 cents - -it's when you come off like we are all stupid that we get twisted up - - -for example, when ever i make a post about something I DON'T know 100% - -i lead with saying I DON"T know 100% - - understand what I'm saying? - - on a personal note - - I wouldn't try "joking" with anyone just yet - -we are all pretty stand offish towards you after the last go round a couple weeks ago - - time will expose all truths bud - - - Boss
The Boss has some good points Freshwaterpleco. I've been a therapist of sorts for many years and please excuse me if I'm being too personal, but I bet anything your dad was or is hard on you. Everybody wants to feel like they are a part of a group, or even an expert sometimes. These guys on the salt water side are a world above the fresh water crew due to the difficulty and high cost of salt water aquariums. I don't know when I'll have the money to go that way, but when I do I'm going to do a lot of reading so that I can keep my tank alive and healthy. If I'm still on this site at that time I'm going to be asking a lot of questions. The smartest people are those who are still learning, who are open to constructive criticism, who never get too sure of themselves. The fact that you are taking you criticism pretty well shows that you don't just run when people get on your case. I like that.
well said Pete, I'm 39 yes old and this is my first salt set up, I apprieciate your cander in saying we salt guys are a world above, yes tolerances are tighter and cost is higher ... but I personally don't feel "better" than anyone else, and I don't think that's what you were stateing at all just wanted to clearify that - - and yes I will get a little nervous when I out my head down at night and review the day and find I haven't learned anything {hasn't happened yet,lol} - -
I can't wait to see the day you do a salt system as your fresh water sytem is incredable right now....Boss
