Interesting. I've had my penguin pro 375 for 2 years now with no bio wheel issues and it's as quiet as ever. Flow is excellent, and my 53 gallon is healthy with my angels, rummy nose and cardinal tetras with some corys and a bristle nose. Consistent water changes and I pop the filter off to rinse/clean with aquarium water every 4 months. It is a good upgrade from the old. Personal preference of course.
It's best to rinse the new filter cartridges before you install them. That way you don't have a bunch of carbon dust in your tank when you turn the filter on.
The pump is in the water for priming and cooling purposes the sound dampening feature comes from the rubberized coupler that segregates the vibration from the rest of the unit.
My opinion so far is Aquaclear even without the pump in the tank. These biowheels seem gimmicky to me based on how little filter media is contacting the water at any given moment. Unless maybe the way it’s giving it some air fosters way more bio growth? Otherwise one AC sponge is bigger than both biowheels combined, and the AC lets you customize theirs into a double-giant-sponge if you want. Also charcoal is optional with AC, and charcoal is best used situationally. The AC lets you put charcoal only when you want it and you don’t have to keep buying new pads or sponges either. But sadly, I heard Fluval cheapened their impellers, which might be another strike against them if true.
The new ones suck after two days on a new empty tank wheels don't spin. Even with two new filter it over flows in the center. The older one everything spins perfect does not overflow in center unless actually clogged.
I bought one today and have a few comments. 1) The filter did not seat for you because the cord was in the way. 2) The biowheels don't need to spin quickly to encourage nitrifying bacteria growth. 3) The noise reduction of the submerged motor is a HUGE pro over the 350 5) The filter pads that come with this aren't meant to be comparable to the standard replacement filter cartridges as what comes in box are polishing filters. They are made quite well. 6) For the price ($54 US) Its quieter and outperforms my Seachem 75 that I replaced. It seems to have the same advantage over the 350. I would like to know what "better" filter you suggest replacing yours with. For example, the Aquaclear that i bought died within 4 months and my Seachem Tidal 75 has quit in just 9 months. I always unplug my filters before/during water changes, so I know it wasn't an overheating issue from running "dry". Both motors failed. Is there a better HOB filter in a similar price range that can match the quiet and function of the Penguin Pro 375? If you havn't already replaced it, is yours still up and running?
Yeah I Know, not Think, that marineland have downgraded with these hob filters. I had the 350 dual bio wheel of the last series. That was great and still is great. Then I got the 400 pro series and it is like being able to run and suddenly going pre ambulatory. The spray bars are okay but seem to deduct from the over flow. Half of the flow gets taken to the spray bars. So I took the impeller house out and removed the piece where there's a split. Sacrifice the spray bars for overall flow increase
The adjustment on the suction line is supposed to change the suction rate of the unit. At least I believe that was what it said in the instructions of the old ones. The weak point of the newest filter is that the cover over the impeller sometimes falls apart. It needs a deeper connection. I've never had those wheels work for very long, but it did not make any difference to the pump. Why anyone would use the filter pads they supply I don't know. I pulled everything off the plastic piece in the filter so it was bare. I built my own filtration in the pump. You do not need Charcoal in your pump every day, keep a couple of pads on hand in case you need activated charcoal for a specific reason.
I have had a biowheel running for 8 years. They don't stop turning if you just clean them a little bit like once a month. And they say that the old biowheel aren't self priming, mine does hahaha.
I dig your new desk! 😂 I like the adjustable tube. All in all, I like the improvements done. I’m thinking I’m going to have to invest in one on my next visit!
The impeller on the new filter faces down and the impeller on the old one faces up, the impeller sump on the old filter can get fine debris or sand in it and wear out the impeller sooner, having the impeller facing down won't collect any sand because gravity would let it fall back down into the tank, should last longer. Also, having the impeller in the aquarium will prevent dry starts after a power failure. I've seen many of the old design fail because the water siphons back into the aquarium during a power failure and runs dry or can't prime for possibly hours if not detected. The lid is usually what rattles on these, especially on the smaller versions. I'm hoping the new filter will control splash better and contain the salt creep. Also, nitrifying bacteria do better in the dark, so a black enclosure should be better than the smoke transparent one.
Sand was a huge issue for me. I just bought this upgraded one and I am installing tonight. Debating on returning the old one since I only had it for a month.... I wish I knew how to fix it...
The new one with the attached top is NOT for anyone that has a wood top over the aquarium. Can't open it without moving the top forward by alot or taking it off. Old one was easy and no problem with the wood top.
Hi - good review! One point - the Bio-Wheels need to spin at a certain rate and no faster - the bacteria needs to be exposed to oxygen long enough to keep it thriving. That slow rate of rotation does seem to contribute to some of the stoppage issues, in my experience. I still love the filters though. They're reliable workhorses.
It seemed to me as an owner of both filters, new and old style.. the filters that came with both units were poor quality.. but the replacement filters are much more superior... and great filtering, tighter media.. Ty Mcdeejay.
I noticed that every time I buy a new marineland filter...the cartridges they put in the box are very cheap and thin. But if you buy a 6-pack of cartridges they aren't that way and look good as opposed to what they put in the box initially.
Robby Thomas Aqueon does the same thing with their cartridges. I think it’s an economical step they take to insure you invest more money in their company.
@@PapaKai0852 I have to agree. It's like they stick the rejected cartridges in the box for us customers so we have to run right back out and spend another $10.
Interesting. I've had my penguin pro 375 for 2 years now with no bio wheel issues and it's as quiet as ever. Flow is excellent, and my 53 gallon is healthy with my angels, rummy nose and cardinal tetras with some corys and a bristle nose. Consistent water changes and I pop the filter off to rinse/clean with aquarium water every 4 months. It is a good upgrade from the old. Personal preference of course.
My P350 has been going for a quarter century on a 60 gal. Have only had to replace an impeller once. Still rockin. 🤘🏻
Mine isn’t sucking
It's best to rinse the new filter cartridges before you install them. That way you don't have a bunch of carbon dust in your tank when you turn the filter on.
The pump is in the water for priming and cooling purposes the sound dampening feature comes from the rubberized coupler that segregates the vibration from the rest of the unit.
This is the best HOB you can get. If fluval would just put the pump inside the tank the AquaClear would spank everything.
Facts
My opinion so far is Aquaclear even without the pump in the tank. These biowheels seem gimmicky to me based on how little filter media is contacting the water at any given moment. Unless maybe the way it’s giving it some air fosters way more bio growth? Otherwise one AC sponge is bigger than both biowheels combined, and the AC lets you customize theirs into a double-giant-sponge if you want. Also charcoal is optional with AC, and charcoal is best used situationally. The AC lets you put charcoal only when you want it and you don’t have to keep buying new pads or sponges either.
But sadly, I heard Fluval cheapened their impellers, which might be another strike against them if true.
It's not a surface skimmer it's to adjust your flow rate
My bio wheels have been spinning for 10 years on my penguin 330 -350 and -200,great filters.
The new ones suck after two days on a new empty tank wheels don't spin. Even with two new filter it over flows in the center. The older one everything spins perfect does not overflow in center unless actually clogged.
I bought one today and have a few comments. 1) The filter did not seat for you because the cord was in the way. 2) The biowheels don't need to spin quickly to encourage nitrifying bacteria growth. 3) The noise reduction of the submerged motor is a HUGE pro over the 350 5) The filter pads that come with this aren't meant to be comparable to the standard replacement filter cartridges as what comes in box are polishing filters. They are made quite well. 6) For the price ($54 US) Its quieter and outperforms my Seachem 75 that I replaced. It seems to have the same advantage over the 350.
I would like to know what "better" filter you suggest replacing yours with. For example, the Aquaclear that i bought died within 4 months and my Seachem Tidal 75 has quit in just 9 months. I always unplug my filters before/during water changes, so I know it wasn't an overheating issue from running "dry". Both motors failed. Is there a better HOB filter in a similar price range that can match the quiet and function of the Penguin Pro 375? If you havn't already replaced it, is yours still up and running?
I couldn’t get mine to work 😮
Yeah I Know, not Think, that marineland have downgraded with these hob filters.
I had the 350 dual bio wheel of the last series. That was great and still is great.
Then I got the 400 pro series and it is like being able to run and suddenly going pre ambulatory. The spray bars are okay but seem to deduct from the over flow. Half of the flow gets taken to the spray bars. So I took the impeller house out and removed the piece where there's a split. Sacrifice the spray bars for overall flow increase
The 450 was worst of all for ME. Others may like it.
But the 375 is best or 350 whichever the old big job was prior to the newer ones
The adjustment on the suction line is supposed to change the suction rate of the unit. At least I believe that was what it said in the instructions of the old ones.
The weak point of the newest filter is that the cover over the impeller sometimes falls apart. It needs a deeper connection. I've never had those wheels work for very long, but it did not make any difference to the pump.
Why anyone would use the filter pads they supply I don't know. I pulled everything off the plastic piece in the filter so it was bare. I built my own filtration in the pump. You do not need Charcoal in your pump every day, keep a couple of pads on hand in case you need activated charcoal for a specific reason.
Spinning of the biowheels does not have to be fast. Why are you fixating on it?
Can you teach us how to properly clean the impeller and what to do if it gets a bit of sand in there?
I have had a biowheel running for 8 years. They don't stop turning if you just clean them a little bit like once a month. And they say that the old biowheel aren't self priming, mine does hahaha.
Just got a Penguin Pro 375 today, won't fit all the way down on my Marineland 75 gallon tank. It's on far enough to run, but the biowheels won't spin.
The original is way cooler ☝️
When he sees the 450
I dig your new desk! 😂 I like the adjustable tube. All in all, I like the improvements done. I’m thinking I’m going to have to invest in one on my next visit!
If these are so bad what is a HOB filter you would recommend
The down take tube comes apart so you can put a small sponge inside as a pre-filter to extend the life of your cartridges
They do not rotate at the same speed because the filter is uneven.
The impeller on the new filter faces down and the impeller on the old one faces up, the impeller sump on the old filter can get fine debris or sand in it and wear out the impeller sooner, having the impeller facing down won't collect any sand because gravity would let it fall back down into the tank, should last longer. Also, having the impeller in the aquarium will prevent dry starts after a power failure. I've seen many of the old design fail because the water siphons back into the aquarium during a power failure and runs dry or can't prime for possibly hours if not detected. The lid is usually what rattles on these, especially on the smaller versions. I'm hoping the new filter will control splash better and contain the salt creep. Also, nitrifying bacteria do better in the dark, so a black enclosure should be better than the smoke transparent one.
Sand was a huge issue for me. I just bought this upgraded one and I am installing tonight. Debating on returning the old one since I only had it for a month.... I wish I knew how to fix it...
The new one with the attached top is NOT for anyone that has a wood top over the aquarium. Can't open it without moving the top forward by alot or taking it off. Old one was easy and no problem with the wood top.
the square tubes on the older ones was why I didn't buy it. I use a ugf and the other models have round tubes that fit for powered ugf.
You put something in the wrong way 😂
There is not a lot of water going up thus the wheel is not turning what am I doing wrong
Hi - good review! One point - the Bio-Wheels need to spin at a certain rate and no faster - the bacteria needs to be exposed to oxygen long enough to keep it thriving. That slow rate of rotation does seem to contribute to some of the stoppage issues, in my experience. I still love the filters though. They're reliable workhorses.
jerry ross Absolutely thank you I agree with you on the bio wheels
Why didn't turn the flow to low so we could see the difference?
Reduce the flow at all the wheels stop completely if you can can keep them spinning at all. Older model better.
Doesn't the intake basket come apart like the 450?
yes it dose come apart
Be careful not to pinch the power cable between the tank lip and filter hanger bracket. It’s a lot of weight on the power cord.
Will this fit a 56 acrylic tank
I think the new one is kinda ugly honestly 😕
After consideration I'm going with the original
It seemed to me as an owner of both filters, new and old style.. the filters that came with both units were poor quality.. but the replacement filters are much more superior... and great filtering, tighter media..
Ty
Mcdeejay.
Absolutely I agree with you on the filter they are definitely poor quality compared to the ones you buy for replacement filter cartridges
I noticed that every time I buy a new marineland filter...the cartridges they put in the box are very cheap and thin. But if you buy a 6-pack of cartridges they aren't that way and look good as opposed to what they put in the box initially.
yes your right I just looked there are better when you buy replacement ones
Robby Thomas Aqueon does the same thing with their cartridges. I think it’s an economical step they take to insure you invest more money in their company.
@@PapaKai0852 I have to agree. It's like they stick the rejected cartridges in the box for us customers so we have to run right back out and spend another $10.
Are you new york
450 pro.much better and I.hop.mind up.dont use the blue cartridges I put sponge in its place
I Think I'll just stick with my aqua clear filters
I would upgrade if they did not start on fire
The power cord can be pinched between the tank lip and filter hanger bracket. They failed on this fact.
Im not liking the new and so called improved
same here not that great
I agree there not that well made. Old ☝️ is still the best.