I currently have two 10 gallon tanks and in those tanks I have a filter pictured below. Problem is, it's a piece of junk as I'm now learning (it came with the 10 gallon tanks). It's very difficult to service and it cracks very easily. I want to change to a new power filter. Since they are 10 gallon tanks, I'm thinking of going with the 'mini' filters. Would you recommend the Penguin Bio-Wheel Mini or the Hagen Aquaclear Mini? (Or anything else?) Also, since there is a lot of bacteria on the current filter, how would I be able to transfer that bacteria to the new filter?
Changing Filters
- Thread starter Vipex23
- Start date
I would say, transfer some of the old filter media into the new filter to give it a kick-start.
I really don't have an opinion on filters, I hear both Penguin and Hagen are good.
If you add a new filter, the water that carries the 'good bacteria' wouldn't have the bacteria taken out of it, it would still be there. The bacteria will filter through your media and grow there.
Meanwhile I'd assume there would still be enough left over in the tank so it wouldn't cause a great deal of alarm.
I really don't have an opinion on filters, I hear both Penguin and Hagen are good.
If you add a new filter, the water that carries the 'good bacteria' wouldn't have the bacteria taken out of it, it would still be there. The bacteria will filter through your media and grow there.
Meanwhile I'd assume there would still be enough left over in the tank so it wouldn't cause a great deal of alarm.
I would take some of the media out of that power filter to seed your new filter, as well as leave both filters running in your tank for a couple of weeks. If you just switch over your chances of haivng to go through another cycle (smaller than beginning...but your bacteria won't be able to handle the bioload right away) are pretty big...so I would suggest leaving them both running for awhile.
As far as hagen or penguin...both good filters
Go with the one that you like the best, or can afford. There is also a good thread around here about who uses what kind of filters, you might want to search it up and browse through and find some comments people have about the two filters that you're looking at.
As far as hagen or penguin...both good filters
Go with the one that you like the best, or can afford. There is also a good thread around here about who uses what kind of filters, you might want to search it up and browse through and find some comments people have about the two filters that you're looking at.
What don't you like about your penguins, soulfish? Is it just the minis? Or penguins in general?
I have penguins running on my tanks (P170, P330, Regent 5-15 soon to be P-Mini). The water agitation is kinda noisy. My dad has a AC150 on his 10 gal. The AC is very quiet. I think if I had the choice again, I would get ACs.
Also, I would run the two filters at the same time until the power filter is established. Once the HOB is established, then take out the old filter.
My opinion of course.
I have penguins running on my tanks (P170, P330, Regent 5-15 soon to be P-Mini). The water agitation is kinda noisy. My dad has a AC150 on his 10 gal. The AC is very quiet. I think if I had the choice again, I would get ACs.
Also, I would run the two filters at the same time until the power filter is established. Once the HOB is established, then take out the old filter.
My opinion of course.
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