I hate HOB filters

[Managuense]

www.bigalsonline.com

aquaclear 500 is 30$ i think??

worth every penny IMO.

the emperor 400 is a little bit more, but also a good filter.

if you really like UGF's and are willing to do the needed amount of gravel-vac work and water changes go for it.

i would not use one as a stand alone filter though- once again they do NOT capture waste and remove it from your tank like a HOB does.......

the amount you save is not worth it in the long run IMO.

http://www.aaquaria.com/aquasource/rtrrfug.shtml

M

 

[Somonas]

The HOB's capture waste but don't actually remove it from your tank. the filter media is in the filter, granted, but it is still technically in your tank water until you remove it by rinsing the media. the only TRUE filtration method that actually removes waste from water is a protien skimmer.

 

[Managuense]

that is what i meant, i should have been more clear.

with a HOB you can easily remove the captured wastes by replacing the media.
M

 

[fishlawyer]

I use an Emperor 400 + a reverse UGF, powered by 2 powerheads, on my 75g community tank (Bolivian rams, angels, tetras, rainbows, loaches, 1 pleco, and 1 krib). The setup has worked well for me, but I do agree with earlier comments that the Emperors can be noisier than some others (i.e. ACs).

I like the bio filtration of the RUGF -- much, much better than a conventional UGF -- but as noted earlier, you probably need an HOB for the 02 exchange on the water surface.

Aloha

 

[fishysmell]

Aquaclears are the only way to go. Ive had one running for over ten years with really no matinence. They do have a problem of warping and rattleing the lids but I just take mine off anyway. They don't really serve a purpose unless you drop a whole bunch of small things on your tank on a regular basis. If you do, you might want to wipe that butter off of your fingers...

 

[Somonas]

yeah it also helps to keep cathair and dust out of the tank.

 

[Flex26]

I run the Penguins on my tanks. I haven't had any problems with them. I think they do a good job. However, they are very noisy.

I just ordered 3 ACs from bigals (mini, 200, and 300) to replace my penguins. (I'm sick of the noise.) They cost me $55 (includes S&H) for all three ACs. If I would have bought them at at Petsmart I would have spent $75!!! Thank god for Big Al's.

 

[Lou]

Well I decided about it and got a reverse UGF. It has a sponge, so it is kind of a souped up sponge filter with the gravel as a bed for the bacteria. I think I'm going to like it, but spent too much...support a good LFS I figure.

ugh Cubs losing in the 6th. I can't stand it.

 

[Balance]

I use Penguins in my tanks and haven't had any problems with them.

though you have to keep your tanks topped off or the water splash gets noisy, but the HOB itself is silent. all I ever hear is the water noise which I like

i also stopped using their filter cartridges. I just ripped the filter media off of the plastic insert and attached a sponge to it. works better and is easier to clean.

I use the media baskets in the Penguin 330's to hold Bio-Bale.

I might even ditch the bio-wheels since i've been told they cause CO2 to disperse even more than usual......

 

[Flex26]

Originally posted by Balance
I might even ditch the bio-wheels since i've been told they cause CO2 to disperse even more than usual......

Ditch the bio-wheel? Why spend the extra money on a penguin then? The bio-wheel seems to be the Penguin's selling point. Without the bio-wheel, the filter is just a Regent Aqua-Tech. Why not just get an aquaclear?

 

[Balance]

well since I filled the media baskets with bio-bale, i should be able to lose the bio-wheels.

but i'll only do this if I find some more solid facts about biowheels causing CO2 levels to drop......

personally i really like the biowheel. think its one of the best things i've seen introduced to this hobby in a long time