Marineland Tank Filter Question

[kylearch]

Ive just recently bought a 35 gal tank used, (will be doing a no-fish cycle as soon as I get some ammonia and a test kit) got it all cleaned up and right now its sitting with 1/2 inch of sand on the bottom and whatever brand of HOB filter the guy gave me, which its obvious to me, will not be keeping its job.

After looking at a bunch of different filters and reviews on this board it seems to me that the Marineland filters are awesome and so I am torn between getting the Penguin 250B OR the 350B.
The question is do I spend the extra 12 bucks for the extra filtration that I don't particularly need now but might in the future if I get an even bigger tank? Would it benefit my 35 gal tank to have even MORE overkill filtration?
And also noise is a consideration, is the 350B any louder than the 250B? If so, how much? This tank is in my bedroom and excessive noise does make it hard to sleep.
Thanks!

 

[nivisec]

I'd go with a bigger one myself, you'll be happier in the end on the Biowheel stuff by doing so and have room to add more fish if needed. Also, when I buy a hang on the back filter, I generally cut the stated up to whatever gallons this filter can handle in half for reference.

You may want to also look at the Emporer series if ordering online for not much more (it's the more professional Penguin Biowheel). The Emperor 280 should be about the same price as the Penguin 350, and while the GPH is lower, it has these two extra media baskets that fit in it to put whatever you want in it and two separate pumps for the water flow that seems to do a better job in my opinion.

As for noise, I've heard the 150, 250, and Emperor 400 and haven't been able to tell a difference. I'd assume all the pumps make the same noise amount. You will eventually hear a humming noise from them after they get a little old (or at least the Penguin ones from my experience, as I only know people who own the Emperor and wish I had gotten it instead).

 

[iairj84]

I personally love the aquaclear filters and am slowly changing all my HOB's over to them.. They have an exceptionally large amount of media and it's very customizable. VERY VERY quiet as well!

 

[kylearch]

Thanks for the replies! I think i can get Aqua clear locally so Ill look into them!

 

[kylearch]

Yay! Petsmart has the penguins so i got a 350
Didn't want to spend another 30 bucks on the emperor, maybe I will regret that in the future but Im happy with the penguin.
Its really great! Very quiet and put out a lot of water.
With the amount of surface disturbance it generates will I need an air pump/air stone?

 

[iairj84]

Thats awesome! Glad you're happy! You shouldn't need an airstone, I only have one in the fry tank because the fry love swimming through it for some reason haha Good luck with the Penguin!