Penguin filter need help asap

[Sarkis]

i just bought a penguin 125 bio wheel power filter http/badmanstropicalfish.com/prod...ic2_penguin.jpg
I have a 46 gallon bowhead tank, I already have a top fin filter, i decided to buy a new one, I followed all the instructions, installed it a started it up. My problem is there isnt that much water coming out the filter. Its not a full waterfull flow like i other filter. It also splashes alot. water level is right up What is wrong???

 

[jrd77]

I have a penguin 330, just like your but with 2 of everything.

First, I am not at all sure why you would not be getting a good water flow. Did you make sure all the tubing parts snapped and locked in place? Once I did not push them together hard enough after a cleaning and I had that trouble until I pushed the parts together pretty hard. Is there enough of a flow to turn the biowheel?

Second, filters with biowheels make noise. Mine certainly makes more noise than the filter in my small tank that does not have a biowheel. The water goes into the tank with slightly increased force so it will be louder. This is not bad though as it provides aeration. You'll get used to it, I hope....it's kind-of relaxing, like having a fountain.

 

[pendragon]

I don't have the Penguin filter, but I use one of the large Emperor models, which is similar.

Just to clarify, your water level is sufficiently high, correct? If the mouth of your intake tube is not far enough below the water's surface there's not enough head pressure for the pump to pull much water.

On the Emperor models there is a "flow control" mechanism that you can raise and lower to control the filter's throughput. I would assume the Penguins have something similar. Double-check your owner's manual to see if you do have a flow control mechanism; if so, ensure that it is open all the way. I can't tell you how many times I've looked at the filter and thought "Something is wrong with the filter" and then remembered I forgot to re-open the flow control after the last feeding. D'oh!

Are there any loud or unpleasant noises (grinding, etc.) coming from the filter motor or the impeller chamber?

Other than reduced water throughput, everything seems and sounds normal?

pendragon!

 

[Jebus]

isn't a penguin 125 too small for a 46 gallon?

 

[pendragon]

There are "rules of thumb" for flowrate through a filter; the most popular one says you should provide a total filter flowrate of [five times your aquarium volume] per hour. However, there are folks who disagree and say that much filtration is not necessary.

I personally say: Err on the side of caution and stick with the rule of thumb. Why not? The rule would say that 46-gallons should require 230 gph (gallons per hour) of total filtration. I use an Emperor 280 on my 46-gallon bowfront. I know another fishkeeper who uses an Emperor 400 on hers. As long as your filtration doesn't produce excessive water movement that agitates your fishes, it's practically impossible to over-filter.

But I should think that, by anybody's judgement, one Penguin 125 is not sufficient by itself for a 46-gallon aquarium.

Good catch, Jebus.

pendragon!

 

[Sarkis]

There are "rules of thumb" for flowrate through a filter; the most popular one says you should provide a total filter flowrate of [five times your aquarium volume] per hour. However, there are folks who disagree and say that much filtration is not necessary.

I personally say: Err on the side of caution and stick with the rule of thumb. Why not? The rule would say that 46-gallons should require 230 gph (gallons per hour) of total filtration. I use an Emperor 280 on my 46-gallon bowfront. I know another fishkeeper who uses an Emperor 400 on hers. As long as your filtration doesn't produce excessive water movement that agitates your fishes, it's practically impossible to over-filter.

But I should think that, by anybody's judgement, one Penguin 125 is not sufficient by itself for a 46-gallon aquarium.

Good catch, Jebus.

pendragon!

I just added the penguin 125, I also have a top fin 40 Good to 200GPH( up to 40gallons) . I thought by running to filters it would help the tank a bit better. Would it help or the penguin is pointless b/c its only good for up to 30gallon

 

[yhbae]

Personally, I'd go 5x as the minimum filtering capacity. If your fishes can handle the current, you should give as much as you can. Most of my tanks do at least 8x, some exceed 10x and they do great...

Only in one case where I had to lower the flow rate as the fries were being pushed around by the current, unable to stay at one place...