Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon

Review by Diana for Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon
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I have been using a Biowheel 150 on my 29-gallon aquarium for well over a year, and find that for the price, it’s an okay product. It keeps the aquarium clean, changing filter inserts (I put two in my unit) is easy, and haven’t had any problems with the impeller. The only drawbacks I’ve seen with this particular power filter is the fact that, as one other reviewer stated, if the electricity happens to go out in the home, the filter doesn’t always start up again on its own once the power comes back on. And I also find that unless the water level in the tank reaches the outflow part of the filter (which means the water level has to be at absolute maximum in the tank at all times), the filter is noisy…the sound of the water splashing into the tank from the filter is distracting. It’s certainly not as quiet as some other filters I’ve used in the past, but for overall performance, it’s not a bad product. I’d rate it at 3-1/2 stars if the option was available for half-stars. ;o)

Review by D. Kesler for Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon
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Before you buy another filter, please read this. I also had trouble with the bio wheel afdter only a year, slowly turning then altogether quit, then restarting it was getting harder and harder. I was disappointed and went to my local fish store to ask what they recommended since these seemed rather shoddy, come to find out he showed me the small impellor located under a plastic casing that no one would have guessed was there or removable. So if you have never heard of this, please check it out first. It is the little mechanism that spins to move the water. Once I cleaned this and another in a small hex they both worked like a charm! Wheels spinning so fast I can’t tell they’re turning!

Review by Ivan for Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon
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This is actually an excellent filter and I would have given it 5 stars. However, this is only the case when it’s working, though it’s only the biowheel that is faulty and outdated.

The biowheel on these older models turns as water is ejected out of the filter. However, within a few days (maybe week and a half) the filter either starts to slow down or the wheel gets stuck against the cover because it stops turning.

If you bought this item you probably bought it for the mechanical, chemical, and bio filtration it supposedly offers. However, about half of the time you’ll end up with just chemical and mechanical, as the bio filtration ceases when the wheel stops to function.

Still, the filter itself is an awesome piece of machinery and it is otherwise well built. Aside from the bio filtration, every other method of filtration works just great (though the filter pads could come with a bit more carbon).

I’ve had my 30 gallon aquarium for 3 years now and the Penguin 150 has been with me since day one. During the middle of my second year with it I bought an Emperor 280 (also by marineland) to work along with the Penguin 150. I believe the Emperor models is what the Penguin was supposed to have accomplished, except the Emperor models are a lot better. The wheel does not rely on the flow of the water being ejected from the filter and instead has a hose like tube spraying water on it causing it to turn. The Emperor also has larger filter pads and comes with an extra slot in which you can add whatever type of chemical filtration you want (also holds a large amount which is a big plus). If you’re looking at the Penguin models I strongly urge you to consider an Emperor model. They are a bit more expensive and a bit larger but they are incredibly effective. If you have a tank about my size, though, you’re going to have to cut the intake tube as it is a lot longer than the Penguin models.

Anyway, I decided to write this because I’m getting sick of my Penguin 150 and I’m about to retire it for a HOT Magnum also by Marineland.

Review by Elwood Dunning for Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon
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I have used Aqua-Clear, Fluval, Tetra/Whisper, and Marineland and dollar for dollar the Marineland Penguin series have been the best performers. The 150 is currently in a 20g tank and it has not shown any of the “failure to start” problems the other reviewer has had. It is possible that he got some bad units or has bad power, but I have turned my unit on and off several times since I have owned it (including a few power outages and brown outs) and it simply starts right up.

Currently I am running 2 Filters, but I admit my tank is probably a bit overstocked. I can also stagger the changes at 3-4 weeks so that I do not have a major change to the filtration at one time.

Review by B. Gross for Penguin BIO-Wheel 150 Power Filter – up to 30 Gallon
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It should be said up front that I went from an under gravel filter to this… Under gravel filters are pretty much garbage from what I can tell and have been told so my review might be a little slanted. With that being said, this thing works great. I’ve had no problems with it ever. Set up was a breeze, and as long as you follow the instructions and fill the reservoir in the back before plugging it in you should have no problems. I would imagine if I put it together, did not fill the tank in the back, and then plugged it in it would make awful noises. It made some slurping noises for a few seconds upon initial use then corrected and is almost completely silent. It makes a soft churning noise that is about 3/4 of the noise of my old air pump. Hope this helps…

FYI Petsmart charges $30 for this.

-Ben