Review on MarineLand Penguin Bio-Wheel Power Filter: Ultimate Multi-Stage Aquarium Filtration System by Felicia Gonzalez

I used to work as a marine biologist for a large government aquarium. Marineland Biopumps have always been around. I've used them on both salt and fresh water tanks from 10 to 200 gallons. Everything worked flawlessly and I will continue to use them as both my primary and secondary system. They are vastly superior to anything other than canister systems BUT in some ways better than canister filters due to ease of maintenance. I will pick 3-4 of these at once in one system on any given day. Simply put, one fails (breaks), the other still keeps your aquarium clean and filtering. Read please! You and your fish will be much happier and stun everyone else. Pros: 1) You don't have to close it. Pull out the cartridge, rinse the new one with distilled water and slowly put it back into the grooves. No check valves, seals/O-rings etc. 2) They are fairly quiet but can make a "gurgling noise" when the water level drops below a certain point. Usually just below the flat part of the outlets. It won't hurt him or the fish, if it does, he just makes that "loud" waterfall noise that some people find soothing. It's good to keep the water level high and remember that these bio wheels add oxygen to the water. Canisters don't work. 3) They are easy to fix unless the engine fails. wheel stuck? Clean the roller pins and grooves. 5 minutes. Does the impeller stop? Try to drag and just brush the magnet surfaces and cavities. work 5 minutes again. You must turn it off for these two jobs. TIPS-A) Do yourself a huge favor and buy an extra set or two of cartridges. They are easy to find at family pet stores and large chain stores. You CAN flush out the old ones in an emergency. B) Go to the grocery store, buy a glass pitcher of distilled water and keep it. Because? Tap water and even well water contain trace elements and minerals that kill beneficial bacteria and cause a cloudy white appearance (bacterial plaque) within a few days. C) Motor/impeller maintenance - Disconnect the pump from the mains. Remove the cover, grasp the inlet tube (square) and wiggle it slightly by pulling up. Wipe the rubber bushings and silver pins you see with a paper towel and white vinegar. In general, make sure anything that needs to rotate rotates smoothly. No need to disable. Lift the stuck wheel and use a cotton swab to remove the slots where the wheel is located. Lightly clean the silver roller pins on the ends. Substitute. DO NOT CLEAN OR WASH the paper wheel itself. Looks like work? it is not. A canister or tank filter requires ten times more work and mess. These are amazing filters. Take and hear what I wrote. You will be happy with that.