Finding a good aquarium filter that keeps your water clean and crystal clear is easier said than done. One of the reasons why finding a good filter is so hard is simply because there are so many of them to choose from. However, of course, your filter is perhaps the most essential part of your aquarium.
You need it to keep those fish alive. Therefore, today, we want to take a look at one very high-quality and popular aquarium filter. The Marineland Penguin power filter is at this time one of the most popular ones out there, and for good reason. Let’s figure out exactly what you get with this particular unit.
Marineland Penguin Power Filter
This is absolutely a versatile filter, and one reason is that it comes complete in many different sizes. Here you can choose from models including one for 10-gallon tanks, for 10 to 20-gallon tanks, for 20 to 30-gallon tanks, for 30 to 50-gallon tanks, and for 50 to 75-gallon tanks.
It also comes complete with a very wide variety of features to help make life easier and to keep your water clean.
There is also the fact that it comes in at a very low price. In fact, this is one of the more affordable hang-on-back power filters out there at this time. Let’s move on and take a closer look at exactly what you get with the Marineland Penguin power filter.
Who Is This Product For?
This particular power filter is designed for anybody who wants to save space in their aquarium. Hang on back power filters like this are convenient because they sit on the rim of your tank.
They really don’t take up much space inside of the tank or outside of the tank. It’s definitely convenient for people who want to reserve real estate inside of the tank for their fish and plants.
Moreover, this power filter is also designed for both freshwater and saltwater tanks. It’s built durable enough to resist the oxidizing effects of saltwater.
Furthermore, this filter is designed for people with tanks of all sizes, and this is because the filter itself comes in many different sizes as well. In many more ways than one, this is absolutely a very versatile aquarium filter.
What’s Included?
When you purchase this product, what you get is a hang-on back power filter that comes complete in a variety of sizes. It comes complete with mostly everything you need to get started. It actually has a rotating bio wheel for awesome wet and dry biological filtration.
What is also convenient is that all of the media you need to get started is also included. These are very simple filter cartridges that are easy to replace. These include all three major types of filtration including mechanical, biological, and chemical water filtration.
Overview of Features
First of all, this filter does feature a great flow rate. For instance, the unit that is designed for up to 50 gallon tanks has a flow rate of up to 200 gallons per hour. This means that it can process a 50 gallon tank up to four times per hour with ease. On that note, this filter does also come with an adjustable flow rate. Like we said, it is quite versatile.
Moreover, there is also the fact that this filter is very easy to set up. You just have to place it on the rim of your tank, plug it in, prime it, and let it go.
It is also a very easy-to-maintain filter. To get to the interior, to change or maintain the media, you just have to pop the lid open. The filter cartridges also pop in and out really easily. It’s certainly one of the most user-friendly aquarium filters out there at this time.
Due to this being a hang-on back power filter, it does also feature a small waterfall. When the water is filtered, it cascades down into the tank. Not only does this look nice, but it also helps to aerate and oxygenate the water for your fish.
In terms of actual filtration capabilities, it features all three major types of water filtration. This includes mechanical filtration, chemical filtration, and biological filtration. This means that it helps to remove solid debris, as well as all sorts of natural and unnatural chemicals and substances from the water.
Of course, the bio-wheel is another great feature. This is a spinning wheel that allows beneficial bacteria to grow for ammonia and nitrate control. It also comes complete with adjustable mid-level intake strainers to prevent the filter from getting clogged.
On a side note, the Marineland Penguin power filter is also designed to be very silent. Its very low noise level won’t bother you or your fish.
Tutorial
In terms of using the Marineland Penguin power filter, there is really not much you need to know. First, you just have to unbox it and set it up on the rim of your aquarium. It should sit neatly in place without much effort.
You then have to insert the filter cartridges as directed by the instructions. Once this is done, you just have to plug the filter in and let it run.
You then just want to pay attention to how often the various types of media need to be replaced. Like we said, this is a very easy-to-use filter that doesn’t require much knowledge or maintenance.
Pros
- Silent
- Easy to set up
- Low maintenance
- All 3 major types of water filtration
- Easy filter cartridges
- Also has a bio-wheel
- Helps to aerate the water
- Affordable
Cons
- No maintenance indicator
Conclusion
All in all, the Marineland Penguin Power Filter is a perfectly fine aquarium filter to consider. It’s nothing overly special, but it does have good features, and won’t cost you a fortune either.
Ben Morales
Aquarist & Writer 15+ Years