The Penguin bio-wheel filter came included with my Marineland 10 gal kit. It's a nice little unit. The Rite-Size filter cartridges are very sturdy and have a slotted plastic backing, which I presume offers some housing for beneficial bacteria. The only thing downstream of the filter cartridge is the bio-wheel itself, which has been happily paddle-wheeling along since I put the unit online. The flimsier filter cartridges on the Top Fin do not have as positive a fit. The Top Fin has a thin section of black sponge downstream of the filter for BB build-up.
The motor and filter housing are integrated on the Penguin, as opposed to separate, serviceable units on the Top Fin. No way to get the two apart should you have a problem with debris in the motor portion on the Penguin. I suppose this makes for a simpler(cheaper) and more leak free design.
They both appear to be pumping a lot of water and are both relatively quiet so far.
IMO, really the only major downfall of each of these units is basically no flexibility in what you can stuff in them and still have them operate correctly. You're basically stuck with filter cartridges, which IMO, isn't that bad. You can rinse and reuse them.
The motor and filter housing are integrated on the Penguin, as opposed to separate, serviceable units on the Top Fin. No way to get the two apart should you have a problem with debris in the motor portion on the Penguin. I suppose this makes for a simpler(cheaper) and more leak free design.
They both appear to be pumping a lot of water and are both relatively quiet so far.
IMO, really the only major downfall of each of these units is basically no flexibility in what you can stuff in them and still have them operate correctly. You're basically stuck with filter cartridges, which IMO, isn't that bad. You can rinse and reuse them.