filters

[Lightning1901]

hello, use to be a member here awhile back ago,
got a filter question, i have always used the 2 of emperor 400 filters on my 75 gallon tank, recently i bought a 125 gallon, and i installed 2 rena 3's, the water quality just does not look the same, i am considering putting 3 emperor 400's on the 125 , what are you thoughts? i have a eihm 2177 as well, but i dont like the whimpy spray bar,and never ran it more than a day or 2, with the emperors i never had to add a bubler or power head to get better circulation and oxygenation, with the canisters i had to add something to oxygenate the water.

 

[Lotus]

I usually like a combination of HOB and canister filters on my larger tanks. Maybe an Emperor plus the Eheim would work better for you.

 

[Lightning1901]

well right now i have 2 emperors 400's and 1 rena3 running, this afternoon after only having this setup for 1 day,the tank looked great, i guess i just dont get what everyone see's in the canister filters, for me cleaning the canisters was more of a hassle, all the different layers, with the emperors i can add my own media , the bio wheels work great and they move some water, guess its all comes down to a matter of preference

 

[TMony]

The canisters allow you to use a larger amount of media and cleaning tends to be less often. A lot of people also like the fact that you can hide the canister, so it is more visually appealing. However, you are absolutely right . . . a lot of the differences come down to preference.

 

[BigNickB]

I have a 120 gallon, and I use two Aquaclear 110s, and two double sponge filters, and a UGF. I was running a Penguin 350, a whisper 60, and the UGF, and my water quality was Horrible. I haven't found the need for a cannister yet, but will be upgrading my powerheads on the UGF soon. The UGF gets cleaned in February which should be fun.

 

[Lightning1901]

my cicklids move the substrate around too much to use undergravel filters,
i bought another emperor 400, will take the rena xp3 off,

 

[BigNickB]

I have cichlids too. I have a south/central american mix in mine, I just used a few more pounds of gravel.

I really cant express my happiness with the aquaclears. Great filters.

 

[Lightning1901]

i tried an aquaclear once, the foam kept pushing up and opening the lid

 

[BigNickB]

They redesigned them in the past couple of years. No problem with the foam or any of the components now.