Fluval 304 OR Marineland Emperor 280
- Thread starter uneekfish
- Start date
You could always buy a biowheel pro 30/60 and hook it up to the exhast of the Fluval 304.
With planted tanks though, if you're going to run CO2 the biowheels might create too much surface agitation (which allows CO2 to escape into the air). I ran my biowheels in my planted tank without a problem, but unhooked them to see if there would be any difference (jury's still out).
With planted tanks though, if you're going to run CO2 the biowheels might create too much surface agitation (which allows CO2 to escape into the air). I ran my biowheels in my planted tank without a problem, but unhooked them to see if there would be any difference (jury's still out).
Biowheels are so noisy...I've never wanted them on my tanks. The point that hyunelan makes is definitely a valid one. Also if you wanted just a tiny bit of surface agitation the fluval is perfect because you can put the water level wherever you want...as opposed to a HOB its always splashing etc. Whether you are actually putting c02 on the tank or not...the c02 level in the tank is going to be higher if there's less surface agitation right?
From my experience, I have 3 biowheels between 2 tanks - and none of them has ever made any noise.
As for CO2, if you're not adding CO2 the level of CO2 will be equal to the atmosphere, regardless of surface agitation. If you are adding CO2, you want less surface agitation so the CO2 doesn't leave the water into the air.
As for CO2, if you're not adding CO2 the level of CO2 will be equal to the atmosphere, regardless of surface agitation. If you are adding CO2, you want less surface agitation so the CO2 doesn't leave the water into the air.
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The emps aren't as loud as the penguins when it comes to biowheels.
I actually prefer the older Penguins to the redesign. Now the wheels turn far too quickly and it causes a ridiculous amount of surface agitation. I have an old 125 that's virtually silent and causes little current.
For the record - if biowheel filters aren't good for plants, than I dont even want to begin to imagine the jungle I would have in my tank if I wasn't running one. Don't allow the planted tank thing to factor in to your choice. I'm sure people will argue with me about this, but I insist that plants get all the CO2 they need with or without surface ag.
Now as for these two filters vs. each other, here is my take:
The Fluval will give you a lot of room to use different media additives if you so desire. I have a 104 and there's enough room in it for me to have my peat filtration and Phos-Zorb as well as extra bio-rings. If I wanted to use carbon, I could have that too. I just don't use carbon so I double up on the bio stuff.
Maintaining the Fluval will be a little bit of work, as you'll be having to disconnect it and onhook it whenever its cleaning time. Then you have to carry it to the sink, etc. Then you have to prime it up whenever it's time to restart. It doesn't bother me really, but I am sure some people would find that annoying.
The Emperor on the other hand, will be a breeze to maintain. All you really do is rinse out/change cartridges every now and then. The Emps also come with a custom media basket in case you do want to add extra media like peat, -Zorbs, crushed coral, etc. Thing is, you only get one. To add more you'd have to be creative. And if you chose not to use carbon, you would have to modify the cartridges.
The biowheel does a great job with the biofiltration. The filter is also pretty quiet and efficient.
So all in all, it's just a matter of choice. Both will serve you well. I would say that the short way of how to choose would be on whether you need to do a lot of custom water treatments. Keep in mind that for a planted tank, carbon is often omitted.
Just for an example of what I mean - I bought a 55g and a 40g last week. The 55 will be an Amazon blackwater and it has a Rena XP2 The 40 gallon will be a Malawi tank and it has an Emp 400.
I actually prefer the older Penguins to the redesign. Now the wheels turn far too quickly and it causes a ridiculous amount of surface agitation. I have an old 125 that's virtually silent and causes little current.
For the record - if biowheel filters aren't good for plants, than I dont even want to begin to imagine the jungle I would have in my tank if I wasn't running one. Don't allow the planted tank thing to factor in to your choice. I'm sure people will argue with me about this, but I insist that plants get all the CO2 they need with or without surface ag.
Now as for these two filters vs. each other, here is my take:
The Fluval will give you a lot of room to use different media additives if you so desire. I have a 104 and there's enough room in it for me to have my peat filtration and Phos-Zorb as well as extra bio-rings. If I wanted to use carbon, I could have that too. I just don't use carbon so I double up on the bio stuff.
Maintaining the Fluval will be a little bit of work, as you'll be having to disconnect it and onhook it whenever its cleaning time. Then you have to carry it to the sink, etc. Then you have to prime it up whenever it's time to restart. It doesn't bother me really, but I am sure some people would find that annoying.
The Emperor on the other hand, will be a breeze to maintain. All you really do is rinse out/change cartridges every now and then. The Emps also come with a custom media basket in case you do want to add extra media like peat, -Zorbs, crushed coral, etc. Thing is, you only get one. To add more you'd have to be creative. And if you chose not to use carbon, you would have to modify the cartridges.
The biowheel does a great job with the biofiltration. The filter is also pretty quiet and efficient.
So all in all, it's just a matter of choice. Both will serve you well. I would say that the short way of how to choose would be on whether you need to do a lot of custom water treatments. Keep in mind that for a planted tank, carbon is often omitted.
Just for an example of what I mean - I bought a 55g and a 40g last week. The 55 will be an Amazon blackwater and it has a Rena XP2 The 40 gallon will be a Malawi tank and it has an Emp 400.
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... just to add, beside the Emporer and Penguin powerfilters, there are the standalone biowheels (pro 30, Pro 60) that you can attach to a canister filter. These have an adjustable spraybar inside the assembly that will let you adjust how fast the wheel rotates. These are the kind I have, and they are virtually silent.
I agree with the post above that biowheels aren't necessarily bad for plants. I have not noticed a difference in plant growth with mine attached, or unattached. Ironically, I just hooked them back up 2 days ago to see if I could notice anything different. I figured if they're not slowing plant growth (by wasting CO2) then it's definatley beneficial to use them.
I agree with the post above that biowheels aren't necessarily bad for plants. I have not noticed a difference in plant growth with mine attached, or unattached. Ironically, I just hooked them back up 2 days ago to see if I could notice anything different. I figured if they're not slowing plant growth (by wasting CO2) then it's definatley beneficial to use them.
Fluval 304 hands down. With live plants, you'll be glad you chose this filter. 
I would recommend the Eheim 2213 or 2215 if you have a few bucks more to spend at www.bigalsonline.com
I would recommend the Eheim 2213 or 2215 if you have a few bucks more to spend at www.bigalsonline.com
Just to put my 2 cents in.
I purchased a Fluval 305 for my 50 gallon tank and it is supposed to be easier than the 304.
Simply disconnect the hoses from the pump. No leaks.
Take it to the sink and pop the top and switch media then put the top back on. Take it back to the hose assembly and click it in, open the flow valve and plug it in. No re-priming needed. Just allow to fill for a sec and plug er in.
I purchased a Fluval 305 for my 50 gallon tank and it is supposed to be easier than the 304.
Simply disconnect the hoses from the pump. No leaks.
Take it to the sink and pop the top and switch media then put the top back on. Take it back to the hose assembly and click it in, open the flow valve and plug it in. No re-priming needed. Just allow to fill for a sec and plug er in.
you could do both a fluval and an emperor... i think the 280 is actually cheaper than the aforementioned pro biowheel/spraybar setup (edit... it IS cheaper on bigalsonline.com - pro60-$46, emp280-$28.50, emp400-$38).
sure, it's more bulk on the back of the tank, but your fishies will appreciate the overfiltration, and it will give you more room for media customization, and the option of leaving out the emp cartridges if you want to run it strictly for bio-wheel purposes.
the differences between the two emps are pretty obvious... one biowheel vs. two (which also means 2 filter cartridges)... and the numeric difference in gph... that's about it.
sure, it's more bulk on the back of the tank, but your fishies will appreciate the overfiltration, and it will give you more room for media customization, and the option of leaving out the emp cartridges if you want to run it strictly for bio-wheel purposes.
the differences between the two emps are pretty obvious... one biowheel vs. two (which also means 2 filter cartridges)... and the numeric difference in gph... that's about it.