Fluval vs. Emperor

[Torpedo]

Currently I have a 37 g tank with an Eclipse3 system. The water is kind of cloudy and was either thinking of replacing the Eclipse or adding an additional filter.

Population of the tank is...2 BP's, 2 angels, 2 clown loach, 3 black tetras, 2 dwarf gourami and 1 ID shark (which I'm getting rid of).

Opinoins please!!!!!

 

[lil_mikey69]

Well if there is space I'd try to add the fluval. Im not real familar with the Eclipse 3 hoods, but if you have room to get all the hoses and stuff into the tank I say go for it! It should greatly increase your water quality, at least I think.

 

[Saint]

I would get the Emp. from Bigalsonline. Its much cheaper and will filter more water per hour. Canisters are great, but pricey. I would get an Eheim if I was going to spen the money. ( Which I did)

 

[tomanystraydogs]

I just did a comparison of those 2 filters.

Eheim 2026 Professional II with media - 251 gph $159.99

Emporer 400 $36.99

Those are Big Al prices.

I went with the Emporer, here's why:

1/4 the initial cost.

Easier maintenance with a power filter.

Closest Eheim repair is Canada, I am in California.

The Eheim looks very cool and would probably be quieter being a canister. But I am on a hardwood floor. The last thing I want is to come home and find my tank had siphoned out all over that floor plus dead fish. That will not happen with a power filter. Thats just my comparison of canister vs power, nothing against Eheim.

BTW

I placed my order today. The price of the Emporer is going up to $39.99.

 

[Saint]

Good deal. I just mentioned the Eheim because you were thinking about a canister vs. the Emperor. The Emp is sweet and works great. Enjoy!

 

[Torpedo]

Because of my fish population, should I be running both the Eclipse and the Emperor.

I will need to run both anyway for a while until I can get the bacteria developed on the Emperor bio-wheel....but for how long...weeks?....months????

 

[Saint]

Why not let them go together for a while anyway. Can't hurt.

 

[Torpedo]

That's my thinking too. Can't get the water too clear.

*celebrate

 

[Orion]

If you have a cycled tank then I wouldnt worry about keeping both filters in the tank untill the Emp bio wheel gets its bacteria for just that reason. There is enough in the substrate to do.

But if it were me, I'd keep both on anyway!

 

[sinasster]

you should not have to change filters at all.

cloudy water is not a sign of poor filtration, how long has the tank been running? what are your levels?. lets try and solve the real problem here, without wasting money on new filters

 

[catfishmike]

ok one question how do you intend to fit a emperor on an eclipse hood? the eclipse hoods are full enclosed. ok one more how can a canister siphon out your tank when it's a closed system.once the power is out and the siphon remains it would just stop untill the power returns.it could only leak onto your floor if the seals were bad on the canister i think.plus the eclipse is a good system anyways.they don't do well against heavy feedings though.

 

[Torpedo]

Catfishmike here's my problem...I posted that link from work without looking at the Eclipse hood. You're right...I can't use both.

I think my cloudy water problem is the cichlid sticks I'm using...the fish eat them and small particles fly out their gills and spew...yes spew out of their mouth (little pigs I have).

Sinasster...the tank has been running for about 2 years. Problem has been that even when I pull the Eclipse motor for a cleaning, because it does not come apart, I can't get it real clean. Today I took it out, hooked up a short garden hose to the sink with a high pressure attachment to "power wash" the impeller. OMG...why I didn't think of that before I don't know...it's working like brand new...just saved me some $$$$$$.

*celebrate

 

[catfishmike]

no sweat, i know how that is all my posts are from work.

 

[SoulFish]

im not familiar with the large eclipse hoods but if they are like the mslal s youd have to take it off to fit an emperor while you cold just stick the 2 fluvals hoses into it, fluvals arent nearly as expensive as eheim and the newest (04s) have greatly improved over older models, they may not move as much water but they have no need to since they filter the water much better

 

[Saint]

Originally posted by SoulFish
im not familiar with the large eclipse hoods but if they are like the mslal s youd have to take it off to fit an emperor while you cold just stick the 2 fluvals hoses into it, fluvals arent nearly as expensive as eheim and the newest (04s) have greatly improved over older models, they may not move as much water but they have no need to since they filter the water much better

Filter the water much better than which one? The Emp or Eheim or Eclipse?

 

[nonamethefish]

go for an emp...I use one. Unless the water level is extremely low(it won't evne gurgle if you accidentally allow the water level to drop below the reccomended water line)...it is unaudible. Howeve,r when it does make sunds it sounds like a bullfrog with a bad cold...which means you need to add water. The device to keep it from suckign up food does poorly howev,er and it makes hte same funny sounds when it is pressed down.

 

[SoulFish]

eheims will filter the water the best, fluval second then the emperor, in my opinion eclipse filters are crap

 

[Torpedo]

Soulfish you have to understand something. I was out of the hobby for almost 25 yrs when I decided to get back into it. And OMG had things changed. You have to keep in mind I'm from the Dynaflow era so when I saw the Eclipse (and with the help of a not so knowledgeable lfs helper) I decided Eclipse was the way to go. It's not a bad setup. But if I had to do it over again...I wouldn't. And considering I didn't stumble onto this site until my tank had been set up for 2 years, it was too late. But as things start breaking down, I am not even going to bother fixing...just replace with newer and better items. I already have my Ebo-Jager heaters on order from BigAlsOnline...filter and hood are next.

Thanks again for all the help!!!!!!!

*celebrate

 

[SoulFish]

id say keep the eclipse hood and stick a fluval on it with the eclipse, unless you got hte money for an eheim