Marineland Emperor 400 biowheel filter:

[Mbielek]

Hi all, I am currently running two emperor 400s in my 75 gallon freshwater. right now one of the filters is just using back to back standard blue padded filter pads with carbon bits inside. the other filter has the first line of filtration as the standard filter pad, and then i have filled the biomedia cartridges with some ceramic rings and other small bio rock pieces and a few bio balls in the mix. Am i using these filters correctly? should i be using the biomedia cartidges on both filters, or are the biowheels enough.

 

[knobhill]

The more bio media you have, the better. What kind of stock do you have in the tank?

 

[FreshyFresh]

IMO, you're better off relying on HOB filters as your mechanical filtration and use canisters and sponge filters for more of your bio media. Don't stress over bio media for a HOB.

 

[xraycer]

I would set both up similarly. Blue mechanical pads at the first stage, then bio-media in the trays in the second stage.
Kensfish.com sells an after market replacement blue pads for those hob at a very cheap price. Get the ones without the activated carbon......you don't need to use activated carbon.

 

[Mbielek]

The more bio media you have, the better. What kind of stock do you have in the tank?

2 parrots, one green terror and 3 silver dollars

 

[Slim2634]

IMO, you're better off relying on HOB filters as your mechanical filtration and use canisters and sponge filters for more of your bio media. Don't stress over bio media for a HOB.

I disagree. I've had pristine water in a heavily stocked 75 gallon with two HOBs. It's better, yes but he doesn't need to go buy an additional filter.

Just do what you're doing. The additional bio media should do great.

 

[Mbielek]

I disagree. I've had pristine water in a heavily stocked 75 gallon with two HOBs. It's better, yes but he doesn't need to go buy an additional filter.

Just do what you're doing. The additional bio media should do great.

Thanks so much!! Will do.

 

[Slim2634]

Thanks so much!! Will do.

Just to clarify, mine had two AC70s with extra sponges, no carbon and a little extra bio media.

 

[FreshyFresh]

I disagree. I've had pristine water in a heavily stocked 75 gallon with two HOBs. It's better, yes but he doesn't need to go buy an additional filter.

Just do what you're doing. The additional bio media should do great.

With AC filters I completely agree. That's what I prefer in terms of HOBs as well, but the OP was talking about Marineland biowheels. I've used them and would rather have a root canal than have them again. Lots of media holding capability with Aquaclear HOBs.

 

[Slim2634]

With AC filters I completely agree. That's what I prefer in terms of HOBs as well, but the OP was talking about Marineland biowheels. I've used them and would rather have a root canal than have them again. Lots of media holding capability with Aquaclear HOBs.

There is still a fair amount of room for extra media.