Nice thing about the AC is being able to use any media that you can fit into it, indestructible mech/bio media comes with it, you can easily modify'em with bio-wheels, the higher flowrate, quieter & more reliable (IMO/IME) and the fact I can purchase them for less money$$$.
I only use AC, my wife uses a few Whispers for her Bettas/Guppies, but I've got her hooked on AC20's and she's switching out slowly.
If Hagen quit making AC, I might...
Might.......................................
Might start using Marinelands Emperors, but not the Penguins.
AC is to EMP, as EMP is to PENG...
Best, good, OK.