Adding filtration
- Thread starter mtx90
- Start date
I will add 2 Emperors for its mechanical filtration. Also, the ease of cleaning the filter pads, HOBs are pretty good. HOBs will also give you more surface agitation. You already have enough bio-filter with the Eheim, Fluval and diy wet/dry filter.
I have some personal experience with the two filters you are debating between. I used to run Emperor 400's on all of my tanks. I had two 400's on my 55 and three 400's on my 125. I liked them but I could never seem to get my water as clear as I would like to have it. This became even more of an issue as my stock grew larger. My friend recommended that I try a canister filter. I started with a Rena XP3 on my 125 and soon my water was crystal clear. I then went out and got two Ehiem 2217s to add to my set ups. Literally in 24 hours my water was crystal clear and my fish seemed insanely more active. I have been using nothing but canisters now for the last 5 to 6 years with crystal clear healthy water and very low maintenance. The other great thing about canisters is that they are so much cheaper to operate. I clean my filters every 3-4 months and all I ever need to purchase is a $4.00 bag of cotton. I would buy the Ehiem and forget about the Emperor 400's. And if its surface agitation that you want to create more of then just submerge the spray bar by an inch or two and aim it upwards towards the surface. Thats what I do and it creates 5 times the surface agitation of a 400.