Extension tube on emperors?

[Slim2634]

I was thinking about using an emperor 400 on a 40 gallon breeder for a turtle tank. I don't want to buy a canister filter because of price which is the only other option for a tank only half filled. So my question is, how long does the extension tube make the intake? Will it get close to the bottom of a 40 breeder?

 

[ron521]

The extension tube may even need to be shortened, however (one of the few real drawbacks for an Emperor), because the tube has such a large cross sectional area, you can't run the water level that low...the weight of the water column is too great for the impellers to pull it that far up.
My Emperors ran well, but tended to lose prime when the water level got near the intake strainer (for example, when performing a partial water change).
Normally, I kept the tank full to the level of the discharge chutes.

 

[thepede]

you could try silicon sealant around any seams of intake to avoid air intake...but like what was said, gravity will be your worst enemy depending on how low water level is.

 

[bitteraspects]

if you havent already purchased the emperor, go get an AquaClear110 instead. bsides being better than the emperor in every way, you also have the option of custom plumbing the AC110.
the intake is the same size as 3/4" PVC. so you can just buy a piece of PVC from your local hardware store, cut it to the size you need, and connect it to the filter.

 

[fishbum]

Will it get close to the bottom of a 40 breeder?

Yes it will,and it will keep you tank clean.

 

[benray4fun]

Just raise the water/rock level to the emperor operating level...simple if you already have the 400. All good idea's though

 

[Slim2634]

I wouldn't be able to raise the water level all the way up because my turtles are just babies right now. I might try it with a 55 gallon and watch them closely. i'm afraid they won't be able to swim all the way to the bottom, and they love doing that.

 

[benray4fun]

I wouldn't be able to raise the water level all the way up because my turtles are just babies right now. I might try it with a 55 gallon and watch them closely. i'm afraid they won't be able to swim all the way to the bottom, and they love doing that.

I was assuming with the extension installed...it shouldn't be too high at all