while I agree the AC's are great, I happen to have 2, 5 year old Emperor's and a Magnum thats almost 20 years old. They are old school, but far from junk.
I have mostly Fluval, but also feel Marineland has been around for many years if they where not doing something right they would have been gone long ago. You know I'm not one for production going elsewhere but the Aquatop's, Sun Sun, Marineland C-Series are good filters. The largest models are hugh with 4 massive trays for whatever kinda of media you could think of (in fact many times you have to think to decide what to fill all that space with?). On top of that they move allot of water carry the same warranty or better then allot of the more expensive filters and there tech support is outstanding. No bypass problems what more can you ask for? You know I bet if you take a parts list from many manufactures and trace them allot of the parts in the Renas, Eheims, Fluvals, Marinelands all come from the same places. I was looking at a Eheim pro series tray the other day and was thinking to myself how similiar it was to the Marineland tray save the color? There are only so many suppliers so many companies will all use the same sourse for parts. I still want my Eheim and will have it someday just to satisfy my male ego for bragging rights!!! I say this at least once a week so it has to be getting closer.