My filter reviews, aquatop canisters, emp 400, cascade canister, aqueon 75....

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AQUAMONSTER

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Apr 17, 2010
4,255
2
36
Albany. NY
So I've seen a lot of thread the past few weeks about about filters. I myself had to buy a new filter and spend days researching for hours going back and forth between filters. My post that followe will review my current filter. The main ones being the aquatop canisters and aqueon hobs as I've seen a lot of people asking about them lately.

Most people will say aquaclears are the best filters and I would agree but only to a certain point. They are about as close to a canister filter as a HOB filter can get. The new fluval c series are a renewed version but lack a large filter in the series. These filters are great but not the most affordable for most people unless u find them used.

Canister filters are pricey no matter what but are great filter that are ideal for larger setups over 75 gallons. They have more options media wise but are a pain to clean.


Hopefully this will help anyone looking for a filter and has these is mind....

THE GOAT
 
Emperor 400 review- this review has been done before so this will be quick. I've had 2 one being 10 years old and was always a workhorse. Great gph and not too noisey. Downfall would be its overall size. Its kinda bulky and a bit of a eye sore as my wife would say. Over time they lose their ability to self prime. Never replaced the impellar which I will do instead of tossing them out and use them as backups. Overall great filter and never did me wrong .

THE GOAT
 
Cascade 1000 canister filter- I bought this filter used and it was my second shot with a canister after a leaky magnum 350. Very easy filter to use and clean. Love the water shutoffs and its sleak size. Small baskets are its big downfall compared to other canister filters. Strong flow but not what the maker claims. My friends has the 1200 version and he loves it so like always bigger is always better when it comes to filters.

THE GOAT
 
Aquatop cf400uv- had this filter a couple months and its my favorite canister filter. Bought mine during the amazon.com misprint and I got it for $16.99. Regular price of $100 still not a bad price. I use mine for biological filtration with pot scrubbers and the media baskets are large and hold a lot. The larger 500 model has 4 trays so u get more options. The uv sterilizer is a great feature and I use it here and there. Its a little bulky but that doesn't bother me. Has great flow even when packed with media. The plastic is a little thin and has been known to break during cleanings and setup so be careful. I think its the best canister filter for those on a budget who can't get the overrated fx5.

THE GOAT
 
Aqueon 75- this filter has different tank ratings and says its good for 75 or 90 gallon tanks and after a few days of using I would say 90 gallon rating is good. While looking for a filter to replace my emp 400's I looked for many filters. Was all ready to pull the trigger on a fluval c4 or a aquaclear 110 then I found this filter for $24 on sale online. So I took a chance with it and I like it so far. Excellent flow and gph. Smaller than my emp 400 body wise but just as powerful or maybe a little more. Many option to modify media and I like the wet/dry feature. Its not loud at all and I have my water line 2 inches below the filter. That was my big fear as everyone said it was loud even when the water line was even with the filter. I like how the motor is in the tank instead of out of it like other HOBs. Also has adjustable inlet tube which I love. Downfall of this filter, so far nothing. Plan on buying another soon as for the price online its the best choice HOB filter. Would be great if they made a larger model to compete with the aquaclear 110.

THE GOAT
 
AQUAMONSTER said:
Aqueon 75- this filter has different tank ratings and says its good for 75 or 90 gallon tanks and after a few days of using I would say 90 gallon rating is good. While looking for a filter to replace my emp 400's I looked for many filters. Was all ready to pull the trigger on a fluval c4 or a aquaclear 110 then I found this filter for $24 on sale online. So I took a chance with it and I like it so far. Excellent flow and gph. Smaller than my emp 400 body wise but just as powerful or maybe a little more. Many option to modify media and I like the wet/dry feature. Its not loud at all and I have my water line 2 inches below the filter. That was my big fear as everyone said it was loud even when the water line was even with the filter. I like how the motor is in the tank instead of out of it like other HOBs. Also has adjustable inlet tube which I love. Downfall of this filter, so far nothing. Plan on buying another soon as for the price online its the best choice HOB filter. Would be great if they made a larger model to compete with the aquaclear 110.

THE GOAT
Click to expand...

I was waiting on you to do this one.....I like it, it has a good flow rate but the factory cartridges are expensive and they don't last. What do you use in yours?
 
Plan on using the blue and white bonded pads from the lfs. Also stuffed some pot scrubber behind the filter pads.

THE GOAT
 
@AQUAMONSTER the thing you miss is that the Aquaclear uses a sponge that is easily rinsed and reused 2-4 years before the need to replace. The other HOB use a filter pad that will not afford you that much continuous use. Matter of fact I don't think the Fluval C4 matches the Aquaclear in regards to the filter media but I could be wrong because I have not really looked at them. The C4 does have a wet/dry that is as good as the bio wheel if not better.

In regards to canisters I got a brand new Fluval FX5 a couple months ago for $150.00. Even at that price I am not even going to think of comparing it to an Eheim classic series. I have had my Eheims running for 16+ years with no problems. So not only are they the best at filtering. They are durable and I can not say that about any other canister. I have already went thru a couple of Fluval 405's. The Eheims have used the same media. Never having to replace 1 ounce. The other day I had to purchase new sponges for the FX5. They are $20.00 for a pack of 3. The unit uses 6. The sponges will last on 2-3 years. Do the math over the long run

I am not saying the other units are bad I just think they have a long way to go.
 
isde02 said:
I was waiting on you to do this one.....I like it, it has a good flow rate but the factory cartridges are expensive and they don't last. What do you use in yours?
Click to expand...

You hit on the point I was making about the expense incurred.
 
Thanks for the responses smitty. I will say the factory pads for the aqueon are pretty cheap which is why I plan on using the bonded pads which last way longer. I have pads in my emperor that are almost 2 years old and still rinse clean. As far as the aquaclear goes I was in no way bashing it or anything. Its the best hob on the market. My filters reviews are for those on a budget like I am. I love my fish but my money goes into my car so if a filter does the job they that's fine with me. I'm not cheap but I've never had a problem with the cheaper filters like the emperors and others I mentioned. I plan on using a ac110 when my 150 goes up as for the money u can't beat its gph. I was just reviewing for the filters I use and had no intent of comparing them to other filters in a bashing way

THE GOAT
 
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