two emperor 400 or a canister filter??

[KaiserSousay]

Its just my opinion. I am in no way trying to knock the emperor line of filters.

No problem..guess I had too much coffee…sorry if it sounded harsh, not intended.
There does seem to be a “class” structure to filtration.
Seen many a post dismissing quality HOB as 3rd world filtration and touting canisters as , “all that, with a side-o-fries”. With the truth being either will do the intended job.
I think from the previous posts the downside of a poorly maintained canister was shown. Anyone who only services his filter twice a year…
sheeeesh, child please!
I think we both agree each system has strong points and weaknesses, eh?
I think we can both agree, poorly maintained filters (of either style) offer no benefit.

 

[MonsterMinis]

I run a Emp 400 and a Magnum hott on my 40 breeder ( yes.. I know.. I have an issue w/ GPH ). IMO you get the best of both worlds with this set-up. the bio chamber on the Magnum hott is small for a hob canister.. But I like the option to run the micron filter if need be. on the 400 I run bio media in the replacable cartridges, and replace the 2 carbon filters regularly. the Magnum HoTT is set-up w/ more bio media. and i think was 20$? if that more then the Emperor.

EDIT: btw.. I love having both filters on the tank.. if one goes caput on me it gives me time to replace it w/out worrying about my fish overly much. same w/ filter cleanings, I stagger my cleanings and clean each filter on different weeks. So I can maintain as balanced a system as possible.

 

[KaiserSousay]

400 I run bio media in the replacable cartridges

Just wonder why you felt the need for additional bio??
Were the emps bio wheels not getting the job done?
High ammonia level?
Agree, more than a single filtration source is just good planning.
As far as a gph problem, well filtered, moving water is NO problem.

 

[Madayew]

personal preference, for looks canisters are better and can be hidden

 

[prcdslnc13]

I ran 2 emps on my 125. I had a much heavier bio load ( read: MUCH) and for the most part they did really good. I had a problem wiht big pleco poop plaguing my tank. I recently threw a sump back on it with both emps and a 500gph pump on the sump. My clearity got better but the poops still there. Bottom line is without some insane flow your gonna need to do regular maintence on your tank heavy filtration or not.

 

[Bderick67]

The two Emp 400 will be more then enough filtration for an 80g tank. I used to have a 4' 110g tank that I filtered with the two emps, worked good. Though my preference has swung from the emp400 to the AC110s.

 

[slick216]

Two emp 4s would work just fine. I have an xp3 and one emp4 on my 75 gal. IMO... you need two filters anyway! what if one goes out?