two emperor 400 or a canister filter??

[perdeep007]

i was wondering if i could use two emperor 400 for my 80 gallon tank versus using either the fluval 405 or rena xp4??

the fluval is for aquariums upto 100 gallons and the emperor is for between 40-80 gallons but even two emperors are cheaper than the canisters.

 

[Acipenser]

I would get 2 Aqua Clear AC110's instead, but yes 2 Hob's would be good.

Here is my old 75G with 2 ac110's mounted on the sides.

 

[KaiserSousay]

Sure, you can use the Emps. Excellent filters.
Will move a great deal of water and bio wheels are a big plus.
Many media options for those who do the looking.
The emps will never be as quiet as any name brand canister though.
HOB or can, each has built in benefits as well as drawbacks.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

The emperors are great filters and will do the job quite well.

But canisters of the same GPH size will allways out perform a HOB.

 

[KaiserSousay]

The emperors are great filters and will do the job quite well.

But canisters of the same GPH size will allways out perform a HOB.

How so, my friend?
Emps move 350+gph, have an excellant wet/dry bio filter. The bacterial colony does not depend on whatever oxygen is available in the water, they get it from the air.
They have a great choice of mechanical media.
By design, they do a super gas exchange.
Will not even get into service time between a HOB and a canister.
Using how clean they keep your tank, aireation, bio, mechanical, or any other area...well...
Canisters are great, but out perform, can`t really get behind a statement like that.

 

[perdeep007]

i know the emp is 400 gallons per hour and the fluval is also 405 gallons, but then why is the fluval so expensive?

 

[kdrun76]

I would prefer two emp 400's over a canister on any tank in my house. Two thumbs up from me.

 

[Fishermoe14]

personally i like the ac110 and penguin 350 more over the emp 400.. but yes it will be suffice for 2x 400s to run an 80 gal tank...

as for service.. i wash my filter cartriges about every 4 weeks.. but only clean my canisters about 2x a year....

 

[MalawiTango]

Depending on how often you service your canister you can be filtering your tank with a big ball of poop. I have both but I dreead servicing my cansiter cuz its a whole wet messy ordeal.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

How so, my friend?
Emps move 350+gph, have an excellant wet/dry bio filter. The bacterial colony does not depend on whatever oxygen is available in the water, they get it from the air.
They have a great choice of mechanical media.
By design, they do a super gas exchange.
Will not even get into service time between a HOB and a canister.
Using how clean they keep your tank, aireation, bio, mechanical, or any other area...well...
Canisters are great, but out perform, can`t really get behind a statement like that.

The emperor is my favorite HOB style filter. I own 7 emperor's in total between 400's and 280's all in action. And 2 AC110 setting in a closet. And the emperor design and ease of maintenance is unmatched by most other HOB's IMO. As you mentioned the wet and dry action of the bio wheel is fantastic.

But with any canister filter of the same GPh rating. It will hold more media than any HOB. And also the directional flow that can be had with canisters allows them to out perform HOB's on deeper tanks. You can put the inlet on one end and the outlet on the other. And use the canisters flow to push debris to the suction end. They are quieter than most HOB's. And better ones offer lower bypass.

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