Product Reviews
5493 reviews on 1118 products!
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davemill has used this product for 3 Years or More. |
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Overall Rating: 8.25/10 |
February 19, 2007 |
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"Good product, could be improved" |
Don't get me wrong, this is a good product. It keeps the tank clean, and the bio wheel does in fact build a large, hungry bacterial colony. The supplied empty grey frame is great for installing chemical filtration media. The 400 model keeps a 72 gallon bowfront clean. But the filter could be improved:
1. Like many hang on back filters, it could be a bit quieter.
2. The bio wheels need frequent attention. Snails jam them and must be removed.
3. As good as it is for bio and chemical filtration, it is only average for mechanical filtration. If there were more mechanical media (more or bigger pads), this would be a great filter.
To solve #3, I've taken to stuffing the grey chemical frame with cheap polyester pads, and placing them in front of the MarineLand cartridges. This adds the missing mechanical filtration, and extends the life of the Marineland cartridges (particularly for a big tank).
The noise is not bad, unless you try to use it in a bedroom, like another reviewer said. |
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TexasCichlid has used this product for 1-3 Years. |
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Overall Rating: 9.75/10 |
June 25, 2005 |
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"Versatile, well made, excellent bio-capacity" |
I've had mine running for almost a year now, and 2 emp 400's keep my water polished, and my bio-load in check. I cut 50 micron filter pads and fit them into the gray media trays, and use 1 on each Emp 400. This reduces flow some, but polishing is top notch, and it still sucks up the big bits as well. Cleaning is a breeze, and priming isn't an issue, just have to keep dumping water down the impeller shaft. A UPS is handy with any filter though to prevent disaster.
So, In essence I love these filters, maintain them properly, rinse out the pads, and you will be pleased with reliable and effective filtration day in and day out. |
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nbsangel has used this product for 1-3 Years. |
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Overall Rating: 9.75/10 |
January 16, 2005 |
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"The Best Yet" |
My 1st aquarium was in 1971. I've used the corner, underground, and HOB filters. I have 2, Emperor 400's on my 75 gallon. As others has stated the media choices are numerous. These filters come with two optional use slotted plastic holds to put any type of lose crystals, charcoal, etc. you perfer. I am very surprised to see some members are having problems with noise. I would also have to state the only noise both of mine make is simply the water flood back into the tank, which sounds a relaxing waterfall. I did have to do some initial adjustments to make sure there was no loss media, or loss contections with fittings during assembly. My biggest advice on the Emperor would be cost on the box of 4 replacement filters that can run $17.99 and in my case that's times 2. I recently found a website that carries the name brand by Marineland for less then $9.00, a huge savings. I haven't ordered them yet, so I'm not so sure about S & H charges, but I still think it would be worth it. |
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Allan Heiser has used this product for 1-3 Months. |
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Overall Rating: 1/10 |
May 17, 2004 |
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"TOTAL GARBAGE" |
I've always used aqua clears, but after reading all the good reviews on the emperors, I bought a 280 and a 400 for a 90 gal. about two months ago.I don't know if I missed something in the instructions,but my tank is still not cycled, but to me thats understandable since there's really not enough volume,or area for beneficial bacteria to colonize, not to mention the fact that during water change, as soon as the water level drops about 4 inches they loose their prime and won't pick it up again until the level is brought back up to almost the level of the discharge, during which time the biowheels (what a joke) have dried out, destroying whatever good bacteria there might have been.I don't think a filter that looses its prime that easy is pumping as much water as it's rated at.They are both so noisy you can't hear anything in the same room (yes I've tried fiddlin with the intake to no avail).They say live and learn and these things have certainly taught me or I should say Reminded me that If it ain't broke--- don't fix it.I think 1 AC 500 would do a better job than both of these combined and all you need in them are 2 sponges,and they'll keep pumpin with a couple inches of water in the tank. |
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Cichlidaphilia has used this product for 1-3 Years. |
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Overall Rating: 9.25/10 |
March 31, 2004 |
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"Emporer 400 treats me right." |
I've had my used Emporer 400 for several years now, never had a problem with them. Why does everyone complain about the filters plugging up? They plug up because they WORK, stopping most if not all suspended foreign particles. Why do you not have to change the filters as often on other brands? Perhaps they don't filter as good as you think they do, letting the majority of the particles recircualte as they simply pass through the filter. Personally I've run mine for well over 6 months and had no problems with clogging. It can be noisy if the water level is allowed to drop below the level of the outputs, but if you keep your tank clean and full you won't hear them ever. Water changes they lose their prime and then make a lot of noise as they churn what water is left in the resevoir unless unplugged. As far as getting them started again, it's best to not turn them on untill the tank is full. It takes a minute or so to get going, and can be helped by opening and closing the flow control "valve" several times to bleed the air out of the system. The bio wheels are great, never had a problem with them. Occasionally you get a little scum plugging one of the holes for the spray bar, but simply rubbing the bar with your fingers will clear them. The water outputs are right at the waters surface so you get a lot of surface water movement, along with a good current deeper in the tank. Hands down the best hang on I've used. Filters clogging simply me |
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TexasJason has used this product for 3 Years or More. |
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Overall Rating: 9.5/10 |
November 7, 2003 |
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"Great Great Great" |
I think that a bunch of AquaClear employees or stockholders have written reviews ahead of me. This filter is great, and except for the inital cost, free to operate. I saw that several people have written that it is too expensive. That's completely false. Don't buy new trays! All you have to do is take out the filter pad and wash it off in the sink and then stick in back in the filter. Also, if you want to use carbon and all that, then buy the empty gray trays, buy your carbon in bulk, and put it in there. No need to every buy the new emporer filters. I use the pads that came with it, and bought a 3x3 sheet of filter pad that I use for other stuff. Just cut some out of that and put it in the back, and now you have double your filtration. However, the biowheels are what make this product great. They may get a little warped and not turn as freely in a couple of years, but just buy some more or leave the cover on and you will never see it. The water basin in the filter is good in itself to add medicine or salt and know that it is evenly distributed throughout the tank. My only complaint is that it can be a little noisy, but jiggle the main intake pipe around, you can get it to where it is almost silent and all you hear is the water flowing from it into the tank. I think it is priced about $20.00 too high, but I'd rather spend that than get an Aquaclear without a biowheel for less. I have owned both and will never buy another Aquaclear again. |
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Ratings are submitted by Cichlid-Forum users based upon their own subjective views and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Cichlid-Forum.com. CF disclaims any responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in reviews submitted by users, or for any damage or liability arising from the content of any review appearing on Cichlid-Forum.com. All product information on this site, including descriptions and specifications, is based soley on information made available by manufacturers. CF disclaims any responsibility for this information or the products listed. Product information may be inaccurate and is subject to change without notice. You should confirm all information before relying on it by contacting either the manufacturer or vendor with any questions about the products or the information presented. |
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