Alternative Medio for Emporer 400's?

[supersmirky]

Is there something better I can replace for the cartridges that come with the Emporers? I don't need carbon, so thats not an issue of losing that.

supersmirky added 0 Minutes and 56 Seconds later...

wait..I might have posted this in the wrong section...hmmm

[REYREY]

what is your intention with the filter??? if you have enough filteration to not worry about carbon... what are you wanting to accomplish with the additional filteration???

[tsunderl]

No, not in the wrong place because I do a lot of my own DIY filters. I get the blue filter media that comes in a sheet so I can cut my own. LOTS cheaper! I'll put ammonia neutralizing granules in the grey holders and put the blue media between the holder and the tank side of the filter. I've also put filter media in the granule holders if I don't want to use granules, (but not often as those tend to clog quickly) or I've used the grey holders as in the first scenario with no granules in them.

[biggin]

I give Emp 400s to T and plague her with their crappiness.

Somewhere out there is a idea for bio stones or something and a air stone to make a semi wet/dry idea.

[tsunderl]

I give Emp 400s to T and plague her with their crappiness.

Somewhere out there is a idea for bio stones or something and a air stone to make a semi wet/dry idea.

And I luv 'em! :brandy:

[supersmirky]

LOL...i guess he just doesn't have high regards for these filters. hehehe.

I like them even better after their customer support readily replaced two of my broken filters.

The reason I do not need carbon is because I have a planted tank that I fertilize and therefore do not need the carbon removing what I put in.

[tsunderl]

LOL...i guess he just doesn't have high regards for these filters. hehehe.

Aww, it's ok... Not everybody recognizes perfection when they see it. roflmao

[supersmirky]

So should I just throw a bag of ceramic rings or bio balls in there or something like that?

[tsunderl]

So should I just throw a bag of ceramic rings or bio balls in there or something like that?

Rings would be better. Not really enough room for bioballs. You could also put a couple of nylon scrubbers in there as well. I think of mine as mini sumps.

[biggin]

Smaller rings would be better.

I will be honest, in that I wonder how much water flow would suffer if you loaded up the 2 buckets. I would not fill them up.

I would think I would make something to life the bio stones up 1/2 way up so the water would flow below it and rise up through it.

[tsunderl]

I will be honest, in that I wonder how much water flow would suffer if you loaded up the 2 buckets. I would not fill them up.

I've done that and haven't noticed the water flow suffering. Only time the water flow slows down is when the tank gets a bit low on water. They are finicky in that respect. Just don't jam pack the media and you should be ok.

And no, Blake, you can't have your Emps back! roflmao

[kewlkatdady]

put an airstone in the bottom of each bucket then put bio media on top of that....

the airstone should keep circulation in the bottom on the buckets better.

But, I'm with Blake...not crazy about these filters.

[ElijahTurtle]

I put the Aquaclear Bio Max in the grey cartridges, you have to get some side cutters to take out the plastic dividers on at least one side of the tray though. It works pretty good & it's a cheap DIY mod. I have some pics posted somewhere on another Emperor filter thread.
As far as the carbon goes, it loses it's effectiveness after a month or so. Then it just gets colonized with bacteria like any other media would.

[supersmirky]

I remember your pics ET.....I opened mine up and noticed what a PIA it looked liked to cut every single one of those dividers. LOL.

Thanks for the tips guys.

[biggin]

I think what happens or will happen if you do not use the air stone, the water flows over the top of the bio media and not through it. I think you probably have dead spots.

I've done that and haven't noticed the water flow suffering. Only time the water flow slows down is when the tank gets a bit low on water. They are finicky in that respect. Just don't jam pack the media and you should be ok.

And no, Blake, you can't have your Emps back! roflmao