View Full Version : Walmart Cartidges in Emperor?
GT3050
05-31-2003, 5:17 PM
I was wondering if the media cartridges sold at walmart fit in an Emperor 280. I am asking because they're both made by marineland and the Walmart ones are much cheaper. Thanks for the replies in advance. :)
andruboz
05-31-2003, 5:39 PM
while were on topic of emp. 400's, i saw a porous looking insert for $13.00 at a lfs that fits in a 400. it said it had 1200 sq feet of area for benificial bacteria to grow on it and all you have to do is rinse it out every now and then. has anybody tried one of these?
sorry, i forgot the name and brand..
Anaxus
05-31-2003, 7:34 PM
I do know the aqua tech filters will fit a penguin filter. Not sure about the emperor series. Aqua tech and marineland filters are made in the same building by the company aquaria inc.(type in www.aquaria.com and it takes you to marineland). So alot of the parts use the same molds. If the penguin filters fit the emperor filter then the aqua tech filters should work.
brianfl
05-31-2003, 8:18 PM
Emperors and Penguin filter are very different (particularly size). I doubt you can find one to fit an Emp.
I know they fit for a fact because that is what I use. I takes a good hit of the palm but it fits. (If you can't fix it force it.) The last time I change mine though was about two months ago. There is no reason to change the filter cartrige, just rub the gunk off every week when you change the water. Especially with a biowheel.
dave76
06-01-2003, 11:20 PM
you dont think you should at least replace the carbon?
michelliot
06-02-2003, 12:27 PM
slicing open the top end of the blue filter material. Replace the carbon with black diamond carbon and close up slit by sewing shut with monofilament (fishing line). Should save lotssss. Filter should last a least 3-4 times as long
Elliot ·¿·
OrionGirl
06-02-2003, 12:34 PM
Why run carbon? It wears out quickly, but what is in your tank that requires carbon to remove? Tannins and medications are the biggies, so I'm just curious what is in the water that warrants using carbon all the time.
dave76
06-02-2003, 2:39 PM
what benefit does carbon actually have? does it actively remove toxins from the water such as ammonia? If it wears out so quickly are there other media forms that can be used more effectively?
OrionGirl
06-02-2003, 2:51 PM
Carbon basically has a limit on how much stuff it can remove--sort of a capacity. After that, it simply becomes more media for bacteria cultures. Carbon can absorb ammonia and some other toxins, but since bacteria are better at that task, why interrupt it with carbon? Carbon is great for pulling tannins out, and most medications (though anything that gets into your wood/rock/decorations won't be removed until they've leached back out of that substance). In some tanks, a standard pouch of carbon will be 'working' for less than 3 days, it just depends on how much there it to remove. Since it's costly to keep replacing the carbon to keep it viable, and since the best uses for it are tannins and medications, it doesn't make sense to run carbon all the time. Use it only as needed, and you'll save yourself a lot of money.
And, or course--there is nothing wrong with leaving tannins in the tank--that lovely tea stain for the tetras! ;)
Anaxus
06-02-2003, 2:52 PM
Spong filter would be good to use inplace of the filters cartridges. The hard part is finding one that fits perfectly.
JSchmidt
06-02-2003, 3:04 PM
Aquaclear 500 sponges, cut to length to fit the filter wells, work great. They're inexpensive, too.
Jim
Anaxus
06-02-2003, 3:17 PM
Is there a secret to cutting sponge filters? I tried to fit one for my eclipse 3 system but it just ended up making a mess and didn't fit correctly.
Mantis_22
06-02-2003, 7:08 PM
Does anyone know if I can fabricate my Regent Aqua-tech 5-15 power filter to have a bio wheel on the exit return of the filter? Im drilling must be done along with measurement but it sure would be a nice upgrade for my cheap aquatech... :)
I'm sure it could be done Mantis if you wandered around a hardware store long enough. Picture the parts in your head and find something that looks like them. If it doesn't work the only thing you have is a filter with two holes in it that won't effect anything.
I am sorry I didn't make myself more clear. If you have a biowheel then you can rinse your cartrige very well to remove debris and still have the appropriate bacteria on the bio-wheel. Like Oriongirl said, what do you need carbon for?
Mantis_22
06-02-2003, 7:40 PM
i agree 100%, im gonna try it out soon..
Anaxus
06-02-2003, 9:00 PM
It can be done realitivly easy and without having to drill.
http://www.*****************/information/bio-wheel_filters_2.htm#fishyfred
This tells you how to convert a aqua tech 30-60 but all you have to do for the 10-15 is use the corresponding penguin model.
You just need the biowheel, bracket, and bearings. I am in the process of converting a 30-60 atm. I have all the parts except the brackets which I am waiting for a LFS to get in.
How do you stabilize the brackets that hold the center pin of the biowheel without drilling the filter and screwing it down?
:rolleyes: guess I should check the link.
Mantis_22
06-02-2003, 9:23 PM
I guess you will have to make the holes nice and fine to a point where the holes are slick within so the current can turn it in circumfrence 306 degrees. Or did that not have anything to deal with your question? lol
Read the link. I still think you can do it cheaper with your imagination and a LHS.
Anaxus
06-02-2003, 9:49 PM
IMO its not worth going to walmart and spending 30$ on a aqua tech 30-60 and then spending another 20$ on the parts to upgrade it to a penguin. Might aswell spend the extra 10$ and support you LFS.
The only reason I am doing it is becuae I got the aqua tech 30-60 in a 29gallon kit from walmart, so its worth it to upgrade for me.
I agree. You can order a penguin 170 from bigals for twenty bucks or so and save the hassel (sp?)
Mantis_22
06-02-2003, 9:53 PM
same here anaxus, i have 3 5-15 aquatechs in my home running all on 5-10gl tanks and I just thought it would be a good idea.
Anaxus
06-02-2003, 9:59 PM
Yea if you already have the filters it would probably be good to upgrade them for the biowhell.
nolemite
06-03-2003, 12:59 AM
Originally posted by andruboz
while were on topic of emp. 400's, i saw a porous looking insert for $13.00 at a lfs that fits in a 400. it said it had 1200 sq feet of area for benificial bacteria to grow on it and all you have to do is rinse it out every now and then. has anybody tried one of these?
sorry, i forgot the name and brand..
Haven't used them yet, but a friend of mine with a large wet/dry system uses it in place of bioballs, and he is very pleased. Saw these made to fit AC 500's, but not the Emp 400 yet. Good to know...will keep an eye out for them.
To the poster asking about the carbon. As previously stated, it takes tannins/colour and odours out of the water. So if you have cloudy or bad smelling water, then use carbon. Otherwise you're spending money needlessly in my opinion. Ammorid may be a better option depending on your bioload.