View Full Version : emperor vs pengiun
dave76
07-09-2003, 12:22 PM
What makes an emperor 400 so much better than a pengiun 330?
NJ Devils Fan
07-14-2003, 10:15 AM
It is a better caliber filter. Think of it like a car. A pontiac grand prix is a better car than the grand am. The emperor is designed better, has more media room, and is more powerful.
brianfl
07-14-2003, 11:12 AM
Basically it has more media room, it has spray bars that will move the bio wheels (much better performance), and the water inflow is adjustable. Generally, they are better built and will last longer. Additionally, the intake tube is larger.
slipknottin
07-14-2003, 11:37 AM
They have more media room, but in no way are they a 'better built filter'. In fact, the additional pumps, spray bars, etc. are just more things that can break. A few people on this site (me included) have had penguin filters running continuously for well over 5 years with no problems.
Besides, Ive seen threads on problems with the Emperor quite often, but I cant remember the last time there was a thread on the penguins.
brianfl
07-14-2003, 12:13 PM
I have had a number of problems with the penguins with clogging, (I have hard water) not so with the Emps. Just my personal experience. I will say, the penguins have been easier to prime.
Originally posted by dave76
What makes an emperor 400 so much better than a pengiun 330?
The design is better with the Emperors. The Emperors are more heavy duty compared to the Penguins. The Emperor will have a lot less problems with biowheels rotation stopage (mostly the 330 and 170 models).
Having said that, The Penguins are fine filters except for the problem with the biowheels. They can stop rotating when the filter(s) get clogged or the bearing get gunk in them. Take off the biowheels, like what you get get with Walmart AquaTechs, and the filter is very reliable. It self-primes very well. It's easy to maintain. If you have the room, go with the Emperors. If you have less room on the back of your aquarium the Penguins are fine too. You just need to keep an eye on the biowheels.
skeletalmachine
07-14-2003, 2:48 PM
I own an emperor 280 and I don't like it at all. It seems to me the things that I don't like about the emperor filter are the same in the penguins. Specifically, I don't like the cartridge system. I find these filters are not very flexable when it come to media choices. Also, I find these filters to be quite large and awkward in relation to how much media they contain as opposed to an aquaclear filter.
I long ago gave up using my 280. I was tired of buying the proprietary filter cartridges or alternately going through the hassel of making my own. IMO, the Aquaclear filters are they way to go. They are simpler, more versatile and cheaper to operate (those sponges last FOREVER!). That said, I do like those bio-wheels. They are just so **** cool.
Having said that, The Penguins are fine filters except for the problem with the biowheels. They can stop rotating when the filter(s) get clogged or the bearing get gunk in them.
In my case I have found the opposite to be true. My 280 clogs repeatedly but my 3 170s and 1 330 work well all of the time.
NJ Devils Fan
07-19-2003, 8:20 AM
Scott, do you clean the spray bars every once in a while?
Originally posted by scott
In my case I have found the opposite to be true. My 280 clogs repeatedly but my 3 170s and 1 330 work well all of the time.
In your comparision, are the filters subject to the same tank, bio load condition/filtering work load?
It's quite obvious that the filter media area on the Emperor 280 is greater that a Penguin 170 (by about 1/3 more). Same is true for 400 vs 330.
NJDF, I am force to clean the spray bars, they clog it I don't. I was just making the point that I never have to clean a spray bar on the 170.
ZZYZX, the media compartment is without a doubt larger. As far as tanks the filters are on I would say it is similar. The 280 is on a 29 while the 330 and one 170 are on a 55 and the other 170s are on 20's. I just like that I don't have to constantly clean a spray bar in the penguins, just rinse the filter every week. They also prime easier. Just my observations, I think whatever filter someone choose is their choice. Besides I'm on an AC kick now, I love them.
NJ Devils Fan
07-19-2003, 11:09 AM
Thats odd that you would have to clean them that often. I have cleaned the spray bars on my EMperor 400s twice in the 5+ months I've had them. What is in the tank with the Emp 280?
scott
07-19-2003, 11:46 AM
I'd say I clean them about once a month, not horrible, my point being I never have to clean the penguin. The tank is moderately planted with two gouramis, one angel, one ram, one bristlenose pleco and ten asst tetras (red eye, neon, black phantom and rummynose).
All filters have pros and cons, for me the cons of the 280 outweigh the pros, it is still great at filtering (removing debris from the water and performing biological). Like I said I prefer the AC's now over all of them.
I don't have to clean the spray bar tube very often. I guess it is part of the required maintanance on the Emporers but cleaning the lift tube is too and I don't think I've every did that.
When you pull the Emporer filter cartridge, you should unplug the filter to prevent crud from getting past the filter pad and then on into the spray bar. You're right, if you get a hulk of crud in there and you need to run the cleaning down the spray bar. I think I'd rather deal with that instead to the biowheel roation problem that crops up from time to time with the Penguins.
125gJoe
07-19-2003, 4:50 PM
First off.. I've never owned either filter.
What I should point out is the intake tube.. It seems to me that the lower the intake tube to the filter box, the better the pump flow or capacity. Perhaps, a "better" design...
Most debris will be located near the bottom of the tank - not near the top. I have seen pics where the intake is real close to the top of the tank - and I have to wonder why it's up so high??
NJ Devils Fan
07-19-2003, 10:55 PM
Because Joe, it doesn't makes sense, thats why people do things, because they don't make sense. ;)
brianfl
07-20-2003, 12:13 PM
I think there are extensions for both. I have two emp 400s on a 120 and have one placed high and one placed low. Works very well.
125gJoe
07-20-2003, 1:19 PM
Originally posted by NJ Devils Fan
Because Joe, it doesn't makes sense, thats why people do things, because they don't make sense. ;) Oh -- But the way I figured it is they will save tons of money on plastic by having short intake tubes. :D
brianfl
07-20-2003, 2:27 PM
That is definitely true. In addition, they would have to make tubes for each different tank depth.