Which Filter Should I Buy?

[GT3050]

The filter is for a 90 gallon tank which currently has an Emp 280, a Fluval 304, and a 350 magnum for filtration. The magnum is running ver poorly and I don't want to fix it so i am just going to buy a new filter. The Fluval 404's are on sale this month at the LFS for very cheap so I was thinking of buying one. What would be a better filtration combo: Fluval 304 + 2 Emp 280's OR Fluval 304 + Emp 280 + Fuval 404? I already have 1 Fluval 304 and 1 Emp 280, so please vote above and tell me which would the best third filter to buy. If you have any comments, please post them! Thanks!

[Rometiklan]

Taking your set-up into account, I would go with an Emperor 400 instead of another 280 or Fluval 404. I would pre-filter the Fluval 304 and use it primarily as my biological filter, and leave the mechanical filtration to the Emperors 280 and 400. That should give you a 9-10 times turnover rate approximately. For cichlids, I aim for very high turnover rates since they are heavy producers. I would even go higher to 12x if your budget will allow. Even 2 more 280's would be good...cheaper than getting a 404.

But given a choice between a Fluval 404 or another Emperor 280, I would go with the Fluval since you want as much filtration as you can get.

[dethjam316]

i agree, get an emperor 400.

[jeffro426]

Man, thats alot of filtration!! I would personally get the fluval.

[sumoschro]

Fluvals are good filters, and if its on sale I say go for it.

[GT3050]

Thanks for the relpies, I would buy an Emp 400, but it can't fit on my tank because my hood won't allow for one (the holes are too small).

[NJ Devils Fan]

Holes? The back part of the lid you can probably cut or saw to make the filter fit.

[GT3050]

I could cut the hood, but i would rather not wreck it.

[nolemite]

Can't say I understand the fascination with the Emperor 400 around these parts. I run both an E400 and an aquaclear 500 on my 90.
I find the Emp 400 to be a pain to prime, expensive to maintain and difficult to clean. I know people make a big deal about the Biowheels and that. I'm not sure what the stats are in terms of suface area versus an aquaclear sponge (or better yet two). I traded off one of the sponges in the 500 for a cellpore ( think thats the brand name) cartridge.
Plus the AQ500 is cheaper than the E400.
Anyway, to answer the original question I would go with the Fluval 404.

[LMOUTHBASS]

this is a write in vote for an AC-500!!!

[TFo]

There is NO expense involved in maintaining an Emperor 280 or 400. I have five Emperors, and I've never had to buy a single replacement part. Maybe you're talking about media? Don't buy drop-in cartridges. Cut some filter floss to fit the media baskets. At most , I've spent $5 on my filters in 2 years.

They're noisey when they are priming, but I don't consider them difficult.

Is 10 minutes spent cleaning a filter once a month too much work? I don't think it's too bad.

Anyway, my vote in this case is Fluval if that's the canister of choice.

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, I'm with Tfo on this one. My emperor is not difficult to clean at all. Everyweek, I take the media I made(polyester chair cushion) and run it on a rinse cycle in the dishwasher. Once a month, I clean the whole thing. I don't see what is so hard about that. Once every few months, I throw away the pads and make new ones. Very simple. If the fluval is on sale, get it or a Rena Filstar xP3.