What do you put in your Emperor?

[Gebo]

Just got my new Emperor 400 today. Never used one before. I understand how the carbon filters work but what do you guys (gals) put in the other containers?:cool:

[morleyz]

I used to put floss in them.

Now they're collecting dust in my garage.

[Huyzel]

i'm using :
filter floss
crushed coral (for pH Buffering)
extra carbon (for making the water crystal clear, i dont use it all the time)
i may also put some eheim media for extra biofiltration.

[Harry Tolen]

I have to admit, the Emperor is not my favorite filter. However, I do still have two running (both on tanks with other backup filters). In both Emperors, I use Whisper Triad sponges and Cell-Pore bio cartridges in the two media slots. In the past I experimented with using the filter cartridges supplied by Marineland (too expensive) and ceramic noodles in the plastic "baskets" (too inefficient a use of the space). What sized tank are you using this system on, and what other filters do you have available?

[Gebo]

I'm using 2 of the 400's and a Eheim 2028 on a 90 gal.

[goozy]

I put a sponge from a fluval filter in my canister. I cut it into strips. I just started doing that, I use to put floss in there.

[JSchmidt]

I used to use two sets of cartridges in my Emps. Now I use a cut-up Aquaclear 500 sponge. I cut the sponge to length (so it is a long as the filter well is wide) and then cut the sponge in half lengthwise. I put the sponges against the front wall of the filter well, so that incoming water flows into the free space behind the sponges and has to pass thru them to exit the filter. Works well and avoids the cost of new Emperor media.

HTH,
Jim

[brackishwannbe]

After reading the threads in this post, I get the idea that the Emperor 400 is not a good filter? Because of lack of filtration and the cost of media? I just got a new 400 (1/2 price and still in box). I plan to use it and a AC 500 on a 75G brackish tank.

[Manix]

I've never had a problem with my Emperor. Cost of media hasn't been a problem cuase of where I shop.
I use the extra media cartridge for peat moss. Sometimes I use it with floss and carbon when I'm too cheap to buy the reg. catridges.
I'm planning on buying a second for my other tank.

[ryan]

i put gravel from another tank in my media baskets to help speed up the cycle, i am yet to replace it just because i havent come up with any ideas. i also use the cartriges, but i get them free from the store use bin at work. i was joking around with my store director one day and said i wouldnt mind grabbing a few a month. He said go for it, just dont let LP (loss prevention) catch you.

ryan

[Orbitorly]

Emperors are the best Power Filter you can get.

I just use carbon.

[gutterguppy]

I use filter floss. I found it amazing how much waste got through the filter cartridge.

[Gebo]

Where do you buy filter floss? Are there different "grades" of it?

[GobyGuy5]

I am trying to find a more affordable way to maintain my emporer, and since the filtration packs are WAY to expensive, I was wondering if I could by a spare media basket for my Emporer online, I've looked around and couldn't find the part, do they sell it?
Sorry about the thread hijack, but I thought this was to similar a question to start another thread

[Manix]

I've found filter floss at my grocery stores pet section.

"I was wondering if I could by a spare media basket for my Emporer online, I've looked around and couldn't find the part, do they sell it?"

If you still have the manual that came with your filter, maybe you can find a part number and order it. I bought my 280 around 5 years ago, this was the part number I got from my manual (PR 2150 Emperor Media Container). Maybe that will help.

[gutterguppy]

www.petsolutions.com sells spare media baskets. I've been considering going over to double media baskets as well, and using filter floss or some sort of sponge material.

From what I've seen all filter floss is the same, and you can find it at most fish stores, or at any of the online dealers like petsolutions, big als, or that fish place. I also use filter floss in my fluval 04's to polish the water a little better than the sponges do.

[ROLLIN]

Originally posted by morleyz
I used to put floss in them.

Now they're collecting dust in my garage.


I'll gladly take them off your hands for you if you like.

[thefish]

I have 2 Emperor 280 filters and a Fluval 404 canister on my 100 gallon. In the emperors I just use the emperor cartridges and a media container full of carbon.