Emperor 400 Filter Cartridges

When your aquarium stops looking really clear, they should be replaced. This is about once every 2-3 months. Whenever you do water changes, rince off the cartrige in the old water to clear the debris. If you rinse it it new water, the temp. difference can kill the bacteria.

David? Do you use any other filter media in the 400's containers? I've heard that you can but wanted to ask.

Also, how do you like the 400? Is it as good as it seems to be? I've ordered one and I'm waiting for it to arrive at the house to set it up.

try this

I never use the carbon cartidges that come with the emporer 400. If you ask me it's a waste of money. What you do is order 2 more of the cartridges taht you can fill with whatever you want from BigAls Online. You then buy 2 Aquaclear 500 sponges. You then cut the sponges to fit the slots in the empty catridges. 1 sponge will be enough for 2 cartridges. This works great because the fist cartridge that the water must pass thru first will be the dirtiest while the one in front will be clean but still house the bacteria needed to stabalize the tank. When you do your water change all you do is complete clean the first cartridges and move the cleaner ones in the front to the backwhile the ones you just cleaned go to the front to reestablish the bacteria. You don't have to buy new filter media every month, all you have to do is wash it real good. Your tank will never go thru any ammonia or nitrite spikes because your always keeping the bacteria you need in the tank. Works great any will keep your tank crystal clear.

Even easier, buy two AC500 sponges. Cut each so it fits snugly in media well when laying horizontally. Push the sponges in so they're just a bit higher than the lip of the spillway under the biowheels. Water will enter the sponge in the back and migrate thru it to get to the spillway.

I use these sponges on all my Emps and they work great. I get better mech filtration than with the Emp cartridges and they last almost forever.

Jim