Emperor 280

[2ManyHobbies]

Wow! What a deal! I just bought a 55-gallon tank, lights, Emperor 280 filter, for just $25! The tank is in perfect condition! All it needs is a heater, and light upgrade for my planted tank! My question is the filter. When I turn it on, most of the water sprays via the bar for the biowheel and very little through the area for the filters. Is this normal? I have a Whisper on my 29 gallon (no biowheel) and the water really moves out into the tank. The owner’s manual for the Emperor does not talk about this at all relative to water flow ratio. Suggestions? Is something wrong with the filter?

[rus]

the emperors have adjustable water flow. when on the lower setting most of the water goes to the biowheel. on the lowest setting water only flows to the bio wheel. the adjuster is the gray tab sticking up from the top right of the filter. all the way up is max which is where i recomend it be left at. i love these filters. they work great for me. congrats on the deal hope this helps

[2ManyHobbies]

Thanks for the note. I have tried playing with the gray lever and change the flow rate but it seemed like the water level dropped so significantly when I shut off the water flow the imperllor lost its prime and began to suck air. Oh well, maybe it is time to call Marineland...

[Huyzel]

HOLY CRAP!
what a deal!
congrats.

fill it up with water then plug it in.
push it all the way down to turn "off" (only the spary bar will spary)
pull it all the way up to crank up the pump.

have fun with you new tank.

I'm so jealous,
Huy

[Richer]

Good deal, but you are underfiltered for many applications... unless you are stocking very lightly. If you like the emperors, get another 280, and your tank will have filtration that can handle any bioload that a 55 gallon can handle. If you want another filter thats cheap, and also effective look at an Aquaclear 200 or 300 to supplement your 280.

HTH
-Richer

[NJ Devils Fan]

Yea, I would definitly get another filter. Something like another Emp 280 or AC 300.

That's a sweet deal. :)

[pinballqueen]

Or, if you'll be stocking heavily, you could go with a canister. I had an emperor 360 and a fluval 303 canister on my cichlid tank. Only problem with the newer canisters is they have a jet-type head on them that sprays about as powerfully as a powerhead, making a little too much current for planted tanks (unless you put something in front of it that would buffer the current, like a big piece of driftwood or something...).

Man, what a deal you got! I've got over a grand in my 55, by the time you count the filters and deco.... (Plus, my ex just HAD to have the nice custom Japanese cherry black laquer stand and matching hoods.... I hate compulsive spenders...):D

With all the money you've just saved, you could easily buy a really nice filter/heater/light setup and have a tank that looks and performs like a million bucks. (can I rub your belly for luck? I'm in the market for a 120 gallon....)

[Orbitorly]

Hey I got a 55 gallon with a Emperor 280 sand filter rocks, stand, lights, and even chemicals for free - And yes that's where it all started for me. I was was very lucky :D

Anyways, you got a good deal even if you did pay money for it, good luck - and I do agree with everyone another filter would be good Emperor 280 I would recommend, since you saved alot on the tank ect,.. you could spend some extra money on a good filter.

Good Luck!

[pinballqueen]

Originally posted by Orbitorly
Hey I got a 55 gallon with a Emperor 280 sand filter rocks, stand, lights, and even chemicals for free - And yes that's where it all started for me. I was was very lucky :D



Hey, maybe I oughta rub your belly for luck instead.....:D

I never get good deals like that....I guess people can spot a sucker....

[superjohnny]

I got a 45 show, Fluval 304, heater, air pump, & canopy with light for free from a buddy of mine. Free is tough to beat :)

[Sumpin'fishy]

I got a free 8 foot cabinet-style canopy with 4 - 4' double strip lights with ballasts already in it. I think this was over a 250 gallon that they got rid of. They didn't know how to take apart and re-use the striplights, so they told me I could just keep it. I have since gutted the thing and reinforced it with extra-sturdy braces, added shelves to one side and a bottom floor in it. I also added decorative trim, antique door handles, and a nice outdoor paintjob. It would now probably hold several thousand pounds (no joke) and it looks great in our dining room. I'm going to set my 55 gallon centered on this surrounded by houseplants and build a canopy to suspend from the ceiling above it. It will be an open top tank, heavily planted with all the fixin's. I'm soooo excited:cool:

[pinballqueen]

Originally posted by Sumpin'fishy
I'm soooo excited:cool:
I'm sooooo jealous....

[Sumpin'fishy]

No need to be jealous......every dog,.....errrrr....QUEEN has their day!

[Orbitorly]

Originally posted by pinballqueen

I'm sooooo jealous....



I am jealous too :D

[NJ Devils Fan]

It seems like a lot of people have their tanks in their dining rooms. I have both of mine in my living room because it is really the only place for them and we don't eat in it. I also have my computer in it.

[Sumpin'fishy]

My 75 gal with two big cichlids will be a showcase in the living room, but I want my beautiful planted 55 setup to go in the dining room. Lotta DIY home fix-ups we have planned for that room. Getting a complete make-over!

[2ManyHobbies]

Wow this turned into quite a thread!

I am debating whether I should buy another 280 or upgrade to the 400. Then again I am also thinking about buying a Hot Magnum 250 canister. Is this enough for a 55 gallon? I could not find any threads talking about this. If it is not big enough I will probably get the Hot Magnum Pro. I would like to injet CO2 into the system though the intake of the Magnum but am concened about the biowheel. Does all of the water from the output go to the biowheel? I have read other threads about putting the CO2 into the intake of the Magnum with little difficulty. Ot is the Magnum Pro too much filtration?

[NJ Devils Fan]

Personally, I would go with an Emp 400 with your 280 from Big Al's for only 36.99.