Emperor 400 bio-media question

R

Rebgen

AC Members
Jan 26, 2005
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Des Moines, IA
I did a search and didn't find an answer. I'd like to get some opinions on effective bio-media options for Emperor 400 media baskets. I suppose gravel from my 12 gal. would do a good job off seeding. Would any of the commercial media like bio-stars or the noodles fit in the basket? Instead of the baskets, would an option be to remove them completely and replace with some filter foam instead?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. This is for a 55 gal. I'm cycling right now.
 
MY emporer media wells are full of Sponges, instead of cartidges. you can add anything you want really, but some of the ceramic stuff is too big. I'd go with something that is about the size of 1/4" gravel. I do not know the product specific well enough to reccomend a brand name though. I do know that with the bio-wheels in place and running, there is very little need for addition high surface area media. Unless you are grossly overstocked and/or underfiltered.
Dave
 
I believe that the biowheels themselves are more than sufficient, stuff the bays with mechanical media and call it good!
 
I agree... Emps have more biofiltration capacity than most tanks need, but the extra mechanical filtration from using sponges (instead of the Marineland cartridges) is not a bad idea. I do that, too.

Jim
 
Thanks much guys for the help! When you say sponges, do you mean a true filter sponge or do you mean the generic "Marineland" type blue filter pad material?

Also, do you cut to fit the filter bay or do you actually place the sponge/foam in the removable media basket?

Thanks.
 
Soulcoffr said:
There's also this stuff which intrigues me...

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4169&N=2004+113066

I like the fact they make the porous ceramic in a cartridge form, which I think would tend to eliminate bypass. In an Emp 400, you could put four in there...
Click to expand...
i used that i dont know if its any better than sponges but the thing broke in half, i got it on clearance they dont even amke them to fit filter bays anymore



you can just stuff some marineland floss in there. a lot of people use polyfil for stuffing pillows, i get mine from walmarts craft section. i think the best would be to stuff some sponges from an aquaclear filter in there, cut them to fit and they will trap everything.
 
Rebgen said:
Thanks much guys for the help! When you say sponges, do you mean a true filter sponge or do you mean the generic "Marineland" type blue filter pad material?

Also, do you cut to fit the filter bay or do you actually place the sponge/foam in the removable media basket?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

For an Emp 400, buy a couple of Aquaclear 500 foams. Remove all the Emp cartridges and/or media holders and store for a rainy day. Lay a foam horizontally across one of the Emps media bays, then cut the foam so it will fit snugly. (Cut at least 1/2" too long, as it will wear down some over time.) Push the foam into the well just deep enough so the biowheel can turn. Voila!

HTH,
Jim
 
I have an emperor 280 and I put the Fluval BIOMAX rings in one container and I have polyester pillow filling in the other for mechanical. Works great for me.

I have heard of people buying Big Al sponges and cutting them to fit in the media baskets and it supposedly works great.

29 Gallon
2 Blue Rams
6 Neons
5 Harlequin Rasboras
1 Otto
2 Albino Cories
2 Guppies
4 Ghost Shrimp (I think)
 
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