what are my options?

garvondavis14 said:

The filter replacements are more expensive for the emperor 400s than many other filters...what options do i ahve to put in there that may be cheaper?

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I am assuming you mean the filter cartidges? If so here's a cheap tip. Carbon is unnecessary nuless you are using it to remove medications. So, tear apart one of the old cartidges. Just rip that blue wolly crap out of the plastic frame. Then, shake the carbon out into your trash can. Now, go to Wal-Mart and then head straight for the sewing/craft section. Ask someone or look for Polyester Quilt Batting. Get one that is 100% Polyester. I prefer a higher loft, as it is stiffer and fluffier. Now, take it home, decide if you want it one, two or three layers thick, cut it to fit the black plastic frame you tore all of the blue wooly stuff off of, then attach it with rubberbands.

That's what I use and it works wonderfully. You just need to rinse the batting when you do regular tank cleaning and water changes. If it ever gets too dirty or limp, simply replace it, you have a whole huge roll of the stuff for like 4 bucks, compared to 4 bucks for a cartidge.