Company Marineland
[FONT="]Model[/FONT] Emperor 400BD
[FONT="]Link to product description [/FONT]http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/products/productdetail.aspx?id=2054&cid=2011&mid=3226
[FONT="]Price range[/FONT] 45.00 to 60.00
[FONT="]Pros [/FONT]Comes with 2 custom media baskets in addition to the cartridges, runs pretty quiet.
[FONT="]Cons[/FONT] Starting full water flow is often a pain when setting up or after large water changes. Cartridges are expensive, but Drs. Foster and Smith sell a nice replacement called Bio3 that is very affordable, especially when you buy the 24 pack.
[FONT="]Star rating (1-5 with 5 being the best)[/FONT]
****
[FONT="]How long have you used the product?[/FONT]
2 years
[FONT="]Build quality and value for your money. [/FONT]
I haven't had to replace any parts on this thing since I got it 2 years ago, which before that it was used in someone else's tank for quite some time. I've had many filters over the years, and this is the only one I can say that about. The Bio3 replacement cartridges make this thing run like a beauty, though even with the brand name cartridges, it's a pretty nice setup. I use this on my 38 gallon with high waste fish, and still only have to change the media every 6 weeks. Never had an ammonia spike with this filter, or ugly dirty water, and that was even including when I was poor and couldn't replace my cartridges for 4 months! That's what I call dependable!
[FONT="]Other comments [/FONT]
[FONT="]Model[/FONT] Emperor 400BD
[FONT="]Link to product description [/FONT]http://www.marineland.com/sites/Marineland/products/productdetail.aspx?id=2054&cid=2011&mid=3226
[FONT="]Price range[/FONT] 45.00 to 60.00
[FONT="]Pros [/FONT]Comes with 2 custom media baskets in addition to the cartridges, runs pretty quiet.
[FONT="]Cons[/FONT] Starting full water flow is often a pain when setting up or after large water changes. Cartridges are expensive, but Drs. Foster and Smith sell a nice replacement called Bio3 that is very affordable, especially when you buy the 24 pack.
[FONT="]Star rating (1-5 with 5 being the best)[/FONT]
****
[FONT="]How long have you used the product?[/FONT]
2 years
[FONT="]Build quality and value for your money. [/FONT]
I haven't had to replace any parts on this thing since I got it 2 years ago, which before that it was used in someone else's tank for quite some time. I've had many filters over the years, and this is the only one I can say that about. The Bio3 replacement cartridges make this thing run like a beauty, though even with the brand name cartridges, it's a pretty nice setup. I use this on my 38 gallon with high waste fish, and still only have to change the media every 6 weeks. Never had an ammonia spike with this filter, or ugly dirty water, and that was even including when I was poor and couldn't replace my cartridges for 4 months! That's what I call dependable!
[FONT="]Other comments [/FONT]