Emperors Vs Aquaclears
- Thread starter JamisonBWolsh
- Start date
I like the large media bay of the AC it is very modular for me. I run the 500 on all my tanks and switching sponges between them when need be comes in handy at times.
There the best power filters in my mind too. Although I would rather own Ac's Just becaues their more quiet.
I think AC's are simple.
the emperors are quite "fancy" and "hightech"
so i voted emperor.
i just bought an AC500 and emp280, so i'll do a head to head comparison soon
the emperors are quite "fancy" and "hightech"
so i voted emperor.
i just bought an AC500 and emp280, so i'll do a head to head comparison soon
I am not kidding, I was going to make this poll yesterday, but I was tired and decided to go to sleep.
Haha! Beat ya to it!
Anyway, IMO the best setup would include the emp. 400 and the aquaclear 500.
AquaClear= Excellent Mechanical, problem is if you clean the sponges weekly, you destroy the good bacteria. If you clean them (assuming you have 2 sponges) on a rotation basis, then your nitrates will raise because of the buildup of crap in the older sponge.
Emperor= Excellent BIO and good mechanical. Clean the pads daily and it wont effect the good bacteria. Also reduces nitrates by elimanating the crap (when you clean the pad).
PS: In my emperors, I added the Bio-cartridge to add to the bacteria colonies.
400: works fine.
280: When I added the cartridge, the water overflowed the filter pad and over the cartridge as well. I had to reduce the flow somewhat to use the bio cartridge.
Bio-cartridge: something to add to your filter to increase surface space (LOTS) for the good bacteria to colonize. Some people here say the cartridges are easily breakable when washed. I never had this problem yet. Just handle it carefully, I guess. i could see if you drop it, it would break.
Anyway, IMO the best setup would include the emp. 400 and the aquaclear 500.
AquaClear= Excellent Mechanical, problem is if you clean the sponges weekly, you destroy the good bacteria. If you clean them (assuming you have 2 sponges) on a rotation basis, then your nitrates will raise because of the buildup of crap in the older sponge.
Emperor= Excellent BIO and good mechanical. Clean the pads daily and it wont effect the good bacteria. Also reduces nitrates by elimanating the crap (when you clean the pad).
PS: In my emperors, I added the Bio-cartridge to add to the bacteria colonies.
400: works fine.
280: When I added the cartridge, the water overflowed the filter pad and over the cartridge as well. I had to reduce the flow somewhat to use the bio cartridge.
Bio-cartridge: something to add to your filter to increase surface space (LOTS) for the good bacteria to colonize. Some people here say the cartridges are easily breakable when washed. I never had this problem yet. Just handle it carefully, I guess. i could see if you drop it, it would break.
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If you are rinsing out your sponges in old tank water, or dechlorinated tap water you will not kill off a significant number of bacteria.
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