Emporer vs AC

[PsyKick]

Hi all, I recently bought a 29G at petco during their dollar a gallon sale, and now I am slowly buying the components for it.

Drs F and S is having a sale on HOB filters at the moment and I was thinking about getting an Emporer 280 biowheel and an AC 50 for my 29G

I am worried about flowrate though. The AC has 200GPH and the Emporer does 280. Is that going to be too much for a planted aquarium with fluorite black sand substrate? I plan to use them both on the aquarium at the same time, should I only get one type and just buy two of it?

 

[DavidZ]

As a filter AC works great and you can put anything you want in it. Check this link on a great price: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159226

 

[msjinkzd]

I prefer the aquaclear filters as they have more versatility of media and are quieter in my experience.

 

[pinkertd]

I use aquaclears and emporers in different tanks for different reasons. I don't particularly care much for the smaller aquaclears for my smaller tanks, but I can put a strainer over the intake so as not to suck up fry.
You shouldn't have to use two filters on a 29G tank. I'd suggest to go with the AC70 or with one emporer 280. But you should only need one. Do not get the AC 110....you'll blow the fish out of the water. I run an AC 110 and an emporer on my 55G loach tank. The 110 provides the flow all the way to the bottom of the tank even at the slower setting...but the loaches and cories love that. Most other fish would have trouble swimming.

 

[Alan R]

I have both ac and emps. I love the emps they have been great and I am 100% I won't comment on ac because I just got it 2 weeks ago and I don't feel I have used it enough to form an opinion. As far as too much filtration... I have 600 gph on a 20g via 2 something 300s. The name escapes me at the moment. No plants in that tank but its clean!

 

[Weezer]

I use the AC50 on the 29 when its set up, its always running on the 45, so its ready to go, i also use a Penguin 200 and place cartridge's from one of the P350's also to insure the QT tank gets off to a good start........:idea:

 

[Mgamer20o0]

i like the options of the ac filters. in planted tanks the plants act as a bio filter.

 

[mostlycichlids]

In a planted tank AC is the way to go. I am personally a fan of the Emperors though.

 

[jpappy789]

I am an AC guy.

 

[johnhoover]

I'd get the largest Aquaclear you can justify. It's just amazing how much media you can cram into these things.

This link should give you an idea of your media options. Also note the idea of cutting the filter in half to allow for additional media.

http://www.thegab.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6113&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30