Equipment Review and Discussion :: Marineland Emperor Bio-Wheel 400 Power Filter

[FLhaven4strays]

Any good? Here the link:

http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ct ... owerfilter

I found it @ PetSmart for $65 (on sale) & it's just $50.44 including shipping @ Big Al's...just $2 more than the 280 model.

I'd like to use it for the new 55 gal for my son's 2" map, but was curious how good it works. If you have it do you need the intake extension tube?

[marisa]

I don't have one, but have read a little about them in the past. They're somewhat comparable to the Aquaclear, which is more popular and seems to be regarded more highly. Emperor 400's are supposed to work fairly well on nearly full tanks, but don't operate as well as Aquaclears at lower water levels (but both are quite noisy if the water level isn't high). Yours has a bio-wheel? You'll have to contend with a splashing sound if you do.

I can't help you with your question about the intake extension tube. I have used Aquaclears, which also have an intake extension, though, and whether or not I used it would depend on the height of the container and how far down I wanted the tube to extend. I've found that getting the intake closer to the bottom is better for cleaning (although no filter will pick up everything), and have at times had to shorten the extension tube to get the intake where I wanted it to be. Hope this helps a little...

[N4784N R4613]

I have one. I have tried to use it for a turtle tank before, but the extension tube joint isn't air tight. So it has to be placed under the water line. So if you can have your water line no more then 5 in. down from the top of the tank, then it works grate, but if you need to have the water level farther down then 5 in., I wouldn't recommend it. It is also one of the more noisy filters, so if your tank is in a bedroom, you might want to look at something else.

Hope this helps,

Nathan.