Should I change my filters?

**Rue** · 10-13-2010, 05:51 PM

Dunno what to do. My 55g came with two large Emperor filters that still work just fine...but I hate them. They're hard to clean and find media for.

I was waiting for them to die...but they're not dying. I don't like to change stuff that works just because - I think it's wasteful - but I'm very tired of these filters. I probably don't maintain them as often as I should because they're such a pain.

So? Should I just be a hypocrite and buy ACs? And should I get one 110, 2 110s or 2 50s?

I'm still in no rush...just thinking and planning some of my up and coming purchases that I need/want to make.

All opinions welcome!

**Fishguy2727** · 10-13-2010, 07:02 PM

I would do two AquaClear 110s. Save the wheels and make a DIY biowheel add-on to the AC110s.

**MCHRKiller** · 10-13-2010, 08:24 PM

lol! I share your feelings on Emporer filters....I despise them with a bloody passion. They were all the rage a few years ago so I bought quite a few of them soon after decided they werent worth their effort. Personally I would replace them both with a canister, a Rena XP3 or something would be my choice.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-13-2010, 08:28 PM

This is so funny Rue. I remember telling you how I hated my Emporer sooooo much that I threw it out my backdoor into the snowbank and you told me how much you liked yours. You have now joined the "I hate my Emporer SOOOOOOO Much Club." Welcome aboard.

2- AC110's.

**gadget228** · 10-13-2010, 08:33 PM

I'm a fan of Aquaclear's so that's what I would recommend, I have two 110's on my 75 and their almost too much, well at least for tall plants till I made up a couple of diverters to redirect the flow. I like twin filters so either two 70's or two 110's. And that's my

**Sarkazmo** · 10-13-2010, 09:36 PM

I just use Blue and White bonded filter floss wrapped around the plastic part of the filter insert. Pull 'em out, rinse like any other media, wrap around the plastic frame and slide back in. If the floss is beyond saving I just cut another piece to fit. My Penguins do a great job but I do have my issues with them, especially when the wheel's getting "sticky." I can't see throwing them out though, I just can't justify that waste of money and toss another bit of junk in the landfill to never decay. I'll use them 'til they're dead or I am.

I do have to say that when I need a new filter I'll be getting AC's from now on for HOB filters.

Sark

**Rue** · 10-15-2010, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

This is so funny Rue. I remember telling you how I hated my Emporer sooooo much that I threw it out my backdoor into the snowbank and you told me how much you liked yours. You have now joined the "I hate my Emporer SOOOOOOO Much Club." Welcome aboard.

2- AC110's.

Thanks! It took me a long time to get tired of them. But I did...

**Rue** · 10-15-2010, 04:25 PM

MCH; I'm not a canister fan (yes, I've had them)...if I had a 90g maybe...but not worth the effort for a 55g IMO...

gadget...that's what I was wondering...I wonder if 1 110 would do it?

Sarkazmo...I'm also 'too cheap' to give up on stuff that works...but I've been tired of these guys for a good year now...I think I'm going from tolerant to 'suffering'...time to maybe put myself out of Emperor misery...

Okay...I'm going to start looking out for sales...

Thanks again everyone!

**toddnbecka** · 10-15-2010, 05:20 PM

I run 2 70's on a 55, 2 110's on 2 of my 75's, and the 3rd 75 has 1 with a large sponge filter and 3 (smallish) powerheads, 2 with quickfilters with sponges attached, to help circulate the water. All my tanks are heavily stocked, and most have sand substrate. I use the same penguin powerhead prefilter replacement sponges on the intakes and in the quickfilter housings to keep sand out of the impellers. I load my hob's with extra sponges, never use carbon or the ceramic media. I bought almost all of them used, so most were lacking media anyway. The small black leveling device is also quite often missing on used filters, but they're inexpensive to replace if you prefer not to use some other odd piece of something to do the job.
Rinse out the prefilters when doing weekly partial water changes, and the internal sponges when water starts overflowing around the intake. Much quicker and easier than cleaning my canisters.

**Lady Hobbs** · 10-15-2010, 05:32 PM

Missing on one of mine, too. I stick a piece of foam between filter and glass to level the filter up. My only complaint with them is that they are so good they suck all the plants into the strainer and the flow knocks them over so I have to run mine on slow and use a foam block on the strainer.