Power Filters for Saltwater Aquarium???

[TeenReefer]

I want to get a different filter for my aquarium because of my recent problems with algae. Right now all i have for filteration is a Regent 170 Hang on the Back Filter, no Bio Wheel, just a carbon pad and some phosphate remover pad i put in there. Im looking into a Emporer 280 or 4000, of the Penguin 200 or 350. Which is the best choice? I know i should really have a protien skimmer, but being a student and all im working with what i got. Thanks for any help!!

 

[electrikat]

Don't know about those listed but I have the Tetratec 500 which works as a semi wet/dry but in a hob filter. It has the option to add a 200 watt heater to the inside of the filter to keep even heating of the water. I have this on my 20g and on my 90g. Works like a champ.

 

[Wolf]

Go with the Emperor 400. Well worth the money, they work great.

 

[TeenReefer]

How do they do at dissolving organic matter as far as that goes? Do they cut down on algae growth? I really only have a problem with Red Slime Algae now, and am leaning towards the New Penguin 350, which looks similar to the Emporer 400. It also has a compartment to put in aditional chemical filteration of your choice. Is this a good Decision?

 

[Wolf]

I don't really know about the Penguins. Emperor and Penguin are made by the same company I think. The Emperor 400 has 2 biowheels, and two compartments to put a Filter Cartridges and a container full of charcoal in each. You can slit a hole into the cartridges to add a phosphate pads etc. You can also adjust the water flow too. The 400 is made for 50 to 85 gallon aquariums, so it will heep your tank super clean. I would go with it instead of a 280. I don't have a bad algae problem and don't have a any algae-eaters or anything. It's really your choice on which one to get. I would read a bit more about each off the web and compare them with their pros and cons. HTH

 

[Wolf]

Also, every 2-3 weeks I take out the cartridges and power hose them to get the detris off. Every year I change the charcoal, too. I would definately invest in Protein Skimmer and maybe a UV sterilizer, though. You should check ebay for skimmers.

 

[TeenReefer]

Thanks Wolf

 

[Wolf]

Your welcome.

 

[cmor1701d]

Every year I change the charcoal, too.

Did you mean every month. A year seens like an awfull long time for charcoal

 

[Wolf]

Eh, I guess every so often, probably more like every six months. Is this bad? I've doing that on my FW, haven't really had the SW long enough to do that. Should I change t more often. BTW, do ammonia chips work well? I was thinking of doing 1/4 ammonia to 3/4 charcoal.

 

[cmor1701d]

OK, SW chemistry is different but even in FW charcoal should be chagned out every month. Any longer than that and it starts to leach back into the water. I know the cannisters say 3 months, but it's just too long.

In SW most recommend 1 week out the month for GAC.

NO to AMMO chips. Ammonia and Nitrite need to be ZERO and if FO then nitrates should be under 40-50.

I just got a 30gal to use as a QT for an 8 week treatment. I'll be using a Aquacleaer 150 on that and changing the pads 2 or 3 times in that 8 week period. I'll be doing pwc every day to stay on top of NH3/NO2/NO3, (Ammonia/Nitrite/Nitrate).