buying new 46gal tank soon(which filter to use) - Aquarium Advice

sith j · 04-09-2006, 09:23 PM

can i get away with one emperor 400 hob or do i need two smaller filters or do i need a canister filter

Lonewolfblue · 04-09-2006, 09:34 PM

Emperor 400 will do just fine. Or you can go with a cannister. Your choice. In my extra media containers, I use lava granules in one side and Hydor ceramic cyinders in the other. Works great. And if you don't want to pay so much for replacement filter cartriges, you can get them on ebay, non-Marineland cartriges which IMO are better than the Marineland cartriges and far cheaper.

**Fishyfanatic** · 04-09-2006, 09:48 PM

A hob will be fine, but I'd go with a canister.

sith j · 04-10-2006, 08:09 PM

lonewolfblue, you said you put lava and ceramic in your extra media containers, is that in your hob or are you talking about your canister filter. i have been looking at the emperor and i dont think it has extra compartments for other medias.

what is a good brand for canister filters and how many gallons per hour do i need for a 46gal tank

diatom, fluval, rena, not sure which one is the right one for me, it seems like canisters move less water per hour than some hob types for the same amount of money. is it because they have more media and better filtration.

what would you recommend

sith j

severum mama · 04-10-2006, 09:54 PM

The Emperor does come with 2 extra media baskets that fit in there with the regular cartridges. I just use filter floss in mine.

Canister filters do move less water than a lot of HOBs, but they provide better and more efficient filtration than HOBs. That's why you don't really need the same turnover as you would if you choose the HOB. If you can afford it, go for a canister. Renas, Fluvals, Cascades, and Eheims are all highly recommended around this site.

Lonewolfblue · 04-10-2006, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sith j

lonewolfblue, you said you put lava and ceramic in your extra media containers, is that in your hob or are you talking about your canister filter. i have been looking at the emperor and i dont think it has extra compartments for other medias.

what is a good brand for canister filters and how many gallons per hour do i need for a 46gal tank

diatom, fluval, rena, not sure which one is the right one for me, it seems like canisters move less water per hour than some hob types for the same amount of money. is it because they have more media and better filtration.

what would you recommend

sith j

The Emperor 400 comes with 2 media baskets.

sith j · 04-11-2006, 03:48 PM

do canister filters give the water the same airation even though they move less water or will i need to use a air pump if i go with a canister type

sith j

severum mama · 04-11-2006, 04:58 PM

It depends on where you want to position the spray bar. If you are planning a planted tank, you will want less surface agitation than you would with a HOB anyway.

sith j · 04-11-2006, 07:26 PM

its not going to be planted

Lonewolfblue · 04-11-2006, 10:31 PM

You will have plenty of O2 in the water. I wouldn't worry much about it unless the water quality becomes less than desirable. But I would have an air pump on hand for one of those emergency situations.

04-09-2006, 09:23 PM	#1
sith j Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: johnson city, tennessee Posts: 137 Images: 6	buying new 46gal tank soon(which filter to use) can i get away with one emperor 400 hob or do i need two smaller filters or do i need a canister filter

04-09-2006, 09:34 PM	#2
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	Emperor 400 will do just fine. Or you can go with a cannister. Your choice. In my extra media containers, I use lava granules in one side and Hydor ceramic cyinders in the other. Works great. And if you don't want to pay so much for replacement filter cartriges, you can get them on ebay, non-Marineland cartriges which IMO are better than the Marineland cartriges and far cheaper. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

04-09-2006, 09:48 PM	#3
Fishyfanatic Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 10,267 Images: 15	A hob will be fine, but I'd go with a canister. __________________ Vote for Aquarium Advice 10 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 29 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Community 55 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid Fry 150 Gallon Lake Malawi Cichlid

04-10-2006, 09:54 PM	#5
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	The Emperor does come with 2 extra media baskets that fit in there with the regular cartridges. I just use filter floss in mine. Canister filters do move less water than a lot of HOBs, but they provide better and more efficient filtration than HOBs. That's why you don't really need the same turnover as you would if you choose the HOB. If you can afford it, go for a canister. Renas, Fluvals, Cascades, and Eheims are all highly recommended around this site. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

04-11-2006, 04:58 PM	#8
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	It depends on where you want to position the spray bar. If you are planning a planted tank, you will want less surface agitation than you would with a HOB anyway. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

04-10-2006, 08:09 PM	#4
sith j Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: johnson city, tennessee Posts: 137 Images: 6	lonewolfblue, you said you put lava and ceramic in your extra media containers, is that in your hob or are you talking about your canister filter. i have been looking at the emperor and i dont think it has extra compartments for other medias. what is a good brand for canister filters and how many gallons per hour do i need for a 46gal tank diatom, fluval, rena, not sure which one is the right one for me, it seems like canisters move less water per hour than some hob types for the same amount of money. is it because they have more media and better filtration. what would you recommend sith j

04-11-2006, 03:48 PM	#7
sith j Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: johnson city, tennessee Posts: 137 Images: 6	do canister filters give the water the same airation even though they move less water or will i need to use a air pump if i go with a canister type sith j

04-11-2006, 07:26 PM	#9
sith j Aquarium Advice Activist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: johnson city, tennessee Posts: 137 Images: 6	its not going to be planted

04-11-2006, 10:31 PM	#10
Lonewolfblue Planted Geek Community Mentor Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Wenatchee, WA Posts: 7,871 Images: 7	You will have plenty of O2 in the water. I wouldn't worry much about it unless the water quality becomes less than desirable. But I would have an air pump on hand for one of those emergency situations. __________________ 26G Medium Planted Community - 65W CF Lighting - Emperor 280 Bio-Wheel - Established Feb 2004 55G Aggressive Community - Filstar XP3 - Established Dec 2005 75G Heavily Planted - Pressurized CO2, 520W Lighting, Filstar XP3 with spraybar - Established Feb 2006 29G Planted - 130W Lighting, Filstar XP2 with spraybar - Established May 2006 5 10G Tanks - Various setups - Tanks Established May-Sep 2006. 3 currently empty. 5.5G Crypt/Java Fern Tank - Established Oct 2006 My 29G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=78469 My 75G Thread : http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=70764 My 75G Makeover Thread: http://www.aquariumadvice.com/viewtopic.php?t=87691

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
after 8 months with 46gal tank	RTV	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	2	08-07-2006 11:33 PM
Buying a RO/DI filter.... help?	RubixCube	General Hardware/Equipment Discussion	2	10-29-2005 06:19 PM
2 tank updates. 30gal clam/sps and 46gal soft	WarOrks15	Saltwater & Reef - Getting Started	12	05-08-2005 09:41 PM
New 46gal. FW tank.	roadster3043	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	23	12-25-2003 05:49 PM
I'm thinking of buying a new filter for my 55	sunsplash76	Freshwater & Brackish - General Discussion	3	12-02-2002 04:54 PM