The Emperor 400 Filter is created with advanced system technology that effectively and efficiently provides all three necessary filtration elements - mechanical, chemical, and most importantly, biological filtration for both freshwater and saltwater aquariums.

The Heavy Duty Emperor Filter Cartridges provides superior mechanical and chemical filtration. Mechanical filtration traps solid debris like uneaten food and fish waste in the dense microfibers. For chemical filtration, each cartridge is packed with Black Diamond Premium Activated Carbon.

The filter also includes two Refillable Media Containers that can hold an additional amount of Black Diamond Carbon, White Diamond Ammonia Neutralizing Crystals, Diamond Blend, crushed coral or other media you may need in your aquarium.

The patented BIO-Wheel is the undisputed best biological filter-the ideal culture site for the growth and proliferation of beneficial bacteria responsible for nitrification in aquatic environments. The BIO-Wheel never clogs and never needs to be replaced.

The Emperor 400 features a revolutionary two pump design. They send water in two different directions through the filter to provide balanced filtration. The Flow Pump routes water through the filter cartridge which provides mechanical and chemical filtration. The BIO-Pump pressurizes and send a stream of prefiltered water through the spray bar to power-drive the BIO-Wheel. The filter also features an adjustable Spray Bar Knob that can be turned up or down to change angle of the spray bar or water flow when feeding.

As the spray-bar driven BIO-Wheel turns, it contacts water and air, providing the bacteria with oxygen they need to grow. Because it is a wet/dry biological filter the BIO-Wheel provides bacteria with as much as 30,000 times more oxygen than any underwater biological filtration. More oxygen means more bacteria working, working hard to keep your tank ammonia-free and sparkling clean.

The filter has a flow rate of 400 gph and is recommended for aquariums up to 80 gallons. It includes two BIO-wheels, two refillable media containers, and two cartridges.
Size:
16" L x 7"W x 10"H

I really like this filter. I don't like the mechanical filtration sid eof it because the media does have charcoal in them, so they need to be replaced every 2 weeks or so. I use a razorblade to cut open the top of the filter media and dump out the charcoal after 2 weeks and continue use. They do wear out after sometime (1 year) due to servicing. The spray bars don't have any mechanical filtration either, so debris can get stuck in the holes and impede flow. The next thing I'm going to do is add some foam media in the flow to the spray bars.

I did the same thing with my Bio-Wheel: cut it open and emptied out the charcoal. When my poly pad started falling apart, i put in some AquaClear BioMax.

That's awesome actually . How much do those suckers run?

Not a bad filter. I use the Penguin 350B myself. It's basically the same filter other than being $10 cheaper each

ohhh those are nice, we use to run those all the time at work. they did a good job. ( i have a hard time remembering model types but gimme a picture and that'll do )

I have a penguin 350 on my 30 gallon too before that was on a previous 55 gallon... Never had a problem with it...Similar features of the emperor but for only $30

Aquaclear 110, more gallons per hour, MUCH quieter operation, reusable mechanical filtration media that lasts a long time and ceramic rings for bio-filtration that work very well.

I started on Emperor 400's and am in the process of getting rid of them all. Too many drawbacks for me. The main ones being noise and the expensive replaceable carbon cartridges.

I had Aquaclears and didn't like them. They were very messy. I also have a Penguin 330 and don't like it either. The Emperor 280 puts out ALOT more water than the Penguin 330. My vote is still the Emperor, hands down. As far as replacing the filter cartridge

funkyj wrote:

I use a razorblade to cut open the top of the filter media and dump out the charcoal after 2 weeks and continue use. They do wear out after sometime (1 year) due to servicing.

I've taken down alot of my AquaClears. I needed more filtration and needed less openess in the glass canopies.

I did like the fact that with the aquaclears exchanging media for what you wanted was fairly easy. I've even seen them ran on salt systems with great success.