Emperor 400 Filters

[taat2d]

Hi I'm in search of some help. I have been into aquariums for about 20 years. I've had my share of fresh water tanks, salt water and even reef tanks. Currently I have a 65gal African Cichlids tank, up and running for about a year. I am getting very bored with it, and am looking to switch it over to salt water. Now is where I need the help. I have 2 Emperor 400's for my current setup. When I went to my LFS I was told I CAN'T use my Emperors. They told me I have to go with a wet/dry, and that they can set me up with a "cheap" one for about $300.00. Does ANYONE use, or know if I can run these filters for a salt water tank? I am looking to stock the tank with about 7-10 fish no bigger than 3-4 inches full grown, and I am also planning on using live rock to help with the filtration. Also if I can use my Emperors, what type of media should/could, or can't I use for salt water? Than for reading this long winded post, and thanx in advance for any help.
Joey

[Ray_D]

Hi I'm in search of some help. I have been into aquariums for about 20 years. I've had my share of fresh water tanks, salt water and even reef tanks. Currently I have a 65gal African Cichlids tank, up and running for about a year. I am getting very bored with it, and am looking to switch it over to salt water. Now is where I need the help. I have 2 Emperor 400's for my current setup. When I went to my LFS I was told I CAN'T use my Emperors. They told me I have to go with a wet/dry, and that they can set me up with a "cheap" one for about $300.00. Does ANYONE use, or know if I can run these filters for a salt water tank? I am looking to stock the tank with about 7-10 fish no bigger than 3-4 inches full grown, and I am also planning on using live rock to help with the filtration. Also if I can use my Emperors, what type of media should/could, or can't I use for salt water? Than for reading this long winded post, and thanx in advance for any help.
Joey

you dont 'need' a wet dry, thats what lr and skimmers are for, sell one of the canisters, save the other one for running carbon or what have you

[taat2d]

you dont 'need' a wet dry, thats what lr and skimmers are for, sell one of the canisters, save the other one for running carbon or what have you

What is lr?

[taat2d]

What is lr?

DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL What a dope. I must have had a brain fart. lr= live rock. LMAO. Now if I only use lr and a skimmer? Does the skimmer add enough water agitaiotn, and add enough oxygen into the tank?

[Ray_D]

you mean for gas exchanges ? no your power heads in the tank do that

[Ray_D]

?? how does the canister give you agitation ?

[taat2d]

Maybe we're talking about 2 different things. With the HOB filter the water dumps into the tank giving it oxygen right? if I'm only using a skimmer and lr how is oxygen getting into the tank for the fish? The lr?

[ANGRY JOHN]

well lets see here
1) if you want to keep the emperors and just do a regular salt water tank then that is ok. they will have to be recycled. they will work fine and will get you going. if you use a large amount of live rock then you will not need the emporers any more.
2)second option dump the filters you have now and get a good hob skimmer like a remora or a pm hot. then add a substantial amount of live rock and your off and going. this will also require a new cycle but will help fight nitrates. used in combination with live sand and a detrivore kit should minimise maint.

i see no goog reason to go in on the hole trickle system and feel as though some one at the lfs is trying to sell you somthing. as for gas exchange that is done at the surface interface of your tank and in the skimmer body. if your worried about the amount of disolved oxygen then get a power head to disturb the surface and move water around in your tank.

[taat2d]

Ok Angry John if I decide to go the Emperor route, what type of filter media would I use with it if any. Also should I add a skimmer no matter what?

[Floyd]

What I did is take the bio wheels off mine put lots of liverock in and used a good skimmer. I only have the carbon media cartridge in the emporer.

[taat2d]

Hey Floyd why take off the bio wheels? Won't they build up a good bacteria load and assit the live rock in filtering?

[Reefland]

They also build up a lot of waste that contributes to nitrate problems. With liverock, you have plenty of substrate for bacteria colonies and therefore can remove the wheel to prevent any accumulation of waste of need for unecessary maintenance.