Hi, i am in the process of getting hang on filters for my tanks. They all currently have cannister filters on them but I need more filtration so decided to go with a hang on filter. I have an aquaclear 300 on one and i find it really good and I have been looking on net to see what is around and there is so many. I am hoping to get one where you can add/replace the media like with the aqua clear. With the ones i have found, it is hard to tell in the pictures which are the same with the replaceable media. What brands do you guys use and which do you find good?

Karen.

I am loving my Emperor 400. It has two filter cartridges and two media baskets to add whatever you want.

I agree. I have a couple Emporer 400s and they are great. They also make an Emporer 280, depending on which size you need.

Penguin filters are often recommended on this site quite often. Although I am not familiar with them. And to be honest now that I think about it, I'm not sure if they have the removable media baskets.

You can check them out at:

www.bigalsonline.com

or

www.drsfostersmith.com

I have a pengiun 350. It does have room for extra media but doesnt come with the extra baskets. I did however find baskets for it at my LFS. They are not made by Marineland but are designed to fit in it. Aftermarket baskets sort of speak.

I have Penguins, Whispers and Aquaclears and out of them I like the Aquaclears the best. I like the Penguins better then the Whispers though. The Aquaclear wins because you can customize what type of media you want to use to house the good bacteria, like the penguin but its quieter and since they are in my bedroom thats important to me.

QUIET IS GOOD.. LOL. The penguin can tend to be a bit loud with biowheel splashing but I was told it will get quieter as it gets weighted down when it gets established. I almost threw my penguin out after a night of tossing and turning from the noise. It has gotten better though.

Thanks for that info. I ended up buying the aquaclears today as i figured i may as well keep with the same model so if one breaks i can keep it for parts for the others. I also like the media baskets.

Good choice. I have Aquaclear on 4 of my tanks and they work great!

All my tanks have Emperor's,Penguins,and Aquaclears on them.They all have their great points.I have used Aquaclear's the longest and they definately have kept up with what they needed to do for my tanks.They're reasonably priced too,which gives you a bang for your buck.