Emporer 280 problems

[malcolm]

Hi,

Hope this is the right place for this problem (also a bit of a vent :) ). I
have a Emporer 280 filter system on a 30 gallon tank. This is my second one
to own and out of the blue they will quit working. The problem stems from
the little rubber knobs on the two ends of the magnetic impeller assembly.
If I remove one of the knobs the magnet will begin to spin again, although a
bit louder. For now this will get me by I guess. However, this is the
second unit I have purchased that does this. Has anyone else had this
problem? What is going on with the rubber knobs? It seems like they are
swelling a bit and getting stuck in the housing area. If I replace the
knobs with new ones it also starts working again fine for a few months and
then I have to replace them again. Really annoying.

The store I went to would give me the knobs for free. Unfortunately they
are out of business now and I do not feel like buying the whole magnetic
assembly for +-$12. For that price I can almost get a new penguin filter
system and just replace it every couple of years when it breaks. Heck, I
think the cartridges are cheaper too. Anyway, any suggestions? Are the
penguins as good as the emperors? I am needing to filter a 30 gallon
freshwater tank with up to 10 fish. Inexpensive is good too. I am tired of
buying $50 filters that break after 2 years.

Thanks in advance.

[Ross Vandegrift]

On 2004-09-28, malcolm > wrote:
> The store I went to would give me the knobs for free. Unfortunately they
> are out of business now and I do not feel like buying the whole magnetic
> assembly for +-$12. For that price I can almost get a new penguin filter
> system and just replace it every couple of years when it breaks. Heck, I
> think the cartridges are cheaper too. Anyway, any suggestions? Are the
> penguins as good as the emperors? I am needing to filter a 30 gallon
> freshwater tank with up to 10 fish. Inexpensive is good too. I am tired of
> buying $50 filters that break after 2 years.

I have a Penguin 170 filter and I really don't like it.

The filter cartridges are too expensive (though cheaper than the Emperor
280 I have!) and they get clogged up very, very easily.

The alternative floss I have used often clogs the biowheel instead.

It's very loud - unless you keep the water constantly topped off to the
very top of the tank, it sounds like a waterfall.

I haven't seen any problems with the 280's impeller yet, but that
doesn't mean I won't... mine is going on three years now...

--
Ross Vandegrift


"The good Christian should beware of mathematicians, and all those who
make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians
have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine
man in the bonds of Hell."
--St. Augustine, De Genesi ad Litteram, Book II, xviii, 37

[malcolm]

Thanks for the reply.

> I have a Penguin 170 filter and I really don't like it.
>
> The filter cartridges are too expensive (though cheaper than the Emperor
> 280 I have!) and they get clogged up very, very easily.
>

Yeah, I have hear this elsewhere too. I hear you have to change them out
every couple of weeks. Of course I usually have to change my emperor
filter every 2-4 weeks and they are a good bit more money than the penguins.

> The alternative floss I have used often clogs the biowheel instead.
>

I also heard the biowheel will stop working and need to be unclogged.
Something I can live with though. Heh, unless it is everyday.

> It's very loud - unless you keep the water constantly topped off to the
> very top of the tank, it sounds like a waterfall.
>

I don't mind the water sound as long as it is not too loud. Can be a bit
soothing actually.

> I haven't seen any problems with the 280's impeller yet, but that
> doesn't mean I won't... mine is going on three years now...
>

I talked with someone today who said they had owned up to 8 emperor filter
systems and only two of them officially had problems. Still I am 2 for 2.
Someone suggested the AquaClear. I may give that a shot. Fairly
inexpensive too I think.

[Dustin The-Wind]

I am running two Emperor 400s, two AquaClear 500s, one RENA Filstar XP 3
Canister Filter, one RENA Filstar XP Canister Filter, & Two Penguin
330s.

I would say the AquaClears are by far the least hassle and cheapest to
operate..oh yeah..they are EXCELLENT FILTERS!!

I think the AquaClear200 are recommended for up to 50 gallons.. If you
go to Big Al's online you can have on your tank in three days (including
S&H ) for about 25.00

[Jim]

Hi Malcolm:

I sympathize. Before my 90 gallon tank, I had a 55 gallon aquarium
equipped with a Penguin. The Penguin gave me so many problems after 3
months of ownership that I sold the mother.

By the by, "Penguin", "Emperor", and Walmart's "Regent Aqua-Tech" are
all made by the same manufacturer, Marineland. I was told that the
Emperor line of filtering machines are of a much higher calibre of
quality, however I lost all confidence in Marineland products.

In its place, I purchased an AquaClear by Hagen. I have nothing bad
to say about this filter ... not too expensive, and very reliable ....

In your case (30 gallon tank), I suggest the AquaClear 30 Power
Filter.

Hope this helps ... Good luck ...

Jim.

"malcolm" > wrote in message >...
> Hi,
>
> Hope this is the right place for this problem (also a bit of a vent :) ). I
> have a Emporer 280 filter system on a 30 gallon tank. This is my second one
> to own and out of the blue they will quit working. The problem stems from
> the little rubber knobs on the two ends of the magnetic impeller assembly.
> If I remove one of the knobs the magnet will begin to spin again, although a
> bit louder. For now this will get me by I guess. However, this is the
> second unit I have purchased that does this. Has anyone else had this
> problem? What is going on with the rubber knobs? It seems like they are
> swelling a bit and getting stuck in the housing area. If I replace the
> knobs with new ones it also starts working again fine for a few months and
> then I have to replace them again. Really annoying.
>
> The store I went to would give me the knobs for free. Unfortunately they
> are out of business now and I do not feel like buying the whole magnetic
> assembly for +-$12. For that price I can almost get a new penguin filter
> system and just replace it every couple of years when it breaks. Heck, I
> think the cartridges are cheaper too. Anyway, any suggestions? Are the
> penguins as good as the emperors? I am needing to filter a 30 gallon
> freshwater tank with up to 10 fish. Inexpensive is good too. I am tired of
> buying $50 filters that break after 2 years.
>
> Thanks in advance.