The New, Improved, Marineland Emperor 450 Pro

There may be a some 'hoop la' surrounding the New and Improved, Marineland Emperor 450 Pro bio-wheel hang-on back filter; I thought that I would give my impression of the filter. ...

I just, installed my Marineland Emperor 450 Pro today, 2-15-2020, replacing the Marineland Emperor 400 that I have been using on my 36 in long x 12 inch wide x 17 inch tall, 30 gallon, long, aquarium for many years.

I removed the Emperor 400's bio wheels' fabric, (loaded with beneficial, bacteria), and the wheels, and cleaned them, (in aquarium water), and installed them into the Emperor 450 Pro instead of using the Emperor 450 Pro's brand new, bio wheels.

I filled the filter with aquarium water before starting it, but I did notice that the flow began immediately after plugging it in, unlike my Marineland Emperor 400 which, whether filled up or partially, filled, would take a few noisy, seconds to begin flowing.

I like the quietness of the filter; there is a very, faint, vibration noise when the lid is closed tightly, but this is hardly noticeable; yet, I do not have the lid closed tightly. I do like the 'flip top' lid very, much. I did not like how well the lid locked its tabs into the slots in the filter, making it a bit difficult to easily, simply, lift the lid from the filter; I used an emery board and filed down the tabs slightly. After the filter had been running for a few hours the filter began to make a 'chattering' sound, I found that slowly, reducing and increasing the flow, using the 'flow regulator', seemed to eliminate the chattering sound, maybe there was a bit of air in the intake system (?).

I do not like the fact that the front, center of the filter very, slightly, (approximately 1/8" to 1/4"), extends further into the aquarium than my Marineland Emperor 400, and will not allow the front of my glass top to fit inside the lip of the aquarium and close completely. The rear of the glass top butts up against the front of the filter, and the plastic strip on the rear of the glass top now, will not extend to the rear lip of the aquarium, leaving about 1/4" open, and the front of the glass top has to sit on top of the aquarium's edge. .. I used my Dremel and a grinding bit and very, carefully, very, patiently, ground out a notch in the center of the rear section of the glass top to allow for the filter, and allow the glass top to fit properly.

It would have been very, convenient if the Bio Wheel Bearings had been of the same design, (fitting in the bearings' slots), as the Emperor 400; I have many, spare bearings for the Emperor 400 on hand. These bearings do get worn and have caused the Bio Wheels to not spin, they do need to be replaced, occasionally.

The Emperor 450 Pro has good, strong flow, creating a fair amount of turbulence in the aquarium. When the 'flow regulator' reduces the flow, at a certain reduction setting, the spray bars stop putting out water. The water then, flowing out of the filter is barely, enough to spin the bio wheels ever so, slightly, and irregularly, and the filter will emit a 'gulping' sound. This 'gulping' sound comes from the spray bars not emitting water and sucking in air, removing the spray bars and blocking the spray bar holes will stop that 'gulping' sound. It appears that the spray bars do not spin the bio wheels, but rather it is the flow coming out of the filter that spins them. I liked the Emperor 400's spray bars much, better with their five outlets across the length of the spray bars, rather than the Emperor 450 Pro's single outlet at the end of its spray bars.

I was not able to use the 'surface skimmer' extension at the top of the inlet tube, or need to use the 'extension' that slides out of the inlet tube, due to the height of my aquarium.

I like the size of the Intake Strainer and the fact that I am able to spin the strainer around and so, I am able to conveniently and easily, clean the debris from the outside of the strainer. .. As another option, I am patiently, awaiting shipment of the Marineland 2-in-1 Bio-Foam Pre-filter that I ordered from Marineland through Amazon. I have a heavy bio load in my aquarium and I like the option of being able to use this pre-filter on the inlet tube instead of the inlet screen. I believe that the pre-filter may extend the life of the Marineland Cut to Fit Bonded Filter Pad or the Marineland Rite Size E filter cartridges. It may also, extend intervals between having to clean the filter itself internally.

So far, I am pleased with my decision to purchase the Marineland 450 Pro. If it is as reliable as my Marineland Emperor 400 has been for its many, years I will be very, satisfied.

 

I recently installed the 375 pro on my 60 gallon to pair with my Emperor 400. I’m a long time Marineland fan and I really like some of the upgrades.

I have mine setup with Poret foam. Are you using the intake media basket at all?

 

Thanks for your comment, Cody. . I wonder, now, if the 375 Pro might have been sufficient for my 30 gallon long tank, but I do not regret choosing the 450 Pro. . Yes, I just, left the internal, intake basket installed on the end of the intake tube, but for right, now I am not using any material inside of it. . I just, now, finished checking the filter pads and the intake basket; the filter pads were dirty, but may not have to have been replaced, but I did replace them, anyway; the intake basket had only, a few tiny, pieces of what looked like filter floss in it. . I am interested to find out if the 450 Pro filter will 'spill over', as my 400 Bio Wheel filter had, when it was definitely, necessary to replace the filter pads.

 

Thanks for your comment, Cody. . I wonder, now, if the 375 Pro might have been sufficient for my 30 gallon long tank, but I do not regret choosing the 450 Pro. . Yes, I just, left the internal, intake basket installed on the end of the intake tube, but for right, now I am not using any material inside of it. . I just, now, finished checking the filter pads and the intake basket; the filter pads were dirty, but may not have to have been replaced, but I did replace them, anyway; the intake basket had only, a few tiny, pieces of what looked like filter floss in it. . I am interested to find out if the 450 Pro filter will 'spill over', as my 400 Bio Wheel filter had, when it was definitely, necessary to replace the filter pads.

I’m sure the 375 would of been sufficient but why not go bigger if you can! The 450 has a bit more room for media 375 which is a huge plus. I only went with the 375 because it was a bit cheaper and I since it’s running in tandem with my 400, so I talked myself out of spending the extra to go to the 450 lol.

I had some scrap 10ppI foam that I cubed up into 1/2 cubes and filled the media basket. I also have the intake basket at the bottom of the intake filled with 10ppI foam as well, solid pieces though

 

I really, like the 450 Pro's intake strainer, inside the aquarium, much better than the 400's; I have nothing inside of it, either. . I have the Marineland 2-in-1 Bio-Foam Prefilter on order, and I am thinking that I may replace the intake strainer with that. . The 25+ year old, large, Black Shark is the only, fish I have in the tank and it produces a lot of waste; I am thinking the Prefilter may help the filter pads last longer.

 

I really, like the 450 Pro's intake strainer, inside the aquarium, much better than the 400's; I have nothing inside of it, either. . I have the Marineland 2-in-1 Bio-Foam Prefilter on order, and I am thinking that I may replace the intake strainer with that. . The 25+ year old, large, Black Shark is the only, fish I have in the tank and it produces a lot of waste; I am thinking the Prefilter may help the filter pads last longer.

Should help! I like I said before they took a great filter and added a few features that brings it back on par with some of the other leaders in the areas.

look forward to hearing how it works out for you. I’ll update with mods and things I play around with and let you know what’s worth a shot.

 

HeyG and Cody ,

Pics ?

 

I'm a big fan of the Marineland Emperors & still run a 21 y.o. converted Emperor 280 on my 65 gal.
The only bad info I've heard about the new 450 is that if the water level dips too low, the submersible motor can actually short out & catch fire.
One of the big fish YouTube'rs assigned to tryout the 450 had that happen to him. Hopefully Marineland worked out that bug.

 

HeyG and Cody ,

Pics ?

Here are some pictures of the 375. I’ve only had it running for couple weeks so I’ll post more detailed pictures of the media setups the first time a break it down.

in the filter now is a a layer for 1.5in 20ppI foam and a 1in of 10ppi.

There is a basket inside the filter at the bottom of the u bend that I have small cubed 10ppI foam-curious to see the affect of that after I crack it open the first time.

at the bottom of the actually intake they still have the basket/square style intakes that’s the Marineland filters always have but now it’s designed to separate, I have that full of 10ppI foam as well.

at the top I have the mid level strainer open and wrapped in 20ppI foam- I did this because I often question if having the upper level intake open wide open cuts off too much flow from the bottom.originally had this setup with a chunk of foam inside the intake tube at the upper strainer level. But I felt like it was restricting flow too much so moved it to the outside.

 

I guess the only real difference between the Penguins and the Emperors, besides the price, is the Emperors spray bar.

 

I'm a big fan of the Marineland Emperors & still run a 21 y.o. converted Emperor 280 on my 65 gal.
The only bad info I've heard about the new 450 is that if the water level dips too low, the submersible motor can actually short out & catch fire.
One of the big fish YouTube'rs assigned to tryout the 450 had that happen to him. Hopefully Marineland worked out that bug.

I saw a video, I’m assuming we are talking about the same person.

Michaels fish room posted a follow up of his issue and he worked with Marineland and they could not find a root cause. The only thought was that it was something damaged during shipping.

the submersible pump on 375 has a minimal water line that’s probably a 3-4in below the top of the tank. I keep my tanks pretty high for noise but I know a lot of people do hover in the 2-3in below the top of the tank so I could see that with some evaporation that this could maybe happen.

we will find out in a few months, hopefully it was an isolated incident but the fish world will let us know the truth lol!

I guess the only real difference between the Penguins and the Emperors, besides the price, is the Emperors spray bar.

Pretty much, and You can fit a bit more media in them as well. They are a little deeper and taller.

 

I'm a big fan of the Marineland Emperors & still run a 21 y.o. converted Emperor 280 on my 65 gal.
The only bad info I've heard about the new 450 is that if the water level dips too low, the submersible motor can actually short out & catch fire.
One of the big fish YouTube'rs assigned to tryout the 450 had that happen to him. Hopefully Marineland worked out that bug.

I saw the YouTube video of Michael's Fish Room where he described this situation. . When I got my Emperor 450 Pro I applied a small, dab of silicone to the top of the motor, [where the wires enter], just, in case water could, possibly, get in and make contact where the wires make connection to the motor; wondering if this could create that 'sizzling', sound and electrical, burning, odor that was described in the video. . Feeling with my finger inside the top of the motor, and where the wires do enter, it felt like the wires are inside a 'conduit', between the top / cover of the motor and the top of the actual, motor, so they seem to be protected from the water going into the filter. . Even during a water change the water level in my tank will not be lower than the 'minimum level', I will switch it off if it ever does become necessary to drop below that.

Here are some pictures of the 375. I’ve only had it running for couple weeks so I’ll post more detailed pictures of the media setups the first time a break it down.

in the filter now is a a layer for 1.5in 20ppI foam and a 1in of 10ppi.

There is a basket inside the filter at the bottom of the u bend that I have small cubed 10ppI foam-curious to see the affect of that after I crack it open the first time.

at the bottom of the actually intake they still have the basket/square style intakes that’s the Marineland filters always have but now it’s designed to separate, I have that full of 10ppI foam as well.

at the top I have the mid level strainer open and wrapped in 20ppI foam- I did this because I often question if having the upper level intake open wide open cuts off too much flow from the bottom.originally had this setup with a chunk of foam inside the intake tube at the upper strainer level. But I felt like it was restricting flow too much so moved it to the outside.

Notice how the 375's 'outlets' do not extend below the surface of the water as far as the 400's; I wish Marineland would have not changed that with the new, Pro models. I will say, this creates much, more surface, turbulence, that is for sure.

I saw a video, I’m assuming we are talking about the same person.

Michaels fish room posted a follow up of his issue and he worked with Marineland and they could not find a root cause. The only thought was that it was something damaged during shipping.

the submersible pump on 375 has a minimal water line that’s probably a 3-4in below the top of the tank. I keep my tanks pretty high for noise but I know a lot of people do hover in the 2-3in below the top of the tank so I could see that with some evaporation that this could maybe happen.

we will find out in a few months, hopefully it was an isolated incident but the fish world will let us know the truth lol!

Can you provide a link to Michael's follow-up? I had been wondering but not found anything on that.

 

I haven't any pics of the interior of my 450; I use Marineland's Blue Bonded cut to fit, (inside a modified, 'media cartridge'), and/or a 'Rite Size E' pad, (trying to, at least, cut down on the expense of the 'Rite Size E' pads, given the fact that I have to replace them so, often because of the Shark's 'load' on the tank), Sea Chem's Matrix pebbles inside a 'media cartridge', (which I have cut out all of the 'cross members' from), behind one pad and half of a 4" x 8" Poly Bio Marine Polyfilter behind the other pad, (housed in a discarded, plastic, backside portion of an exhausted, 'Rite Size E' pad. . Jus', FYI, I have noticed that the filter cover accumulates water, visible at the division between the cover and the filter body, but has not been a nuisance and seeped outside and down the front of the filter. It would be sweet if the top had a 'flap' on the inside that would extend past the bottom / filter body when the top is closed.

 

I saw the YouTube video of Michael's Fish Room where he described this situation. . When I got my Emperor 450 Pro I applied a small, dab of silicone to the top of the motor, [where the wires enter], just, in case water could, possibly, get in and make contact where the wires make connection to the motor; wondering if this could create that 'sizzling', sound and electrical, burning, odor that was described in the video. . Feeling with my finger inside the top of the motor, and where the wires do enter, it felt like the wires are inside a 'conduit', between the top / cover of the motor and the top of the actual, motor, so they seem to be protected from the water going into the filter. . Even during a water change the water level in my tank will not be lower than the 'minimum level', I will switch it off if it ever does become necessary to drop below that.



Notice how the 375's 'outlets' do not extend below the surface of the water as far as the 400's; I wish Marineland would have not changed that with the new, Pro models. I will say, this creates much, more surface, turbulence, that is for sure.



Can you provide a link to Michael's follow-up? I had been wondering but not found anything on that.

Here’s the follow up from a couple weeks ago, I wonder how sincere he is on taking it all back or if a huge box of mercy showed up that we didn’t see.Either way I’m worried.

I Agree with all you said, I’m not too worried about the motor issue. I really think it was one of those flukes that does happen to products. The oulet does create much more turbulence. With the height of my water the 400 creates very little turbulence/aggregation. The 375 however is the opposite. Now this isn’t horrible since it does assit in oxygenation and keeping the film of the top of the water but I think with two pro series filters running you would want to turn that down or baffle it some how.

I did play around with having a chunk of foam stuff in the outlet and that baffled it. I was going to get some 30-45ppI foam to put there to act as polishing media.

I really think they did this to compete with the Some of the other hot HOBs on the market right now. The Tidal has the exact outlet pitch to force the water across the tank. However if you put these on 75gallon+ tanks like they are designed for you’d probably like that since those are much deeper tanks

 

Here’s the follow up from a couple weeks ago, I wonder how sincere he is on taking it all back or if a huge box of mercy showed up that we didn’t see.Either way I’m worried.

I Agree with all you said, I’m not too worried about the motor issue. I really think it was one of those flukes that does happen to products. The oulet does create much more turbulence. With the height of my water the 400 creates very little turbulence/aggregation. The 375 however is the opposite. Now this isn’t horrible since it does assit in oxygenation and keeping the film of the top of the water but I think with two pro series filters running you would want to turn that down or baffle it some how.

I did play around with having a chunk of foam stuff in the outlet and that baffled it. I was going to get some 30-45ppI foam to put there to act as polishing media.

I really think they did this to compete with the Some of the other hot HOBs on the market right now. The Tidal has the exact outlet pitch to force the water across the tank. However if you put these on 75gallon+ tanks like they are designed for you’d probably like that since those are much deeper tanks

Thanks for the link ... going to check it out. ... Again, Thanks; just, watched it; yup, I sort of feel it was just, an unlucky, situation / circumstance; no problem with mine, so far, and not really, too, worried.

 

I haven't any pics of the interior of my 450; I use Marineland's Blue Bonded cut to fit, (inside a modified, 'media cartridge'), and/or a 'Rite Size E' pad, (trying to, at least, cut down on the expense of the 'Rite Size E' pads, given the fact that I have to replace them so, often because of the Shark's 'load' on the tank), Sea Chem's Matrix pebbles inside a 'media cartridge', (which I have cut out all of the 'cross members' from), behind one pad and half of a 4" x 8" Poly Bio Marine Polyfilter behind the other pad, (housed in a discarded, plastic, backside portion of an exhausted, 'Rite Size E' pad. . Jus', FYI, I have noticed that the filter cover accumulates water, visible at the division between the cover and the filter body, but has not been a nuisance and seeped outside and down the front of the filter. It would be sweet if the top had a 'flap' on the inside that would extend past the bottom / filter body when the top is closed.

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A pic of my media inside my 450 Pro. . Latest configurations of my modified, media cartridges; the one containing the Sea Chem Matrix pebbles I cut down the side, its front, facing the back of the media cartridge containing the Bonded pad and inserted a backside of the Rite Size E pad so that two media cartridges would fit back to back. I cut the backside of the media cartridges containing the Bonded pads to narrow them down for the same reason. . So, in the pic of the filter's inside, far side from camera, I have a RitSize E filter pad with the PolyFilter behind it, and nearest the camera, media cartridges with a Bonded pad in the the backside of the filter and Sea Chem Matrix pebbles in the one behind it.

 

The Bonded pad in the photo was cut just, a hair too, short, I have others already, cut that do fit beneath the top lip. . I sure, seem to be able to get many, more uses out of the Bonded pads than the Rite Size pads . . . $$ ;-)

 

A pic of my media inside my 450 Pro. . Latest configurations of my modified, media cartridges; the one containing the Sea Chem Matrix pebbles I cut down the side, its front, facing the back of the media cartridge containing the Bonded pad and inserted a backside of the Rite Size E pad so that two media cartridges would fit back to back. I cut the backside of the media cartridges containing the Bonded pads to narrow them down for the same reason. . So, in the pic of the filter's inside, far side from camera, I have a RitSize E filter pad with the PolyFilter behind it, and nearest the camera, media cartridges with a Bonded pad in the the backside of the filter and Sea Chem Matrix pebbles in the one behind it.

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The grey cartridges are very nice for multiple mods like that! Looking good!

do you have anything inside the basket that the intake tube attaches to?

 

The grey cartridges are very nice for multiple mods like that! Looking good!

do you have anything inside the basket that the intake tube attaches to?

No, I haven't anything in there, right now. . If I were to use it as a 'mechanical' I figure it might require more maintenance than if I did not insert anything. Maybe I would add some 'bio' material, though.

 

No, I haven't anything in there, right now. . If I were to use it as a 'mechanical' I figure it might require more maintenance than if I did not insert anything. Maybe I would add some 'bio' material, though.

Yeah, I’m curious to see how soon mine will plug up on me. It will either be a great feature or just a gimmick.

 

The grey cartridges are very nice for multiple mods like that! Looking good!

do you have anything inside the basket that the intake tube attaches to?

Oops, I thought you referred to the basket at the end of the inlet / inside the filter .... no, not really, planning on putting anything inside the strainer inside of the tank ... I like that it will spin around allowing me to rub gunk through and into the strainer cleaning it of any gunk, though; so, much better than the 400's, I feel.

 

Yeah, I’m curious to see how soon mine will plug up on me. It will either be a great feature or just a gimmick.

Maybe a sweet spot for something like a bit of Marineland's bio ring thingees, in an amount that would not reduce intake flow. They get 'funky', swish 'em around in some drained tank water.

 

For those making your own DIY filter pads, take a look at this 12" x 72" bulk roll pad from Amazon.... LINK

I have bought it in the past, and some of the pink and green colored rolls from other brands that were cheaper.

The one I linked to is a lot thicker and its construction is more heavy duty. It can be probably be reused a couple of times before replacing with a newly cut pad. They don't most their thickness as quickly versus the bulk roll pads that are cheaper. The ones on Amazon for $10-$11 quickly lose their thickness.

I think it has to do with the "dual bonded" construction of how the dense pad side is bonded to the coarse pad side.

 

Here is a photo of my latest, and final, modification to the media cartridges which hold the 'cut to size' bonded filter pad material. This was done to securely, hold the pads between the cartridge halves. I drilled 9/64 inch holes, used 8 in long tie wraps, (locking end of tie wraps removed), poked holes through the pad, used pliers to pull the tie wraps through the holes.

 

I recently, April 26, 2020, gave my Marineland Emperor Pro 450 filter its first, full, cleaning since initially, installing it February 15, 2020.

So far, the maintenance that I have been doing on the filter has been simply, replacing the filter pads, using the plain, Marineland, Rite Size Bonded Filter Pads, or the Marineland, Rite Size E Cartridges, as needed and not checking the strainer / basket inside the filter, at the end of the inlet tube. . The last time that I replaced the pads I installed the Marineland, Rite Size E Cartridges. The filter had not caused the filter to spill water out of the overflow before, when using the Marineland, Rite Size Bonded Filter Pads, but it did when the Marineland, Rite Size E Cartridges were loaded. . When I replaced those pads I removed the inlet tube, inside the filter, and checked the inlet strainer / basket ... wow!; it was packed with that 'snot' like, algae or slime or what ever that gunk is.

So, I siphoned the water out of the filter, placing the bio wheels and the cartridge containing the Seachem, Matrix Bio Pebbles in that bucket of water, removed the inlet tube, inside the aquarium, from the motor / impeller housing and lifted the filter off the tank. . I removed the motor / impeller housing from the filter, removed the impeller's cover and cleaned the 'snot', (which was not significantly, filthy), from the motor/impeller housing's 'water passage' and the impeller well and the impeller inside, (a pipe cleaner worked sweet to clean the impeller well and the inside of the impeller), and out; be careful to not loose that rubber, impeller shaft, cap.

I completed the task brush, cleaning the inlet tubes, inlet strainer and internal, intake strainer / basket.

I use nothing inside the internal, intake strainer / basket and I found it to be great, at capturing that 'snot' like, algae or slime or what ever that gunk is. . It is nice that the strainer captures much of that 'snot' keeping much of it from getting into the rest of the filter, as it had done when using the old, Marineland, Emperor 400 Bio Wheel filter.

I found it to be a better experience giving the Marineland Emperor 450 Pro a full cleaning than it was to give the Emperor 400 Bio Wheel filter a full, cleaning.

 

Link seems broken ?

For those making your own DIY filter pads, take a look at this 12" x 72" bulk roll pad from Amazon.... LINK

I have bought it in the past, and some of the pink and green colored rolls from other brands that were cheaper.

The one I linked to is a lot thicker and its construction is more heavy duty. It can be probably be reused a couple of times before replacing with a newly cut pad. They don't most their thickness as quickly versus the bulk roll pads that are cheaper. The ones on Amazon for $10-$11 quickly lose their thickness.

I think it has to do with the "dual bonded" construction of how the dense pad side is bonded to the coarse pad side.

 

jake37

I may have forgotten to insert hyperlink, who knows ? Ha.

It's not a link to a specific brand, just to Amazon with "aquarium filter pad" typed into Amazon's search bar.

Type that in and you'll get a dozen or more bulk filter pad rolls.

The different brands mostly sell 12"x72" and 12"x120" rolls.

 

Oh thought it was one specific type/brand that was of better quality than some of the others; sorry for the side track.

jake37

I may have forgotten to insert hyperlink, who knows ? Ha.

It's not a link to a specific brand, just to Amazon with "aquarium filter pad" typed into Amazon's search bar.

Type that in and you'll get a dozen or more bulk filter pad rolls.

The different brands mostly sell 12"x72" and 12"x120" rolls.

 

Maybe it was.....

I've bought I think 3 different ones, and preferred the one that was about $16

Brand is Aquatic Experts on Amazon, description reads "Premium Dual Density Filter Pad" or something similar. It's white, and of the ones I've bought it appeared thicker and didn't degrade as fast as the others.