MarineLand Emperor Filter System Review

Are you looking for a powerful filter system to help ensure your aquarium stays in peak condition, while improving your fish’s environment?

Then it’s worth checking out the MarineLand Emperor Filter System. It operates on 80-gallon tanks, it’s simple to use, and it’s easy to install.

Unfortunately, not everyone has such a good experience. Some users found that it was too noisy, it failed to work properly, and some even had the filter arrive with missing pieces.

Nevertheless, before you make your final decision, let’s take a more in-depth look at the MarineLand Emperor Filter System.

MarineLand Emperor Filter System: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 4.6 lbs.
• Dimensions: 17 x 7 x 10.5 inches.
• Filter Capacity: 80 gallons.
• Flow Rate: 400 GPH.
• Media Stages: Mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration.
• Warranty: Three-year limited warranty.

Features

Capacity

The MarineLand Emperor Filter System can filter through 80 gallons of water. As such, that makes it perfectly suited for larger tanks.

This is great since smaller tanks can have a demanding amount of waste due to bigger fish species or multiple smaller schools held within.

If you have more complicated set-ups and require extra punch, this filter can suit a 60-, 40-, or 30-gallon tank and cycle through the water much faster.

Three-Stage Media Filtration

The Emperor system also comes with a three-stage media filtration, which includes mechanical, chemical, and biological functions.

These all work in tandem to ensure your fish have a clean environment and that the water remains crystal clear.

The BIO-Wheel provides the biological filtration that allows for nitrifying, “oxygen-breathing” bacterial growth, while helping to eliminate toxic levels of ammonia and nitrite, turning them to nitrate.

The wheel rotates to help grow this necessary bacteria. The MarineLand cartridges bring the mechanical and chemical elements in the form of filter sheets and activated carbon.

They work to eradicate dirt, remove odors, and prevent any discoloration.

Flow Rate

The flow rate on the Emperor filter system is 400 gallons per hour. If you have an 80 gallon tank, that means the water will be filtered and cleaned five times per hour – which is an impressive rate!

It’s hard to imagine the water in your aquarium having any kind of debris or toxins after an hour with this filter in use. This ensures that your aquarium is kept in peak condition with little input from you.

Saltwater and Freshwater

The MarineLand Emperor Filter System works in both fresh and saltwater tanks, so you don’t have to worry about which one you own.

Saltwater won’t corrode any of the materials, and both types of water will be cleaned and purified to ensure your aquarium maintains a healthy environment for your fish.

This is especially helpful for people who may upgrade to a saltwater aquarium later and don’t care to purchase additional equipment.

MarineLand Emperor Filter System Review

The Positives

Easy to Use

Our testers reported this filter as incredibly easy to set up and use. Once the filter system is unboxed, check to ensure all its components are present. There will be a quick guide that depicts what should be included.

After that, you can install the filter cartridge and the media container. Rinse the filter before inserting it and place it in the filter space.

Next, open and fill one side of the media container, then close it and rinse it thoroughly. Place it in the media container area.

Next, you will want to assemble the intake. Attach the strainer to the extension tube, and attach the tube to the intake strainer.

Then, attach the strainer to the end of the intake tube. Finally, insert the tube into the manifold housing. You need only place it on the aquarium, fill it with water, and then put the filter cover on. You’re done!

Easy to Clean

Cleaning and maintaining the filter is also quite simplistic. Each day, you will check if the filter is running properly and ensure that nothing is clogged. You should also confirm if the BIO-Wheel is turning.

Once a week, you should verify if any debris is stopping the flow of water, and if the water is going through it correctly. Finally, check that the Bio-Wheel is clean and not obstructed.

Once a month, you will unplug the filter, remove the tubes and spray bar, and clean the device, rinsing everything out.

If you don’t have a lot of time to spend tending to your aquarium, this filter will ensure you’ll have less to worry and fuss about.

Powerful

Users also appreciated how powerful this filter is. Since it goes through 400 gallons of water per hour, you can see why.

This ensures the tank is always well-maintained, hygienic for your fish and for your viewing pleasure, and that any debris, bad bacteria, and toxins are removed from the aquarium.

Because of the power entailed with this filter, even the messiest of fish are sure to be happy. A number of users mentioned that visitors always comment on just how clean their tank is – all with little effort from the aquarium owner.

If you’re looking for a filter that really performs, you can rest assured this MarineLand filter will have your tank crystal clear in no time.

Efficient

Not only is this filter known for its power, but users loved how quickly this performed as well. You won’t have to wait too long to have happy pets and a clear tank thanks to the Emporer 400.

This is not the filter to have aquarium owners waiting for days for their tank to be clean. Some customers had this filter clear their entire tank in a matter of hours!

So not only will it be quick to put together and install, but once it’s all set-up, it won’t be very long before you have a super clean tank too!

Affordable

Some aquarists might be afraid to invest in a bigger tank due to the cost of accessories needed to run it. MarineLand makes it easy thanks to the affordable price on their Emporer 400 filter.

This filter falls under the $50 dollar mark, making it great for both beginners and those who are on a budget.

You’ll have media and accessories included, further saving you money and time when it comes to putting together an aquarium.

And since this filter can handle both saltwater and freshwater aquariums, you won’t have to worry about upgrading should you decide to switch your tank. It’s powerful and efficient, and totally worth the price.

Durable

A significant number of users were pleased with this filter’s durability. Several mentioned having their filter for years with no malfunctions, and those who did experience an issue only found one after many years of use.

Chances are, you won’t have to upgrade this filter any time soon, saving you money on replacements, time and trouble.

MarineLand also has a 3-year warranty in place protecting customers against any damages or defects caused in the manufacturing process.

At this price (under $50 on Amazon), that’s perfectly reasonable and, if anything, unexpectedly durable. A good price and it lasts a long time? That’s pretty close to perfect!

Customer Service

Should you need to use your warranty, or just need some guidance with your filter, you can count on MarineLand’s customer service to lend a helping hand.

Customers loved how responsive and attentive MarineLand’s service was when it came to resolving issues.

So should you need to have some questions answered, or a part shipped out, MarineLand won’t make the task any harder than it needs to be.

The Negatives

Noisy

Sadly, this filter is overly noisy and may disrupt quieter households or offices. Some users even mentioned that, at one point, it sounded like a train going through their home.

This is definitely an issue. While the filter’s capacity and durability are great, if it’s so loud you can barely hear yourself think, it may not be worth your time.

This is especially true for waiting room or bedroom aquariums, where a routine churning sound is very disruptive to work and life.

If you’re still sold on this filter, it’ll be best to keep this in high-traffic areas to avoid bringing an annoyance into a tranquil space.

Watch for Lemons

A couple of testers had issues with the filter malfunctioning. Either it didn’t work right away or it malfunctioned after a few weeks.

Some people had the filter leak water onto their floors, while others found it didn’t clean all the debris from their tank; one person even had mold growing on top of the filter.

This was certainly not an issue that most users experienced, but it’s worth being aware of. You may have to redeem your warranty if you encounter one of these dud models, as they’re clearly not in working order.

Missing Pieces

This is another rare instance, but it’s worth noting before you make a purchase. Some users received the filter system and, when they opened the box, there were pieces missing.

So, if you end up ordering this MarineLand Emperor Filter System, make sure to confirm that all its parts are present.

If you need to send it back for a refund or an exchange, it is better to do so before it’s installed on your tank and failing to provide results.

This video shows what the Marineland Emporer Filter looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

After going through all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the MarineLand Emperor Filter System.

With the large capacity, the power behind it, and the impressive three-stage media, this filter is pretty close to perfect. While some users did have issues with noise or malfunctions, they were few and far between.

The price also makes this an attractive purchase for those seeking a new filter or those investing in a new aquarium. It’s definitely worth checking out!

Where to Buy the MarineLand Emporer Filter System

MarineLand has an array of accessible and affordable aquatic products available; the MarineLand Emporer Filter System is just one example of their dedication to the niche.

They’ve become a popular brand, recommended by both experts and enthusiasts. As such, you’ll be able to find products like the MarineLand Emporer Filter System both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check pet and fish stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Chewy (from $35)
• Pet Co (from $66)
• Live Aquaria (from $54)

And of course, you can also find this power filter on Amazon.

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That’s the end of our Marineland Emporer review. Tempted to give this power filter a try?