Filter system for 125 tank?
 

I'm presently using two Marineland Empreror 400 filter on my tropical fish. However, is there a system that isn't so noisy and is more efficent? Any recommendation out their? Tank houses tetra, platies, neons, so far.

Thanks for your experience and recommendations

look into canister filters, never used one so can recommend any but these are the way to go over 50 gallons.

You have quite a few options!

Have you ever used a canister filter? That would be a MUCH quieter option for you because the actual filter sits hidden underneath your aquarium, and the output can be submerged so there is no splashing noise. For canisters there are many reputable brands like fluval, rena filstar, eheim; they just tend to get a little pricey. I'd recommend rena filstar filters for the cheapest. More specifically, the filstar XP3 for well under 200$. Your other option would be power filters, and I will always immediately recommend aquaclear 110 for larger thanks. Two of those would work perfectly for you with your tank. Or, you could buy a smaller, less expensive canister filter, and then only 1 aquaclear 110 power filter. I am a huge fan of having multiple filters instead of just one big canister and would recommend going that route. Those big, bag canisters are great, but they cost you an arm and a leg!

On a side note, I am curious about your emperor 400, I've used this filter in the past and completely understand that it can be a rather noisy filter; but where exactly is the noise coming from? Could be a simple impeller problem, or lose connection somewhere. Is it more of a grinding noise? Or a gurgling noise?

Reply to canister filter
 

I've clean the impellers but there is a lot of vibration noise. I have never used a canister filter but I've heard that they clean the tank better. I'm not concern with the cheapest price but what would work best in 125 gallon tank. Price does play a part but I'm more concern with a health and productive tank with no fish lose.

Thank you for yoour comments

Changed my filters
 

I had two marineland 350 HOB Biowheels, and yes they make noise. I wanted a filter that would not be seen, nor heard. I bought a canister, Eheim 2180 , which has an internal heater. The filter is dead silent, and I mean dead silent. I find myself opening the stand door, and placing my hand on it to feel it. I needed it quiet, because the Aquarium is in our bedroom, great to watch while falling to sleep. I have the lights on timers. The heater is so far flawless, keeps the temperature within a degree all the time. I even removed the thermometer inside the tank, and just use the digital readout on the filter.
Cost, yes expensive, but so far it is worth the money for the build quality of this filter. Not to mention, the aquarium water is beautiful. Really does a great job cleaning, and polishing the water. Found a very good price at AquariumPlants.com

For canisters I will definitely recommend Eheim as my top pick. You can look into the Classic series of Eheim filters and get the 2217, which would be great. And also, if you want top of the line, you can look into the Eheim Pro II 2128 or Pro III 2078 for other exceptional filters. Naturally, they are going to increase in price the higher model you go. You will have to do some research yourself and explore the different canisters Eheim offers. One thing to ponder is if you would rather have one large Pro II or III, or two of the smaller classic 2217. As mentioned before, I always like the idea of having 2 smaller canisters than 1 big one, but that's just me. I like the idea of having one running, while you can do maintenance on the other.

How long have you been running the Emperor 400? I would definitely keep running that, even when you buy a new filter; a couple weeks at least (or however long you can tolerate the noise). You wouldn't want to spark a bacteria bloom by suddenly removing the established colonies in the existing filter. Another beneficial thing would be would be to use old media from the emperor and put it in your new filter that you buy, to kick start the bacteria colonies.

Thank you for your advice!

The difference in price between the Rena XP3 vs Eheim 2217 is $13.00. Which of the unites work best in 125 gallon tropical tank that presently has 10 live plants, tetras, mollies, denios. How often do you change the filters in these units?

Thank you for your opions.