Aquatop CF500 canister filter

[tomany]

I have 4 canister, 3 sunsun and a fluval, the one I have the most trouble with is the fluval. I also fill my canister with water before puting on the lid. I hold the prime button down for 3 seconds and they start right up. The fluval is a pain to start. I have taken the spray bars off. I would buy the 500 in a heart beat if it wasn't for it weighing 43lbs filled with water.

 

[dbosman]

UV sterilizers will not keep algae from your glass/plants/etc... it is meant to kill free floating algae... or green water! ... It will also kill any Ich parasites that flow through, stuff like that

A 9 watt UV unit can't kill ich parasites.
The water moves too fast through the filter so the water isn't exposed to the UV long enough to kill much of anything other than algae.

 

[Aquariuman]

A 9 watt UV unit can't kill ich parasites.
The water moves too fast through the filter so the water isn't exposed to the UV long enough to kill much of anything other than algae.

Yes...it can if it is within certain flow parameters. A 8w UV bulb can kill free floating parasites in their free swimming stage(IE ICH) up to 200g of total water(freshwater only as the numbers are different in regards to saltwater) capacity at a rate of 642gph. As long as the flow is less than 642gph then yes then you will be fine. As for algae spores....1000gph with a total tank volume of 1500g. These numbers are for a 8w bulb so they will be slightly better with a 9w bulb.

Here is a reference chart that I often use...http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/sites/default/files/brochures/UV Charts Salt and Fresh Water.pdf

PS...uw/cm2 stands for micro watts per square centimeter to kill 99.9% of organisms that pass though it...

 

[tropical fish]

Does the 3 pads that is supplied with the Aquatop CF500 canister filter go on top of the blue sponge pad in the botton tray i just got this filter

 

[Redtail Monster]

I recently purchased a new aquatop CF500uv 5 stage canister filter with uv filter. It cost me $135 shipped. I was skeptical that I was going to get something of quality with the money I spent. I was both right and wrong. I was unable to get the push to prime button to work. but other then that it seems to be working very well and runs very quietly. I could be wrong, but I feel there spray bar limits the flow from their claimed 525gph, but it seems to be doing a good job at clearing debris from my new tank.
The filter itself has 4 filter compartments, and a 9 volt UV lamp. No filter media was sent with the filter, just the felt compartment liners. I installed the liners and filled one of the compartments with ceramic rings. I then sealed the canister and tried my darndest to get it to self prime.. all to no avail. I found that if I opened the latches and allow just a small amount of air the push pump worked, and I was able to prime the filter and get things flowing.
So far with the filter running for about 4 hours I am impressed at how quickly it moves larger particulate from the water and with how quiet it run. Once i get more filter media such some carbon and perhaps some bio balls I will let you guys know how I feel about it then.

Could you give us an update now that its months down the road? I have read alot of reviews, which seemed fairly good. Was just curious to your experience with it. I am considering purchasing the CF500 to replace my HOBs. Thanks...

 

[tropical fish]

I got my fiter up and running on my 30 gallon bow front aquarium i found out i cant use my Eheim Spray Bar (Installation Set 2)16mm any i idea how to make this work