SUNSUN HW-302 Outside Filter setup & test

Hi guys,

Just a couple questions as I get ready to get one of these filters (the 302). Ahead of time, please forgive any stupid questions - I'm brand new to canisters - only ever had HOBs before.

First, you talk about lubing all the parts with vaseline; I have a snail-only tank - anyone know if that's safe for them?

Second, I'm concerned about putting the thing together. I know it's supposed to be simple and I'm sure I'll get it figured out, but boy, if anyone cared to post exact directions (geared to a canister-newbie) with step-by-step pics, that would be really helpful - probably to a lot of us. :) Just a thought.

Last, you mention how heavy the canister is once filled - even a cool harness for the thing ;) - is there any way to make it lighter before having to haul it around, harness or not? Obviously, one could take the baskets out one by one in a rubbermaid-type thing - are they (media) the only thing that needs to be cleaned? Can the canister just stay right where it is or does the thing itself have to be cleaned? I'll be doing this more often than some of you because of the snails - messy messy messy.

Thanks!
 
I imagine, and I have no expierience with this so correct me if I'm wrong, one could remove the media baskets to a clean rubbermaid container and siphon the water out to a wide-low vessel. Something like a roasting pan. You could concievably take out around half the water or more untill the water levels were equal.

I have read that many of the hoses, impeller parts and fitting can do with a good brushing maybe semi-anually depending on your fish load. They make special brushes for this, or I used to keep a "snake" for cleaning my brass instruments out. Was very similar to a plumbing snake. 1/4" coiled steel body around 4 feet long with a stiff brush at each end. Perhaps something like this could be modified to draw through the hoses.

Unfortuanately I can not speak from expierience as I am only researching for my first canister purchase as well. I thought this may be the appropriate place to "brainstorm".
 
Well you have 3 weeks to wait as the seller decided to pull the 302 ($43) and auction the 304 ($72) instead. They are both identical except the 304 is 4" taller and the baskets are 2" bigger square. No telling if the 302 will go back on sale for the same price of $43.

Only thing you count on is that as consumers time is on our side and the money in our pockets, and with the economy going the way it is there are sure to be many more SunSun deals, that you can count on.

I haven't assembled mine yet but plan to shortly now that I found a new-used 150 tank for $70, I need to get it established to get it ready. So in a week or so Ill have the photo's ready and will re-post the basic step by steps on this thread.:thumbsup:
 
Oh great, Gunner - thanks so much! That will be a huge help for sure. :thumbsup:

And yeah, I wrote the seller asking if he had any more of the 302s - just got his reply a few minutes ago that he ran out of them and expects to have them back in 3 weeks. Ah well, serves me right for dragging my feet!

Anyone have idea about the vaseline/snails issue? And also whether you can do necessary maintenance on the filter by removing one basket at a time and not moving the filter itself? (not even sure, beyond squeezing out foam etc, what canister maintenance consists of...?)

Thanks!
 
Saje said:
Oh great, Gunner - thanks so much! That will be a huge help for sure. :thumbsup:

And yeah, I wrote the seller asking if he had any more of the 302s - just got his reply a few minutes ago that he ran out of them and expects to have them back in 3 weeks. Ah well, serves me right for dragging my feet!

Anyone have idea about the vaseline/snails issue? And also whether you can do necessary maintenance on the filter by removing one basket at a time and not moving the filter itself? (not even sure, beyond squeezing out foam etc, what canister maintenance consists of...?)

Thanks!
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Oh yeah, no the Vaseline is pure petroleum a natural occurring substance in nature and any that escapes will be eaten by bacteria. On eof the problems we had in our military aircraft and ship fuel tanks was the battle with oil eating bacteria that would live in the tank. It was the only case in which you did not want your tanks to cycle LOL. Just make sure you don't contaminate the sterile Vaseline with your dirty hands, try and use a sterile Q-tip. It is so mild they blob it on eye-balls after surgery for both people and animals. Remember Vaseline pure petroleum jelly, NOT Vicks Vaporube. Nothing harder then trying to tackle a screaming person who mistakes it for Vaseline on the eye.

because the filter has the motor on the top, there is no way you can empty it manipulating the valves to empty the filter of water using the motor, all bottom motor canisters such as the Mag 250 and FX5 you can. Your only choice is to empty it manually as earlier stated or install a hole and valve in the bottom side of the canister for a hose fitting to drain.
 
Okay thanks Gunner - I won't worry about the vaseline then!

So, do you have to empty the canister of water? Could you not just leave it full and leave it exactly where it is (assumedly in the stand under the tank) and just remove one basket at the time and carry it (the basket) over to the sink in a plastic tub, do your cleaning, then go get another one, clean, etc until you've done the maintenance on the baskets/media - they just return them to the canister? Or am I missing an important piece of what one does when maintaining a canister?

Any reason why one HAS to move it from where it is?

Thanks!
 
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