SUNSUN HW-302 Outside Filter setup & test

[Dburgess1231]

bottom- coarse sponge
middle- bio level (broken ceramic rings)
top- filter floss.

this is because the water flow starts at the bottom and flows upwards. so big debris will get caught at the bottom first and then the finer stuff last.

 

[fishhed]

I purchase a 304 model. Its been up and running for a few months. The directions for the unit are not that helpful but its pretty easy to set up. My only question is on the arrangements of the baskets. Should my filter floss media be in the highest basket or the one closest to the bottom of the canister.

This will be my first canister filter - I'm still pretty new to the hobby. My research says that if it filters from the bottom up....It should go course to fine (bottom being course).

 

[jawasnack]

Ordered one of these yesterday for my 36gal tank! I'll update this thread with how it works out.

 

[jawasnack]

I got the filter on Wednesday of this week and have it set up and running. (it really is hard to tell the thing is even on, very quiet) I got it from the "koolgoods" seller and even though it was listed as "Perfect" brand I was sent the "Sun Sun" model. Here are some pics:

As you can see, the packaging was very good and as others have stated there is water in the filter when you get it, but that if from being tested at the factory to make sure it doesn't leak.

 

[jawasnack]

Here is the way I setup the three media trays inside the filter. 1st/Bottom: plastice pot scrubbers 8ct., 2nd/Middle: Bio Balls (full tray), 3rd/Top: 1 layer of bio balls with 1 white filter pad on top of them.

Seems to be working just fine so far, though I was concerned that I might have put too many plastic pot scrubbers in the bottom tray and too many bio balls in the middle tray?! Guess I'll find out?

 

[jawasnack]

As suggested by Gunner I also used 100% pure petroleum jelly on all the o-ring seals and hose connection points to help minimize wear.

 

[garyfla]

Hi This thread has taken on a life of its own ?? l After reading all these reviews you've made me want to try one !! lol. Found one that lists as 4 stage "perfect" brand rated at 530 GPH with a surface skimmer as well as a 9 watt UV light. Sounds like way overkill but the price seemed interesting 89 bucks .Was considering a Mag 350 mainly because that's all I've ever used. Cheapest I can find them is 100 so maybe time for a switch?? Have never used UV even on SW so have no experience at all Can't imagine how the "surface skimmer " works in a fish tank. But I'm reall interested in trying this out for a new rift 150 that I'm building intothe wall Any experience with this model??? Thanks very much gary

 

[excuzzzeme]

Perfect and SunSun are one and the same. There is a third name they use, don't remember it off-hand.

 

[david yurik]

Hi This thread has taken on a life of its own ?? l After reading all these reviews you've made me want to try one !! lol. Found one that lists as 4 stage "perfect" brand rated at 530 GPH with a surface skimmer as well as a 9 watt UV light. Sounds like way overkill but the price seemed interesting 89 bucks .Was considering a Mag 350 mainly because that's all I've ever used. Cheapest I can find them is 100 so maybe time for a switch?? Have never used UV even on SW so have no experience at all Can't imagine how the "surface skimmer " works in a fish tank. But I'm reall interested in trying this out for a new rift 150 that I'm building intothe wall Any experience with this model??? Thanks very much gary

gary i have used the same brand 3 stage cannister without 1 problem. i just bought 2 of the 4 stage cannisters for a 120 gallon that i am still setting up. i only use the UV every once in awhile just to kill off any floating bad stuff. i originally switched from my xp3 to the sun sun with UV to get rid of a bacteria bloom. 3 days of UV and it was gone.

dave

 

[garyfla]

Hi Thanks for the comments.. ?? about UV are the bulbs difficult to find and what brand are they?? Where is it located ,inside the cannister?? For my new tank I'm going to try several ideas I've never used before such as auto water change and gravel purge maybe a plenum. since I'll be able to use tap water for the rifties. Since the cannisters will primarily be used for circulation I'd probably be betetr off with two smaller ones. maybe even just power heads but the price keeps pulling me back lol Does yours have the "skimmer"?? I've used skimmers on outdoor pools but never in aquariums obviously they work by entirely different methods.. Can't figure out anything from the pix lol I probably made a mistake on my last planted tetra setup as I plumbed it into a RW collection suystem so water changes consist of flipping a switch . Don't think I'd ever go back to lugging water around . Oh why didn't I do that 20 years ago?? lol Anyway thanks for the info!!! gary