I just got one of these filters for christmas but I can't get it to cycle the water. I can hear the motor running and I sat there for almost 30min priming it but it won't take it or put out at all. What am I doing wrong?
@ChefClay1, yea, from bottom to top I recommend foam, carbon (optional), then biomax. if you chose to not use carbon, you can fill the basket with more biomax.
I am surprised no one has commented. Carbon has its place in the hobby. It removes some chemicals and some gases. It can also remove helpful chemicals.
Most of us old timers in the hobby use carbon only for new tanks and for removing chemicals - such as medication that has finished it job from the water. Get some more small ceramic pieces and replace the carbon.
I just keep on old air powered corner filter for chemical removal which I fill with carbon when needed.
@asiandude666 Great! Here's a tip for optimal performance: Replace ALL fiber filters with foam, they're reusable, and won't clog as quickly. Also, clean the intake/output tubes every other cleaning with an aquarium pipe snake. Also, overfilter the tank water (10x an hour).
@kfor714 I plan to change most of them to foam filter, filter floss, and Seachem Matrix once I get to my first cleaning. Can you make a video of the canister now? Love to see that..
@asiandude666, Water is pumped down a tube to the bottom, then it makes its way upward. I always put mechanical, then chemical, then biological. The prefilter captures big particles and I can clean it any time I want. Then, particles more particles must be caught. Then, the heavy metals and dissolved inorganics can be captured. That way, only the cleanest water gets to the biological media for filtering. At least, that is what I figured, what do you think?
@kfor714 well then..you are putting the media in the wrong order then...
I have a eheim canister filter (almost 1yr old)...if water flow down then up....here is the order..if you check my vid I even show you how I set it up.
First from bottom going up: cermaic rings, substrate pro, Matrix, then finally fine filter pad to capture anything small. ...this is how alot of ppl run it and is recommend!
@asiandude666, I like your reasoning, and I have nothing against it. The way I see it is that I HAVE to clean once a month anyways because of the carbon, so it doesn't really matter [for me].
So glad to see a video on this model. I have one being shipped and it's my first canister, so I'm a bit worried I'll have trouble setting it up. Would you mind sending me your instructions as well? Cheers!
Can you help me prime this filter? I bought one yesterday and just can't prime it. I keep pushing the blue button and followed all the instructions but it still has air in the tubes.
Can you give step by step instructions on how to prime this? Any help you could give would be appreciated, thank you.
@johnlert22 Check your inbox, I sent you step-by-step instructions. Let me know if they help or if you have questions and I will answer them as best as I can.
@kfor714 Thanks so much. I followed all the tips you gave, plus I raised the water level a few inches and I finally got it to work. I also cut the hoses a little more to reduce slack and it's working well now. These are great filters and really cheap. A name brand one with the same flow would cost about double and I doubt they would be that much better than these ebay filters.
@johnlert22 PLEASE DO. They are amazing filters with high flow rates, tons of media space, all at 1/3 the cost! Just clean it monthly, and that's all the maintainance needed! And ALWAYS generously grease the o-rings with lots of Vaseline.
@Jinkinsonsasa And you will love the SunSun canister filter, it has TONS of media room, is silent, moves alot of water, and includes a spray bar! The BEST canister filter on the market.
PS-One more thing: This canister cost $40, the equal size/water movement by Marineland would've cost $120!
Thank you soooo much for the tips! I am now a proud owner of an external sunsun canister filter!
animalman04 1 month ago
@animalman04 Congratulations! I hope you get a lifetime of service from this filter.
kfor714 1 month ago
I just got one of these filters for christmas but I can't get it to cycle the water. I can hear the motor running and I sat there for almost 30min priming it but it won't take it or put out at all. What am I doing wrong?
animalman04 1 month ago
@animalman04, Check your inbox, I sent you instructions.
kfor714 1 month ago
Thanks for the video - Just purchased a 4' tank and the filter was included (no instructions).
The advice on the filter medium was welcome, interesting to note how opinions differ re this, not sure what to put in now! lol - Paul
ChefClay1 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ChefClay1 If anyone could forward an e mail copy of the instructions it would be greatly appreciated (paulclay1747@hotmail.com) Cheers, Paul
ChefClay1 4 months ago
@ChefClay1, yea, from bottom to top I recommend foam, carbon (optional), then biomax. if you chose to not use carbon, you can fill the basket with more biomax.
kfor714 4 months ago
I am surprised no one has commented. Carbon has its place in the hobby. It removes some chemicals and some gases. It can also remove helpful chemicals.
Most of us old timers in the hobby use carbon only for new tanks and for removing chemicals - such as medication that has finished it job from the water. Get some more small ceramic pieces and replace the carbon.
I just keep on old air powered corner filter for chemical removal which I fill with carbon when needed.
desertbard 6 months ago
@desertbard In this tank there is a piece of driftwood. The carbon stops tannic acid from tinting the water brown. Thanks for commenting!
kfor714 6 months ago
just place an order on one of this filter....cheers
asiandude666 7 months ago
@asiandude666 Great! Here's a tip for optimal performance: Replace ALL fiber filters with foam, they're reusable, and won't clog as quickly. Also, clean the intake/output tubes every other cleaning with an aquarium pipe snake. Also, overfilter the tank water (10x an hour).
kfor714 7 months ago
@kfor714 I plan to change most of them to foam filter, filter floss, and Seachem Matrix once I get to my first cleaning. Can you make a video of the canister now? Love to see that..
asiandude666 7 months ago
@asiandude666, The filter has changed since then [media-wise]. From bottom to top:
Intake-Thick foam prefilter (Mechanical)
Bottom basket-Coarse "Rena" filter foam, cut to size (Mechanical)
Middle basket-Bag of carbon (Chemical)
Top basket-Bio-max (Biological)
Fine filtration is performed by a power filter
Sorry I can't make a video of it now, I lost my camera :(
kfor714 7 months ago
@kfor714 how does the water flow..from bottom to top? if that is the case...then your media selection layer are wrong.
asiandude666 7 months ago
@asiandude666, Water is pumped down a tube to the bottom, then it makes its way upward. I always put mechanical, then chemical, then biological. The prefilter captures big particles and I can clean it any time I want. Then, particles more particles must be caught. Then, the heavy metals and dissolved inorganics can be captured. That way, only the cleanest water gets to the biological media for filtering. At least, that is what I figured, what do you think?
kfor714 7 months ago
@kfor714 well then..you are putting the media in the wrong order then...
I have a eheim canister filter (almost 1yr old)...if water flow down then up....here is the order..if you check my vid I even show you how I set it up.
First from bottom going up: cermaic rings, substrate pro, Matrix, then finally fine filter pad to capture anything small. ...this is how alot of ppl run it and is recommend!
asiandude666 7 months ago
@asiandude666, I like your reasoning, and I have nothing against it. The way I see it is that I HAVE to clean once a month anyways because of the carbon, so it doesn't really matter [for me].
P.S.-l'll check out that video too.
kfor714 7 months ago
So glad to see a video on this model. I have one being shipped and it's my first canister, so I'm a bit worried I'll have trouble setting it up. Would you mind sending me your instructions as well? Cheers!
robinsmad 9 months ago
@robinsmad Check your inbox, I sent you instructions. If you have any questions, I will make sure to answer them ASAP.
kfor714 9 months ago
@kfor714 Just what I was looking for. Thank you!
robinsmad 9 months ago
@robinsmad You're welcome.
kfor714 9 months ago
Can you help me prime this filter? I bought one yesterday and just can't prime it. I keep pushing the blue button and followed all the instructions but it still has air in the tubes.
Can you give step by step instructions on how to prime this? Any help you could give would be appreciated, thank you.
johnlert22 10 months ago
@johnlert22 Check your inbox, I sent you step-by-step instructions. Let me know if they help or if you have questions and I will answer them as best as I can.
kfor714 10 months ago
@kfor714 Thanks so much. I followed all the tips you gave, plus I raised the water level a few inches and I finally got it to work. I also cut the hoses a little more to reduce slack and it's working well now. These are great filters and really cheap. A name brand one with the same flow would cost about double and I doubt they would be that much better than these ebay filters.
johnlert22 10 months ago
@johnlert22 Glad to here it worked out for you, I hope you get a lifetime of service from this magnificent filter!
kfor714 10 months ago
Really informative video, Thank you. I think I might get one of these filters.
johnlert22 11 months ago
@johnlert22 PLEASE DO. They are amazing filters with high flow rates, tons of media space, all at 1/3 the cost! Just clean it monthly, and that's all the maintainance needed! And ALWAYS generously grease the o-rings with lots of Vaseline.
PS-You can find them all over ebay
kfor714 11 months ago
Outstanding vid buddy, very detailed and instructional. Love your carbon bag, great idea! I just bought one of these!
Jinkinsonsasa 1 year ago
@Jinkinsonsasa And you will love the SunSun canister filter, it has TONS of media room, is silent, moves alot of water, and includes a spray bar! The BEST canister filter on the market.
PS-One more thing: This canister cost $40, the equal size/water movement by Marineland would've cost $120!
kfor714 1 year ago