Reddit reviews Sunsun Hw304B 525GPH Pro Canister Filter Kit with 9-watt UV Sterilizer

Before I answer your questions, I want you to know that getting more advanced meaning spending a lot more money and time. A lot us learn by making mistakes, and that's how I started, by making a lot of mistakes.

I don't know what level of planting you want to do. It can be as easy as adding a few amazon swords into your tank right now, or as difficult as buying new light, CO2 equipment, fertilizers, etc.

If you want to save a lot of money from mistakes then here is what you should do:

• Buy a new tank. preferably a big one like a 75G at least since you'll probably want a lot of fish and some of those fish will need a good size tank. I think 75G minimum is the perfect size for beginner as oppose to 55G because of the width. It gives you comfort zone for a lot of fish. Look for it on craiglist first, and be patient. Of course you can get bigger tank if you want
  
  
• You'll need substrates. I personally like Eco-Complete. $22.99 on Amazon. You can also have a layer of sand on top. I use pool filter sand. Something like this
  
  
• You'll need light. 7000k Light is great for plants. LEDs will save you tons of money in the long run. Personally recommend Finnex. They simply have the best LEDs out there. There is a used one on Ebay for very cheap. link I don't know how much I can trust them, I personally would buy a new one if I have the money.
  
  
• You'll need plants. If you live close by Miami, I can give you a few good places to go to. If not your LFS can provide you with these. There is also a seller on Ebay called FishRUs who has some very good plants. You can start with amazon swords, anubias, or whatever plants you want. You'll make mistakes and kill plants, but that's what we humans do. Just make sure you utilize google.
  
  
• You'll need fertilizers. Don't waste your money on Seachem. Read this page Fertilizer can be purchased here
  
  
• You'll need a CO2 system. Aquatek Mini for 87.99 + CO2 tank $26.59. Then go to a local paintball shop and refill your CO2 bottle for $3-4.
  
  
• Water change. You can use Aqueon Water Changer $27.99 you can also buy the 50FT version if you need. You won't regret this buy, trust me.
  
  
• You'll need a filter. Sunsun Canister Pro Kit $97.99 Probably the best canister out there for this price. You can go FX5 if you have the money.
  
  
• Purigen filter media ~$20
  
  
• API Test Kit $22.99
  
  
• There are a wide variety of cichlid. I don't know what you like, but I personally LOVE South America cichlids. These fish are also compatible with your gouramis. You can get a few rams, and 4 angelfish to begin. Discus are beautiful, but don't try it until you feel comfortable with the basics and do enough research. Along with those, you can also get some tetras and corys catfish.

I really love my SunSun It's not an expensive brand name, but it works like a dream!

SunSun 304

I love these filters they have proven very reliable for me, I would recommend to not let the tubes hang any lower than they need to be because it'll put stress on the locking mechanism. There are two little plastic ledges of sorts that broke off my last 304, with my new one I removed the slack so now there's no stress on it.

I'm going to preface this by saying I am a fish breeder with multiple sponge, HOB & canister filters. That includes both the eheim classic canisters and the fluval canisters.

In my opinion, fluval's non-fx line has the worst price to performance out of any canister filter. You overpay for how much filtration you get. Some of the features (like the 'flow control') are useless as you always want it maxed. The hose removal system is pretty decent, but even the cheap sunsun canisters have that.

Personally, if I were in your shoes, I'd buy 2 of these. $185.96 and you will need to buy some media of your choice as well.

When it comes to goldfish especially, pumping as much water through your media as possible is key, and this would give you redundancy to only have to clean one filter at a time while the other remains undisturbed.

I have noticed you're considering an FX4 as well. That's definitely better than the 406, and if you can get it discounted deeply enough it will be a great filter.

In that case go with a 200. I think I found the same filter I linked above, so then here its, but with media, http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MH37484/ref=pd_aw_sbs_8?pi=SS115&simLd=1 Reviews on them are great. So two of these or one fx6 might work, with a supplemental aqua clear 110.

I would suggest this filer. I've had mine for over a year with no issues. it's an easy filter to set up and keeps my 75gallon very clear even with 4 turtles in it

I think this filter is a great value. I've had mine for about 18mo and not a complaint yet

https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-Hw304B-525GPH-Canister-Filter/dp/B00MH37484/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1491931749&sr=8-2&keywords=sun+aquarium+filters

I have seen canisters used before and the reason people get scared of them is because they think that they should not clean the filter pads because it will kill the biological filtration in the pads. However, you need to remember that the pads are there to clean out your tank by grabbing large debris and filtering it out of the system in consecutively fine filter media until the water is "polished". These pads need to be cleaned completely every time you clean the filter which is the same number of times you should clean the filter socks that a sump would use other wise a filter sock can cause the same issue. I try to clean my canister about once a week, I have all the biological filtration on the top trays and all of the pads on the bottom so that the water that goes through my bio filtration is as clean as possible making it so I never have to clean that part of the filter. I then run my pads through my washing machine on a rinse cycle, after I run several rinse cycles to eliminate any left over detergent, I have an efficient front loader for this so this might not work for all washing machines. The pads come out as clean as the day that I put them in the canister, I think the spinning does this more than the rinsing. I also dump all the left over waste water in the canister, which is about 2-3 gallons, then I clean out the canister and fill up the rest of my 5 gallon bucket from the tank for my 5 gallon water change. Since the bio filter media is left wet during this time all of the bacteria stays alive and is ready when I hook the filter back up. I will say that this can be more work than a filter sock on a sump which is why most people do sumps but a canister properly set up with a maintenance schedule can work.


Here is the filter I have, I was able to fit all the filter pads it came with in the bottom 2 trays and all the bio filter media it came with in the third tray. I then put a liter of SeaChem Matrix in the fourth tray but I could have fit more, you could also use MarinePure instead. I did throw the carbon that it comes with out, not very good, and replaced it with better carbon. The intake side also has a floating surface skimmer which for me helps keep the surface of my aquarium crystal clear. I found this option cheaper and over all I like it but like most I may switch to a sump at a later time but I will keep the canister because it can always be used with a sump as media reactor with a built in pump.


Edit: A word

I wondered the same when I was setting up my 125. Due to my limited budget, I went with one canister. SunSun HW304B from Amazon. It's been great with plenty of flow throughout the tank.

I use this one for two different 55gallon aquariums and it works great.

I use the SunSun brand and have never had anything bad to say about them. They work really well. I use lava rock and pillow stuffing as media along with my carbon.

Here is a link for the 525GPH sunsun.

SUNSUN 304B

I've been researching canisters all morning and I think if I go ahead and purchase this one it should work for my tank and it's in my price range right now. Does this look to be ok, the reviews seem good?

I'll probably hold off on purchasing the stand still though, I'd like to get one of the one with storage under that looks like it will run my about $200.

Would this work for 125g? I see that it's for a 150g. The tank is not stocked yet and I am good with weekly water changes. Do you have any other recommendations?

My external SunSun canister was $80 and has UV. I have an additional Marineland internal canister with a 1 micron “polishing” filter.

Sunsun Hw304B 525GPH Pro Canister Filter Kit with 9-watt UV Sterilizer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MH37484/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cY4kDbQB4DE2B

Marineland Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter (ML90770) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C8PH0OI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_zY4kDbVHPNC4J

Finally getting around to installing a CO2 system in my established, planted 45g community tank. The tank is mainly comprised of mosses, dwarf hair grass, tall hair grass, crypts, and a few java plants. I've had problems with black beard algae so I adjusted my light regimen and treated it with H2O2 until it was gone. Now I'm getting growths of green algae, so at this point I'm ready to install a DIY paintball CO2 system to combat the algae, so I can use my lights to their full potential, and to increase plant growth. The parts listed below are my starting point, let me know your thoughts...

Milwaukee MA957 Regulator

Adapter

CO2 Hose--Couldn't find a clear one in 3/16ID

Diffuser

Drop Checker

Check Valve

Timer

For a total of $141 before tax

What is your opinion on this setup?


Additionally I think my Aquaclear 110 is on its last leg so and I'm looking to convert to a canister filter (one that won't break the bank). Should I go with the SunSun HW304B or the SunSun HW704B

I would suggest two Sun Sun canister filters. More capacity than the hang on the back filters, require less maintenance, and are much quieter.
You'll likely get away with opening them to service/clean once per four to six months.
Throw a sack of Seachem Purigen in each canister filter, and a bag of carbon.... you'll be golden.



https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-Hw304B-525GPH-Canister-Filter/dp/B00MH37484

I personally use Fluval canister filters, but they are essentially the same thing.

Poolsand/playsand is fine if you like that look. Just make sure to rinse it a bit.