Want more tips and tricks to care for your fish? Check out these playlists! Best Fish Keeping Tips Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4 Lowering and Controlling Nitrates Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoD-pzZaHgtIFqurG9HZn2zz Every Live Stream is Here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoApHjaPfc6rdr7oipfEbZ-k The Water Change Tips & Tricks Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD SunSun Canister Filter Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg Fluval Canister Filter Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD
Thank you! You're the first person that does the actual disconnect method clearly on camera so I can see. Everyone else begins with them in there bathroom or something lol. This is my first canister filter I'm college and don't want to destroy the filter so I like to see videos confirming read instructions. Thanks again!!!
filling the void in the bottom of the canister filter and refilling the canister filter with water before turning it on are some of the best tips I've seen thanks Ben.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I am about to use a canister filter for my first time (SunSun 402B). Your well done video with tips just made my life much easier and reduced my beginner anxiety. All the best!
I agree with the crowd, this was extremely helpful and took away anxiety about the mess it would cause. Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video. I have no more room for excuses, going to clean it now!
Thank you for the video. I just started using canister filters on my saltwater tanks and so far I am very happy with the results. These are great for tank setups when you convert a freshwater to a saltwater tank but don't want to drill holes and use a sump. Almost all my tanks were freshwater, so was using rigged sumps with pumps and gravity and hang-ons until I discovered canister filters. Really takes the work out of it all. There were no instruction on how to turn the unit off and clean without making a mess so I searched youtube and found your video, which taught me everything I needed to know. It was great of you to take the time to share your knowledge. Thanks again.
Thanks for the good advice. I got the same canister. The first time I cleaned mine I did not know about the switch were the hoses are about closing them. I flooded the place lol..Your viedo helped alot.
Your friend, the PondGuru, makes mention in one of his videos that Purigen should be added last (at the top) of a Sun Sun filter, as chemical filtration should always be last. #1 Mechanical, #2 Biological and then #3 Chemical filtration. Otherwise, great video. Very much enjoyed it.
Water flows from bottom to top then back to the tank in a SunSun ... so my chemical is always the last thing to touch the water (unless I toss in a final water polish like floss which is not being counted on for beneficial bacteria). On another subject, some folks are reporting that the removal of chemical products like Purigen and ChemiPure is helping the biohome media to get into a full nitrogen cycle (develop aerobic bacteria. Have you heard anything about that?
I am a new aquarium enthusiast. Last week infact lol. I have a cannister filter. I wasnt sure how too clean it. Now i know. Mine is a different make to yours but i guess they are all basically the same with varying strength. Mine is a 400 efx model to filter 190 english litres. Thank you for putting this video up.
Thank YOU for posting this video sir. I need to do my first clean out on my first canister filter and to be honest, I'm really nervous about doing something wrong and killing my fish. But you made that really simple, and I feel much more at ease about it now.
Thank you Jeff. I watched a lot of videos and was still a little shaky during my first canister cleaning. Since having done this video I've started putting the Seachem Purigen at the top, so the water hits it last before returning to the tank. In order, water returns to the tank from the canister, bottom to top: mechanical (sponges coarse-medium-fine-polyfill floss) so gunk can't get to and clog my bb (beneficial bacteria) media, then bb media, then Purigen and back to the tank. Good luck and I'm happy I could be of help.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!, I am buying all the media you used and clean my canister filter for the 1st time, you made it seem so easy and had great tips, THANK YOU for the help! :)
Hi Ben .... Great content and knowledge as always. If I am permitted to try n dare give a veteran like u some tips, it will go as follows. Pl guide me if it's incorrect in any manner: 1) I would place another medium pad on the sun sun 's top tray bottom section. Over which another fine pad. 2) over which would place the chemical media. Y? The continuing dust u mentioned in the bio media N similar would be trapped by the top tray fine pad, hence safeguarding the motor. The top basket medium foam will have the duty to perhaps partially arrest the settling down of the cluster-accumulations in the top basket fine media, onto the pores of the bio media below. Lastly, A temporary micro sock or similar over the out hose into the acquarium can collect the debri which comes in upon restart. Then removed. Ur chemical should also last longer coz of these arrangements. With ur twin sun sun in place, the additional foams mentioned would not cause any undue strain on ur filters. Best Rusi
This was extremely helpful! I have a current usa serene aquarium and couldn't find anything about the canister filter. I was so confused with the order of this specific model but it all makes sense now! Thank you!
+Cichlid MadMan You'll be happy with your nitrate reading once those canisters get established. My next upgrade will be the waffle foam that provides more surface area to catch detritus. The canisters are also sooo quiet, love 'em.
Great tips...like you I shut down the waterflow before disconnecting the powerplug. To fill up the canister comes in handy...it drove me nuts to get my jbl primed..Pondguru has great ideas too...and a nice accent, lol
Hey thanks so much for the video ! I'm somewhat of a novice although I've owned aquariums for years. This time I'm trying to do it the right way. I just cleaned my sunsun 302 and did what you said and it needed NO priming whatsoever. Thanks again 🐠😁
The purigen should be placed in the last basket, if we see. One of purigen's main actions is to eliminate ammonia and nitrite ... if they are removed, or diminished at a stage before they pass through nitrifying bacteria, they are left without "food" to establish a strong bacterial community. It's my opinion. Besides, thank you very much for your very informative videos.
Ben Ochart, yes, we are on the same page !!! 😊 When I say in the last basket, I mean the direction of the water in each filter. For example, I have an FX6, and the direction is from top to bottom, so I put it in the bottom basket, which is the last one, in the sunsun, I don’t know, but if it is from the bottom up, it will be in the first.
Great setup man. I personally have filled my last two section of the canister with just biological. Chemical isn't need unless there an unbalance of water colour or odor. But hey everyone got there own ways great job!
I do everything as you do but one. I connect my hose's straight onto the filter and let gravity fill the filter with water, once full i plug in and turn on. Never had a problem this way. Iv never filled filler before placing motor on. I find this way it cleans the pipes a little to.
another great video Ben I do exactly the same. 2 tips when refilling the filter I have a permanent marker pen on water level.Also when you turn on filter just put a net over the outlet that goes in to tank it catches the crap that goes in when first turned on. keep up the great videos you do.
As to the priming of that filter, I had issues with priming, what I do now is similar to your self, the problem I believe is that if the outlet to your tank is below the water level in the tank then you will have priming issues, so, when filling the tank after a water change I fill to just below the outlet about 30mm or so, turn on the filter and hey! no priming issues or air noise. Fill to above the outlet and all is well. I use a spray bar.
this video is awesome! super informational and has helped me improve not only the cleaning process of my canister filter the well being of my fish even now in 2018! I am just getting into serious Aquarium builds this year and this helped me take some steps in the right direction!
Thank you so very much. I've been looking at over a dozen videos, you're the first person to tell me what I wanted to know, that I do the hose's first then unplug it. Thank you, finely someone with a brain.😊 And yes I agree with you, everyone else makes it look like it's hard to prime. I did what you said, it's fast and easy, thanks again. Any chance of you showing how to clean the hose's and impeller? Or do you already have a video for that? Thanks
Nice vid. I have a similar setup with 2 sun sun 304Bs on a 120 gallon 5 ft predator tank. Similar setup with the media and well. 1. 4 different sponges on bottom (coarse to fine) 2. Bio balls 3. Seachem matrix. 4. Bio rings. I think I'm gonna do away with the bio balls and replace with biohome as well. Maybe chuck the balls at the bottom to divert flow like you have.
Very good job Ben I also have mine like that but on the very bottom I have the sponch and 5 layers of that Pinckney floss and is working like a champ 👍 thanks for sharing like always great, great video
Hi there, enjoy you videos. Purigen and prime kills anaerobic bacteria , most people don't pick this up as they do weekly water changes and only get to 2/3 of the nitrogen cycle. Sun sun the best value for money.
I checked this with Seachem and it is not true. Here is there reply in full: Seachem Support 10286 (Seachem Laboratories)Feb 28, 09:57 AST Hello Ben,Thank you for following up! Purigen should not harm the beneficial bacteria colonies (aerobic or anaerobic) in the tank. I believe this rumor stems from the fact that Purigen removes organic material from the tank which ultimately breaks down into ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to "feed" the bacteria. In any tank, there is always enough organic material being produced that there will be some in excess. Purigen helps take care of the excess which actually eases the load on the biological filter.As long as you have environments in your filter that are lower in oxygen (places with low flow rate, media with large internal surface area), the anaerobic bacteria will be able to grow!I hope this helps!Thank you,Seachem Support 10286
In my experience tap water, at least mine which has chlorine but no chlorine, has no negative effect that I can see. I feel free to wash sponges thoroughly. And if required, I would wash bio medium also.
Thank you for this video I got one of these at Christmas time and set it up and I need to clean it and this was a great demonstration but what's in the little bag is that the same as carbon
In some ways yes. It's Seachem Purigen which absorbs things you don't want in the tank, like carbon does. Unlike carbon, which you should throw away after a few months, Purigen can be "recharged" like 8 or 10 times, so it goes along way. Many however are not using either and seeing good results.
Good video Ben as far as placement of the purigen typically chemical filtration is the last step I personally run the sun sun 404b's as well as other models I leave just enough room in the top tray for a large bag of purigen otherwise same setup and I don't use the rings in the bottom but it appears both ways works great I would just suggest using purigen in the top bin.
Whatever works for you. Should go from bottom to top. Mechanical, chemical, and then biomedia. You want your biomedia to be touched by the cleanest water possible before returning to tank. Pond guru explains it best.
+byankos Rinse new Biohome in tank water.... love your style!!! Pre-priming of the canister... a man after my own heart!!! I do this with my cars then doing an oil change... :-)
Great video that explains the layer and cleaning! ONE QUESTION: do you worry about cleaning the piping that connects the canister to your tank's water? Yours is fairly dark green and I would think you would have acknowledged this IF it were a major issue. Again, thanks for the great lesson.
Joe K Great question. Every other canister cleaning I take apart the tubes and connector hardware and give it all a good cleaning. I use a long plastic bristle pipe cleaner that I push through the tubes and it removes the algae and gunk build-up. Thanks for watching and commenting.
I see. I'm sure algae build up slows down the water flow to and from the canister. Thank you for the tips in your vids. Also, I will be buying my own Poly sheets to make the water polishers myself. I've read about additives (i.e. fire retardants) that some Poly products have that can hurt fish. Know anything about that?
hello Ben, have taken ur Advice and purchased few more African cichlids for my 5 ft Aquarium. and bought all those stuff watch video you recommend me to watch. Etc..... my Aquarium water is so clear like urs. I do all you told me to do. fishes seems so happy. but I will be adding more Fish soon need at least 15 more.
I'm very happy that you are having success and I totally understand the desire for more fish. If you haven't already, watch my video "Cichlids are Crack" and have a laugh.
Nice job. I never use the primer on my sunsun, I don't think it works very well. It also fills to tank up with tiny bits of gunk. but for the price of them I can't complain too much.
Just set my 72 gal. Bow front up & bought the 4 stage SunSun with ultra violet light ,, it pumps quite a bit of water. Is the light a needed option or just now & then ? TY for being so in-depth on video. I already put stuff in bottom for water flow& did lights first day, big help. My question is why no charcoal in filter ? Thought it was a necessity ? Your tank looks great.
They last practically forever Holley. I only toss them after they start falling apart, which can take years. However, replacing with a better combination of sponges is a different matter. Because they can house a lot of beneficial bacteria, I suggest that you swap out one a month until you have it set up they way you want it. That will avoid shocking the tank.
I know this video is 4 years old but I follow you for your advice and intellect. I have Sunsun 302 for a 40 gallon red ear turtle tank. Since ive had this filter I have had so many issues and problems. After I clean my tank in a week its dirty again, water is not cloudy but dirty. The water color looks orange in color, was green color for a little bit but I wiped it down and I don't feed the turtle as much as I used to. What do you recommend I do or what can change. I'm thinking of buying the Green Killing Machine. I've seen your videos and others which say with a good canister you can change you water every 4 weeks or so. Just looking for some advice on my issues. Thank You
I hear turtles are very messy. I've never had them, so i can't speak from experience. Do you have some floss in that canister to catch the fine detritus? You might want to consider two canisters.
@@BenOchart thank you for such a fast response. Yes my turtle ( Turd ) is mess. I used to treat him to 20-30 feeder fish every Friday but was told the fish and all the turtles crap makes a huge mess. Once again thank you for all the information your channel provides
Curious to see an update to how you now setup your canister and clean it. I think i seen a post from an earlier comment that you said you now are using purigen at the top. I would definitely say I hear at the top is where you should have the purigen/ chemi pure blue or chemi pure elite. I am also interested to know if you have any knowledge on seachem matrix, i hear tons if people using that (maybe instead of the biohome). Do yu think the cheaper pillow stuffing or sponge stuff would work as good as the polly-fill? Thanks as always and I really enjoy your voice during your videos, you make it sound so easy and do nit over complicate things. I think I confuse peopld or make it harder for people to understand what I am saying. Excited to see a newer video on the canister cleaning/water change!!! Thanks again Ben!
+Troy Hodapp I am not familiar with the matrix, blue and elite seachem products. What I've seen on RUclips are all positive comments on those products. Seachem seems like a real legit company, so you probably can't go wrong using their stuff, if used as recommended. The floss I'm using now is crib batting fiber fill which I cut to fit the canister baskets. You've inspired me to film a "Canister Tips 2.0" video that includes a water change. Look for it in a month to six weeks since my canisters are pretty clean right now. Thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting.
Paul Sampugnaro Thank you Paul. Have you heard that you need one kilo on Biohome Ultimate for every 15 gallons of tank. They claim this will create anaerobic bacteria that will reduce nitrates. I just found this out. Thanks for watching.
In this video (or maybe it was another one), you mentioned putting a pre-filter on the end of your intake tube inside the aquarium to trap any sand kicked up by the cichlids. What kind do you use on your SunSun and where do you purchase it?
Not a topic I've discussed, however, I did put some poly-fill around the intake of an HOB filter in a grow out tank and it worked great as a pre filter. You can find poly fill "crib batting" at any fabric or craft store.
I need to rewatch the video but if I had to guess I'd say particles that were in the hoses which I didn't clean this time. Usually I'll hold a net over the output to catch any of that.
Hello Ben, I have a 703B and a 3000 Sunsun on different tanks but have run into the same issue with both units. The filters will just start leaking while in use. Not from the start, but after a few weeks of run time they just begin leaking at a point where the head meets the body. Typically in the between one of the 4 clamps. I check the seal rings, body and head unit for Debris or pinches, flat spots, rough spots etc. and nothing is ever found. This leaking issue has become very costly to me and I was wondering if you or one of your members have ever had this issue and what it took to remedy the issue. Thank you
Hi, We’ve had this unit for about 1 1/2 years no problems. This time after cleaning it , even with filling the filter tank we can’t get it working even with priming it. Any suggestions?
Two reasons why I clean my sponges in tap water: 1. I don't care about the few bacteria in the sponges. Sponges are only mechanical filters and should do this job as long as possible. Poorly cleaned sponges tend to clog quick. 2. And more important reason: tap water in Germany is not chlorinated. I also use pure tap water for water changes without any treatments
Please help im running g an aquatop cf300 course medium and fine filters at the bottom ceramic rings with a polish filter in middle and carbon n polish filter on top my water has alot of particles floating wont get clear
Hi Ben! Great, great video man! I do need some advise man. I have the exact same one, the orange stuff you placed there, what is it and where can I purchase one, the white spongy things where do I buy them because at the pet store they are super expensive, the blue sponge as well where do I get them? I am cleaning the filter but not replacing anything as of yet but I am replacing though the hoes which are and look pretty bad. But first I will clean the filters and get the gunk out then see the force of the water because water is barely exiting. Thanks man. Be safe and please reply to my questions. Great video again!
Great video I've only had my setup for about 2 months, really new to all this, I am cleaning my canister filter over the weekend, great input to cleaning it thankyou. How often do you need to clean these filters?.
I wonder how well they would work if you could hook the pair up to act as one. Have one filled with sponge then the other Bio media. Have the outlet from the sponge one going to the inlet of the Bio one, do you understand were I'm comming from? Just a thought.
Albert Ramsay I've seen this discussed before. One input to canister A, output or return from A goes to the input of canister B and canister B returns water to the tank. You would lose one input and one output in the tank by doing this as well the loss of the surface agitation that was being created. So, net result I would say that running
Great video, *thank you.* You have overcome all *three* hurdles- obtaining the priceless knowledge of proper setup- actually doing it, and having correct equipment. Think about this- make canister A *only foam pads* then gang it *(OUT to IN)* to canister B that contains only *Bio Media.* You would only have to clean canister A, while leaving canister B closed, making it a "Super Bio Reactor", that you can leave unattended for a *year or more.*
Very interesting suggestion. I know that SunSun makes small pre-filters as well. My only concern would be that over time the bio media would get clogged and the type of bacteria that grows in the deeper pockets would get killed off. Another consideration is that the dual canisters serve as a "redundant" back-up so that if one has a motor burn out and stops working, the other filter can hold things together with both sponges and bio media while I get the broken canister fixed. But, you've made a good case for adding pre-filters with sponges and poly-fil to each canister and filling of the larger canisters with bio media. Could actually work and fit my redundancy back-up way of thinking.
Yes, I agree about redundancy. My idea only involves one extra hose, and switching medias around. In case of one failure- returning to one unit is easy. Nothing is permanently modified. As for the colonies- Richard clearly states that the amount of Bio media and water is what controls he amount of colony. When some die- they slough off, as new replace them. Don't pack the Reactor tightly. Colonies can last for years under right conditions. Float by Richard- I'd be interested in what he thinks. Thank you.
Ben,Thanks for the video. I've read and seen on RUclips that putting chemical filteration below the bio filtration makes it harder for the bio-bacteria to get food. I'm no expert. I can kind of see the argument for both.What do you think?Ted
+strat1960s I placed the perigin before (below) the MarinePure and the Biohome Ultimate and I'm getting a zero nitrite and less than 5ppm nitrate test results...so I'm going to stick with that for now. I'm pretty sure I'd be getting good reading if I had the perigin on top (last) as well. Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm constantly learning...
Hi Ben quick question; do you have everything plugged in the surge protector? Filters, lights, powerheads, etc. Even the heater? Just wondering because I read somewhere they say not to plug heater to surge protectors...
Man started with you and then Pondguru. Just order my Sun Sun and the media for my 55 gal Cichlid tank to go with my HOB. Thanks for the info brother. Do I really need to purchase the live bacteria when before I operate my canister?
You can add something like API Quick Start and/or add substrate that comes with good bacteria, like CaribSea Eco-Complete. I think the best thing one can do is to get a hold of grungy used wet filter media from an established tank and put it in your filter, it will speed up cycling your tank, making it safe to add fish. Good luck and thank you for watching and commenting.
Thank you so much for all the help Ben, bought a sun sun 302 of my own and it's working great. I have it running in a 20 gallon tank with only 8 angel fish. How often do you recommend changing the water and cleaning out the filter? I also have the same setup in the canister with purigen, ceramic bio balls, and the polyfill
+Shane Khan the canisters can run for several months, two to three on average. However, if there's a noticeable drop in output pressure or if your nitrates pop up a bit, that will trigger an immediate cleaning for me.
+Ben Ochart thanks for the help. Just a quick question on the tank. How often do you think I should change the water and clean the tank if nitrates are fine? Thanks for all the help much appreciated!
+Shane Khan I do weekly 40% water changes to keep the water fine (nitrates low). If you wait until tests show bad results, you've put the fish under stress. So, once a week works for me. That being said, keep in mind that I have a heavily stocked African Cichlid tank. A community tank should be able to go two or three weeks between changes. Do weekly water tests to stay on top of things.
Want more tips and tricks to care for your fish? Check out these playlists!
Best Fish Keeping Tips Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoDLeItfzOiRG8DV-1W9qNX4
Lowering and Controlling Nitrates Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoD-pzZaHgtIFqurG9HZn2zz
Every Live Stream is Here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoApHjaPfc6rdr7oipfEbZ-k
The Water Change Tips & Tricks Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCdEYkD0rQa0OWejFk5-bHD
SunSun Canister Filter Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoCiMWEpBFJFJGxTqJH_MdMg
Fluval Canister Filter Playlist is here: ruclips.net/p/PLr8ew8o8WXoC8gSuqdG1c4nOzlAMFTmiD
got any sites to get replacment handles for the sunsun 304b
Thank you! You're the first person that does the actual disconnect method clearly on camera so I can see. Everyone else begins with them in there bathroom or something lol. This is my first canister filter I'm college and don't want to destroy the filter so I like to see videos confirming read instructions. Thanks again!!!
You are welcome and I hope it helps.
and now I'll never have to prime unless I'm doing a deep cleaning yayyyyy
Watching 5 years later and still helped me out heaps, thank you!
Love comments like this. Thank you😀👍🏻
filling the void in the bottom of the canister filter and refilling the canister filter with water before turning it on are some of the best tips I've seen thanks Ben.
pugman404 Thank you pugman, I hope it helps.
Thanks for the tip on filling the canstier filter than putting the motor back on. Been fighting with my filter for over 3 hours.
Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I am about to use a canister filter for my first time (SunSun 402B). Your well done video with tips just made my life much easier and reduced my beginner anxiety. All the best!
Kenneth Lyons That's exactly why I make these videos and I hope it helps (and I appreciate the kind words! :-)
I second Kenneth! Thx to Ben for makin this video, as i am about to use for first time too!
I agree with the crowd, this was extremely helpful and took away anxiety about the mess it would cause. Thanks so much for taking the time to make the video. I have no more room for excuses, going to clean it now!
Thank you for the video. I just started using canister filters on my saltwater tanks and so far I am very happy with the results. These are great for tank setups when you convert a freshwater to a saltwater tank but don't want to drill holes and use a sump. Almost all my tanks were freshwater, so was using rigged sumps with pumps and gravity and hang-ons until I discovered canister filters. Really takes the work out of it all. There were no instruction on how to turn the unit off and clean without making a mess so I searched youtube and found your video, which taught me everything I needed to know. It was great of you to take the time to share your knowledge. Thanks again.
Clownfish Hatchery I'm very glad to hear that you found this useful.
Not sure about if any other people do this but I put my fish net over the outflow before I switch on. It stops all the particles clouding the water
Yep, I do the same thing been doing it for years.
Thanks for the good advice. I got the same canister. The first time I cleaned mine I did not know about the switch were the hoses are about closing them. I flooded the place lol..Your viedo helped alot.
Sorry about the flood Jessica. I'm glad that you found my video helpful and I appreciate you commenting.
Thanks a bunch Ben! I'm new to canister filters just got my first one and your videos are teaching me so much!!
Great to hear!
Holy crap. I’ve been putting my media in the wrong order 🤦🏼♀️ thank you for this vid!
I hope it helps. Also check out the "Pimp my Filter" series from PondGuru. He might have a video for your exact model.
Me too!
Your friend, the PondGuru, makes mention in one of his videos that Purigen should be added last (at the top) of a Sun Sun filter, as chemical filtration should always be last. #1 Mechanical, #2 Biological and then #3 Chemical filtration. Otherwise, great video. Very much enjoyed it.
Water flows from bottom to top then back to the tank in a SunSun ... so my chemical is always the last thing to touch the water (unless I toss in a final water polish like floss which is not being counted on for beneficial bacteria).
On another subject, some folks are reporting that the removal of chemical products like Purigen and ChemiPure is helping the biohome media to get into a full nitrogen cycle (develop aerobic bacteria. Have you heard anything about that?
I am a new aquarium enthusiast. Last week infact lol. I have a cannister filter. I wasnt sure how too clean it. Now i know. Mine is a different make to yours but i guess they are all basically the same with varying strength. Mine is a 400 efx model to filter 190 english litres. Thank you for putting this video up.
Hello John, I hope it helped and welcome to this awesome hobby.
Thank YOU for posting this video sir. I need to do my first clean out on my first canister filter and to be honest, I'm really nervous about doing something wrong and killing my fish. But you made that really simple, and I feel much more at ease about it now.
Thank you Jeff. I watched a lot of videos and was still a little shaky during my first canister cleaning. Since having done this video I've started putting the Seachem Purigen at the top, so the water hits it last before returning to the tank. In order, water returns to the tank from the canister, bottom to top: mechanical (sponges coarse-medium-fine-polyfill floss) so gunk can't get to and clog my bb (beneficial bacteria) media, then bb media, then Purigen and back to the tank. Good luck and I'm happy I could be of help.
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this!, I am buying all the media you used and clean my canister filter for the 1st time, you made it seem so easy and had great tips, THANK YOU for the help! :)
Thank you Yessy. I'm glad the video helped.
Hi Ben .... Great content and knowledge as always. If I am permitted to try n dare give a veteran like u some tips, it will go as follows. Pl guide me if it's incorrect in any manner:
1) I would place another medium pad on the sun sun 's top tray bottom section. Over which another fine pad. 2) over which would place the chemical media.
Y? The continuing dust u mentioned in the bio media N similar would be trapped by the top tray fine pad, hence safeguarding the motor. The top basket medium foam will have the duty to perhaps partially arrest the settling down of the cluster-accumulations in the top basket fine media, onto the pores of the bio media below.
Lastly, A temporary micro sock or similar over the out hose into the acquarium can collect the debri which comes in upon restart. Then removed.
Ur chemical should also last longer coz of these arrangements.
With ur twin sun sun in place, the additional foams mentioned would not cause any undue strain on ur filters. Best
Rusi
Thank you, thank you and thank you again. This was probably the most informative RUclips aquarium tidbit I’ve ever watched thank you sir thank you.
This was extremely helpful! I have a current usa serene aquarium and couldn't find anything about the canister filter. I was so confused with the order of this specific model but it all makes sense now! Thank you!
You’re welcome😀👍🏻
I just want to say thank you for the video. I just set up my new tank today with your methods in my canister.
You're welcome. Let me know how it turns out. Post a video or come to my Facebook page "ben.o.cichlid" and post a picture :)
Looking good. I took your advice and got rid of my hob filters. I now run a Sunsun 303b (370gph) and a Sunsun 304b (525gph) on my 75 gallon.
+Cichlid MadMan You'll be happy with your nitrate reading once those canisters get established. My next upgrade will be the waffle foam that provides more surface area to catch detritus. The canisters are also sooo quiet, love 'em.
+Ben Ochart Correction, I now run 2 304b (525gph) on my 75 gallon tank. The 303b (370gph) went to my sons Oscar tank.
525ghp is a lot of water movement. The fish must love it. Be well.
Great info. Need to get a big house plant for that great fertilizer that got poured down the sink 🤗
Down the sink in the video ... but usually I will use it on some pots on the porch. Thanks for watching!
I never get tired of filter videos.
I was dreading the thought OF cleaning My canister filter. Thanks for all the tips! You made it SO EASY!!! 👍🏻👏
Great tips...like you I shut down the waterflow before disconnecting the powerplug. To fill up the canister comes in handy...it drove me nuts to get my jbl primed..Pondguru has great ideas too...and a nice accent, lol
Thanks for the video even it being 3 years old I just figured what I am doing wrong with my Eheim Canister
I'm glad it helped Jerry!
Hey thanks so much for the video ! I'm somewhat of a novice although I've owned aquariums for years. This time I'm trying to do it the right way. I just cleaned my sunsun 302 and did what you said and it needed NO priming whatsoever. Thanks again 🐠😁
Yes! it works. I hate having to hold down or pump that blue button.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video and tips, I am going to try to run this canister for a 50 gallon saltwater aquarium.
They are good in both salt and fresh water. Let me know how it goes and thank you for watching.
One of the best videos about canister filters I ever seen on RUclips. I rarely give a thumb up, but in this case I did. Great job
Thank you Das, very nice of you.
pondguru isthe most sensible down to earth person on fish keeping
Agree. He seems to have shifted more into other projects recently, like metal detecting, but his early canister videos were awesome.
I got the HW303B in order right now to go with my new 75 gallon I'm buying next week... Thanks for the great info sir!
+SergioVasquez CichlidGuy915 You are welcome. It should give you years of trouble free filtering. Thanks for watching and commenting.
The purigen should be placed in the last basket, if we see. One of purigen's main actions is to eliminate ammonia and nitrite ... if they are removed, or diminished at a stage before they pass through nitrifying bacteria, they are left without "food" to establish a strong bacterial community. It's my opinion. Besides, thank you very much for your very informative videos.
Water travels up the baskets when returning to the tank in a SunSun, so if you mean the top basket, then we are on the same page.
Ben Ochart, yes, we are on the same page !!! 😊
When I say in the last basket, I mean the direction of the water in each filter. For example, I have an FX6, and the direction is from top to bottom, so I put it in the bottom basket, which is the last one, in the sunsun, I don’t know, but if it is from the bottom up, it will be in the first.
Great setup man. I personally have filled my last two section of the canister with just biological. Chemical isn't need unless there an unbalance of water colour or odor. But hey everyone got there own ways great job!
Thanks Andy. I appreciate you stopping by.
Nice video made me switch to a canister filter
Love canisters and I appreciate you trusting my advice. Thanks!
I do everything as you do but one. I connect my hose's straight onto the filter and let gravity fill the filter with water, once full i plug in and turn on. Never had a problem this way. Iv never filled filler before placing motor on. I find this way it cleans the pipes a little to.
Good tip Ricky!
@@BenOchart Thank you. I didn't expect a reply. Keep up the great video's
another great video Ben I do exactly the same. 2 tips when refilling the filter I have a permanent marker pen on water level.Also when you turn on filter just put a net over the outlet that goes in to tank it catches the crap that goes in when first turned on.
keep up the great videos you do.
+Ian Batchelor Great tip, that first surge of water can be messy. Thanks!
As to the priming of that filter, I had issues with priming, what I do now is similar to your self, the problem I believe is that if the outlet to your tank is below the water level in the tank then you will have priming issues, so, when filling the tank after a water change I fill to just below the outlet about 30mm or so, turn on the filter and hey! no priming issues or air noise. Fill to above the outlet and all is well. I use a spray bar.
this video is awesome! super informational and has helped me improve not only the cleaning process of my canister filter the well being of my fish even now in 2018! I am just getting into serious Aquarium builds this year and this helped me take some steps in the right direction!
I am very glad to hear that it has helped!
Thank you so very much. I've been looking at over a dozen videos, you're the first person to tell me what I wanted to know, that I do the hose's first then unplug it. Thank you, finely someone with a brain.😊 And yes I agree with you, everyone else makes it look like it's hard to prime. I did what you said, it's fast and easy, thanks again.
Any chance of you showing how to clean the hose's and impeller? Or do you already have a video for that? Thanks
You're welcome. I'm glad that worked for you.
Thanks for video. No BS nice how to. Thinking about getting one for a 20g planted I'm going to start up in a couple weeks.
+47Viggen Thanks for watching. I highly recommend SunSun canisters for any kind of tank. The price and large media trays provide a lot of flexibility.
Nice vid. I have a similar setup with 2 sun sun 304Bs on a 120 gallon 5 ft predator tank. Similar setup with the media and well.
1. 4 different sponges on bottom (coarse to fine)
2. Bio balls
3. Seachem matrix.
4. Bio rings.
I think I'm gonna do away with the bio balls and replace with biohome as well. Maybe chuck the balls at the bottom to divert flow like you have.
thanks for the great info. after watching your video I brought a 304 for my tank and it's working great. It's also very quite
Awesome. Can't beat the value and quality of a SunSun. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Very good job Ben I also have mine like that but on the very bottom I have the sponch and 5 layers of that Pinckney floss and is working like a champ 👍 thanks for sharing like always great, great video
If it's working ... don't change a thing. Thanks for watching George.
gotta love the sunsun filters! Great filter media video!
+Corey Hecker Thanks Corey!
Brilliant idea about the light!!
Thank you ill be ready to go when i get mine
Very simple video and easy to follow. I might get a second canister on my 55g tank. Overkill but nothing but the best. :)
Thank you for watching and commenting. No such thing as "overkill" when it comes to crystal clear water :)
Well done Ben! I'm deciding between the fluval 06 series and this particular unit.
Hi there, enjoy you videos. Purigen and prime kills anaerobic bacteria , most people don't pick this up as they do weekly water changes and only get to 2/3 of the nitrogen cycle. Sun sun the best value for money.
I checked this with Seachem and it is not true. Here is there reply in full:
Seachem Support 10286 (Seachem Laboratories)Feb 28, 09:57 AST
Hello Ben,Thank you for following up! Purigen should not harm the beneficial bacteria colonies (aerobic or anaerobic) in the tank. I believe this rumor stems from the fact that Purigen removes organic material from the tank which ultimately breaks down into ammonia, nitrite and nitrate to "feed" the bacteria. In any tank, there is always enough organic material being produced that there will be some in excess. Purigen helps take care of the excess which actually eases the load on the biological filter.As long as you have environments in your filter that are lower in oxygen (places with low flow rate, media with large internal surface area), the anaerobic bacteria will be able to grow!I hope this helps!Thank you,Seachem Support 10286
In my experience tap water, at least mine which has chlorine but no chlorine, has no negative effect that I can see. I feel free to wash sponges thoroughly. And if required, I would wash bio medium also.
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL TANK!!!!
love the homer buckets......lol.... home depot is the aquarists best friend....
That's no lie!
Thanks for watching and commenting Todd.
Thank you for this video I got one of these at Christmas time and set it up and I need to clean it and this was a great demonstration but what's in the little bag is that the same as carbon
In some ways yes. It's Seachem Purigen which absorbs things you don't want in the tank, like carbon does. Unlike carbon, which you should throw away after a few months, Purigen can be "recharged" like 8 or 10 times, so it goes along way. Many however are not using either and seeing good results.
Good video Ben as far as placement of the purigen typically chemical filtration is the last step I personally run the sun sun 404b's as well as other models I leave just enough room in the top tray for a large bag of purigen otherwise same setup and I don't use the rings in the bottom but it appears both ways works great I would just suggest using purigen in the top bin.
Thanks, makes sense.
Whatever works for you. Should go from bottom to top. Mechanical, chemical, and then biomedia. You want your biomedia to be touched by the cleanest water possible before returning to tank. Pond guru explains it best.
Cichlid MadMan Agree.
Wassup Ben? Great video you really wen into depth with this 1 we appreciate you
Very informative! Nice vid!
Glad you liked it!
I love your personality!! And thanks so much for the tips and tricks!
excellent video. I also have same filter , and have my media same way.. these are great filters .
+Mike Howell Thanks for watching. Yes, I love the SunSun's...can't beat the price.
Good to see you credit the PondGuru!!! Congratulations!!! :-)
+byankos Rinse new Biohome in tank water.... love your style!!!
Pre-priming of the canister... a man after my own heart!!! I do this with my cars then doing an oil change... :-)
+byankos thank you, yes, PondGuru helped me understand how canisters work and how to use them correctly. Thank you for watching and commenting!
Pondguru has to be the most knowledgable person I know on filters/media I know of
I believe that he invented the Biohome product line, right?
Ben Ochart I'm not sure, it definitely seems that way lol
very good information thank you
I'm glad you found it helpful Sandy
pond guru rocks and so does Ben
You're including me in with a VIP in the hobby ... thank you! 😉
Great video that explains the layer and cleaning! ONE QUESTION: do you worry about cleaning the piping that connects the canister to your tank's water? Yours is fairly dark green and I would think you would have acknowledged this IF it were a major issue. Again, thanks for the great lesson.
Joe K Great question. Every other canister cleaning I take apart the tubes and connector hardware and give it all a good cleaning. I use a long plastic bristle pipe cleaner that I push through the tubes and it removes the algae and gunk build-up.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
I see. I'm sure algae build up slows down the water flow to and from the canister. Thank you for the tips in your vids.
Also, I will be buying my own Poly sheets to make the water polishers myself. I've read about additives (i.e. fire retardants) that some Poly products have that can hurt fish. Know anything about that?
Yes. Poly-fill, pure poly, crib batting works fine. With sponges, I buy big sheets that are for pond filters on eBay and cut them to size.
Awesome. Thanks Ben!
Good video some really useful info.
+wadej347 Thanks!
hello Ben,
have taken ur Advice and purchased few more African cichlids for my 5 ft Aquarium. and bought all those stuff watch video you recommend me to watch. Etc..... my Aquarium water is so clear like urs. I do all you told me to do. fishes seems so happy. but I will be adding more Fish soon need at least 15 more.
I'm very happy that you are having success and I totally understand the desire for more fish. If you haven't already, watch my video "Cichlids are Crack" and have a laugh.
Nice job.
I never use the primer on my sunsun, I don't think it works very well. It also fills to tank up with tiny bits of gunk. but for the price of them I can't complain too much.
Albert Ramsay I agree on both points. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Just set my 72 gal. Bow front up & bought the 4 stage SunSun with ultra violet light ,, it pumps quite a bit of water. Is the light a needed option or just now & then ? TY for being so in-depth on video. I already put stuff in bottom for water flow& did lights first day, big help. My question is why no charcoal in filter ? Thought it was a necessity ? Your tank looks great.
Good stuff. I have my Sunsun setup similarly. Coarse medium fine on bottom also. Middle I use chemi pure elite though and top tray is Seachem matrix.
+Cichlid MadMan I've heard great things about both Chei Pure and Seachem. Thanks for watching.
thank you so much for this video I just bought one 302 and it was very,very helpful ,,👌👏👏👏
Love my two 302s. They've been running quiet and strong for over two years.
Simple instructions. Thanks!
You're welcome Frog. Thanks for watching.
How often do you throw away the sponge? I want to change my sponge to a coarse and medium for better filtration.
They last practically forever Holley. I only toss them after they start falling apart, which can take years. However, replacing with a better combination of sponges is a different matter. Because they can house a lot of beneficial bacteria, I suggest that you swap out one a month until you have it set up they way you want it. That will avoid shocking the tank.
@@BenOchart thank you you’re the best!
I know this video is 4 years old but I follow you for your advice and intellect. I have Sunsun 302 for a 40 gallon red ear turtle tank. Since ive had this filter I have had so many issues and problems. After I clean my tank in a week its dirty again, water is not cloudy but dirty. The water color looks orange in color, was green color for a little bit but I wiped it down and I don't feed the turtle as much as I used to. What do you recommend I do or what can change. I'm thinking of buying the Green Killing Machine. I've seen your videos and others which say with a good canister you can change you water every 4 weeks or so. Just looking for some advice on my issues. Thank You
I hear turtles are very messy. I've never had them, so i can't speak from experience. Do you have some floss in that canister to catch the fine detritus? You might want to consider two canisters.
@@BenOchart thank you for such a fast response. Yes my turtle ( Turd ) is mess. I used to treat him to 20-30 feeder fish every Friday but was told the fish and all the turtles crap makes a huge mess. Once again thank you for all the information your channel provides
Curious to see an update to how you now setup your canister and clean it. I think i seen a post from an earlier comment that you said you now are using purigen at the top. I would definitely say I hear at the top is where you should have the purigen/ chemi pure blue or chemi pure elite. I am also interested to know if you have any knowledge on seachem matrix, i hear tons if people using that (maybe instead of the biohome). Do yu think the cheaper pillow stuffing or sponge stuff would work as good as the polly-fill? Thanks as always and I really enjoy your voice during your videos, you make it sound so easy and do nit over complicate things. I think I confuse peopld or make it harder for people to understand what I am saying. Excited to see a newer video on the canister cleaning/water change!!! Thanks again Ben!
+Troy Hodapp I am not familiar with the matrix, blue and elite seachem products. What I've seen on RUclips are all positive comments on those products. Seachem seems like a real legit company, so you probably can't go wrong using their stuff, if used as recommended. The floss I'm using now is crib batting fiber fill which I cut to fit the canister baskets. You've inspired me to film a "Canister Tips 2.0" video that includes a water change. Look for it in a month to six weeks since my canisters are pretty clean right now. Thanks for watching, subscribing and commenting.
your Tank looks awsome , great vid i have the same filter will try these tips thanks
+GnomishUprising Thank you for watching and commenting!
Educational vid, and well explained. helpful thanks :0)
You are welcome!
nice job
I have 3 sunsun 404-b for sbout s year and they work like i just bought them. I also use ultimate bio-home good stuff.
Paul Sampugnaro Thank you Paul. Have you heard that you need one kilo on Biohome Ultimate for every 15 gallons of tank. They claim this will create anaerobic bacteria that will reduce nitrates. I just found this out.
Thanks for watching.
In this video (or maybe it was another one), you mentioned putting a pre-filter on the end of your intake tube inside the aquarium to trap any sand kicked up by the cichlids. What kind do you use on your SunSun and where do you purchase it?
Not a topic I've discussed, however, I did put some poly-fill around the intake of an HOB filter in a grow out tank and it worked great as a pre filter. You can find poly fill "crib batting" at any fabric or craft store.
Quite helpful Ben, but what was the gunk floating around when you restarted the filter
I need to rewatch the video but if I had to guess I'd say particles that were in the hoses which I didn't clean this time. Usually I'll hold a net over the output to catch any of that.
@@BenOchart making movies is hard work. especially when you are actor , director, cinematographer , set designer, best boy, editor, amongst others
Hello Ben, I have a 703B and a 3000 Sunsun on different tanks but have run into the same issue with both units. The filters will just start leaking while in use. Not from the start, but after a few weeks of run time they just begin leaking at a point where the head meets the body. Typically in the between one of the 4 clamps. I check the seal rings, body and head unit for Debris or pinches, flat spots, rough spots etc. and nothing is ever found. This leaking issue has become very costly to me and I was wondering if you or one of your members have ever had this issue and what it took to remedy the issue. Thank you
Hi,
We’ve had this unit for about 1 1/2 years no problems. This time after cleaning it , even with filling the filter tank we can’t get it working even with priming it. Any suggestions?
Two reasons why I clean my sponges in tap water:
1. I don't care about the few bacteria in the sponges. Sponges are only mechanical filters and should do this job as long as possible. Poorly cleaned sponges tend to clog quick.
2. And more important reason: tap water in Germany is not chlorinated. I also use pure tap water for water changes without any treatments
Both good points!
Thank you this video was extremely helpful
Please help im running g an aquatop cf300 course medium and fine filters at the bottom ceramic rings with a polish filter in middle and carbon n polish filter on top my water has alot of particles floating wont get clear
Hi Ben! Great, great video man! I do need some advise man. I have the exact same one, the orange stuff you placed there, what is it and where can I purchase one, the white spongy things where do I buy them because at the pet store they are super expensive, the blue sponge as well where do I get them? I am cleaning the filter but not replacing anything as of yet but I am replacing though the hoes which are and look pretty bad. But first I will clean the filters and get the gunk out then see the force of the water because water is barely exiting. Thanks man. Be safe and please reply to my questions. Great video again!
Thanks Ismael. I buy "pond filters" and cut them to fit the trays. You can get them at my Amazon store: amazon.com/shop/benochart
Great video I've only had my setup for about 2 months, really new to all this, I am cleaning my canister filter over the weekend, great input to cleaning it thankyou. How often do you need to clean these filters?.
So Helpful Ty
hey ben
great video
got a question for u:
why did u remove the purigen bag from the top tray and put it in the bottom tray on top of the polyfil??
yeah i need that light, good suggestion
I wonder how well they would work if you could hook the pair up to act as one.
Have one filled with sponge then the other Bio media.
Have the outlet from the sponge one going to the inlet of the Bio one, do you understand were I'm comming from?
Just a thought.
Albert Ramsay I've seen this discussed before. One input to canister A, output or return from A goes to the input of canister B and canister B returns water to the tank. You would lose one input and one output in the tank by doing this as well the loss of the surface agitation that was being created. So, net result I would say that running
Nice video 👍
🎉You now officially have 101 subscribers 🎉
Thank you. I subbed you back.
+electric water and, BTW, I love that OB on your banner, he is nuts beautiful.
Ben Ochart thanks he's the boss hense,Why I have them beautiful colors!
Great video, *thank you.* You have overcome all *three* hurdles- obtaining the priceless knowledge of proper setup- actually doing it, and having correct equipment. Think about this- make canister A *only foam pads* then gang it *(OUT to IN)* to canister B that contains only *Bio Media.* You would only have to clean canister A, while leaving canister B closed, making it a "Super Bio Reactor", that you can leave unattended for a *year or more.*
Very interesting suggestion. I know that SunSun makes small pre-filters as well. My only concern would be that over time the bio media would get clogged and the type of bacteria that grows in the deeper pockets would get killed off.
Another consideration is that the dual canisters serve as a "redundant" back-up so that if one has a motor burn out and stops working, the other filter can hold things together with both sponges and bio media while I get the broken canister fixed.
But, you've made a good case for adding pre-filters with sponges and poly-fil to each canister and filling of the larger canisters with bio media. Could actually work and fit my redundancy back-up way of thinking.
Yes, I agree about redundancy. My idea only involves one extra hose, and switching medias around. In case of one failure- returning to one unit is easy. Nothing is permanently modified. As for the colonies- Richard clearly states that the amount of Bio media and water is what controls he amount of colony. When some die- they slough off, as new replace them. Don't pack the Reactor tightly. Colonies can last for years under right conditions. Float by Richard- I'd be interested in what he thinks. Thank you.
I’ve noticed with 2 of my sunsuns that the prime button sticks
I notice no carbon is added on the filters ? I always put some but I really don’t know why lol . Do I need to put carbon ? Thanks
Very informative, thank you.especy for me novice.
You are welcome
thank you alot. gonna make a video and share link with you soon
Please let me know when you do so I can see your new tank set up.
Ben,Thanks for the video. I've read and seen on RUclips that putting chemical filteration below the bio filtration makes it harder for the bio-bacteria to get food. I'm no expert. I can kind of see the argument for both.What do you think?Ted
+strat1960s I placed the perigin before (below) the MarinePure and the Biohome Ultimate and I'm getting a zero nitrite and less than 5ppm nitrate test results...so I'm going to stick with that for now. I'm pretty sure I'd be getting good reading if I had the perigin on top (last) as well. Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm constantly learning...
Hi Ben quick question; do you have everything plugged in the surge protector? Filters, lights, powerheads, etc. Even the heater? Just wondering because I read somewhere they say not to plug heater to surge protectors...
Man started with you and then Pondguru. Just order my Sun Sun and the media for my 55 gal Cichlid tank to go with my HOB. Thanks for the info brother. Do I really need to purchase the live bacteria when before I operate my canister?
You can add something like API Quick Start and/or add substrate that comes with good bacteria, like CaribSea Eco-Complete.
I think the best thing one can do is to get a hold of grungy used wet filter media from an established tank and put it in your filter, it will speed up cycling your tank, making it safe to add fish.
Good luck and thank you for watching and commenting.
Thank you so much for all the help Ben, bought a sun sun 302 of my own and it's working great. I have it running in a 20 gallon tank with only 8 angel fish. How often do you recommend changing the water and cleaning out the filter? I also have the same setup in the canister with purigen, ceramic bio balls, and the polyfill
It's a starter tank and the Angels are all babies, I will move them as they grow and time goes on.
+Shane Khan the canisters can run for several months, two to three on average.
However, if there's a noticeable drop in output pressure or if your nitrates pop up a bit, that will trigger an immediate cleaning for me.
+Ben Ochart thanks for the help. Just a quick question on the tank. How often do you think I should change the water and clean the tank if nitrates are fine? Thanks for all the help much appreciated!
+Shane Khan I do weekly 40% water changes to keep the water fine (nitrates low). If you wait until tests show bad results, you've put the fish under stress. So, once a week works for me.
That being said, keep in mind that I have a heavily stocked African Cichlid tank. A community tank should be able to go two or three weeks between changes.
Do weekly water tests to stay on top of things.
+Ben Ochart thanks for all your help and the constant tips you provided would have been able to "supercharge" the sun sun without you lol
I'm so glad I went on to RUclips and found your video thanks for advice
Love to hear that, thanks Gary!