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.
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?
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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!
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!
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!
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 🐠😁
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
+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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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?
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.
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
I notice you don't add any charcoal? Also I have always used a layer of poly at bottom of tray and then put the bio on top of it, any benefit to just adding bio in tray alone? Thanks
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.
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 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
Well, nitrites are at zero but nitrate are 40 - 80ppm depending on which water test you want to believe. I'm in the middle of a couple 60% water changes that should put me between 20 - 40ppm. All other tests are perfect. It's hard to isolate what biohome is doing because I also have MarinePure CerMedia and in my canister filters (along with sponge filters and poly-floss). Overall, I'm happy with the Biohome product.
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?.
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...
speaking of lights for your aquarium, what is the recommended duration of leaving lights on your tank. I have the daylight lights, (Leave them on all day) then I have at night the moon lights (leave on until morning), Would you be so kind to recommend?
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.
hi great video how often you clean the tank as I have AQUA MANTA EFX 200 AFTER i CLEANED THE TANK ABOUT 2 DAY LATER START BECOME FOGY AND SMELLT THANJKS
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
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.
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?
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!
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
great vid, at the moment I have a 200 litre tank with african cichlids in, should I consider getting this filter or can you tell me which one would be good for my tank
Hello, that's about 53 gallons, so yes, you could use two of the 300 or 400 series SunSun canisters and it would filter your tank quite well. At some point, unless you're keeping just a small number of small Mbuna, you might want a bigger tank, so start setting aside some money now ;) Thanks for watching and commenting.
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.
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...
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.
thanks so much for this video! im interested in trying a canister filter now, but im curious, is this model good for a 29 gallon planted aquarium,? i havent set the tank up yet but i like the look of the sunsun and from what i hear it is very quiet
With pre-filters on the intakes I can go 4 months between cleaning. I've had that biohome for around 4 years and it's still doing the job. I gently rinse it in tank water when I service the canister.
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.
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!
Thanks for the tip on filling the canstier filter than putting the motor back on. Been fighting with my filter for over 3 hours.
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.
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.
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?
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!!! 👍🏻👏
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.
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.
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 :)
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 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😀👍🏻
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.
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!
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Nice video made me switch to a canister filter
Love canisters and I appreciate you trusting my advice. Thanks!
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!
Brilliant idea about the light!!
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.
gotta love the sunsun filters! Great filter media video!
+Corey Hecker Thanks Corey!
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.
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!
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.
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
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL TANK!!!!
Thank you ill be ready to go when i get mine
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.
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.
Well done Ben! I'm deciding between the fluval 06 series and this particular unit.
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
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!
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!
Very informative! Nice vid!
Glad you liked it!
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.
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
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??
I notice you don't add any charcoal? Also I have always used a layer of poly at bottom of tray and then put the bio on top of it, any benefit to just adding bio in tray alone? Thanks
Great video.....does the purigen effect the biohome?
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.
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 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
I’ve noticed with 2 of my sunsuns that the prime button sticks
Do you find the purigen makes a big difference?
Did Biohome Media reduce the Nitrates in your aquarium ??
Did you notice a big difference ?
Well, nitrites are at zero but nitrate are 40 - 80ppm depending on which water test you want to believe.
I'm in the middle of a couple 60% water changes that should put me between 20 - 40ppm. All other tests are perfect.
It's hard to isolate what biohome is doing because I also have MarinePure CerMedia and in my canister filters (along with sponge filters and poly-floss).
Overall, I'm happy with the Biohome product.
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?.
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 :)
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...
Wassup Ben? Great video you really wen into depth with this 1 we appreciate you
speaking of lights for your aquarium, what is the recommended duration of leaving lights on your tank. I have the daylight lights, (Leave them on all day) then I have at night the moon lights (leave on until morning), Would you be so kind to recommend?
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!
hi great video how often you clean the tank as I have AQUA MANTA EFX 200 AFTER i CLEANED THE TANK ABOUT 2 DAY LATER START BECOME FOGY AND SMELLT THANJKS
I love your personality!! And thanks so much for the tips and tricks!
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
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
Do you suggest using chemipure for charcoal replacement?
I use charcoal for a month after dosing med's. Otherwise I'm running with Seachem Purigen, but I've heard nothing but good things about Chemipure.
very good information thank you
I'm glad you found it helpful Sandy
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?
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
Can I just used de-chlorinated water instead of tank water?
Treated water works fine since it shouldn't harm the beneficial bacteria.
i just want to know about the timer. time for light?
Hey Ben great video! Where did you get those lights from? Thanks
Thank you. Any hardware store, or even Amazon / eBay would carry. They come in all shapes and sizes with velcro tape backing.
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!
Good video some really useful info.
+wadej347 Thanks!
Is it true or false that the BB can die off as it sits in still water in the bucket of tank water ?
pond guru rocks and so does Ben
You're including me in with a VIP in the hobby ... thank you! 😉
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.
great vid, at the moment I have a 200 litre tank with african cichlids in, should I consider getting this filter or can you tell me which one would be good for my tank
Hello, that's about 53 gallons, so yes, you could use two of the 300 or 400 series SunSun canisters and it would filter your tank quite well. At some point, unless you're keeping just a small number of small Mbuna, you might want a bigger tank, so start setting aside some money now ;)
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Doesn't Pondguru recommend Chemical Filtration after Biological Filtration? Isn't Purigan Chemical?
Yes, Purigen is considered chemical and the water should touch it last, on it's way back to the tank.
@@BenOchart Awesome, Thanks for your videos! I love your channel.
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.
Simple instructions. Thanks!
You're welcome Frog. Thanks for watching.
So Helpful Ty
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...
Just cleaned the filter but it is noisy, took then impeller out, what did I do?
love the homer buckets......lol.... home depot is the aquarists best friend....
That's no lie!
Thanks for watching and commenting Todd.
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
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.
thanks so much for this video! im interested in trying a canister filter now, but im curious, is this model good for a 29 gallon planted aquarium,? i havent set the tank up yet but i like the look of the sunsun and from what i hear it is very quiet
It is quiet. I'd go with this size or a 404-B. It would be all you need.
Where did you get the lights?
Big Lots. $6 for two. Love them. Thanks for watching.
Ben Ochart thanks
Hi, how often you clean your canister and replacing bio home ultra media
With pre-filters on the intakes I can go 4 months between cleaning. I've had that biohome for around 4 years and it's still doing the job. I gently rinse it in tank water when I service the canister.