Pondguru also recommends that pre filter on all big canister filters. I think it just makes sense. That and not everyone can afford an FX4,5 or 6, just use better media than what comes with it and set three sizes of filtration sponges in the bottom tray and fill the other trays with good quality ceramic media.
I just got my 704b in and filtering my 75 gallon. And with no hiccups. I got all the air out by following your recommendation to rock back and forth till all the air gets out and I put seachem purigen in as well and it's doing an Awsomme job. I'll be adding the pre filter as well for extra support.Thanks Ben
Ben good video for sharing best practices. I have a sunsun on a 60 gallon grow out tank that I currently clean just once a year. I achieve this by having a large Poret foam “sleeve” over the filter intake to the sun sun. This sleeve is 5x5x8 inches and I clean it about every 6 weeks. Nothing needs disassembly, I even pull the foam sleeve out for cleaning with the sunsun still running. Does take some tank space. I use a black sponge with a black tank background so it is essentially hidden. No additional pre-filter canister required, no additional plumbing or places for leaks to occur. This design expands on what Cory at aquarium coop does.
If SunSun / Aquatop / APS made the pre-filter with a bigger diameter and larger hose attachments it would limit the flow reducing problems of the pre-filters - they are still a bit too small but adding anything in-line will affect flow negatively so I guess it is a small price to pay - ultimately the flow rate / turnover rate of any system is not as important as how much media is used in the filter or how the filter is set up as it is the media and foams which will ensure clear and healthy water, not the gallons per hour being pushed around. Yes good point about the water changes still being necessary even when a full cycle is achieved as re-mineralizing the water and reducing other 'pollutants' not processed by bacteria prevents the water getting stale. Have a good one and best wishes for 2019.
@pondguru I recently purchased 2 of the transparent 603's for both my 304b canisters, and came across exactly what you described. I would need to modify the 2 different diameter size hoses (604 pre filter hose is smaller). By using. Bypass from smaller to bigger between the 2 hoses, I will cause the 304b canister to work harder to pull the water in through the pre filter and potentially burning out the motor on the 304b. If any one knows of a comparable pre filter with the the hose dimensions, please let me know through this post.
I have a 704b on my 6ft x 18 3/4 x 16 3/4 diy acrylic tank and a 404b on my 40 breeder. They have been great filters for me so far. Silent operation and very good flow from the spray bars. On the 6ft tank I put the spray bar on the side of the tank and the intake on the opposite side and it’s worked out amazing. It’s created a current that flows the length of the tank that the fish really seem to enjoy. For price and in my experience performance these sunsun’s cant be beat
I run two 704b's on my 120 and they're fantastic filters. I do think the power consumption for the flow rate could be better and the new canister addresses that. One thing I would like to raise however is the disappointment I experienced when I tried the filter boosters... They absolutely kill the flow like you wouldn't believe. It took me a while to figure it out but it's actually the hose connectors on the booster - They unscrew to reveal small fittings for smaller hoses which means the water is hugely restricted. They might be an idea for canisters that use smaller hoses but for beasts like the 704b's or the new Sunsun canister, I wouldn't touch them unless you wanted lower flow.
Sun Sun should sponsor you on their next model. I’ll do a Sun Sun Canister Filter sponsor, if they would make one decent Canister Filter for a 125 Gallon Acrylic Tank! Thank you for sharing the take over of Canister Filters of Sun Sun Filters. I’m a firm believer in Canister Filters. Hey Sun Sun, people are watching Ben’s videos! Excellent vid, Ben! I enjoy cleaning my tank filter once a month. I’ve found Fry’s still alive in my Canister Filter.
Sunsun take my money!!! Souds really good. I recently bought a 302 and 304b on my 100gal and cleaned it 3 months later, wasn't as dirty as I thought it would be. Def a sunsun fan. 700gal at that price is amazing, I'd keep an eye out for it at my local distributor. Thanks for the heads up Ben!
I have this new canister, I've had it for almost a year, they had just came out with it and I got lucky and purchased it before they ran out. It runs awesome!! Quiet, and pretty powerful even with the 6 foot head that I have. It even has a programmable UV sterilization built in so you can set it for how many hours a day you'd like to use that feature for. I'll be buying a second one as soon as I can.
Hey Ben! Thanks for the video. I saw the prefilter on a PONDGURU video awhile back and wanted to buy the LW-603 prefilter but didn't because the bottom was NOT transparent. It's the only reason I didn't buy it and I really wanted it. Well thanks to you bringing it up in your video and telling us all it's now available in a clear see through bowl I just ordered 2 each on AMAZON. Will connect each to a pair of FLUVAL FX6s I have for a 200 gallon African Cichlid tank. Thanks again for another good video.
I am just now looking to get back into the hobby after a 30 year hiatus. I was thinking of even building my own canister filter OR getting a Sunsun. Either way, I also thought of the idea of a floss or sponge PRE-FILTER. I THINK YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHING!
I have pre-filter sponges on the intakes of two SunSun 302s that I run on my 60 gal. tank. When I crack open the canisters after 4 or 5 months they still look pretty good. I rinse out the pre-filter sponges when I do water changes. Welcome back to the hobby!
I've been running that system on my 240ltr. tank with Malawis since June 2018. The APS cannister has 3 trays of Biohome and 1 tray sponge set up as Pondguru suggests. The jury is still out on the complete cycle. Nitrates still at nearly 50pp. I rinse the sponges in the pre filter once per month and will be rinsing the main can this weekend (05/01/19). I do a 75% water change each week. The tank I have is a Juwel 240 which has an internal filter set up the way Pondguru suggests.
Do you know how easy it is to buy a spare pump? I can buy one on Ali Express I suppose I could asjythere. They struggle a bit with English interpretation but they are always eager to make things right.
Hey Ben, great concept and idea. We will have to see how well they stand the test of continuous service through the years. Hopefully, it will be everything you claim it to be. Currently, I have been scaling back to sponge filters and quality HOBs, and my FX6S continue to run flawlessly since when I purchased them back in late 2013 when they replaced the FX5. Anyway, keep us updated if you decide to get one and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
If I had to rely on big name brands for all my equipment I couldn't afford to have an aquarium. Before buying a filter I did a lot of research and discovered the Sunsun 603b. It's amazing how well just that 1 canister works on a 20 gal. I did manage to pack 1kg of Biohome Super Gravel into the 603b under the foam filters. It's a great little canister for small aquariums. Now I'm upgrading to a 45 gal tank and I'm planning to use a 603 as a pre-filter so that I can double (or maybe triple) my Biohome. Having just one tank, cleaning isn't as much of an issue for me, since cleaning one filter is easier than cleaning a bunch. I'm mostly concerned with performance and I'm happy with what I've seen from Sunsun.
the transparent pre filter unit is only for marketing pictures (at least thats what it says on the All Ponds site this side of the pond). That retail units are normal white plastic, which is exactly what I have feeding into my All Ponds Solutions 2000EF.
@@BenOchart it has been working great. No problems at all. Just rinse the sponges and you are back up and running with no particles coming out when you re start, and may I add no re-priming necessary.
I have a Sunsun 704b and now just bought a Fluval fx6 that put the Sunsun to shame. Now I finally have the clearest water I have ever had. Probably running two 704b’s is equal to one Fluval fx6. You say but the fx6 is like $350 well I bought a brand new one on offfer up for $200. I never had this kind of flow rate before
Am going to give it a try. I do own a sun sun hw 3000 for 3 months nw on a 50 gallon acrylic tank which took a little over 2 months to fully cycle. I guess due to high flow rate. The pressure is very low but turn out flow per hr is great. 1 basket full with bio home, a second with matrix, 1 bio balls and the rest pads. Will purchase 603 and give it a try. My problem is how long to make the hose
Thanks for another great informative video. Exciting update on SunSun prefilter. Have you ever considered a diy nitrate reactor for your sump. There are some diy blogs on using SeaChem Denitrate in these nitrate reactors where you can adjust the flow to under 50 gph which allows the anaerobic bacteria time to remove the nitrates from the water. One blogger got his nitrates down to under 12 ppm. I'm assuming that Biohome would also work great as Denitrate is just a smaller size of matrix.
Great video Ben I also have two sun sun for over one year and they are rocking still thank for sharing another great video and Mary Christmas and a happy new year
I recently installed a 704a with the 603 pre-filter -- it's working out well for now, though I did have to add a powerhead inside the tank (325 gallon) to feed the pre-filter -- I tried a long time but couldn't get them primed without the powerhead.
The HW-3000 is amazing...I got mine on eBay for $125 just before it started selling on Amazon.. adding the 603 as a mechanical filter and using the 3000 as biological is a very interesting and good idea Ben! I may just have to do this.
I had my first Sunsun HW302 break on me, about 4 months after starting to use it. One of the tube connectors on the main unit had a little piece of plastic break off, which prevented a proper seal from forming and caused a leak. I replaced it and hopefully the plastic won't break on me this time. If it does, I'll probably switch to a Fluval 306 or 406.
Filters are all about passing water through media and you can do the same with an old bucket. The King of DIY has a tutorial on how to do this. The media and flow rate are what matters. That being said,, I like the pre-filter and ultraviolet light.
If Aqua one/sun sun ever decide to really really decide to hit that midfke to upper market they could make even more money. Very easy to use although instruction manual is terrible. The trays are very versatile. I’d like to see the hoses for the inlet and outlet pipes similar to that of the fx6 and if they can modify future designs were the motors can be replaced like the fx6 they could really be big. I’m very happy with my 1400 litre an hr design. Great back up to my sumps 👌❤️
When I first heard of the sunsun canisters I gave a 304b a fair try.. Ran it for 3 months on another tank while FX6 stayed in service on larger tank. IMO it was a substandard construction and much weaker power. Price made it acceptable, however it wasn't able to accommodate my needs. Witg my current 1210Gallon System, my needs have grown to the 210Sump with a 5000gph return pump, so I don't see a sunsun finding its way into my set up. I do think its a good choice on a budget though..
I've seen videos were the pre filter slows the water flow and makes the pump work harder. It would be nice if someone could do a good review of both units working together.
I've 2 SunSuns, 4 Fluvals (FX6/406), 3 Eheims and a few other filters. The SunsSuns are not really worse, than any of the more expensive filters. They are louder than the Eheim-filters, but not louder than the FX6/406. The sunsuns have a great capacity and are really more affordable, if you want to expand your fishroom and need more than 1 filter at once. The only 2 downsides they have, are the low quality intake/spraybars and the less than optimal customerservice. Other than that my favourite valuefilter.
U really cant beat the SunSun for the money. I bought the pre filter a couple years ago to use as a denigrate (since it had a slow flow rate) but never set it up... good stuff Ben😎👍
I have this setup but im using that pre filter on my fluval 406, I find the 406 will run for about 6-7 months straight before the impeller needs cleaning as the bio film builds up and slows the flow.
@@BenOchart Hi yes I do also run a very course sponge on the intake tube itself, so its like a pre filter for the pre filter lol My water comes in though the intake sponge, then into the mini canister pre filter, though the course, medium, fine and floss, then goes into the fluval 406 where ive removed the sponges and filled that whole compartment with all my old ceramic bio media, then each tray is rammed with bio home about 6kg of media in total. And I also run small internal "green killing machine" UV sterilisers on my tanks which helps keep fungus, disease causing bacteria and parasites down aswell as having no algae to clean.
I have two of the booster canisters ordered. If you use two of these in parallel, it is likely that you will have close to 100% flow through the filter system because, I suspect, it is the mechanical media that slows the flow through the canister filter system.
Here is the key to nitrate reduction and it’s 100% contradictory to common practice.. stop cleaning out you filters period! Once you peak on detritus in your filter it highly reduces the flow which creates anaerobic pockets within the filter as all the gunk clogs and reduces flow and oxygen through certain areas. The more you disturb your filter the harder it is to ever achieve denitrification. Even if some is happening the second you open the filter exposing it to fresh air you’re done and cycle starts over. Look into denitrification in aquaponics and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Long as my filters are flowing I don’t touch them anymore. And what we all think is that dreaded bypass... is actually good. It keeps the water moving for oxygenating the tank and keeps back pressure off the pump, but highly reduces flow through media.. you might think of this as less filtering.. for mechanicals yes.. biological not as much. You just have to get past that nitrate spike for a month or two while colonies populate. Nature will eventually find it’s own balance we just keep messing it up halfway through with excessive cleaning.
If any canister filter is going to take over the world it would probably be the fluval fx6. But this new filter might or might not be a heavy competition, the only reason why i say that is because it is a new product that has just released none have really been tested over time so my best advice would be to let it be out for a year or two and see what people think of them that way you dont get stuck without a filter however sunsun is a good company and i dont think that they would make a faulty filter.
Thank you for the video. That filter sound amazing.What intrigues me the most was the adjustable flow rate. So you could actually buy that monster canister and slow it down a little and run it on a 75 gallon tank. Not that I would recommend it but I wonder how long one could go without opening it, maybe two years. What is your opinion on comparing this pre-filter addition to the pre-filter sponge you can put on your intake that aquarium, co-op talks about all the time ??
I chose the sunsun 702b, but my uv bulb died after the first time i opened the can. replacement bulb isn't working either. arg. BUT, I ordered the 603 clear last week on amazon. it's taking forever to arrive, i guess it's shipping from China. But i also ordered 2 KG of biohome ultimate (on your recommendation, and PondGuru's). I'm very excited to get my nitrogen cycle (and maintenance) under control.
I really like the sunsun filters, I have one on my redtail catfish tank and it keeps the water great. I had a EHEIM one on the tank and hated it as it struggled to keep up. I need to order a few of these for a indoor pond that I’m building as I’ve decided to stick with sunsun instead of a sump. I’m just hoping we can still get them once we hit brexit as I’m not sure what we’ll be able to import yet or how much it will affect price.
Sounds like an interesting product ben. Very similar to the oase bio master cannister filter with the quick release pre-filter. Wonder how well it’ll work! Are you planning on getting one for reviews etc?
Do you ever have trouble with the sunsun sucking in air? I bought a new sunsun 3000 about a month ago and it gets a blast of air thru it about every hour. I have checked the o rings and hoses many times. I tried a thin layer of Vaseline on the o rings. nothing helps. Any ideas what to do? Has this ever happened to yours?
that pre filter looks great but the main reason I'm putting the BEN O SUMP is because my sun sun 302 just works great DIY Dedicated Bacteria filter 4in round and 10in long pvc filled with lava rock and clay pellets works for me 5 yrs now
Ben, I spoke with someone who tried the 603 prefilter with both a 304b and a 3000 and it didn't work out...the hose sizes are different so a reducer is required...second, the flow became reduced significantly...I don't know if there's a specific way to do this type of setup but the person I spoke to said it's not worth doing the 603 setup as a prefilter with the bigger Sunsun canisters due to a massive flow restriction.
I use sponge prefilters on my HOBs but they slow down the flow significantly and clog often. Wouldn't that happen on any prefilter? I have 2 of the smallest SunSun canisters which I service monthly (I couldn't physically service the larger sized ones). One is on a 55, the other on a 65. Both these tanks have sponge filters also. Both have cichlids. I have a 125 with a sump. Am currently trying to reduce nitrates with baskets filled with a mixture of ironite and clay. Don't know if that is working. Do wish we knew for certain the best water flow for cultivating both types of bacteria. My sump runs relatively slow, but I have some powerheads on my sponge filters. I stick to weekly sometimes biweekly water changes for my own peace of mind.
SunSun filters rock! I use the 603 also as suggested by Richard Pond Guru and as a canister for a 20 gallon planted tank, great as a filter and a pre- filter¡ Now the model 3000... way too powerful for any of my tanks..... but I am now curious about it... Has anyone just purchased a filter knowing that it will not work in any of the tanks?
The flow of this filter can be adjusted down to about 275 gph or something close to it, it's really neat, I've had it for almost a year and works awesomely.
@@corynelson6392 no, this is the first filter from sunsun that I've purchased and I'm completely happy with it. The fact that you can adjust the flow with a push of a button makes it a versatile canister filter for different size aquariums.
I purchased the sunsun 3000 canister filter along with the LW-602/603 prefilter.... I found that the hoses do not match up. The hoses used for the sunsun3000 are too large to use with the Prefilter. If you find a work around on this please let me know or make a video on it. I am stuck with an unusable prefilter. The sunsun 3000 canister filter is working very well by itself.
If you use this setup with the pre filter would it decrease the gph? What setup would you recommend for a 125gallon tank? I was going to use the sun sun 3000. 2 of them?
I live in the UK. I purchased a SunSun HW5000 on Ebay, from a company in the USA. No matter how many times i change the UV bulb, as soon as i turn the unit on i get a error message E20. I tried contacting Ming Trading who make the filter. Eventually after 6 messages to them; i got a reply saying they do not offer advice or spare parts to people living in the UK. So i went on line to try and track a importer of Sun Sun filters. After traceing a company who imports this make of filter, i contacted them to try and purchase a smart controller. Their reply was. It is impossible to obtain spare parts for Sun Sun filters, though they at the moment stock the filter in question. I was in the proccess of purchasing 2 HW3000s. But if you can not get back up/advice when the units go wrong; I would be stupid to waste my money. I will never buy another SunSun product. They are obviously just content to take your money and not bother with customer care. I guess i have just bought a expensive waste paper basket. Thats all their filters are fit for.
Is this better then an eheim pro 4 350? I can get one of those for cheap but have been hesitant to buy it because I don’t really need it and I’ve never used a canister filter before. If this brand is better, it would give me an excuse to not buy the other one.
I love the idea of the Sunsun. But there are a lot of Sunsun fail videos on UA-cam. More so than other filters. And I can deal with motors failing. It's some of the videos of the canister itself cracking that worry me. I'm sure 90% of the people that use it will never have an issue. Has the plastic the Sunsun is made of gotten any thicker in the last 5 years or is there some way to reinforce it?
I have seen one video of a failed Hydor. I think proper maintenance goes a long way towards keeping a filter going. Lube the impeller shaft. Silicone the o-rings. Clean it out often enough so that there isn't significant pressure. Use a pre-filter on the intake. All these will help prolong the file of the filter. But one of the most common comments I see about SunSuns is how thin the canister and basket plastic is. I'm concerned stuff may break just from overzealous manhandling during maintenance. But, it's 2019 now. Stuff just isn't built to last. I have aquarium equipment from the 80s that still chugs along just fine, and equipment from the 2000s and 2010s that has failed me.
I have a 21 year old Eheim I have only opened 4 or 5 times (mostly just to look)... bioballs inside that stay clean. Prefilter on the intake. Seperate much smaller internal canister filter for mechanical filtration. I always try and seperate my bio from my mechanical filter. It's a good all in one solution if Sunsun can successfully market it in the USA. Eheim only markets the good stuff in Europe it seems. :( People don't understand the advantages of separating your media.
I've had a fluval 405 and it was ok but not the best. I got tired of paying top dollar for a name. I have a 702b on my 55 and I love it. I got it used and have not had a single problem (knock on wood). The uv bulb is also used and still works great. I have a review of it on my channel. #SUNSUNFORLIFE
Pondguru also recommends that pre filter on all big canister filters. I think it just makes sense. That and not everyone can afford an FX4,5 or 6, just use better media than what comes with it and set three sizes of filtration sponges in the bottom tray and fill the other trays with good quality ceramic media.
I just got my 704b in and filtering my 75 gallon. And with no hiccups. I got all the air out by following your recommendation to rock back and forth till all the air gets out and I put seachem purigen in as well and it's doing an Awsomme job. I'll be adding the pre filter as well for extra support.Thanks Ben
Sounds like a great set-up!
Ben good video for sharing best practices. I have a sunsun on a 60 gallon grow out tank that I currently clean just once a year. I achieve this by having a large Poret foam “sleeve” over the filter intake to the sun sun. This sleeve is 5x5x8 inches and I clean it about every 6 weeks. Nothing needs disassembly, I even pull the foam sleeve out for cleaning with the sunsun still running. Does take some tank space. I use a black sponge with a black tank background so it is essentially hidden. No additional pre-filter canister required, no additional plumbing or places for leaks to occur. This design expands on what Cory at aquarium coop does.
Absolutely. I run pre-filter sponges on the few cans I have left and only clean the cans themselves annually. No nitrAte factories around here! :-)
If SunSun / Aquatop / APS made the pre-filter with a bigger diameter and larger hose attachments it would limit the flow reducing problems of the pre-filters - they are still a bit too small but adding anything in-line will affect flow negatively so I guess it is a small price to pay - ultimately the flow rate / turnover rate of any system is not as important as how much media is used in the filter or how the filter is set up as it is the media and foams which will ensure clear and healthy water, not the gallons per hour being pushed around.
Yes good point about the water changes still being necessary even when a full cycle is achieved as re-mineralizing the water and reducing other 'pollutants' not processed by bacteria prevents the water getting stale.
Have a good one and best wishes for 2019.
@pondguru
I recently purchased 2 of the transparent 603's for both my 304b canisters, and came across exactly what you described. I would need to modify the 2 different diameter size hoses (604 pre filter hose is smaller). By using. Bypass from smaller to bigger between the 2 hoses, I will cause the 304b canister to work harder to pull the water in through the pre filter and potentially burning out the motor on the 304b. If any one knows of a comparable pre filter with the the hose dimensions, please let me know through this post.
I run prefilters i designed for my sunsun canister filter and my maintenance is every 6 month...
Great vid👍
Every 6 ... that's awesome!
I have a 704b on my 6ft x 18 3/4 x 16 3/4 diy acrylic tank and a 404b on my 40 breeder. They have been great filters for me so far. Silent operation and very good flow from the spray bars. On the 6ft tank I put the spray bar on the side of the tank and the intake on the opposite side and it’s worked out amazing. It’s created a current that flows the length of the tank that the fish really seem to enjoy. For price and in my experience performance these sunsun’s cant be beat
I run two 704b's on my 120 and they're fantastic filters. I do think the power consumption for the flow rate could be better and the new canister addresses that.
One thing I would like to raise however is the disappointment I experienced when I tried the filter boosters... They absolutely kill the flow like you wouldn't believe. It took me a while to figure it out but it's actually the hose connectors on the booster - They unscrew to reveal small fittings for smaller hoses which means the water is hugely restricted.
They might be an idea for canisters that use smaller hoses but for beasts like the 704b's or the new Sunsun canister, I wouldn't touch them unless you wanted lower flow.
Sun Sun should sponsor you on their next model. I’ll do a Sun Sun Canister Filter sponsor, if they would make one decent Canister Filter for a 125 Gallon Acrylic Tank! Thank you for sharing the take over of Canister Filters of Sun Sun Filters. I’m a firm believer in Canister Filters. Hey Sun Sun, people are watching Ben’s videos! Excellent vid, Ben! I enjoy cleaning my tank filter once a month. I’ve found Fry’s still alive in my Canister Filter.
Sunsun take my money!!! Souds really good. I recently bought a 302 and 304b on my 100gal and cleaned it 3 months later, wasn't as dirty as I thought it would be. Def a sunsun fan. 700gal at that price is amazing, I'd keep an eye out for it at my local distributor. Thanks for the heads up Ben!
I have this new canister, I've had it for almost a year, they had just came out with it and I got lucky and purchased it before they ran out. It runs awesome!! Quiet, and pretty powerful even with the 6 foot head that I have. It even has a programmable UV sterilization built in so you can set it for how many hours a day you'd like to use that feature for. I'll be buying a second one as soon as I can.
Hey Ben! Thanks for the video. I saw the prefilter on a PONDGURU video awhile back and wanted to buy the LW-603 prefilter but didn't because the bottom was NOT transparent. It's the only reason I didn't buy it and I really wanted it. Well thanks to you bringing it up in your video and telling us all it's now available in a clear see through bowl I just ordered 2 each on AMAZON. Will connect each to a pair of FLUVAL FX6s I have for a 200 gallon African Cichlid tank.
Thanks again for another good video.
I am just now looking to get back into the hobby after a 30 year hiatus. I was thinking of even building my own canister filter OR getting a Sunsun. Either way, I also thought of the idea of a floss or sponge PRE-FILTER. I THINK YOU ARE ON TO SOMETHING!
I have pre-filter sponges on the intakes of two SunSun 302s that I run on my 60 gal. tank. When I crack open the canisters after 4 or 5 months they still look pretty good.
I rinse out the pre-filter sponges when I do water changes.
Welcome back to the hobby!
I've been running that system on my 240ltr. tank with Malawis since June 2018. The APS cannister has 3 trays of Biohome and 1 tray sponge set up as Pondguru suggests. The jury is still out on the complete cycle. Nitrates still at nearly 50pp. I rinse the sponges in the pre filter once per month and will be rinsing the main can this weekend (05/01/19). I do a 75% water change each week. The tank I have is a Juwel 240 which has an internal filter set up the way Pondguru suggests.
Yes ... i agree 100% ...i have sunsun 304 hw about 2 years and work good .. your idea about pre filter is great ... thanks
Do you know how easy it is to buy a spare pump? I can buy one on Ali Express I suppose I could asjythere. They struggle a bit with English interpretation but they are always eager to make things right.
Hey Ben, great concept and idea. We will have to see how well they stand the test of continuous service through the years. Hopefully, it will be everything you claim it to be. Currently, I have been scaling back to sponge filters and quality HOBs, and my FX6S continue to run flawlessly since when I purchased them back in late 2013 when they replaced the FX5. Anyway, keep us updated if you decide to get one and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
If I had to rely on big name brands for all my equipment I couldn't afford to have an aquarium. Before buying a filter I did a lot of research and discovered the Sunsun 603b. It's amazing how well just that 1 canister works on a 20 gal. I did manage to pack 1kg of Biohome Super Gravel into the 603b under the foam filters. It's a great little canister for small aquariums. Now I'm upgrading to a 45 gal tank and I'm planning to use a 603 as a pre-filter so that I can double (or maybe triple) my Biohome. Having just one tank, cleaning isn't as much of an issue for me, since cleaning one filter is easier than cleaning a bunch. I'm mostly concerned with performance and I'm happy with what I've seen from Sunsun.
Thanks Ben for the information it’s definitely a game changer
the transparent pre filter unit is only for marketing pictures (at least thats what it says on the All Ponds site this side of the pond). That retail units are normal white plastic, which is exactly what I have feeding into my All Ponds Solutions 2000EF.
They do have a transparent version to find though. Cant usually find them on Ebay, but i've seen them on Aliexpress.
Great video. I have been using a 603 for about 3 months as a pre filter for my marineland 360. Nothing but biological in the canister itself.
Chris Knott How is it working for you?
@@BenOchart it has been working great. No problems at all. Just rinse the sponges and you are back up and running with no particles coming out when you re start, and may I add no re-priming necessary.
Chris Knott I hate re priming sun sun hw 3000. Have to fill the hose every time
Been really happy with my 704b going to have to try the new one
I have a 40 gallon project coming up in the next month. Gonna give this setup a try. Thanks been for the info!
I have a Sunsun 704b and now just bought a Fluval fx6 that put the Sunsun to shame. Now I finally have the clearest water I have ever had. Probably running two 704b’s is equal to one Fluval fx6. You say but the fx6 is like $350 well I bought a brand new one on offfer up for $200. I never had this kind of flow rate before
Looks really nice good idea with pre- filter. They have come a long way since I had canister filters
I have 3 and they runs as good as the more expensive filters. 2 years running with no problems.
Ditto. Quiet and powerful with no issues.
Great video! I agree. This may be a game changer!!
Am going to give it a try. I do own a sun sun hw 3000 for 3 months nw on a 50 gallon acrylic tank which took a little over 2 months to fully cycle. I guess due to high flow rate. The pressure is very low but turn out flow per hr is great. 1 basket full with bio home, a second with matrix, 1 bio balls and the rest pads. Will purchase 603 and give it a try. My problem is how long to make the hose
The question is are them other canisters worth the extra $$ compared to the Sun Sun I say no
I definitely like my Sun Sun filters and have only have one issue that was resolved easily. The pre filter is a great idea as well.
Thanks for another great informative video. Exciting update on SunSun prefilter. Have you ever considered a diy nitrate reactor for your sump. There are some diy blogs on using SeaChem Denitrate in these nitrate reactors where you can adjust the flow to under 50 gph which allows the anaerobic bacteria time to remove the nitrates from the water. One blogger got his nitrates down to under 12 ppm. I'm assuming that Biohome would also work great as Denitrate is just a smaller size of matrix.
Damn, you just gave me another project to look into.
The nice thing about that sump is that I have a lot of room to play with.
Forget always given good info and ideas., keep them coming.
Great video Ben I also have two sun sun for over one year and they are rocking still thank for sharing another great video and Mary Christmas and a happy new year
I recently installed a 704a with the 603 pre-filter -- it's working out well for now, though I did have to add a powerhead inside the tank (325 gallon) to feed the pre-filter -- I tried a long time but couldn't get them primed without the powerhead.
The HW-3000 is amazing...I got mine on eBay for $125 just before it started selling on Amazon.. adding the 603 as a mechanical filter and using the 3000 as biological is a very interesting and good idea Ben! I may just have to do this.
I had my first Sunsun HW302 break on me, about 4 months after starting to use it. One of the tube connectors on the main unit had a little piece of plastic break off, which prevented a proper seal from forming and caused a leak.
I replaced it and hopefully the plastic won't break on me this time. If it does, I'll probably switch to a Fluval 306 or 406.
Hey Ben! Love your videos! Appreciate all the help you provide. Please make a video on tips for keeping both clown loaches and cichlids in one tank 🙏
Can we get a video of hw3000 with the hw603b as a prefilter, so that everyone can actually see the effects of the two combined?
am useing this system for ages now good
I run sunsun and need to keep O-rings for when they mess up & yes I lubricate the O ring every time I open it.
Filters are all about passing water through media and you can do the same with an old bucket. The King of DIY has a tutorial on how to do this. The media and flow rate are what matters. That being said,, I like the pre-filter and ultraviolet light.
If Aqua one/sun sun ever decide to really really decide to hit that midfke to upper market they could make even more money. Very easy to use although instruction manual is terrible. The trays are very versatile. I’d like to see the hoses for the inlet and outlet pipes similar to that of the fx6 and if they can modify future designs were the motors can be replaced like the fx6 they could really be big. I’m very happy with my 1400 litre an hr design. Great back up to my sumps 👌❤️
Are you going to make a video on hooking up the prefilter?
When I first heard of the sunsun canisters I gave a 304b a fair try.. Ran it for 3 months on another tank while FX6 stayed in service on larger tank. IMO it was a substandard construction and much weaker power. Price made it acceptable, however it wasn't able to accommodate my needs. Witg my current 1210Gallon System, my needs have grown to the 210Sump with a 5000gph return pump, so I don't see a sunsun finding its way into my set up. I do think its a good choice on a budget though..
I just got one of these last week and it is friggin amazing for my 60 gallon with 3 turtles.
I've seen videos were the pre filter slows the water flow and makes the pump work harder. It would be nice if someone could do a good review of both units working together.
I'm sold already this sunsun 3k just might replace both of my fx6s thanks for the update
I've 2 SunSuns, 4 Fluvals (FX6/406), 3 Eheims and a few other filters. The SunsSuns are not really worse, than any of the more expensive filters. They are louder than the Eheim-filters, but not louder than the FX6/406. The sunsuns have a great capacity and are really more affordable, if you want to expand your fishroom and need more than 1 filter at once. The only 2 downsides they have, are the low quality intake/spraybars and the less than optimal customerservice. Other than that my favourite valuefilter.
Cool vid ben. I like you have ran sun suns for years with zero issues
U really cant beat the SunSun for the money. I bought the pre filter a couple years ago to use as a denigrate (since it had a slow flow rate) but never set it up... good stuff Ben😎👍
I have this setup but im using that pre filter on my fluval 406, I find the 406 will run for about 6-7 months straight before the impeller needs cleaning as the bio film builds up and slows the flow.
I'm thinking of adding a sponge pre-filter to the fluval intake. Have you ever tried that?
@@BenOchart Hi yes I do also run a very course sponge on the intake tube itself, so its like a pre filter for the pre filter lol
My water comes in though the intake sponge, then into the mini canister pre filter, though the course, medium, fine and floss, then goes into the fluval 406 where ive removed the sponges and filled that whole compartment with all my old ceramic bio media, then each tray is rammed with bio home about 6kg of media in total.
And I also run small internal "green killing machine" UV sterilisers on my tanks which helps keep fungus, disease causing bacteria and parasites down aswell as having no algae to clean.
Pre-filter looks like a great idea
Its a killer combination with matrix. I run pre filters on all my canisters and hobs.
I have two of the booster canisters ordered. If you use two of these in parallel, it is likely that you will have close to 100% flow through the filter system because, I suspect, it is the mechanical media that slows the flow through the canister filter system.
My 702b has been going for 13 months. It is perfect for my 30 gallon tank.
Here is the key to nitrate reduction and it’s 100% contradictory to common practice.. stop cleaning out you filters period! Once you peak on detritus in your filter it highly reduces the flow which creates anaerobic pockets within the filter as all the gunk clogs and reduces flow and oxygen through certain areas. The more you disturb your filter the harder it is to ever achieve denitrification. Even if some is happening the second you open the filter exposing it to fresh air you’re done and cycle starts over. Look into denitrification in aquaponics and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Long as my filters are flowing I don’t touch them anymore. And what we all think is that dreaded bypass... is actually good. It keeps the water moving for oxygenating the tank and keeps back pressure off the pump, but highly reduces flow through media.. you might think of this as less filtering.. for mechanicals yes.. biological not as much. You just have to get past that nitrate spike for a month or two while colonies populate. Nature will eventually find it’s own balance we just keep messing it up halfway through with excessive cleaning.
Another great one Ben. Can this pre-filter be used on a SunSun 304B? Thanks!
i would like to know as well
I love them too I think they are greatest filter I ever brought
A good deal for the money for sure!
I was going to get a SunSun but changed my mind and now going to get a AquaClear 110. Hope it's the right decision.
Aquaclears are solid
If any canister filter is going to take over the world it would probably be the fluval fx6. But this new filter might or might not be a heavy competition, the only reason why i say that is because it is a new product that has just released none have really been tested over time so my best advice would be to let it be out for a year or two and see what people think of them that way you dont get stuck without a filter however sunsun is a good company and i dont think that they would make a faulty filter.
Thank you for the video. That filter sound amazing.What intrigues me the most was the adjustable flow rate. So you could actually buy that monster canister and slow it down a little and run it on a 75 gallon tank. Not that I would recommend it but I wonder how long one could go without opening it, maybe two years.
What is your opinion on comparing this pre-filter addition to the pre-filter sponge you can put on your intake that aquarium, co-op talks about all the time ??
Eric Andersen 7
I chose the sunsun 702b, but my uv bulb died after the first time i opened the can. replacement bulb isn't working either. arg. BUT, I ordered the 603 clear last week on amazon. it's taking forever to arrive, i guess it's shipping from China. But i also ordered 2 KG of biohome ultimate (on your recommendation, and PondGuru's). I'm very excited to get my nitrogen cycle (and maintenance) under control.
I really like the sunsun filters, I have one on my redtail catfish tank and it keeps the water great. I had a EHEIM one on the tank and hated it as it struggled to keep up.
I need to order a few of these for a indoor pond that I’m building as I’ve decided to stick with sunsun instead of a sump. I’m just hoping we can still get them once we hit brexit as I’m not sure what we’ll be able to import yet or how much it will affect price.
@Ben Ochart my question is... If you think the Sunsun 3000 is going to be so great are you going to by one?
My sunsun-seller doesn't even sell the prefilter because it reduces the flow-rate of the filter too much, he says. Anyone other experiences here ?
What I ultimately ended up doing was putting a medium filter over the intake, a “pre-filter.”
I only own sun sun. This new filter looks amazing!
I Like I like !! Pre filter super nice
Sounds like an interesting product ben. Very similar to the oase bio master cannister filter with the quick release pre-filter. Wonder how well it’ll work! Are you planning on getting one for reviews etc?
The inlet and outlet pipe size of hw-603 is much smaller then Hw-3000. Wouldn't that hinder the flow rate of the hw-3000.
Quite possibly. I'm gonna to check it out in person at some point and will have a better idea.
Do you ever have trouble with the sunsun sucking in air? I bought a new sunsun 3000 about a month ago and it gets a blast of air thru it about every hour. I have checked the o rings and hoses many times. I tried a thin layer of Vaseline on the o rings. nothing helps. Any ideas what to do? Has this ever happened to yours?
that pre filter looks great but the main reason I'm putting the BEN O SUMP is because my sun sun 302 just works great DIY Dedicated Bacteria filter 4in round and 10in long pvc filled with lava rock and clay pellets works for me 5 yrs now
Ben, I spoke with someone who tried the 603 prefilter with both a 304b and a 3000 and it didn't work out...the hose sizes are different so a reducer is required...second, the flow became reduced significantly...I don't know if there's a specific way to do this type of setup but the person I spoke to said it's not worth doing the 603 setup as a prefilter with the bigger Sunsun canisters due to a massive flow restriction.
I have the set up and its working fine with barely noticeable any flow reduction. No reducer used. Just a little work around.
Ben, do you have a link to the manufacturer of the prefilter you paired up with the SunSun?? Thanx Dr Bob
MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄🎄🎄🎅🎉🎉🎉🎁🎁
I use sponge prefilters on my HOBs but they slow down the flow significantly and clog often. Wouldn't that happen on any prefilter? I have 2 of the smallest SunSun canisters which I service monthly (I couldn't physically service the larger sized ones). One is on a 55, the other on a 65. Both these tanks have sponge filters also. Both have cichlids. I have a 125 with a sump. Am currently trying to reduce nitrates with baskets filled with a mixture of ironite and clay. Don't know if that is working. Do wish we knew for certain the best water flow for cultivating both types of bacteria. My sump runs relatively slow, but I have some powerheads on my sponge filters. I stick to weekly sometimes biweekly water changes for my own peace of mind.
Like the idea and with that new system having adjustable flow rate, what kind of flow rate on a 110g
SunSun filters rock! I use the 603 also as suggested by Richard Pond Guru and as a canister for a 20 gallon planted tank, great as a filter and a pre- filter¡ Now the model 3000... way too powerful for any of my tanks..... but I am now curious about it... Has anyone just purchased a filter knowing that it will not work in any of the tanks?
The flow of this filter can be adjusted down to about 275 gph or something close to it, it's really neat, I've had it for almost a year and works awesomely.
@@jessemunoz1 do you have the 603 as well
@@corynelson6392 no, this is the first filter from sunsun that I've purchased and I'm completely happy with it. The fact that you can adjust the flow with a push of a button makes it a versatile canister filter for different size aquariums.
I have a 603 prefilter on one of my sun suns, well worth the money
The inlet and outlet pipe size of hw-603 is much smaller then Hw-3000. Wouldn't that hinder the flow rate of the hw-3000?
Are you sure this will work? The SunSun 3000 looks to have 1 inch hose fittings where the pre filter looks 3/4 or even 1/2 inch?
You can run the auxiliary filter now. This what keeps me from opening the main cans.
Pre filter is a good idea, even though I only rinse my canister twice a year
The pre filter that gets hooked on the in tube.I have one plus just ordered the 3000
I purchased the sunsun 3000 canister filter along with the LW-602/603 prefilter.... I found that the hoses do not match up. The hoses used for the sunsun3000 are too large to use with the Prefilter. If you find a work around on this please let me know or make a video on it. I am stuck with an unusable prefilter. The sunsun 3000 canister filter is working very well by itself.
you can buy 2 3/4 to 5/8 heater hose adaptor at autozone for $3 a peace and a 5/8 pieace of hose and hose clamps. it will slow down the gph.
Please make update video if you have the new sunsun canister.
If you use this setup with the pre filter would it decrease the gph? What setup would you recommend for a 125gallon tank? I was going to use the sun sun 3000. 2 of them?
I'm wondering with the small size of those sponges if I would still keep a tray of mechanical filtration in the canister still.
I live in the UK. I purchased a SunSun HW5000 on Ebay, from a company in the USA. No matter how many times i change the UV bulb, as soon as i turn the unit on i get a error message E20. I tried contacting Ming Trading who make the filter. Eventually after 6 messages to them; i got a reply saying they do not offer advice or spare parts to people living in the UK. So i went on line to try and track a importer of Sun Sun filters. After traceing a company who imports this make of filter, i contacted them to try and purchase a smart controller. Their reply was. It is impossible to obtain spare parts for Sun Sun filters, though they at the moment stock the filter in question. I was in the proccess of purchasing 2 HW3000s. But if you can not get back up/advice when the units go wrong; I would be stupid to waste my money. I will never buy another SunSun product. They are obviously just content to take your money and not bother with customer care. I guess i have just bought a expensive waste paper basket. Thats all their filters are fit for.
It is beast cheap n cover more fx6 I will get one and add it to my tank big win thank u Ben .
Once a year! Im sold!
Is this better then an eheim pro 4 350? I can get one of those for cheap but have been hesitant to buy it because I don’t really need it and I’ve never used a canister filter before. If this brand is better, it would give me an excuse to not buy the other one.
I have filter boosters on my Sunsuns and I only open those filter boosters to clean. I wouldn’t run any canister filter without them.
Are sunsun filters U.L. listed? If not, insurance won't cover damages to house or dwelling. That's something often overlooked.
I honestly never heard of sunsun before watching your videos which is only a few months ago is that a california cuz i never saw sunsun on websites
I love the idea of the Sunsun. But there are a lot of Sunsun fail videos on UA-cam. More so than other filters. And I can deal with motors failing. It's some of the videos of the canister itself cracking that worry me. I'm sure 90% of the people that use it will never have an issue. Has the plastic the Sunsun is made of gotten any thicker in the last 5 years or is there some way to reinforce it?
I have seen one video of a failed Hydor. I think proper maintenance goes a long way towards keeping a filter going. Lube the impeller shaft. Silicone the o-rings. Clean it out often enough so that there isn't significant pressure. Use a pre-filter on the intake. All these will help prolong the file of the filter.
But one of the most common comments I see about SunSuns is how thin the canister and basket plastic is. I'm concerned stuff may break just from overzealous manhandling during maintenance.
But, it's 2019 now. Stuff just isn't built to last. I have aquarium equipment from the 80s that still chugs along just fine, and equipment from the 2000s and 2010s that has failed me.
Hello Ben would you combine the 603 with your 304b. I just started running a 304b and it's keeping my water very clean.
jcordova0121 I’m always reluctant to change what’s working but I think it would work with the 304 stuffed with only bio media.
@@BenOchart in order to set the lw603 a pump is need it right. Which one would you recommend.
I am currently running a 304b and 603b pre filter set up. So far so good.
Isn't almost everybody doing the prep fitting sponge canister bit already it's a no brainer and been around years
How do you connect all that as I’m new to this. But want the best water as possible for as little as possible. Thanks
I have a 21 year old Eheim I have only opened 4 or 5 times (mostly just to look)... bioballs inside that stay clean. Prefilter on the intake. Seperate much smaller internal canister filter for mechanical filtration. I always try and seperate my bio from my mechanical filter.
It's a good all in one solution if Sunsun can successfully market it in the USA. Eheim only markets the good stuff in Europe it seems. :( People don't understand the advantages of separating your media.
Sunsun about to come out a fx6 killer so they say. Sunsun hw5000 with lcd controller.
Yes, just say one and it looks heavy duty. Let's give it a few months and see if they hold up.
I've had a fluval 405 and it was ok but not the best. I got tired of paying top dollar for a name. I have a 702b on my 55 and I love it. I got it used and have not had a single problem (knock on wood). The uv bulb is also used and still works great. I have a review of it on my channel. #SUNSUNFORLIFE
Ben, What prefilter would you recommend?
I have a pre filter on my sunsun it's from Aquarium CO OP.
I'm having trouble with the fibers that come out after I change the media on my SunSun. Any recommendations?