I have a 2000 and a 1500. Aquael just released their newest filter, the Hypermax 4500. It's a beast. I have been in contact with the President of Aquael North America and he said that Aquael was planning to release the Hypermax 4500 here in the USA this summer. I can't wait.
Great Vid, I'm glad I found it. I'm really considering this filter for my 250 liter (60G) Discus tank, to replace my Eheim. I hope it won't be a mistake if I do so. TBH it is the pre-filter that interests me the most. My questions are, can the water flow be reduced if I need to? And I saw a few complaints regarding some air in the head, can anyone clarify? Can you make a follow-up video pls! hehe
Hey ! I don't think You will be making a mistake at all. The pre filter is great however , it's not something you can just pull out per se. I would bring it to a sink first just because some water does escape. There can be a bit of air in the head but thats the same with all filters , if you drain below the pipes are will inevitably get in , it does purge usually over the course of an hour or so and back to normal. I hope that helps ! Also, yes the flow can be reduced there is a switch :)
@@GreatAscape thanks for reply. Thing is my eheim pro 600 is getting full of muck in less than a month, hence, reducing flow. My discus tank is full of live plants, that's why I want to upgrade filter size and get one with a pre filter. The air purging after maintenance is not a problem cos it's normal. I'll order it when I move home in a couple of months.
Having this filter for about a year and trying as best as I can to answer your question, all I can say it’s go for it as it is an absolute bargain for performance. Air lock/purge issues were found/reported on the 1st versions of this filter but sorted out after a few month so that’s not gonna be a issue for u. The flow can be reduced to half of flow capacity without damaging the impeller or other internal parts. I do run lily pipes on one of them (ultramax 2000) with flow reduced to half on the outlet with no issues whatsoever for over a year. Got 2 of them running on a overstocked 100 gallon aquarium with south/Central American cichlids and water is always Cristal clear without any chemicals or filter floss/fine filter pads. Again an amazing filter.
Nice unboxing! I have the 1500 version. Works perfect, just need to make sure the outlet is lower than the inlet before using the primer. I just hold it in a bucket and use primer a few times until water flows on its own from aquarium to bucket. Otherwise the primer does not work but I think that is just physics. The filter feels very robust and well designed. I really like it.
Is your filter noisy? I also have this one but I can hear it clearly in my living room plus it has a humming noise so if it’s in cabinet is pretty annoying.
@@misenko856 I also have the filter in a cabinet but I put newspapers under it! I make sure it does not touch the cabinet directly. Apart from that, every time it is noisy means three things (from my experience): 1. There is still air. Make sure you have good waterflow and the air should disappear. This can take even a few days but you can try to gently tip it back and forth to get som air out. Most of the time you just need patience. You can fill the prefilter with water before turning on. 2. The impeller/rotor is not cleaned. You may need to check that the impeller is clean and well installed if you hear rattling noise. But make sure to remember how to install again after cleaning! 3. Too much / tightly packed filter material. I had alot of filter material + filter wool. It restricted the flow of the water. Removed the wool and noise got better. Should not cause any noise but might help to get air out with better flow. I keep my filter running until the flow gets weaker and don't overdo the cleaning. I know that it will make some air-noise after each cleanup so I try to only do it when necessary. Right now I can barely hear it and I have it in my bedroom. My refrigerator makes more noise. :)
@@annogaming9535 Thanks for hints! It's a new filter so impeller is clean but your right, I've found out there were still some air so the impeller was rattling a little bit. Now It's much quieter, however I can still hear it. But what is bigger issue for me is that low frequency hum. I'm quite sensitive to it. Outside of a cabinet it's not that bad but if I put it in it's amplified. I've used rubber mat underneath but did not help much. It's a big issue to filter low frequencies so not sure what could help here. I wanted to try a different filter, fluval or eheim to see if they producing less vibrations but not sure. During a day it's pretty ok but in the evening when everything is silent... How often do you clen the filter ?
@@misenko856 I don't keep a schedule. I notice filter performance and water clarity, then I change. But about every third month. (180l with few fishes). I can only hear a very quiet humming. I mean, the wall air vent is louder. It should really not make much noise. But all filters have humming so not sure you can do much about that. I would first try everything (including cleaning the impeller) before buying other filters. Much easier than installing a new one. But sure, maybe buying another filter is the right option for you. Idk, not an expert :)
@@annogaming9535 Yeah, but without trying I can't say where are limits. People says that external canisters are "dead" silent. Well, not sure anymore :) For me dead silent means completely silent across all frequency range. Problem with low frequency noise is that it's different in every area/corner and it's hard to dampen. I don't mind some flow noise but rattling and humming - I have problem with these. I don't know why manufacturers don't pay more attention to dumping. I mean if they all do cheap plastic cover with cheap impeller unit, well, it will vibrate. I would pay more for higher quality material.
Thanks for a great review. Do you have any suggestions what other in/outlet pipes that looks more nice (Not so big, ugly and eye catching) that could replace the original ones ?
The filter, the whole Ultramax series have ONE MAJOR issue, its propeller rotor is made from very thin plastic, which tends to break down quite regularly. Its about 1mm thick at the bottom of the propeller, while holds the component together. It is crazy for the amount of water it must handle and the associate water pressure. Clearly a poor engineering from the manufacturer. Get ready for that, once it starts to be loud after few start/shut downs, you know where to look for service parts. Otherwise, perfect filter, no complains.
@@GreatAscape Yup, maybe I just got bad luck 🤞 I am using Aquael products for a while already, must say these are overall great for the price tag. Even in the case of propeller rotor, you can get a new part for a penny in Czech/Europe region or, you simply glue it back like I did. Holds firm so far!
And besides this it’s pretty noisy. That propeller feels really cheap and it barely holds in a shaft. Any air bubble or you move a filter and it start rattle.
He's back!! Good to see you back on the tube.
One of plenty more to come !!!
Nice to see the videos again Jon! Great review!
Thanks Justin ! I am going to try and be more consistent this time !
I have a 2000 and a 1500. Aquael just released their newest filter, the Hypermax 4500. It's a beast. I have been in contact with the President of Aquael North America and he said that Aquael was planning to release the Hypermax 4500 here in the USA this summer. I can't wait.
This is exciting ! Can’t wait to give it a try
What would you say the big differences in 1500 and 2000? Except the float rate?
Biggest difference is the amount of media capacity. The 2000 has one extra tray than the 1500 and their trays hold a crap ton of media.
incredible channel. goodnight. man-
Great Vid, I'm glad I found it. I'm really considering this filter for my 250 liter (60G) Discus tank, to replace my Eheim. I hope it won't be a mistake if I do so. TBH it is the pre-filter that interests me the most.
My questions are, can the water flow be reduced if I need to?
And I saw a few complaints regarding some air in the head, can anyone clarify?
Can you make a follow-up video pls! hehe
Hey ! I don't think You will be making a mistake at all. The pre filter is great however , it's not something you can just pull out per se. I would bring it to a sink first just because some water does escape.
There can be a bit of air in the head but thats the same with all filters , if you drain below the pipes are will inevitably get in , it does purge usually over the course of an hour or so and back to normal.
I hope that helps ! Also, yes the flow can be reduced there is a switch :)
@@GreatAscape thanks for reply. Thing is my eheim pro 600 is getting full of muck in less than a month, hence, reducing flow.
My discus tank is full of live plants, that's why I want to upgrade filter size and get one with a pre filter.
The air purging after maintenance is not a problem cos it's normal. I'll order it when I move home in a couple of months.
Having this filter for about a year and trying as best as I can to answer your question, all I can say it’s go for it as it is an absolute bargain for performance.
Air lock/purge issues were found/reported on the 1st versions of this filter but sorted out after a few month so that’s not gonna be a issue for u.
The flow can be reduced to half of flow capacity without damaging the impeller or other internal parts.
I do run lily pipes on one of them (ultramax 2000) with flow reduced to half on the outlet with no issues whatsoever for over a year.
Got 2 of them running on a overstocked 100 gallon aquarium with south/Central American cichlids and water is always Cristal clear without any chemicals or filter floss/fine filter pads.
Again an amazing filter.
Nice unboxing! I have the 1500 version. Works perfect, just need to make sure the outlet is lower than the inlet before using the primer. I just hold it in a bucket and use primer a few times until water flows on its own from aquarium to bucket. Otherwise the primer does not work but I think that is just physics. The filter feels very robust and well designed. I really like it.
Is your filter noisy? I also have this one but I can hear it clearly in my living room plus it has a humming noise so if it’s in cabinet is pretty annoying.
@@misenko856 I also have the filter in a cabinet but I put newspapers under it! I make sure it does not touch the cabinet directly. Apart from that, every time it is noisy means three things (from my experience):
1. There is still air. Make sure you have good waterflow and the air should disappear. This can take even a few days but you can try to gently tip it back and forth to get som air out. Most of the time you just need patience. You can fill the prefilter with water before turning on.
2. The impeller/rotor is not cleaned. You may need to check that the impeller is clean and well installed if you hear rattling noise. But make sure to remember how to install again after cleaning!
3. Too much / tightly packed filter material. I had alot of filter material + filter wool. It restricted the flow of the water. Removed the wool and noise got better. Should not cause any noise but might help to get air out with better flow.
I keep my filter running until the flow gets weaker and don't overdo the cleaning. I know that it will make some air-noise after each cleanup so I try to only do it when necessary.
Right now I can barely hear it and I have it in my bedroom. My refrigerator makes more noise. :)
@@annogaming9535 Thanks for hints! It's a new filter so impeller is clean but your right, I've found out there were still some air so the impeller was rattling a little bit. Now It's much quieter, however I can still hear it. But what is bigger issue for me is that low frequency hum. I'm quite sensitive to it. Outside of a cabinet it's not that bad but if I put it in it's amplified. I've used rubber mat underneath but did not help much. It's a big issue to filter low frequencies so not sure what could help here. I wanted to try a different filter, fluval or eheim to see if they producing less vibrations but not sure. During a day it's pretty ok but in the evening when everything is silent... How often do you clen the filter ?
@@misenko856 I don't keep a schedule. I notice filter performance and water clarity, then I change. But about every third month. (180l with few fishes).
I can only hear a very quiet humming. I mean, the wall air vent is louder. It should really not make much noise.
But all filters have humming so not sure you can do much about that. I would first try everything (including cleaning the impeller) before buying other filters. Much easier than installing a new one.
But sure, maybe buying another filter is the right option for you. Idk, not an expert :)
@@annogaming9535 Yeah, but without trying I can't say where are limits. People says that external canisters are "dead" silent. Well, not sure anymore :) For me dead silent means completely silent across all frequency range. Problem with low frequency noise is that it's different in every area/corner and it's hard to dampen. I don't mind some flow noise but rattling and humming - I have problem with these. I don't know why manufacturers don't pay more attention to dumping. I mean if they all do cheap plastic cover with cheap impeller unit, well, it will vibrate. I would pay more for higher quality material.
Thanks for a great review. Do you have any suggestions what other in/outlet pipes that looks more nice (Not so big, ugly and eye catching) that could replace the original ones ?
Unfortunately I haven’t come across any! The size makes finding glass or metal pipes a bit tricky lol
Great review dude
Thanks man !
Noise levels?
thanks man for the video, that 720p is pain tho.
In the process of upgrading my Camera and editing equipment ! cheers !
Gread video
I have this filter. It is very gut, but Aquael Ultra 1400 is better.
The filter, the whole Ultramax series have ONE MAJOR issue, its propeller rotor is made from very thin plastic, which tends to break down quite regularly. Its about 1mm thick at the bottom of the propeller, while holds the component together. It is crazy for the amount of water it must handle and the associate water pressure. Clearly a poor engineering from the manufacturer. Get ready for that, once it starts to be loud after few start/shut downs, you know where to look for service parts. Otherwise, perfect filter, no complains.
I think I’ve been fortunate so far . I’ve got two of them no issues fingers crossed !
@@GreatAscape Yup, maybe I just got bad luck 🤞 I am using Aquael products for a while already, must say these are overall great for the price tag. Even in the case of propeller rotor, you can get a new part for a penny in Czech/Europe region or, you simply glue it back like I did. Holds firm so far!
And besides this it’s pretty noisy. That propeller feels really cheap and it barely holds in a shaft. Any air bubble or you move a filter and it start rattle.
Where is the "Performance and Review?"
This is just an unboxing?