Habitat - Indoor :: Best Filter Recommendations?

[cutepanda86]

I love this forum! They have answered all my questions with such patience

It is a great place to have when you have questions with a lot of great people.

[Therobbierabbit]

I have decided to get the Fx6

[Kansasslider]

I have decided to get the Fx6

I think you will really like it.

[Kansasslider]

Don't forget the filter media thread so you know the best way to set it up. Set it up like the FX5.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=30145#p288910

[bluegill_guy]

You can't over filter a tank so to speak but I wouldn't use a filter that large in that small of a tank. Are sunsun filters good? Depends on who you ask. Personally I wouldn't buy one. In the case of filters you get what you pay for.

Thanks, KS. I did a lot of digging into reviews and found someone who'd done some detailed measurements on the 370-rated Sunsun, using exactly that setup that I will have: filter sitting on the floor, with a four-foot lift (mine is probably 4.5) back to the tank, and he got 152 GPH, and commented that the only way you'd see 370 through that filter is with no media, the intake level with the filter, and the output pumping downhill :p

152 is more reasonable for my tank size, so I'm going to take a chance on it. A $400 filter is just way outside of my budget, and even if the Sunsun is only so-so, it has to be better than the AquaClear 30 I've got now (which also only does about 50% of its claimed GPH, so that kind of inflation seems to be common).

The Sunsun should arrive tomorrow, I'll post back here with my impressions after I've been running it for a while.

Thanks again!

BG

[Kansasslider]

Im pretty sure filter ratings are with no media. Because they have no idea what people are going to put in them. There is a company that retro fits the sunsun with rubber hose. I guess because the plastic on the intake and output is thin and prone to crack. Good luck. Link to the company. Sorry if I was too late with this info. This link is why I don't recommend sunsun filters.
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com ... ilter.html

[bluegill_guy]

Thanks for that link, KS, it sounds like they make some really worthwhile mods, it could be worth returning the one I ordered from Amazon and getting one from American Aquarium Products instead. I'll think about that.

Cheers,

BG

[Kansasslider]

I was thinking during work that you could do the same thing. Its a Long shot but how about you call then and tell them you have had the filter for a while and would like to know exactly what they are doing to make it better. Just a thought. Retro fit yourself. Just a thought!

[steve]

Are the Odyssea filters an option?

[Kansasslider]

Just an update on my junk API Filstar xp L. Its been making noise for some time and now I know why. Its 8 months old and the magnet on the impeller is broken in two places. Customer service isn't open till Monday!

[cutepanda86]

I feel your pain. They're only open 9 to 5 Monday thru Friday and that is terrible. Fluval's hours aren't any better 9 to 4. Takes twice as long to get problems solved. Like people who have filters are only going to have problems with their equipment while they're at work.

Hope you can get something to hold your pets over until you can get a new one.

[Kansasslider]

Its still working just loud. Yea great customer service. I would just buy a new one but its $32 and that's on e-bay. The filter is on my 40 gallon with my baby dbt's. All I can do now is hope it doesnt fall apart and burn up the pump. Then call them Monday.

[cutepanda86]

Well I hope that they can help you out. $32 for an impeller seems excessive. Did you check Big Al's?

It's taking 4 business days for a new impeller cover so hopefully they can ship something quicker than that.

[Kansasslider]

That's from fluval for your new filter? Big Al's is $29+ shipping. I'm just holding my breath it lasts.Did they ask for a receipt?

[cutepanda86]

I got a new impeller cover from Fluval and I don't think I have to pay for it because I just bought the filter. I got the filter from Petsmart. They took the API back when I explained it was defective. Even took the filter media that was wet and unusable. I did have my receipt though. I think you could call Big Al's and explain the situation though. They're pretty cool over there