How to SETUP A CANISTER FILTER & the different types of media to use! | Sun-Sun 304B filter

[@WhiteSandsMbuna]

I run a marineland 360 on my 100 gal cichlid tank that is packed full of plants. Does an amazing job. I will never go back to hang ons. In the previous 3 years of hang ons, I spent more on filter elements than my canister costed new. Canister turns over water way faster. I can move the pick up tube and spot vacuum messes. Its dead quiet, and all of the smell is contained in the canister, sealed away under water in the cabinent below the tank. And the water outlet can be adjusted where I want. Having the versatility to run any media wanted is amazing. Theres a guy on here that makes canister filters from 5 gallon buckets and uses lava rocks and polyester for filter media. Less efficient but shows a concept.

[@rottiemomx3]

TY TY TY!! I have 2 Sunsun filters and been doing this ALL WRONG! Now I know! Excellent video

[@awoodward37]

1. Trays are not fully packed. The more foam in a tray, the more waste the tray can hold. More foam helps with bio media. 2. Petroleum jelly on the o-ring. People try using Google with rubber seals and petroleum jelly 3. The more bio media packed in a tray, the less movement and noise you'll have. The maximum bio media is the aim. 4. There is an inch of wasted space under the lowest tray. Use it. Try placing crushed coral there to help break up the water flow, control the ph level as the coral breaks down and reduce the waste that gets into the foam pads. 5. Be very careful with the polly wool that you use. A lot of it can be treated to reduce mould and fungus grow. This will kill the bacteria that you want to grow in the canister filter. Not to mention what this treated polly wool will do to your fish. 6. Water flow will always take the path of less resistance. ANY gaps in how the trays are loaded, this will lead to the water not passing through your foams, bio media or polly wool material. 7. A canister filter that's only 3/4 full of water will not pump water. Once the hoses are reconnected and the taps are reopened, trapped air in the system will stop the impeller from being able to move the water. Make use of the primer to push out the trapped air and expect to have to gently tap the canister to help shake out the remaining air or the filter will sound noisily. 8. Dry the canister filter completely after you have finished working on it. Then recheck for any leaks about 5 minutes later. It doesn't take much to have something get between the o-ring and the rest of the filter. 9. Have the filter inlet and outlet as far apart as possible. Have the outlet high and the inlet low. 10. Most people need to use a water conditioner to cancel out the chemicals added to drinking water. What's good for you is bad for the fish. This can be added to the filter directly, but dose for the total volume of the tank. 11. Depending on the fish to tank volume ratio, a well loaded filter can last for 3 to 4 months between cleans. 12. At less once a year, use a 4-5-foot-long flexible hose cleaning brush to clean the gunk out of the hoses and the filter will really get a boost in proformance. And remember to take the time to watch your fishes

[@mikescofield8545]

Thanks for the excellent video. I was given that exact canister filter by a friend and had no idea of how to use it.

[@Thund3rfist]

I see you noted some people lubricate their seal with petroleum jelly... I just wanted to say that petroleum jelly will eventually eat away at the seal. You should use a silicone lubricant instead.

[@erikaquatsch2190]

Yes, a water-based lubricant, not an oil-based which petroleum jelly is. Goes for latex cond0ms, too.

[@johnharrand9765]

Good advice Lewis. Anyone just starting in the hobby should watch this video. I run a FX6 and a Fx4 on my 5ft tank, some would say a bit of overkill but my water is crystal clear. Looking forward to your next aquarium build. Keep em coming. Take care and stay safe mate.

[@cichlidscape]

Thanks John. Yeah I’m looking forward to it too! Should be an exciting one for you’s👍🏻

[@davidvanderheyden4556]

😂❤❤

[@dkaamraaj]

Yeh Amazing looks👍👍👍✅

[@LynxGenisys]

Thank you! Setting up my first canister filter, a SunSun, for my new 75 gal .. big jump from a 30gal.. lol 8 videos later, this is the first one that clarifys whats what n whos who and how to... lol The instructions are lacking, and it showrd up with carbon powder everywhere inside, and wadding in every tray. I was like... wait a min.. what? Lol Thanks again for tge excellent n clear explanations! *subscribed* ❤

[@katesmith2081]

Thanks for such an easy to listen to video. I have just set up a 100l tub for some Green Frog tadpoles that were left in my dogs water bucket. I have it attached to a 3 basket canaster filter and your info has helped me set up the correct way to layer the different filters. Changing my lay out today so will be interested to see if the change helps with cleaner water

[@LeslieJones817]

Great video!

[@Annieland0202]

Thank you! I've had to learn it all myself. I appreciate people like you. I now own two canister filters and I'm getting the hang of this. I have a red ear slider turtle so I've had to work hard to get the right media to keep the tank clean.❤

[@AnonymousAmyMakes]

Would you mind sharing the media you use and how it's set up? I have a musk turtle that I'm trying to get into a bigger tank with a canister filter. But I can't get any straight answers of what I need. I actually have a SunSun 704b, which I believe is extremely similar to this one in the video. I have two problems; 1) I'm not sure exactly what media I need to buy and how much I need to buy to get everything going (I'll buy more later, I just want to get it going.) And 2) my tank is only going to be about half full so I'll have to modify the intake/outake parts(????) If you can offer any help at all I'd be extremely grateful!!! Thank you!

[@GingerFishyOfficial]

Solid information! I’m partial to a canister filter, currently using a fluval 207 on one of my tank. I am intrigued by the Oase ones though, just because of the pre-filter really, I think that would be really handy!

[@cichlidscape]

For sure! A lot of folks use them for a reason that’s for sure. Looks like that pre filter would really help with maintenance time etc👍🏻 thanks for watching mate. Appreciate it

[@boynton_cichlids7325]

Very well done 👏 Mate👍👍

[@cichlidscape]

Thanks Jose👍🏻 appreciate you watching

[@WhiteSandsMbuna]

Another pro tip here. When you Rinse out your filter, dont scrub it spotless. I use a 50 foot siphen tube with my tank. I can siphen water right outside to the front rose garden. Excellent fertilizer. I put my cqnister outside, run the siphen tube from the tank. 50% water change gives me 50 gallons of water to work wirh. I put all the trays in a bucket. Rinse out the canister gently wirh the water siphening from the tank. Then let the water run through the bucket as i swirl each tray individually around to clean debris out of the media, before returning to canister. Then when they are all rinsed, I fill canister with the siphening water and bring it back in and return it to operation. If you use tap water or scrub anything you are just destroying the bacteria colony that does the work.

[@cichlidscape]

Yuuuuuup to all of the above. Thanks for watching👍🏻

[@edgartorres6602]

Thank you you help me a lot

[@ondariousthefirst1611]

new to canister filters and learned a lot from this video thanks! one question about using charcoal tho to make sure im understanding right. On this canister filter, id' want to put the charcoal near the bottom? like make the bottom tray the course sponge, then next tray up would be charcoal covered by poly fil, then the next 2 trays could be bio media? if i reversed it and put the charcoal in the top tray it'd effect the contribution from the biomedia? Am i understanding that right?

[@edwardsdeacon]

🤔 These filters have a 1-1.5” gap on the bottom under the first/bottom tray. It’s would be beneficial to fill that space with ceramic rings or bio balls to break up the current and trap the debris/detritus. I will set these up in 2 different ways. 1) use all sponges/foam. The bottom tray is coarse, second is medium and top is fine foam. If there’s 4 trays then I’ll fill the middle two with medium foam. 2) the second way is the “ pond guru method “ by using three foams in the bottom tray then the rest will be bio-home or a similar functioning media. But this is what I do that has been working. Good luck with your KZbin channel and with your hobby.

[@tylerbarton2617]

Okay so I have this exact same filter & I NEED to know how to gain access to the UV light switch that is under that clear plastic cover on the top of the head. I had assumed it just twisted off like the impeller cover but I tried pretty dang hard & it didn't budge & I didn't want to break it cuz I am a big fan of this filter one of the better ones I've owned over the years. I heard that you said you don't use your UV light which would lead me to believe that you have been able to access that UV light switch under the clear plastic cover in order to switch it off or on?! My reason is cuz it mentions something in my instructions that a little light on the switch or near it will illuminate when the UV light is on but mine doesn't have any light illuminating on it & I would like to know that it is on or if it isn't on so I can resolve any issues with it if it isn't on as I would like to utilize the UV light on mine. I guess I realize that I could just take the head off of it & see if it comes on manually when I plug it in but if it does or doesn't either way I'd like to know how to gain access to that switch if or when I may need to use it. So if you or anyone else who has this filter & knows that trick & reads this, plz enlighten me if you would? I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

[@tinadoyle3803]

Can i put a bag of the white media rings in the bottom of the tank as i use sponge filters ? 🤔

[@trevorholt2218]

This video earned you a subscriber. Great job 👏🏽

[@cichlidscape]

Thanks Trevor! Appreciate you watching & subbing👍🏻

[@sidneywhite749]

Question please. In my sunsun I have sponges in the bottom tray. First in a coarse black, then medium blue and finally a fine white. I noticed that the gunk is in the top of the white filter not the bottom, is this correct?

[@willparsons32]

If I can, I would suggest that with all the the O-rings - that you coat them with a food grade grease. I prefer to stay away from using vascilne as some use. I've found that excessive use of vascilne could cause diatomic algae within the water column. Use the he FGG to keep the rubber from drying out (YES, rubber will dry out and cause leaks.... It also helps to provide a good seal as well as helps dismantle the filter whenever required. I've been using FGG on all my seals and moving parts (except for the impeller!) For years without having to prematurely having to replace parts and O-rings. Simple (preventative) maintenance goes a very long way!

[@KhaledBeatz92]

How often do you have to change the poly fil?

[@vitah895]

Excuse me, I have a 880 literish outdoor fish pond. Do you think this prudoct suitable outdoor fish pond??

[@davidsmith-tb2yy]

Hi could you please answer me a question I have a 55 gallon tank,and I'm running a cannister filter with bio and mechanical media ,I want to run another canister filter with just bio media is that ok would it work

[@richardli7726]

It works only if you connect the two cannister filters together because you need to flow clean water to the filter that holds all bio media.

[@craighodgson4060]

Try using it on a under gravel filter

[@kristalynn7877]

I put my mechanical filter in last 😩 what happens if you put media in the wrong order?

[@richardli7726]

The dirty water will gum up your bio media which in turn the beneficial bacteria will not function properly or not at all.

[@emoralesalvarado]

It will still filter the water. But the idea of putting the mechanical filtration at the start of the waterway on this filter (remember the water flow, this SunSun pushes water to the bottom and then makes it pass from bottom to top, back to the tank), is to catch debris first, increasingly finer, so the bio media only gets clearer water, and that makes the bacterial process more efficient.

[@TaskersBBQSupply]

Did I see a wet pets decal?? Are you near them? I go there a lot! Also good to hear some good things about this filter, thinking of adding to my 65 gal!

[@cichlidscape]

Wet pets in McMurray PA? If so then yes. That’s my local👍🏻 & yeah it’s a good filter! I’ve ran it since about 2015 at this point I think👌🏻

[@TaskersBBQSupply]

@@cichlidscape yes sir, it’s about a 45 minute drive for me but I frequent it more than the big box store pet shops. Great place! And thanks for the feedback, ordering a 704B now!

[@sidneywhite749]

@@TaskersBBQSupply my 704B impeller after a few years is wearing causing a rattle, good luck finding one , I can’t.

[@Professor-qu5vz]

Does this cannister clean Bottom poop in tha tank ?

[@Khans0120]

Cleaning the bottom is mainly your responsibility. A filter, regardless of the type it is, will not be able to clean 100% of the tank, which includes the bottom. It will only be able to deal with the stuff that is caught in the flow that is being pulled into the intake. That is why people use aquarium siphons.

[@awoodward37]

It helps if the inlet is close to the bottom of the tank. Setup an air curtain along the back of the tank. It helps to setup a rolling action that keeps a lot of waste in motion. Filter outlet on the left hand side, rolling action of the water, filter inlet near your gravel on the right hand side of the tank.

[@awoodward37]

Why do you not use the full volume of the filter trays?

[@j.t.cooper2963]

Food grade silicone grease works best for o-ring lubrication.

[@voodoovicki13]

Not sure if you'll ever see this Cichlidscape but hope so. We've had 120gal tank with Cichlids for over 20 years. I just saw a video on cleaning a canister filter & this person said not to clean all the media with tap water but to rinse it in water from the canister to keep the 'good' stuff in the water. I have always cleaned my canister very thoroughly and with tap water and have never had a problem with losing fish so....have I just been lucky for 20+ years & now stop rinsing with tab water? We do have an underground filter & have never cleaned underneath it so maybe there is enough 'good' stuff still in the water?

[@cichlidscape]

Do you live on a well and have well water? If not I would be cautious with cleaning the bio media & sponges with tap water. The chlorine can effect the biological component of the media. Maybe that undergravel filter is doing more than you thought it was all this time👍🏻 something to think about moving forward though!

[@tylerbarton2617]

@@voodoovicki13 I have been keeping fish for 12-14yrs roughly mainly cichlids, Oscars, some puffers occasionally but honestly I've ALWAYS cleaned out my filters, filter sponges from the HOB filters, media/bio-balls ceramic rings etc. with really hot tap water & have NEVER lost a fish due to that...Most of our fish that have died, which aren't too many in the 12+ yrs we've been keeping them, was usually from illnesses coming from not quarantining new fish long enough from our impatience or not quarantining at all when we first started this hobby not knowing that rule yet & a couple times I think we're from getting to cold cuz we had a few heaters go out on us & our winters can get pretty cold & we weren't keeping close enough eye on the heater & water temperature unfortunately. But I've never cleaned my filters out really well with tap water & come back in a day or two just to discover dead fish from it... Now I'm not trying to say I know more than any1 else cuz I promise I don't & I'm not even gonna say they don't have a point to that method of using the same water to clean filters & media etc. to keep the good bacteria in the filter etc. it honestly sounds logical but I just know that using tap water to clean my filtration stuff has NEVER killed any of my fish, BUT... I might add that I ALWAYS add dechlorinator to the water when I use tap water to clean my stuff cuz YES that WILL & CAN cause fish to die if you get too much chlorinated tap water in your system without adding dechlorinator as well. I think it comes down to how anal ppl are. I agree there is probably a benefit to that method but to me it just doesn't seem worth scrubbing filters & filtration media clean with dirty poopy fish water just to save some supposed healthy bacteria that my fish have never died cuz of yet in our 12+ yrs keeping them. Maybe I'm too anal about the cleanliness of my hands to justify doing that lol. Cuz I don't even like sticking my hand in their tank to arrange their environment I think it's disgusting lol so I have some gripper sticks I use so maybe that is my issue but all I know is it's never killed any of my fish & until they can figure out how to talk & they personally say to me, "hey jackass! Every time you wash out the good bacteria in our filters half of us get sick for a week with the rip roaring shits! So please stop it!" I'm going to keep on using my tap water method & not judge anyone who doesn't use it for their tanks... Kinda like a, "to each their own" situation IMHO. Just thought I'd add my 2¢ to the issue. Lol

[@ranjeetsingh-kl2vp]

dear .. you can tell me correct positions of water inlet/ water outlet pipe and wave maker ???

[@rajs4283]

Is sunsun brand good ?? Why not try eheim or aquael brand??

[@willparsons32]

Polyester (poly fill) is an EXCELLENT water polisher as well as a great biological filtration medium.

[@brucewilson6694]

You have a lot of empty space in that filter. I would add a medium pore sponge on top of the course foam them put some Pinky pad on top of that to have cleaner water hitting your bio media. I would also add more bio media to that middle tray. I don't use chemical media, so that top tray would also be filled with more bio media then topped off with a final layer of the polyfill for polishing. You have plenty of room for a bunch more media in those trays.

[@cichlidscape]

Hi Bruce. I did add some more media from another tank like I mentioned in would in the video. I’m just always a little wary of packing the sun-sun filter full. I’ve done it in the past and discovered leaks from the lid. Once I decreased the amount of media (more so sponges) this stopped. It was not related to the o-ring either as I’m always sure to lubricate that. Thanks for watching man👍🏻

[@jameswhite8161]

Where do I put the carbon?

[@apss5736]

i like canisters but not a fan of cleaning them. i only have an aquamanta one at the moment but i may get a few more soon

[@cichlidscape]

They sure can be pain to clean at times. But their capacity is great I think👍🏻 sumps are also great for that and are probably easier to clean. Every filter has its benefits you know. Thanks for checking out the video mate

[@sidneywhite749]

I tried Purigen twice and the mesh bag failed and stuff was everywhere.

[@Roussey88]

Can you do a video on how to get the water actually flowing thru the filter. I’ve been struggling for two days and can’t get my sunshine to flow. It just trickles out. I had it working one day after 3 hrs of trying then the next day it just trickles.

[@tylerbarton2617]

Gotta prime the hell outta it or so I have been told by many but I have his same sunsun filter the 200gal 704B I believe it is & I primed it just a handful of times there wasn't even any fluid showing up in the outlet hose I primed it that few of times before my impatient ass said screw it & plugged it in & mine took off all on its own after only 3 or 4 pushes of the primer button. That said, I've heard & read many times from other fish keeping enthusiasts that you literally have to prime it until water is flowing out of the outlet tube & back into your tank before starting them or they won't run correctly? I've only had a handful of canister filters over the decade of my fish keeping life time but this has not been my experience with any of my canister filters except for ONE which was a cheap vevor 75gl filter it just WOULD NOT work correctly at all until I primed it to death & it FINALLY started trickling some water out of the outlet pipe... After further inspection though I discovered that it was due to the fact my impeller shaft was snapped so I honestly don't know how it ever worked at all & it's possible that it wasn't working but rather just naturally siphoning from all the priming I did which I tend to believe is the case. Anywho, I guess I am saying it seems like everyones journey differs slightly with regards to how they set up & get their canister filters running lol. Oh I also might add that if your lid or the filter head isn't securely sealed & locked on it will effect performance &/or if you have any leaks or cracks or basically any type of spot where air can get into the system then it won't work properly cuz these are basically just siphoning devices with a small little impeller inside to help keep the siphoning speed at an adequate pace for it's rated requirements. So air in a siphoning system is not a good thing & usually will cause all siphoning action to stop completely so definitely check for anything like that happening with your filter. It looks like you asked this question a yr ago so I'm assuming you have figured it out by now but if not maybe this will help lol. Good luck & happy fish keeping!

[@zahkam7322]

Is the SUN SUN a knock off of a Tertratec EX1200?

[@-AndrewR]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@cichlidscape]

Thanks for checking it out Andrew👍🏻

[@voodoovicki13]

So I have been spending a fortune for over 20 years on buying the white filters for my filter when I could have used teddy bear stuffing & my cichlid would be none the wiser????

[@zacharychavez3482]

Right?! Better late than never I suppose.

[@awoodward37]

Don't use the stuff for toys or quilts. Those should be treated to stop bacteria from growing. I used to roll a strip of polly wool that was6inches wide. I would roll it up and pack it into my round eheim canister. Then I would peg it to a wire linked fence and gentle hose it clean. And reuse it a number of times.

[@johnbrand1893]

The plastic ball media does nothing worth mentioning, it’s a misinformed choice for any setup. 🥴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@cichlidscape]

Oh yeah? Isn’t it still used in ponds etc? I haven’t seen any videos about it being a waste of time bio wise

[@johnbrand1893]

@@cichlidscape Check out ‘Pondguru’ channel on KZbin, he explains in detail what they hold and don’t hold, and if there any good at all. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@cichlidscape]

@@johnbrand1893 I’ll check it out👍🏻 thanks John

[@Comrade_Akimov]

The filter media you showed us was complete garbage. It does not matter any more what order it is, get proper media.

[@cichlidscape]

Thanks comrade! What media would you suggest? Are you meaning every type of media or just the bio?

[@awoodward37]

Of course the order matters. Course to medium to fine, to bio to polly wool. You want to clog your bio media in the first week?