Does anyone have any experience with this model or any of their filters? My LFS has just brought these in and is pushing them over the Fluval and Eheim line. Their selling this filter for $119.99 with the coarse and fine pads but without the ceramic rings or carbon. The Fluval 406 which I have one of already is $189.99 and comes with all the pads and biological media. 70 bucks is a big difference in price even if you have to spend 20.00 for media. Any thoughts or comments? I've always been a Fluval guy and need some advice, is the 9W built-in UV filter worth it? It would be going on one of 90 Gallon tanks.
Aquatop CF-500 UV Filter?
- Thread starter Castlk
- Start date
Aquatop is just a rebrand of Sunsun. Ebay have these for under $80 for the 200gal rated models(HW-304B). They work fine and are very quiet. I have 3 of these. FYI, priming these things are a PITA, but to get around this, all you have to do to is fill the canister fully with water first and you can skip the manual priming process.
I got mine here, plus this vendor have great prices on ceramic bio medias
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Gallon-...134797418?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item4174f0926a
I got mine here, plus this vendor have great prices on ceramic bio medias
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-Gallon-...134797418?pt=Fish_Filters&hash=item4174f0926a
I have two CF400-UV one on each of my tanks. It's more of a back up filter as I rely more on my sumps for filtration. They do help keep the water clear, even on one of my tanks close to a window. The UV is good enough to do low level sterilization, just for green water probably. For what it does it was worth the $100 a piece I paid.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
Another FYI I forgot to mention is that the intake tube and spraybar are on the thin side in terms of thickness, so they feel rather flimsy, but they work just fine.
True. Kind of too flimsy in my opinion. I hate when i drain too much water from my tank and i loose the siphon for the intake. I'm trying to figure a hard-plumb for the intake. I already swapped out the return for a different one. The one I got with the set always leaked from the slip on point for the rubber hose. It was not cast correctly I think and couldn't hold a seal.
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Are you talking about where the green hose connection leaking?
In regards to the priming: what I do is wrap a couple of towels around the base of the canister and fill the canister nearly to the top with water and then reinstalling the cover. This will cause an overflow, but that's what's the towels are for. Now once you connect the hoses and turn on the power, you shouldn't lose suction nor have to manually prime. You may have to depress the prime button a few times just to expel some excess air.
After reading reviews and watching you tube videos I decided to stay with what has always worked for me so I went with another Fluval 406. Although the Aquatop got favorable reviews I was leery of all the negative comments on how flimsy the hose connections and spray bar was. My 406 is made really well and Fluval has been around forever so if I need parts I can run right down to my LFS and grab what I need, not sure if that's going to be the case with the Chinese brand Aquatop/Sun Sun. Did I spent considerably more? Yes I did but I feel more comfortable with my purchase. Wasn't getting that same feeling thinking about the Aqautop.
