SunSun 304B Flow Control

[Beetlebug515]

Hello all. I'm looking in to acquiring a SunSun HW-304B this weekend. It's going on my 33 gal high tech planted tank. With the 304b rated over 500 GPH, I feel like this might be too much flow for the tank. I've never owned a SunSun or Aquatop filter before and i'm looking to find the best way to have some control over the flow if I need to tone it down a bit. I've read that the shutoff ball valves are a bad way to achieve what I want, but was never able to find an instance of regulating the flow on this filter. I'm thinking inline ball valve on the outlet, but wanted to get a couple opinions first, hopefully from some people that have owned these filters. Thanks in advance!

 

[Wailua Boy]

To me the canisters dont seem quite as powerful as rated. I have been overall happy with purchase tho.

 

[dan518]

I own two of them, don't think the flow is anything like stated, if you add the spray bar I don't think the flow would be to bad.

 

[Timmy]

Rated and actual flow rates are two different rates. It may be rated @ 500 GPH but that is most likely with no media and at 0 head. Flow will be significantly different . For example, FX6 is rated @ 925 gph, 520 gph with media...

 

[Beetlebug515]

Excellent. I've already got quite a bit of flow in the tank, I just don't want my plants blasted. The tank is in a bit of a nursery stage right now. Have has anyone used the surface skimmer attachment?

 

[Beetlebug515]

Rated and actual flow rates are two different rates. It may be rated @ 500 GPH but that is most likely with no media and at 0 head. Flow will be significantly different . For example, FX6 is rated @ 925 gph, 520 gph with media...

Agreed, but even if I end up with 350-400 gph from the rated 525, the tank is only 24x18x18 inches.

 

[Wailua Boy]

Rated and actual flow rates are two different rates. It may be rated @ 500 GPH but that is most likely with no media and at 0 head. Flow will be significantly different . For example, FX6 is rated @ 925 gph, 520 gph with media...

Understood but even compared to similarly rated canisters, the SS 304b seems to lag behind

 

[dan518]

Excellent. I've already got quite a bit of flow in the tank, I just don't want my plants blasted. The tank is in a bit of a nursery stage right now. Have has anyone used the surface skimmer attachment?

View attachment 1221650

I have used the surface skimmer attachment, works OK but it becomes really hard to bleed the filter

 

[FreshyFresh]

That's a BIG canister for 33g, but Sunsuns are such a great value, I don't blame you going big. You could always extend the length of the spray bar to spread out the flow more, but like said, you'll probably get more like 1/2 the "rated" flow out of it once you load it with your media and length of hose, etc. FWIW, I love my 4yr/old Sunsun 302 so much I just mail ordered another yesterday for $39/shipped with media for my 29g.

That's a beautiful tank in your pic above! Love that natural look substrate.

 

[Beetlebug515]

Understood but even compared to similarly rated canisters, the SS 304b seems to lag behind

Sweet. Thanks for the input.

I have used the surface skimmer attachment, works OK but it becomes really hard to bleed the filter

Might not be the best for me then as I'm using an in line diffuser for co2 already. I always put it on the filter inlet making the filter act like a giant co2 reactor.

That's a BIG canister for 33g, but Sunsuns are such a great value, I don't blame you going big. You could always extend the length of the spray bar to spread out the flow more, but like said, you'll probably get more like 1/2 the "rated" flow out of it once you load it with your media and length of hose, etc. FWIW, I love my 4yr/old Sunsun 302 so much I just mail ordered another yesterday for $39/shipped with media for my 29g.

That's a beautiful tank in your pic above! Love that natural look substrate.

Thanks for the input, and compliment!