Low-Medium Load: SunSun 304B (VERY Cost Effective)-If using SAND, this is less risky without a pre-filter.
Medium Load: FX4 great but a bit pricey, but very good materials well made -Do not recommend with sand unless you use a pre-filter
HEAVY LOAD: FX6 same good materials, a bit more expensive but more capacity/Flow - Do not recommend with sand unless you use a pre-filter
Also having a hybridized approach work well and I recommend (1 canister and 1 or 2 HOB's as backup/additional mechanical).
Both the FX4 and FX6 come with valves to adjust flow(output side only, NEVER restrict the INPUT) if too high until your fish are big enough to handle that much flow. For my SunSun304's, I installed ball valves on the output to adjust flow as needed.
The SunSun's are "good" filters, just keep an eye on them as I have had one that the canister developed a hairline crack (cheaper quality plastic)and had to be replaced. From that point on I always tend to run the SunSuns sitting in an external "bucket"/container as insurance that I would hopefully catch a leak before it became bad, but I still recommend them if money is tight.
Also, always grease your seals with silicone grease no matter which filter you choose....
Also, Aquaclear/Fluval 110's a GREAT HOB's if you'd rather go that way. I would recommend 2 however if no canister is to be used, and set the flow on both to LOW(cuts them to approx 300gph) by sliding intake to the right(to utilize the "re-circulation/re-filtration feature) They just always start to vibrate at some point, but a still my favorite HOB( I have 4 old and 1 NIB - all currently unused)
YMMV, best of luck
Medium Load: FX4 great but a bit pricey, but very good materials well made -Do not recommend with sand unless you use a pre-filter
HEAVY LOAD: FX6 same good materials, a bit more expensive but more capacity/Flow - Do not recommend with sand unless you use a pre-filter
Also having a hybridized approach work well and I recommend (1 canister and 1 or 2 HOB's as backup/additional mechanical).
Both the FX4 and FX6 come with valves to adjust flow(output side only, NEVER restrict the INPUT) if too high until your fish are big enough to handle that much flow. For my SunSun304's, I installed ball valves on the output to adjust flow as needed.
The SunSun's are "good" filters, just keep an eye on them as I have had one that the canister developed a hairline crack (cheaper quality plastic)and had to be replaced. From that point on I always tend to run the SunSuns sitting in an external "bucket"/container as insurance that I would hopefully catch a leak before it became bad, but I still recommend them if money is tight.
Also, always grease your seals with silicone grease no matter which filter you choose....
Also, Aquaclear/Fluval 110's a GREAT HOB's if you'd rather go that way. I would recommend 2 however if no canister is to be used, and set the flow on both to LOW(cuts them to approx 300gph) by sliding intake to the right(to utilize the "re-circulation/re-filtration feature) They just always start to vibrate at some point, but a still my favorite HOB( I have 4 old and 1 NIB - all currently unused)
YMMV, best of luck
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