Is my intake too close to the sand? SunSun hw 304b

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Yes, too close.

Intakes generally work better if mid level....

I would put a pre-filter sponge on all intakes, not because of the sand but because you prevent your main media from getting clogged, thus developing the right type of bacteria....The aesthetics sacrifice is worth it long term...and it will reduce filter maintenance needs too...
 
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Yes, too close.

Intakes generally work better if mid level....

I would put a pre-filter sponge on all intakes, not because of the sand but because you prevent your main media from getting clogged, thus developing the right type of bacteria....The aesthetics sacrifice is worth it long term...and it will reduce filter maintenance needs too...
Cool thanks! I'll have to take a look at it tomorrow but I didn't see an option for me to control the height on it which is odd. I'll look into a pre-filter sponge
 
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For pre-filter sponge, just buy blocks of black medium sponge. Cut it to size and put a hole for the intake...

Odd that you can't remove a section of the intake....
If you can't shorten it at all, you can still put the pre-filter sponge flush on the sand. It will be fine, just not ideal as the filter intake won't be able to pull water from all sides. It will work though, as long as there's a pre-filter. I have one of mine like that as the tank is too shallow.
 
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Cool thanks! I'll have to take a look at it tomorrow but I didn't see an option for me to control the height on it which is odd. I'll look into a pre-filter sponge

There's a simple way to do it, but first we're going to need some supplies...

hdx-hand-saws-12150-64_1000.jpg


I like to put my intakes where they're hidden, and low enough down that they won't come out of the water when I do the biggest water change I'm likely to ever do. So, 2/3 or 3/4 down. It's a huge pain in the butt trying to reprime filters.
 
There's a simple way to do it, but first we're going to need some supplies...

hdx-hand-saws-12150-64_1000.jpg


I like to put my intakes where they're hidden, and low enough down that they won't come out of the water when I do the biggest water change I'm likely to ever do. So, 2/3 or 3/4 down. It's a huge pain in the butt trying to reprime filters.

I have an electric saw I can use to cut it. Good idea thanks but I'll take a look to see if there is a way to adjust the height which I'm sure I must of overlooked it. 3/4 down is perfect.
 
Yes, too close.

Intakes generally work better if mid level....

I would put a pre-filter sponge on all intakes, not because of the sand but because you prevent your main media from getting clogged, thus developing the right type of bacteria....The aesthetics sacrifice is worth it long term...and it will reduce filter maintenance needs too...

Yup I don't see a way of raising it unless u cut it which sounds crazy that they would the product like that but then again I have a 125 and I'm assuming the 304b is rated for something larger.

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Yup I don't see a way of raising it unless u cut it which sounds crazy that they would the product like that but then again I have a 125 and I'm assuming the 304b is rated for something larger.
Why is that crazy? Just about every canister filter is like that. Comes with an pipe that goes into the tank that's somewhere around 450mm long. If it's too long you cut it shorter. Same with the hoses, too long, you can cut them.
 
Cutting a hose is a lot easier for most customers who do not have the tools to cut plastic. Make sense from a business perspective? They mention nothing in the instructions of what tools you would need for the install. So I'll call this crazy. But don't take it so drastically. Not the end of the fish world.
 
Why is that crazy? Just about every canister filter is like that. Comes with an pipe that goes into the tank that's somewhere around 450mm long. If it's too long you cut it shorter. Same with the hoses, too long, you can cut them.
Also take a look at their instructions. The intake is at the bottom.

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