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

[xraycer]

Definitely too close, if you plan to use sand. Not so much that it would suck up the sand right off the bottom, but when the fish stirs up the sand. I prefer mine at about 6" above the substrate. While my >60% wc doesn't go below the input, I turn my filters, heaters, lights off during wc. Its easy when everything is on a single power strip. Doing it this way, you tend not to forget to turn the heater back on. I also turn the tanks' light off because I find that it makes it a little less stressful for the fish.
I've been running two of those 304b for over 4yrs now without a hiccup. Not bad for huge, sub $100 canisters For a 125, I would recommend for you to get another 304b or something equivalent in size. Its always a good idea to run multiple devices in regards to filtration and heating.

 

[Irecruitfish]

Definitely too close, if you plan to use sand. Not so much that it would suck up the sand right off the bottom, but when the fish stirs up the sand. I prefer mine at about 6" above the substrate. While my >60% wc doesn't go below the input, I turn my filters, heaters, lights off during wc. Its easy when everything is on a single power strip. Doing it this way, you tend not to forget to turn the heater back on. I also turn the tanks' light off because I find that it makes it a little less stressful for the fish.
I've been running two of those 304b for over 4yrs now without a hiccup. Not bad for huge, sub $100 canisters For a 125, I would recommend for you to get another 304b or something equivalent in size. Its always a good idea to run multiple devices in regards to filtration and heating.

Excellent points thanks! I should of bought two sunsuns when I got them for 66 bucks in December. For now I'll stick to one since the tank will be very understocked with a solo 6 inch wolf fish. But I'll keep my eye out for deals on for another filter. I do have another 125 with one fx6. Thoughts on having just that filter in the tank? I agree with using the power strips very helpful. I do use two power strips so that the lighting stays on while I do the change so I can see the poop and algae when cleaning. I found having the lights on a separate strip helps as not to mess with the timers for the lights.

 

[xraycer]

I found having the lights on a separate strip helps as not to mess with the timers for the lights.

Or get a digital timer with a back up battery to keep memory.

With a lone 6" wolf, the single 304b will be fine. However, its good to have another filter running for those times when you're doing maintenance on the 304b.

 

[Irecruitfish]

Or get a digital timer with a back up battery to keep memory.

With a lone 6" wolf, the single 304b will be fine. However, its good to have another filter running for those times when you're doing maintenance on the 304b.

Cool thx. Never thought of a digital timer. I'll look into it.

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Definitely too close, if you plan to use sand. Not so much that it would suck up the sand right off the bottom, but when the fish stirs up the sand. I prefer mine at about 6" above the substrate. While my >60% wc doesn't go below the input, I turn my filters, heaters, lights off during wc. Its easy when everything is on a single power strip. Doing it this way, you tend not to forget to turn the heater back on. I also turn the tanks' light off because I find that it makes it a little less stressful for the fish.
I've been running two of those 304b for over 4yrs now without a hiccup. Not bad for huge, sub $100 canisters For a 125, I would recommend for you to get another 304b or something equivalent in size. Its always a good idea to run multiple devices in regards to filtration and heating.

I fully agree here. The SunSun filters are great filters but in my experience, they don’t put out nearly the flow rate that they state once they are full of media. I run a 303B on my 29 gallon grow out tank and I think it’s perfect for that size tank. If I had a 55, I would definitely use a 304B for it, or possibly two 303B’s. For a 125, I would definitely recommend two of them. However, with the light stock, one should be fine for now.

A couple suggestions:

First, don’t use the spray bar. It is very restrictive and reduces the flow a lot.

Next, don’t go crazy on the mechanical filtration, or even the bio for that matter. Of course, you want adequate amounts of both, but if you pack it full, it will greatly reduce the flow. I actually like to use mostly bio balls, with a little bit of ceramic rings. Bio balls are certainly not the greatest bio media, but they allow the flow to move through very well.

Thirdly, yes, your intake is too close to the sand, but you already knew that.

Lastly, I don’t use the stock intake U-tube on mine because I found it to be too restrictive. Having said that, it looks like the intake tube that came with your 304B is much larger, so you’ll have to judge whether or not you feel it is ok.

 

[Irecruitfish]

I fully agree here. The SunSun filters are great filters but in my experience, they don’t put out nearly the flow rate that they state once they are full of media. I run a 303B on my 29 gallon grow out tank and I think it’s perfect for that size tank. If I had a 55, I would definitely use a 304B for it, or possibly two 303B’s. For a 125, I would definitely recommend two of them. However, with the light stock, one should be fine for now.

A couple suggestions:

First, don’t use the spray bar. It is very restrictive and reduces the flow a lot.

Next, don’t go crazy on the mechanical filtration, or even the bio for that matter. Of course, you want adequate amounts of both, but if you pack it full, it will greatly reduce the flow. I actually like to use mostly bio balls, with a little bit of ceramic rings. Bio balls are certainly not the greatest bio media, but they allow the flow to move through very well.

Thirdly, yes, your intake is too close to the sand, but you already knew that.

Lastly, I don’t use the stock intake U-tube on mine because I found it to be too restrictive. Having said that, it looks like the intake tube that came with your 304B is much larger, so you’ll have to judge whether or not you feel it is ok.

Thx for this advice. The only addition in terms of media I bought were some bioballs and added a HOB filter media piece from a 29 gallon. So this is great that I didn't pack it densely. I'll definitely look out for another filter and will work on cutting the intake and removing the spray bar.

 

[OnceLoyal]

I just want to confirm it is way to close! Cut it bro!

 

[Irecruitfish]

I fully agree here. The SunSun filters are great filters but in my experience, they don’t put out nearly the flow rate that they state once they are full of media. I run a 303B on my 29 gallon grow out tank and I think it’s perfect for that size tank. If I had a 55, I would definitely use a 304B for it, or possibly two 303B’s. For a 125, I would definitely recommend two of them. However, with the light stock, one should be fine for now.

A couple suggestions:

First, don’t use the spray bar. It is very restrictive and reduces the flow a lot.

Next, don’t go crazy on the mechanical filtration, or even the bio for that matter. Of course, you want adequate amounts of both, but if you pack it full, it will greatly reduce the flow. I actually like to use mostly bio balls, with a little bit of ceramic rings. Bio balls are certainly not the greatest bio media, but they allow the flow to move through very well.

Thirdly, yes, your intake is too close to the sand, but you already knew that.

Lastly, I don’t use the stock intake U-tube on mine because I found it to be too restrictive. Having said that, it looks like the intake tube that came with your 304B is much larger, so you’ll have to judge whether or not you feel it is ok.

Just got the intake so all good there. Wanted say thanks for the advice on removing the spray bar. The flow was pure **** with it. I put the nozzle on instead and it's producing strong flow now.

 

[Coryloach]

I have two of the European versions of the Sun Sun 304B running for 5 and 6 years respectively. Apart from getting a bit noisy over the years, no issues.
I agree with all the points above. They don't have powerful flow and its even worse with the spraybars which I've ditched. Mine however, come with intakes that can be shortened, and I have done so long time ago. As media, I use mostly medium and coarse filter sponges inside. I've got no issues with flow reduction and I also use prefilter sponges in the intakes.