Owning a filter for your tank is a must. It is essential for creating a healthy aquatic environment for the fish. It helps to keep the water clean and maintain its chemical balance.
Amongst the various kinds of filters available in the market, external filters are the ideal choice as they save a lot of space inside your tank. These large-sized external filters ensure efficient cleaning of water and can be placed anywhere near the aquarium. The large filter volume of these external canister filters helps in thorough cleaning of the tank. Furthermore, they can accommodate a wide variety of filter media.
Another good part about using external canister filters like SunSun canister filters is that they have great filtration capacity and allow you to include other important accessories such as SunSun UV sterilizer, CO2 diffusers, etc, so overall it withholds all the essential equipment in its design and delivers great efficiency. They are the first preference when it comes to larger tanks or aquariums.
Ever since its advent in 1985, SunSun China has been a leading name in the filter manufacturing industry. Apart from aquatic equipment, it also deals with gardening equipment. The aquarium supplies by SunSun China aquarium have gained a huge fan base among the aquarists. It not only manufactures products with excellent performance but also offers a nominal price on them.
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Finding the best canister filter for your tank is easier said than done. The market is flooded with tons of brands and products, each one advertising best of the features. This makes it hard for consumers to find a suitable one for their aquarium. There are several aspects one has to focus on while choosing a canister filter such as price, quality, features, performance, and product review.
While choosing an accurate filter for your tank, remember that it should have the capacity to filter the whole volume of water in the tank at least 4 times in an hour, which means a 50-gallon tank would need a filter with a filtration capacity of 200 gallons per hour.
Here is a detailed review of SunSun HW-302 303 304 series canister filter models. The SunSun aquarium products website exhibits five spectacular below mentioned
Specifications
SunSun HW-302 Canister Filter
Product Dimensions- 232x232x395 mm
Product Weight- 3.5 Kilograms
Product Height- 4.6 feet
H-max- 1.4m
Voltage- 110V/220V/240V
Frequency – 50Hz/60Hz
Power- 18W power
Filtration- 3-stage filtration – consisting of mechanical, biological, and chemical
Flow Rate- 265 gallons per hour
Filtration Capacity – 2.11 gallons
Filter Media Baskets- 3
Usability – Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
Ideal Gallon Tank- up to 75 gallons
SunSun HW-303A Canister Filter
Product Dimensions- 258x258x430 mm
Product Weight- 4.5 Kilograms
H-max- 2.0m
Hose Length- 1.5m
Voltage- 110V/220V/240V
Frequency – 50Hz/60Hz
Power- 35W power
Filtration- 4-stage filtration – consisting of mechanical, biological, and chemical
Flow Rate- 370 gallons per hour
Filter Media Baskets – 3
Usability – Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
Ideal Gallon Tank- up to 100 gallons
SunSun HW-303B Canister Filter
Product Dimensions- 258x258x430 mm
Product Weight- 5.0 Kilograms
H-max- 2.0m
Hose Length- 1.8m
Voltage- 110V/220V/240V
Frequency – 50Hz/60Hz
Power- 35W power
UV Power – 5W/7W/9W
Filtration- 4-stage filtration – consisting of mechanical, biological, and chemical
Flow Rate- 528 gallons per hour
Filter Media Baskets – 3
Usability – Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
Ideal Gallon Tank- up to 100 gallons
SunSun HW-304A Canister Filter
Product Dimensions- 290x290x485 mm
Product Weight- 5.5 Kilograms
H-max- 2.5m
Hose Length- 1.8m
Voltage- 110V/220V/240V
Frequency – 50Hz/60Hz
Power- 55W power
Filtration- 5-stage filtration – consisting of mechanical, biological, and chemical
Flow Rate- 528 gallons per hour
Filter Media Baskets – 4
Usability – Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
Ideal Gallon Tank- up to 150 gallons
SunSun HW-304B Canister Filter
Product Dimensions- 290x290x485 mm
Product Weight- 6.0 Kilograms
H-max- 2.5m
Hose Length- 1.8m
Voltage- 110V/220V/240V
Frequency – 50Hz/60Hz
Power- 55W power
UV Power – 5W/7W/9W
Filtration- 5-stage filtration – consisting of mechanical, biological, and chemical
Flow Rate- 525 gallons per hour
Filter Media Baskets – 4
Usability – Both freshwater and saltwater aquariums
Ideal Gallon Tank- up to 150 gallons
Contents Of The Package
- Canister body
- Barrelhead
- Output and input discreteness
- 2 Spray bars
- Adjustable tubing
- 1 Draining tray cover and 1 Spray bar cover
- Output and input curvy bar
- 3 filter media trays- each with a 10 cm filter cotton- in case of SunSun HW-302, SunSun HW-303A, and SunSun HW-303B
- 4 filter media trays- in case of SunSun HW-304A and SunSun HW-304B
- 3 input bars
- 2 connected bars
- 1 input cover
- SunSun Filter media kit -consisting of bio-balls, ceramic ring, activated carbon
- SunSun UV sterilizer – in case of SunSun HW-303B and SunSun HW-304B
Multi-Stage Filtration Process
Most of the models of the SunSun HW-300 canister filter make the water pass through three different stages of filtration to make it ultra-clean and healthy. SunSun HW-303A and SunSun HW-303B include 4-stages of filtration. The models like SunSun HW-304B are even better and have 5-stages of filtration. Mechanical filtration occupies the first stage wherein most of the solid waste of aquatic animals and food residues are sedimented. The second stage consists of biological filtration, wherein harmful microorganisms are destroyed and only the essential ones are allowed to remain in the water.
Chemical filtration is designed to be the last stage of filtration to decrease the frequency of chemical filter media replacement. At this stage, all the harmful chemicals from the water are eliminated making the tank healthy for aquatic animals to survive.
Noise-Free
No doubt that the filters are crucial for the aquariums, but the reality is that their ear-splitting sound of operation is highly annoying. This is the reason people avoid keeping their tanks and filters inside their bedrooms as it interferes with their peaceful sleep. The loud noise of the filters is their biggest shortcoming.
But SunSun HW-300 canister filter models have fought against all odds and evolved to be complete noise-free filters that can perfectly make a place in your bedroom or living room. The noise from the filters is basically because of the vibration of its elements that is caused while it is operating. But all the elements of the SunSun canister filters are assembled nicely and you won’t hear any noticeable shaking of them. Sometimes people assume this noise to be a sign of the proper working of the filter, but it’s not true, the silent vibrations alone can be a good indication. In case you hear a splashing sound from your SunSun canister filter, take it as an indication of the water level dropping below the spray bar height. Regular maintenance will never make you face such an issue.
Customizable
Not all the filters provide you the privilege to change or alter the filter equipment, but SunSun canister filter models being kind in all ways, allows you to change things according to the need of your aquatic animals. SunSun canister filter media setup is a very decent arrangement that facilitates optimum filtration. You can change or replace the filter media in their flexible media trays, to create an ideal setting and maintain a good chemical balance of the water inside your tank or aquarium. SunSun HW-304B consists of 4 draining media trays, while all other models like SunSun HW-302, SunSun HW-303A, HW-303B have 3 filter media trays. You can include the filter media of your choice such as bio-balls, sponge, etc into these flexible media trays and position them at whatever stages of filtration you wish to. SunSun canister filter media order is usually in the sequence of- first mechanical filter, then biological filter, and lastly chemical filter media. This feature of customization holds big importance and you can only appreciate it once you buy it.
SunSun Canister Filter SetUp
Right after you open a filter package, the struggle of setting it up begins to wrench you down. But the joy here is that anyone with minimal or no experience will find the SunSun canister filter set up to be such a blessing as it’s installation is truly as simple as ABC. Apart from being simpler, it is also very much time-saving. Within a few minutes, you can easily install the SunSun canister filter. The best part is that most of the SunSun canister filter parts are pre-assembled, which means you just have a few tasks to perform.
The SunSun canister filter instruction manual provided along with the package could be of some help only if the English translation would be a little better. But even with a poor manual, the setup of SunSun canister filter models does not demand great exertion or effort.
Firstly, attach the intake and output tubes at appropriate angulation based upon the fish present in your tank. Placing the hoses at different angulations can help you
overcome the drawback of the SunSun 302B filters of missing the adjustable flow rate feature. Regulating the flow rate can be difficult in the case of lesser gallon tanks as the angulating task becomes complicated.
You can then open the canister and arrange the SunSun filter media according to your choice. Your SunSun canister filter media order will eventually determine how frequently you will have to replace your filter media. Chemical filter media is preferred to be the last stage of filtration so that minimal debris passes through it and it doesn’t require frequent replacement. Once the filter media is placed, fill the canister with some amount of water and close the assembly.
Efficiency
A filter is a must thing for a tank, without its existence the tank can be a piece of problematic equipment in your house as it’s maintenance will knock you down in merely a few days. The clogging of the tank is just not an easy task to fix up by human effort, it will necessitate a piece of equipment for the same. A good filter takes care of all this stuff and can filter a large amount of water. The SunSun HW-302 has the power to filter the tank water with great efficiency and hence kill all the harmful chemicals or dirt present inside the tank. It also helps in increasing the longevity of the tank and the aquatic animals inside it.
Self-priming
The latest technologies have successfully eliminated the tedious task of manual siphoning, and now the newly released filters have a self-priming feature wherein you just have to add water to it, and the rest all doesn’t demand your attention. There is no need to manually siphon a fish tank with SunSun HW-304B.
Adjustable Flow Rate
These amazing filters have a flow rate of 265-525 gallons per hour which is great at such a low cost. The fast and efficient filtration ensures thorough cleaning of the tank. The high flow rate filters also help in saving a lot of energy. Even if most of the SunSun canister filter models do not offer the inbuilt feature of adjustable flow rate, you can still choose to regulate it according to the requirement of your fish by placing the hoses at different angles. You can also explore the web, or directly the SunSun filter website for more such measures to adjust the flow rate.
Affordable price
People remain worried about the health of the aquatic animals in their aquarium but no one loves to spend big on the things that don’t fall under necessary items. Buying a filter for a tank doesn’t count as a much-needed expenditure for many. Therefore, one always looks for an affordable product that goes well with their budget and also provides a good aquatic environment to their fish. In such cases, the SunSun external canister filters are the best choice as they can be bought at a very nominal price. And the icing on the cake is that the product is durable and has great quality, so you won’t have to invest in its replacement anytime soon. Even at such a low cost, no compromises are made with its quality and performance.
Hence, the budget will never be your constraint if you are planning to buy a SunSun external canister filter.
Design
It is a very compact product that can perfectly suit your aquarium. Apart from the intake and output tubes, there is nothing that will demand space inside your tank, hence it’s a very decently designed product. This equipment-free design is not something very commonly found, so you can call it one of the biggest strengths of the SunSun external canister filter.
UV Sterilizer
The SunSun canister filter models HW-303B and HW-304 B come with an in-built 9W UV sterilizer that helps in eliminating bacteria and algae spores. This SunSun UV sterilizer plays a big role in keeping the water free of all the harmful bacteria.
Maintenance
People who have had the experience of maintaining the cleanliness of the aquarium would know how dreary it can be. Everyone loves to keep larger size aquariums at their homes or offices, but no one loves the extra effort that needs to be put in for its maintenance. The tanks get loaded with a lot of biological and chemical waste and this clogging needs to be cleaned frequently. The waste accumulation is even twofold when the tank is full of a large number of aquatic animals. Therefore, maintenance of your tank is something you cannot let go of. To lend you a helping hand, the technology has gifted us the aquarium or tank filters, which solve almost 100% of your maintenance problem. They operate constantly and filter the water with great efficiency. Now coming to the maintenance of the filter itself, the process is simply painless if you own a SunSun aquarium filter. You can easily open the filter and clean the canister and the filter media present inside it. Cleaning once or twice a month is just fine.
Pros
- Noise-free
- Easy maintenance
- Incredible performance
- Hassle-free set up
- Multi-stage filtration
- Shut-off valves are a blessing
- Durable product
- Efficient filtration
- Greater capacity
- Compact design
- Enabled customization
- Worth the cost
Cons
- Slightly expensive
How To Install And Setup The SunSun Canister Filter?
Installation of the SunSun canister filter is no headache if you clearly understand and follow the instructions. To start with, unwrap the box and take out all the elements. Clean each of the elements and SunSun filter media with water. Then unlock the filter and stack the SunSun canister filter media into the filter media trays. Utilize the suction cups to position the spray bar and intake tube. Coming ahead, move a segment of tubing from the spray bar to the output and another segment from the inlet hose to the input of your tank. You can trim the hoses at the desired length. Then, attach any inline accessories to the filter as per your choice. Before you reassemble and lock the filter, fill it with some amount of dechlorinated water. Initiate priming of the filter by pressing the pumping button on the filter. After everything is done, plug in the filter. Setting up the SunSun canister filter will require a minimal amount of time. After understanding this guide, you can easily install the SunSun filtration pump.
How Many Gallons Tank Is Suitable For SunSun HW-303B 4-Stage Canister Filter?
The Sunsun canister filter is ideal for both larger and smaller tanks. It can be perfectly used for tanks with a capacity as large as 75-150 gallons.
How To Clean Your SunSun Canister Filter HW-302?
Cleaning of the SunSun canister filter is not a troublesome task and requires a minimum of time and effort. To begin with, you have to unplug the main switch of the filter and then move forward with the cleaning process. Firstly, pull down the lever of intake and output hoses to stop the water flow. Then, open the filter to reach the filter media and take it out. Clean or change the SunSun filter media as required. After the cleaning of the SunSun filter media, stack it back into its place. And lastly, fill the canister with some amount of water and close the assembly. Then again turn on the intake and output valves. Further, turn on the switch and allow priming.
Remember that before you put everything back into its place, you need to fill the filter with water or else priming cannot take place. Also, check for any leaks at the end.
How To Prime The SunSun Canister Filter HW-300 Models?
Priming is just not an issue with the HW-300 series as the filter is equipped with a self-priming feature. So, all you need to do is just fill the canister with some amount of water and then lock it and press the pumping button a few times. The hard task of manual siphoning is eliminated in the case of Sunsun HW-300 canister filter models.
Are The SunSun Canister Filter HW-300 Models Loud?
If you compare the SunSun with other filter models available in the same price range, you will find it to be the quietest one. Not only does its compact design help it get unnoticed, but the silent working is another factor that will mask its existence. This noise-free filter will create no nuisance in your living room, bedroom, or office.
How often should I clean my SunSun Canister Filter?
It is recommended to clean your SunSun Canister Filter every 2-4 weeks. However, this can vary depending on factors such as tank size, fish population, and feeding habits. Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and prevents clogging.
What type of media should I use in my SunSun Canister Filter?
The SunSun Canister Filter allows for customizable media options based on your specific needs. Some commonly used media include mechanical filter pads, activated carbon, ceramic rings, bio-balls, and biological filter media.
Is the SunSun Canister Filter suitable for saltwater aquariums?
Yes! The SunSun Canister Filter is designed to work effectively in both freshwater and saltwater aquariums. Its versatile design allows for efficient filtration regardless of the type of aquatic environment.
How long does it take to set up the SunSun Canister Filter?
Setting up the SunSun Canister Filter is a straightforward process that can be completed within 30 minutes. The included instructions guide you through each step, ensuring a hassle-free installation.
Can I use the SunSun Canister Filter for large aquariums?
Absolutely! The SunSun Canister Filter comes in different sizes to accommodate various tank capacities. Whether you have a small or large aquarium, there is a SunSun Canister Filter model suitable for your needs.
Final Verdict
The bottom line is that the SunSun HW 302 303 304 external canister filter models are extremely reliable considering their performance, price, efficiency, and durability. Their optimum filtration helps in providing a stable and healthy aquatic environment. It helps to unload all kinds of solid, biological, and chemical waste from the tank water. With 3-draining filter media baskets, you are offered the choice to add and arrange SunSun filter media according to your need. The maintenance of the filter is a breeze and commands the least amount of time and effort. Being an external canister filter, they do not occupy any space in your tank and make it look more spacious and neat. Another usefulness of these Sunsun HW-300 external canister filter models is that their maintenance does not interfere with the aquatic animals in your tank. Several other characteristic features of these Sunsun filter models like noise-free operation, adjustable water flow, self-priming, 5-stage filtration, etc are something you just can’t overlook. The customization feature further allows you to choose the filter media of your choice. If the setup of the filters has been an issue for you, then this easily understandable SunSun 304B setup will make you forget your previous poor experiences. Well, the cost might be an issue for a few of you, but if you evaluate its pros and cons, you will end up buying one for your tank. The SunSun HW-304B review all over the world has been beyond amazing.