Canister filter

[StPatrick89]

The Fluval FX4 is rated at 450GPH, up to 250Gallons on 30 watts

the sunsun is 525GPH, up to 150Gallons, on 55 watts.

why is the configuration for these two so different with conflicting numbers?

 

[Fish Think Pink]

The Fluval FX4 is rated at 450GPH, up to 250Gallons on 30 watts

the sunsun is 525GPH, up to 150Gallons, on 55 watts.

why is the configuration for these two so different with conflicting numbers?

motor efficiencies...

air conditions, refrigerators, humidifiers, .... all small appliances also draw power and if you compare among brands and models, you'll find differences there too. Often times something cheaper initially by a few $ can cost much more over its lifespan energy usage (why I think of heaters & A/C units - thank goodness SEER exists for those. For tank canisters, no rating system)

 

[StPatrick89]

motor efficiencies...

air conditions, refrigerators, humidifiers, .... all small appliances also draw power and if you compare among brands and models, you'll find differences there too. Often times something cheaper initially by a few $ can cost much more over its lifespan energy usage (why I think of heaters & A/C units - thank goodness SEER exists for those. For tank canisters, no rating system)

So technically the sun sun wouldn’t be good or efficient enough to run on a 250 even though it has a higher GPH

 

[DaddyFish]

The Fluval FX4 is rated at 450GPH, up to 250Gallons on 30 watts

the sunsun is 525GPH, up to 150Gallons, on 55 watts.

why is the configuration for these two so different with conflicting numbers?

Which SunSun ???

 

[StPatrick89]

Which SunSun ???

304B

 

[StPatrick89]

motor efficiencies...

air conditions, refrigerators, humidifiers, .... all small appliances also draw power and if you compare among brands and models, you'll find differences there too. Often times something cheaper initially by a few $ can cost much more over its lifespan energy usage (why I think of heaters & A/C units - thank goodness SEER exists for those. For tank canisters, no rating system)

To your point, I see people running two Sun Suns at 55W(110W) but only rated for 150Gallons(300gallons), when you can just get an FX4 that’ll be 250gallons (50gallons) less at 30W. So that’s an addition of 80 extra watts added to your electric bill. So are you really saving with the sun sun?

 

[DaddyFish]

Oh heck no!
IMO a 304B is nowhere near large enough for a 150-gal tank. I ran HW3000 on 90-gal tanks and supplemented that with a Seachem Tidal-110 HOB. The combination of the two was barely enough for a heavily stocked 90-gal.

The problem I had with every SunSun was they all eventually leak. I managed to locate suitable replacement O-rings from Grainger that were 1mm thicker and tightened up the seal. But the pressure applied to the very thin walls of the canister rim made me uncomfortable. I have two nearly brand new HW3000 you can have!

If you want a canister filter that is REAL QUALITY and easier to maintain than a sump, buy an Oase Biomaster Thermo 850 (or 600).
Oase Biomaster

Otherwise I'd go for an FX6 and bypass the FX4.

 

[DaddyFish]

One thing worth mentioning... The SunSun inlet/outlet pipe system that comes with the HW3000 is hands-down the best I've seen on ANY canister filter system. I still use it on my 90-gal attached to the Oase via 3/4 - 5/8 adapters.

 

[StPatrick89]

Oh heck no!
IMO a 304B is nowhere near large enough for a 150-gal tank. I ran HW3000 on 90-gal tanks and supplemented that with a Seachem Tidal-110 HOB. The combination of the two was barely enough for a heavily stocked 90-gal.

The problem I had with every SunSun was they all eventually leak. I managed to locate suitable replacement O-rings from Grainger that were 1mm thicker and tightened up the seal. But the pressure applied to the very thin walls of the canister rim made me uncomfortable. I have two nearly brand new HW3000 you can have!

If you want a canister filter that is REAL QUALITY and easier to maintain than a sump, buy an Oase Biomaster Thermo 850 (or 600).
Oase Biomaster

Otherwise I'd go for an FX6 and bypass the FX4.

wait so you’re saying that an FX4 wouldn’t be sufficient on a 150?

 

[DaddyFish]

wait so you’re saying that an FX4 wouldn’t be sufficient on a 150?

I run an FX6 on a moderately stocked 90-gal. It's definitely not too much filtration for that tank. Needs cleaning every 3-4 weeks and the center section (round) foams are 75% covered in muck with a substantial drop in flow by that time. And that tank also has a Seachem Tidal-110 HOB running two layers of foam plus carbon.

Reality is that filtration and pumps are typically only good for about half the tank size of what they're rated.

 

[DaddyFish]

Here's a picture of that 90 during the early ugly stage...

Just realized I haven't taken any recent photos of that tank. Just scraped the glass and snapped a pic, so there's lots of algae floating around. But you can see what a 90-gal running a FX6 and Tidal-110 combo looks like after one year.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

wait so you’re saying that an FX4 wouldn’t be sufficient on a 150?

An FX4 canister will be too small for a 150 gallon, I would get an fx6 for that size of tank.
The FX4 will work, but overall, with that size of tank I would get the fx6 and your golden. It's super easy to use, maintain and has multiple chambers (levels) of filtration. Water changes with an FX4 or 6 is great, just plug into the chamber and suck in the new water.
In my opinion, Fluval FX series is one of the best, and great for those of us without sumps.
I use an FX4 canister on my 75 gallon, LOVE IT.

 

[StPatrick89]

I run an FX6 on a moderately stocked 90-gal. It's definitely not too much filtration for that tank. Needs cleaning every 3-4 weeks and the center section (round) foams are 75% covered in muck with a substantial drop in flow by that time. And that tank also has a Seachem Tidal-110 HOB running two layers of foam plus carbon.

Reality is that filtration and pumps are typically only good for about half the tank size of what they're rated.

Wow, interesting info

 

[StPatrick89]

An FX4 canister will be too small for a 150 gallon, I would get an fx6 for that size of tank.
The FX4 will work, but overall, with that size of tank I would get the fx6 and your golden. It's super easy to use, maintain and has multiple chambers (levels) of filtration. Water changes with an FX4 or 6 is great, just plug into the chamber and suck in the new water.
In my opinion, Fluval FX series is one of the best, and great for those of us without sumps.
I use an FX4 canister on my 75 gallon, LOVE IT.

Wow, again, I’m really surprised by this info. These companies advertise for so much more

 

[DaddyFish]

I totally agree the FX6 is the workhorse of canisters and hard to beat. The flow rate is far superior to the Oase Biomaster series. However, my Biomaster filters are absolutely, hands-down the easiest to maintain canister around. I supplement the flow on them with Gyres and even run a secondary DC return pump inline on one tank to boost the flow through the canister. That allows me to pass through the Biomaster plus a UV unit and still move 450 gph.

 

[DaddyFish]

If you purchase a FX?, be sure to buy a second set of foam so you can swap them out at cleaning time. Run the dirty set through the dishwasher on the top rack with No Heat Drying. Makes life much better!

 

[StPatrick89]

I totally agree the FX6 is the workhorse of canisters and hard to beat. The flow rate is far superior to the Oase Biomaster series. However, my Biomaster filters are absolutely, hands-down the easiest to maintain canister around. I supplement the flow on them with Gyres and even run a secondary DC return pump inline on one tank to boost the flow through the canister. That allows me to pass through the Biomaster plus a UV unit and still move 450 gph.

So why do so many people trash the Fluval and say that the sun sun is just as good as the fx6?

 

[DaddyFish]

So why do so many people trash the Fluval and say that the sun sun is just as good as the fx6?

Because their SunSun hasn't leaked on them YET!!! Or failed on them YET and attempted to get parts! Or had it long enough for the UV lamp socket to corrode and overheat YET! Or checked the quartz UV sleeve in months to see how much saltwater has leaked into it YET!

It's a great concept filter and I love everything about it except... the canister tank itself needs to be thicker plastic and sealed with a thicker o-ring. And the pump head needs to be sealed around the hose connection head so that spilled water doesn't flow into the concave pump head housing and eventually corrode everything.

My experience with canisters has me sold on two truths...
1. The FX6 is the most solid workhorse commonly available in the USA.
2. The Oase Biomaster is the Ferrari of canister filters and totally unmatched in ease of maintenance and quality.

 

[Sleeping Giant]

Because their SunSun hasn't leaked on them YET!!! Or failed on them YET and attempted to get parts! Or had it long enough for the UV lamp socket to corrode and overheat YET! Or checked the quartz UV sleeve in months to see how much saltwater has leaked into it YET!

It's a great concept filter and I love everything about it except... the canister tank itself needs to be thicker plastic and sealed with a thicker o-ring. And the pump head needs to be sealed around the hose connection head so that spilled water doesn't flow into the concave pump head housing and eventually corrode everything.

My experience with canisters has me sold on two truths...
1. The FX6 is the most solid workhorse commonly available in the USA.
2. The Oase Biomaster is the Ferrari of canister filters and totally unmatched in ease of maintenance and quality.

I don't believe that.
The Fluval canisters are great, easy to use and I have yet to have a leak on any Fluval canister in over 6 years

 

[StPatrick89]

Because their SunSun hasn't leaked on them YET!!! Or failed on them YET and attempted to get parts! Or had it long enough for the UV lamp socket to corrode and overheat YET! Or checked the quartz UV sleeve in months to see how much saltwater has leaked into it YET!

It's a great concept filter and I love everything about it except... the canister tank itself needs to be thicker plastic and sealed with a thicker o-ring. And the pump head needs to be sealed around the hose connection head so that spilled water doesn't flow into the concave pump head housing and eventually corrode everything.

My experience with canisters has me sold on two truths...
1. The FX6 is the most solid workhorse commonly available in the USA.
2. The Oase Biomaster is the Ferrari of canister filters and totally unmatched in ease of maintenance and quality.

Sounds like you got all the answers lol! No seriously thanks for the honest feedback.