New SunSun/Perfect Hw-404B Canister Review

**lipadj46** · 03-24-2011, 11:28 PM

My canister filter can today from kool_goods on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-CANISTE...item2c5b2a4aaf

This is the largest filter in this product line and is supposedly is upgraded from the HW-305B model (I think the biggest upgrade is to the priming pump and to the pump according to the seller).

First off the filter itself was packaged up like brick sh!thouse from kool_goods so +1 one for them, I highly recommend this seller. The filter is made in Taiwan as opposed to Made in China (yes I know taiwan is a part of the PRC) which in my experience means a better made product. My first impression was that the filter is absoulutely huge at 19"x12x12. It has 4 media baskets and comes with 4 sponges. I put 3 sponges at the bottom basket for filtering debris and then was able to put 4 liters (!) of seachem matrix and then the last sponge at the top for polishing in the upper 3 baskets. That is enough bio media for a 400 gallon tank, overkill but that is OK.

The filter includes nice long spray bars and intake and two 5 ft pieces of thick (too stiff IMO but free is good) tubing. Setup was easy even though this was my first canister filter. I filled the cannister with tank water, turned on the pump and pumped the priming pump and in about 20 seconds I had it going. I also practiced pulling off the tubing housing and that was a breeze with no water spilled.

The final thing that struck me (my wife too) is that this thing is dead quiet, so much better than my HOB filters. You cannot hear this thing run, my wife thought it was turned off. The filter is rated at 530 wpg but with the spray bars pointed at the back glass current is fine for my fish. I also forgot to mention that there is a 9 watt UV light but that seems like a gimmick as it is too low of power but it can't hurt I suppose.

So at $110 shipped ($15 less for the older model if you are saving money) this seems like a great buy IMO. We will see how it holds up. Here is a pic:

**Lady Hobbs** · 03-24-2011, 11:33 PM

Yikes. It is huge but not sure I wouldn't like one that didn't fit under the cabinet. Hope you like it and it filters well for you.

**Surfdog** · 03-24-2011, 11:36 PM

My Lord, it's bigger than my Shop-Vac! Looks like you'll have to build a shed next to your tank to house it. Congrats on a very cool filter.

**lipadj46** · 03-25-2011, 12:15 AM

Originally Posted by Lady Hobbs

Yikes. It is huge but not sure I wouldn't like one that didn't fit under the cabinet. Hope you like it and it filters well for you.

Yeah my wife said the same thing. I'm building a new stand this summer, that cabinet is a craigslist freebee.

**Surfdog** · 03-25-2011, 02:18 AM

Sadly, shipping to Canada is $93.00

**Cliff** · 03-25-2011, 03:04 AM

Have you noticed we have a equipment review section here ?

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/review/

You could post your review there so it's easier for other members to find in the future.

**caall99** · 08-01-2011, 01:14 AM

Loved your review! I am about to buy this filter. Could you tell me how many liters of media can fit into each basket? I need to buy media as well.

Thanks!

**bignellm** · 08-01-2011, 02:36 AM

As the Tim the Toolman says, "AR, Ar,ARGH... MORE POWER...AR, Arg, ar"
That's not a filter, it's a SPACE STATION!!! Looks awesome, great buy!

**MCHRKiller** · 08-01-2011, 04:34 AM

I bought a 302 for my 29G project, it is running on my fry tank at home to seed it for now and it is an awesome filter. SunSun filters are very comparible to Marineland in quality and build...I have heard some say they may even be made by the same company. Congrats on the filter