HW-302 Pro

Previously, I had this filter set up with a 20 gallon tall aquarium. This is my 4th shot at a filter for my two baby turtles, which all failed miserably. I also tried the zenblue canister before this and I couldn't even get it started up. This one was easy.It came with media and filter pads and I've set it up as follows: Bottom layer, heavy particle blue pad then white pad. Second, bio media. Third, white pad and purigen. I had my tank close to the floor with the filter right beside it. I soaked the hoses in the bathtub with hot water to make them less ridged and adjusted the length, which is a must. I filled it with water and hit the priming button a few times, plugged it in...after about 30 seconds and some bubble sputtering, it started flowing and smoothed out. No issues at all. Very quiet.I checked it out after the first 5 days, and it was definitely doing its job. My water was a little cloudy due to my filter struggles, but no longer the smelly light tea color. After cleaning out the filter, day 6 showed perfectly clear water. Really impressed.The really great thing about this filter is that you can add your own media. Not having to buy specific filter cartridges is really great. After a lot of research, I found you can keep this thing running pretty cheap.After 14 months the filter is still functioning great. I have since upgraded my tank to a 55 gallon and the water is just as clean as it was in the 20 gallon. Two of the four clips that hold down the side did break off, but it is not affecting the performance of the filter, and the top seals well by just pushing it on, kind of like a vacuum pressure. Also, the plastic tab at the hose input/output connection snapped off, but there is still enough left for me to unhook it. Yes the plastic seems extremely cheap, however the filter itself works very well. I'm still amazed at the difference this filter made compared to other brands that I had used. The water is clear and smell free, and I only clean the filter once a month. Which for turtles, is saying something.

Let me start of by saying I've started in the aquarium hobby in 1982 and have kept fish (fresh and salt) continuously since then. I am currently a breeder. I have always been some what of a "filter snob" . I ONLY USE EHEIM canister filters. I have owned several and currently own 2 X 2215's (yes they're old but they're EHEIM's and they still work great. I have started breeding Super Red Bristlenose Pleco's. If you have never had these I can't convey how much they poop! I had one of my Eheim 2215's on a 15 gallon grow out tank trying to keep it clean. I had to clean it once a week because of the zucchini "stuff" in the water from feeding. I set up a 20 gallon breeding tank for the adults. I moved the 2215 over to it. Again, I have to service it weekly or it completely clogs up. Decide to try one of these "SunSun" canister filters back on the 15 gallon. I read the instructions, installed the hoses and media as required, hooked it all up, plugged it in and IT WORKED PERFECTLY. No leaks, no noise, and a the next morning the tank was crystal clear. I let it run for almost a month before I noticed the output slowing down A LITTLE. Decided to clean it today. WOW! It was full of "stuff". The "toggle" release for the hoses was great and removing the trays to clean the individual media was very easy. Filled up the canister before reconnecting the hoses, pumped the "prime button" and it took off running again. VERY pleased with it's performance so far and will be ordering another one this week. I read all of the Pro and Con reviews before ordering and said "for $50 I can't replace the hoses and connectors on 1 of my Eheims so what do I have to lose?" Maybe I just got lucky and got a "good" one. Don't know, don't care. I'm still going to order another one :-). Will it keep a 75 gallon clean? Probably not. I would think MAYBE a 55 AT MOST but for anything smaller it works way better than I expected for the price! A good bargain!

I bought this to replace a HW-304B that I had for 4 years running 24/7. It was a great filter and gave me no problems until recently when the gasket failed. I bought this smaller unit mainly because of my budget and the fact that I only have a 40 gallon tank. Setup was super easy as everything needed is included. I just cut the tubing to length with a PVC pipe cutter and reused my old media. The only issue is the stated GPH. According to my little test run and limited math, I calculated that at 4ft head height and the canister loaded with filters and media. I get about 140 GPH from this unit. So, if you have a 40 gallon tank filled with rock and sand, this filter is just big enough. Assuming you’re aiming to cycle 4 times your tank volume per hour. Small tip: fill the canister with tank water before connecting everything and use the lubricant it comes with, it makes connecting the tubing a lot easier.

Had it for about a year now....its quiet and works well. Putting the top back on it can be tedious. Just be patient and thoughtful about it when your putting it on. The fact that it doesn't just plop on there is a good thing. Mine has never leaked a drop of water and its quiet as a mouse. Worth every dime!

From the very start this filter had been unreliable and I’ve had it at this point. It started off decent enough although it was certainly not pumping the correct amount per hour but it still sufficed for my tank.Overtime, yet very quickly, the amount of water actually getting filtered diminished greatly. Now, even after a FRESH clean, the filter is still pumping about as much as my little 10 gallon filter is supposed to. Pathetic for a canister filter. This thing should be able to easily handle a 40 gallon, yet I wouldn’t even want to use this in a 10 with how unreliable it is.If I could go back, I’d save up my money and get something worth a damn, because this canister filter is seriously a waste of money. You get better performance from a $20 filter from petco. Seriously, if you need a canister filter, don’t cheap out and get one of these, you’ll likely regret it.