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Poor flow from Filter

Robert Fletcher

Robert Fletcher

Member
Joined
18 Aug 2017
Messages
120
Location
Hinckley, Leicestershire
I have a Juwal 110 aquarium. I have an APS EF1= (rebranded Sunsun) that is rated at 1000 litres/hour. I have a Lily Pipe set and an inline defuser. I guess I would have had this filter for about 12 months. I have never got much flow out of this and certainly not the rated amount. I have just removed all media and the glass inflow pipe to test if there is anything impeding flow. To overcome some of these difficulties I have put a Tidal 55 on and that does a great job but it is not very aesthetic.

I do not want to lay out any money but it looks as if that is going to be the case. What size filter for my tank I would prefer to over filter but not subject the fish and plants to a storm? I would prefer a budget of £100 but looking around I might get into the same mess and spare parts should be available. So the brands look like Eheim, Fluval and Oase the latter looks great and I have an idea the Aquarium Gardens may be running them on some display tanks, that way I can see them in operation. Any help with my dilemma is appreciated especially if it saves money.

Robert...
 
Filters rarely get close to their rated output but I would imagine the APS one probably over promises more than most.

Have you actually measured the flow (just stick a measuring jug under the outlet and time how long it takes to fill, repeat a few times and average it out, you only want a ball park figure).
 
jameson_uk said:
Filters rarely get close to their rated output but I would imagine the APS one probably over promises more than most.

Have you actually measured the flow (just stick a measuring jug under the outlet and time how long it takes to fill, repeat a few times and average it out, you only want a ball park figure).
Click to expand...
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, I have done that measures several times and I get about 220 litres/hour. The Tidal 55 is about 210 liters. I took the hears to pieces and past brushes through nothing. The only complaints I find on the 'net is noise that is not my problem as I make sure the air is out.
I am interested in your comments that filters don't meat their rated output. How about the Fluval 306. I see on Youtube the Fluval impeller is much bigger and should push more water? I would prefer one filter to handle all the flow, not extra filters and powerheads.
 
You could try the 1400lph version of the Sunsun. Finest Filters sell them considerably cheaper than All Pond Solutions as they don't bother rebranding them.

I'm currently running two of the 2000lph versions on my 450 litre tank and they're great.
 
Millns84 said:
You could try the 1400lph version of the Sunsun. Finest Filters sell them considerably cheaper than All Pond Solutions as they don't bother rebranding them.

I'm currently running two of the 2000lph versions on my 450 litre tank and they're great.
Click to expand...
I must thank you very much indeed for the information and suggestion. Also for pointing me to 'Finest-Filters'. I also see they have Hidom filters, do you have any knowledge about them. I have Hidom Heaters and a Hidom air pump and I am very happy with these both very well made. But that does not mean the filters are as good. The other thing I like about the Hidom filter is the color. I am unable to hide my filter and this white thing stands out.
My lift height is 1 metre and I think on the smaller filter I have, maybe the reason for the poor flow.
If you can add anything to that it will be appreciated. I feel a bit happier now.
 
Robert Fletcher said:
I must thank you very much indeed for the information and suggestion. Also for pointing me to 'Finest-Filters'. I also see they have Hidom filters, do you have any knowledge about them. I have Hidom Heaters and a Hidom air pump and I am very happy with these both very well made. But that does not mean the filters are as good. The other thing I like about the Hidom filter is the color. I am unable to hide my filter and this white thing stands out.
My lift height is 1 metre and I think on the smaller filter I have, maybe the reason for the poor flow.
If you can add anything to that it will be appreciated. I feel a bit happier now.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I've no experience of the Hidom canisters but I've also used some of their other products and have been pleased with them. Certainly a brand I'd trust.
 
Millns84 said:
Unfortunately I've no experience of the Hidom canisters but I've also used some of their other products and have been pleased with them. Certainly a brand I'd trust.
Click to expand...
Seems like you have had a similar experience to me. I will get a filter tomorrow but I will sleep on it first. Spare parts are a think and if nothing else APS sell spares. Thanks for all your help.
 
Keith GH said:
Robert

Do the Flow measure without any medium and post what the results are please.

Keith:wave::wave:
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Hi Keith, when I did the output measure I also did it with media removed and no difference 220-230 ml/hour. That is a quarter rated. I think my problem maybe lift 1 metre plus I am about a metre away from the tank can't do anything about it. The only test I have not done is one with very little lift. I have always had problems with this but it is more critical now as I want to remove the Tidal 55 HOB for aesthetic reasons. I think I will go along with Millns84
suggestion and get a bigger filter.
 
Edvet said:
Most flow rates are given for equal levels, better firms will give a max height too, but it will deliver far far less at that height. You can stop flow completely by increasing the height difference.
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I just did what I should have done in the first place and checked all the specs. 1000 Litres per Hour model I have has a maximum lift of 1.4 metres. The 1400 Litres per Hour unit has a maximum lift of 2 metres. So I guess that answers my dilemma. So buying a filter look for both flow and height.
New filter coming tomorrow so I will let you all know how it works.
Robert.
 
Robert Fletcher said:
1000 Litres per Hour model I have has a maximum lift of 1.4 metres. The 1400 Litres per Hour unit has a maximum lift of 2 metres.
Click to expand...
This is the maximum lift pump/filter if the inlet is open. You will normally have a loop of inlet and outlet at same height, so this figure is irrelevant and meaningless for use in real world.

The rate quoted by filter manufacturers are the pump rate without hoses and filter media, ie pump head dunked underwater. Not really useful.

The better quality external filter manufacturers usually give a flow rate for when in use with hoses and filter media. For example for JBL externals
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Robert Fletcher said:
New filter coming tomorrow so I will let you all know how it works.
Click to expand...

Which filter did you go for? The 1400lph Sunsun?

If so, did you order any pond foams for it? I was shocked when I received mine and it was full of fine floss pads, bio balls, ceramic rings but no coarse/medium sponges!
 
Edvet said:
Ian, i am guessing that table is still for same level, not 1,5 m height difference😵
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter, height (within reason) doesn't come into it provided you have both ends of the filter pipe at the same height. Height is only an issue for things like a sump return pump or, like in my case, pumps used to pump water from a water barrel at floor level into the tank.
 
Robert
I had a big Eheim canister filter and I remember on one of their information folders it recommended that the top of the filter should not be lower than the bottom of the tank and the outlet should be at the end where the filter is.
I had my filter sitting on a small table next to the tank stand.

Keith:wave::wave:
 
Good morning everyone. Well, the SunSun 703A 1400 Lph arrived this morning. That has fixed things. I have good flow throughout the tank. I also notice that the CO2 is now being distributed evenly. I feel more comfortable.
Millns84, No I did not order any pond foam and I have used up all I had so will have to order some. I used it in the old one and in my Tidal HOB great stuff. I have put the media in from the old filter and well as the new ceramic rings. I also left the bioballs in one tray. I have heard so much negativity about bioballs I have never used them.
Thanks, everyone for your help.
Robert
 
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