Polar Aurora 302's

[CassCats]

Also, apology accepted


Looking specifically at that model, it's not available in Canada, but some other no name brand ones are that look identical.

But I do get Sunsun here, and yeah, it's the exact same. Browsed prices on American sites and it's about same price as Sunsun is for me here ($230 range)

 

[JohnnyReb]

My main issue with filters used as such ( I farm Tilapia, and have raising tanks in the house, is you don’t typically have any idea how fast they are plugging up ( unless you are incorporating a pressure filter… I’ve gone to using 2 hang on back filters per tank ( I use Tidal 75’s ) they are much faster to service, and easier to see how close they are getting to needing service… I used Marineland, Magnum canisters, when I had canisters 25 years ago ( which is where my forum name came from ) I find the hang on back more serviceable than most canisters

Magnum Man... your testimonial is exactly what I was soliciting. I was calculating replace media for HOB and they were high. TY for your input, it will be used. I have only opened one, I may not open anymore as, what you say I have found true.

 

[JohnnyReb]

Also, apology accepted


Looking specifically at that model, it's not available in Canada, but some other no name brand ones are that look identical.

But I do get Sunsun here, and yeah, it's the exact same. Browsed prices on American sites and it's about same price as Sunsun is for me here ($230 range)

Polara Aurora 302 is $54.00 here and SunSun 302 is $70.00.

 

[GaryE]

SunSun had a bad rep to start, and that could skew web searches. They're the big Chinese brand, and word is they have improved dramatically. It's hard to go off online reviews as there's a lot of politics in reviews I've seen. Outside of the US, they have a good reputation.

Context changes everything.

I've overwintered koi, and it's a messy job. I worked in a place that had a too shallow pond and had to care for koi and shubunkins for a few months every winter. I ended up making filters because the fish are such massive waste producers and cleaning the mechanical part of the filtration was tedious. I had fluvals, which were excellent, but overtaxed for the sheer volume of waste even lightly fed koi produce. For fish like that, I like canisters even less than I like koi. Any way you look at it, they are time consuming without a sump system.

 

[Magnum Man]

@GaryE … hit the nail on the head, as far as my concern… I’ve found Tilapia, in the grow out phase ( reads as fed 3 times a day ) to be the biggest waste makers I have ever worked with… I typically get between 50 and 100 fingerlings, and by the time they get 3-4 inches, ( the size I move them to the outdoor grow out tanks ), they can plug up filter media every 2 weeks…. You haven’t told us the size, and count of fish per 75 gallon??? But if larger, they could be serious waste producers, but also if you are literally hibernating them, over winter, their bioload could be less, than if you are feeding normally…

Also I would be concerned with the durability of the latches, and other parts, having to open them for cleaning, so often… my Magnum canisters of 25 years ago had stainless steel latches, I find plastic, to be less durable, on highly used parts, particularly, on economy filters… if you find you are needing to open the canisters, every week or two, you may not be happy with how long the units last…

 

[JohnnyReb]

@GaryE … hit the nail on the head, as far as my concern… I’ve found Tilapia, in the grow out phase ( reads as fed 3 times a day ) to be the biggest waste makers I have ever worked with… I typically get between 50 and 100 fingerlings, and by the time they get 3-4 inches, ( the size I move them to the outdoor grow out tanks ), they can plug up filter media every 2 weeks…. You haven’t told us the size, and count of fish per 75 gallon??? But if larger, they could be serious waste producers, but also if you are literally hibernating them, over winter, their bioload could be less, than if you are feeding normally…

Also I would be concerned with the durability of the latches, and other parts, having to open them for cleaning, so often… my Magnum canisters of 25 years ago had stainless steel latches, I find plastic, to be less durable, on highly used parts, particularly, on economy filters… if you find you are needing to open the canisters, every week or two, you may not be happy with how long the units last…

Magnum man.... TY so much for your sharing that with me. That is what I need to know as a novice koi keeper. You say what I thought might be the case. I know they make more mess than a dairy cow. I am now going to buy a few big HOB's and compare. Is Tidal 75 the way to go or Fluval???

 

[Magnum Man]

I started with the Aquaclear 70’s, as they were highly recommended, but I have switched to the Tidal 75’s on all my tanks, except one with space restraints, the the Tidal just wouldn’t fit… the Tidal’s are powerful, easy to work on, and clean the filters, include a surface skimmer, and adjustable as to where they suck… and are easy to modify I’ve now modified all of mine… I don’t personally have a need for the surface skimmer, so I silicone over the top half of those slots… and the 3 slots in the waterfall outlet… the biggest complaint with them is the sucking noise, but that’s so easy to fix… there are several UTube videos for various modifications, which usually include how to get rid of the sucking noise… once that modification is done, they are nice and quiet…

 

[Archerfish]

I am sorry for this post, I assumed to much about the forums readers and should have used a more concise approach to soliciting your thoughts on the two products. One of my goals was to show this forum was not dead. I was successful in that regard however. The second goal was to receive some testimonials as to your personal experience with these well know, worldwide marketed, cannister filters.
Original Post: """"Just bought 7, how do you like your (SunSun/Polar Aurora) 302?""""""

Sorry, I have no experience with the 302. Just curious, with a handle of @JohnnyReb are you an Ole Miss fan?

 

[Magnum Man]

These filters work great as is, but since I run my tanks open topped with plants growing out, my water level fluctuates quite a bit, and in stock form, if the tank level drops more than a half inch, it makes this horrible sucking noise…I cover over the 2 left slots in the outlet ( the others are not open from the factory ) I think that is what makes the most noise, when your tank level gets there, it’s noisy… I also cover over the top half inch of the long slots, way to the left in this picture… I do a couple other mods, that are specific to how I use the filter l, but a tube of silicone, is all that is needed, for nearly any negative comments on this filter… this is a new filter, I’ve not modified yet, and will replace my last Aquaclear for normal use ( not counting the one, that is space critical )

 

[Magnum Man]

So I use an alcohol wipe, before I silicone

 

[Magnum Man]

Not pretty, but no one sees it, but, IMO, makes this the perfect filter for me

 

[Magnum Man]

The next issue for me, is I don’t like this adjustment valve( to adjust how much suction there is on the bottom inlet tube ), and the restriction in the tube from the factory, that allows you to completely shut off the suction to the bottom tube… someone may have a use for that, but by grinding the black restriction, out of the tube, the valve can be open, or half way closed… better for my usage

 

[Magnum Man]

I still have all my Marineland Magnum canister filters, they all still work, 25 years later, but they currently live in a storage tote

 

[JohnnyReb]

Sorry, I have no experience with the 302. Just curious, with a handle of @JohnnyReb are you an Ole Miss fan?

I am from Texas, but I used to watch some "OLD" 60's, Ole Miss games, when they were lighter.

 

[JohnnyReb]

I still have all my Marineland Magnum canister filters, they all still work, 25 years later, but they currently live in a storage tote

I like that the HOB are off the floor and cannot malfunction and drain a tank. I am going to order some Tidal 75's, before I open all these Polar Aurora 302's. You run 1 per 75 gallon tank? Would there be any others to try or is that the one?