New Aquatop CF500-UV

Just bought a giant canister filter! I gotta say wasn't expecting how big this thing would be. My first impression is that everything this thing came with is very well made. You don't get the cheap feeling from this filter. Canisters aren't my favorite type of filter but i desperately needed a UV sterilizer for my 120g And since this filter came with a 9 watt bulb in it i figured i would just combine all my filtering needs into one unit. Its only been in my tank for less than an hour. But so far everything works and i couldn't be happier!!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Very nice. Ive really been curious on their new filters...
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
These are priced to compete with the FX6's....

I have one on my 125... Works well, but I still run a cascade 300 on the back too

They are a great price for what it put outs. But they are cheaply made. Mine within a year or so both handles broke in half. I ended up just throwing the entire filter in the trash.

Im a two filter per tank guy. These Aquatops have always intrigued me but I have never bought one yet. I hear good reviews on performance but some issues on the long term quality regarding some of the plastic parts.

Madness wrote:They are a great price for what it put outs.  But they are cheaply made.  Mine within a year or so both handles broke in half.  I ended up just throwing the entire filter in the trash.  

Hey I remember that one sitting in your yard....    No one would even just 'take' it.

DMD123 wrote:

Madness wrote:They are a great price for what it put outs.  But they are cheaply made.  Mine within a year or so both handles broke in half.  I ended up just throwing the entire filter in the trash.  

Hey I remember that one sitting in your yard....    No one would even just 'take' it.

Nope.   

lloyd378 wrote:I have one on my 125... Works well, but I still run a cascade 300 on the back too

That's exactly what I have in mine too haha. I also still have the renastar canister filter in there still just because it has tons of good bacteria.

Madness wrote:They are a great price for what it put outs.  But they are cheaply made.  Mine within a year or so both handles broke in half.  I ended up just throwing the entire filter in the trash.  

Damn well hopefully this one lasts longer. For how expensive they are you would think they would be made better

I have had 2 Aquatop 400s running for over 3 years now, for the price they are great and do a good job.   You do have to be careful when removing the baskets, I have broken 2 handls.  The key is to wiggle them out slowly, kinda lift on the left then right type of motion.  Once they give loose they come right out.     Other than that not a hitch with mine.   I did load them with matrix in the top baskets, filter floss or pads in the btm.  The UV lights still light but I doubt they are really producing any UV not worth replacing bulbs in my case..

Great for the price compared to an FX5 or Ehiem..

JimA wrote:I have had 2 Aquatop 400s running for over 3 years now, for the price they are great and do a good job.   You do have to be careful when removing the baskets, I have broken 2 handls.  The key is to wiggle them out slowly, kinda lift on the left then right type of motion.  Once they give loose they come right out.     Other than that not a hitch with mine.   I did load them with matrix in the top baskets, filter floss or pads in the btm.  The UV lights still light but I doubt they are really producing any UV not worth replacing bulbs in my case..

Great for the price compared to an FX5 or Ehiem..

Ahh i will keep that in mind when cleaning it!! Thanks!