SunSun HW303B Canister Filter Review

Owning a large aquarium – and the matching amount of fish – means you need a canister filter that has the power and endurance to keep up with the needs of yourself and your pets.

The SunSun HW303B Canister Filter is a filter that can handle an aquarium with a capacity of up to 100 gallons, perfect for both commercial tanks and fish owners who’ve let their hobby flourish.

Thanks to the friendly price, it’s made keeping your fish healthy attainable even without breaking the bank.

This also results in a lack of the ornate features more expensive canisters have, but you can rest assured that all the necessities are present.

The SunSun HW303B has been built mostly of sturdy plastic, but it appears that the intake and outtake valves have not received the same treatment. During initial set-up and cleaning, it’s important to keep this in mind, so as not to accidentally damage them.

Are the basic features enough to hook us on this filter, or are we left wanting more? We have all the info, so dive right in and find out if this canister filter can keep your aquarium crystal clear.

SunSun HW303B Canister Filter: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.5″ L X 10.5″ W X 16″ H.
• Filter Capacity: Up to 100 gallons.
• Flow Rate: 370 GPH (1400L/Hr).
• Media Stages: Chemical, biological, and mechanical.
• Self-Priming or Standard: Self-priming.

Accessories:

• 9 Watt UV
• (3) White filter pads
• (1) Blue coarse pad
• (3) Media baskets, includes 1 lb of premium filter carbon, 1 lb of ceramic rings, and 1 set of bio balls.

Features

Great for Large Aquariums

When you have a large aquarium with quite a few lively inhabitants, you know it’s important that each species has the space available to live a healthy life.

Getting a canister filter that can handle large aquariums is a must, especially since any filters that come standard with a purchased aquarium don’t always perform in the way we need.

The SunSun HW303B can handle up to 100 gallons, which makes it a great fit for large aquariums.

You don’t want to put this in a small tank, because it’ll be too powerful, but larger tanks are sure to benefit from its power.

Great Flow Rate

With a flow rate of 370 gallons per hour (or 1400 liters per hour), you’ll find that keeping up with any waste becomes a simple venture.

While some aquatic species rack up the waste easier than others, you’ll find that most types of fish will be hard pressed to even put a dent in this filter’s capacity.

Self-Priming Pump

Forget about manual siphoning. Like many modern pumps, this SunSun comes equipped with self-priming, saving you time, effort and mess.

Features like this are great for beginners!

Added UV Light

The SunSun HW303B Pro Canister Filter Kit comes with an added UV light filter.

UV lights are ideal in combating the formation of algae and other unwanted infestations without adding more filters to your aquarium.

Green water usually isn’t a healthy sign, no matter what kind of fish you’re taking care of. The UV light is a good way of keeping this kind of growth in check without having to resort to either chemicals or obsessive cleaning sessions.

Multiple Filter Stages

One doesn’t earn the title of “best canister filter” easily. All elements must come together in order to provide the best experience possible.

Of course, this means we’re looking for multiple stages to ensure a great water quality. With four trays and three different filter media, you’re sure to find the best combination for your aquarium with this canister.

The included filter media is a great starting place, but more experienced owners probably have their own preferred blend already.

SunSun has ensured that you can use different brands with their filter, which is great news if you already have a certain type of medium that has earned your dedication.

SunSun HW303B Canister Filter Review

The Positives

Sturdy

Canister filters go through some pretty heavy work on a day-to-day basis, so you want something that can take a punch.

While the SunSun HW303B is mostly made of plastic, like its many counterparts, you will find that the overall material is also rather thick.

This has resulted in a canister that won’t break on the job – a great boon for anyone with a large aquarium, be it commercial or at home.

Easy to Clean

Cleaning up can be a chore, and filters are no exception to the rule. However, for this canister, all you really need is to submerge your filter in water to get the cleaning process started. That’s it!

Putting all the bits and pieces back together afterward might feel confusing, but once you get the hang of it, nothing could be easier.

A tank that’s easy to clean makes it easy to maintain, so new hobbyists won’t have to spend too much time fussing about.

Easy to Set-Up

For those who are fearing the initial installation of their filter, there’s no need to worry, since this filter is a breeze to put together.

The set-up behind the SunSunHW303B is something experienced hobbyists would be used to, but that doesn’t mean newcomers won’t be able to do it on their own.

There are also helpful videos online to guide you through, should you get stuck, or just need a visual reference.

Great Price

Once you start looking at canister filters that need to handle large amounts of water it’s obvious that cheap is not on the menu.

Nonetheless, Sunsun has found ways to make their SunSun HW303B more accessible to the general public.

While it doesn’t have all the features that more expensive canister filters offer, there is something to be said for a durable canister that does its job well.

The price-tag makes this filter great for new hobbyists, or those on a budget. You’ll have all the basics included to get you started, without breaking the bank.

Compatible With Any Media

It doesn’t matter what kind of filter media you prefer, the SunSun HW303B can pretty much handle them all.

Of course, the size of your trays may differ a little, but that’s nothing a bit of ingenuity can’t handle.

If you can’t afford top of the line filter media, or instead can’t live without a specific brand, this is a feature that’s sure to brighten your day.

This makes it easy to experiment with different types of filters that may be more suitable to you or your fish, and those on a budget can always opt for more affordable items when looking to restock on filter media.

Quiet

No one likes to be distracted or drowned out by the whirr of their aquarium. These normal functioning sounds can be annoying for those who want to keep their tank shining in conversational or relaxing spaces.

The SunSun isn’t causing any noise pollution. Users have noted just how quiet this filter is, allowing their beautiful fish to be seen and not heard.

This is great news for those who wish to keep their aquarium in the bedroom or living room. The SunSun HW303B filter ensures your tank stays whisper quiet, a relief for those with sensitive ears.

The Negatives

Heavy

If you own a large aquarium, you already have a heavy piece of furniture on your hands, and this canister filter won’t be improving matters.

While we do expect larger capacity filters to weigh more, the SunSun HW303B is on the heavier side of the spectrum.

It’s not a deal breaker, but it’s important to know in advance that this is not a lightweight product at all.

Fragile In- and Outtake Pieces

While the plastic is overall rather thick and sturdy, the important in- and outtake areas have been made in a more fragile way.

This is especially important to be aware of during set-up and when you’re about to clean your filter.

Rough handling can result in these parts breaking prematurely, so take care with these parts to ensure the maximum longevity of your filter.

Confusing Instructions

Since this filter is actually quite easy to set-up, this con may not be a bother for most, but let’s just say it might be a bad idea to rely on the instructions alone.

The instruction manual lacks any thorough directions, mostly due to some translation errors.

You won’t be out of luck if you fail to understand them though, many users were able to figure out the set-up without trouble.

As mentioned, there are also many videos online to make up for any lack of directions.

Here’s a video showing what the SunSun HW303B looks like out of the box.

Overall Verdict

The SunSun HW303B Canister Filer is a filter that’s sure to appeal to anyone with a large aquarium who wants excellent filtering without spending their entire life savings.

It has all the necessary features to make sure that your fish can stay healthy, and it’s a canister that’s meant to be used often and intensively.

With an overall durable build, as well as filter media trays that have been designed to fit just about any type of medium, you’ll discover that your fish will be swimming in crystal clear water.

While the fragility of the in- and outtakes is a letdown, and the strength of the UV lighting won’t wow anyone, there’s no mistaking that this is a great-quality canister filter that won’t be breaking the bank.

It’s obviously not intended for those with smaller aquariums, but anyone with a larger tank won’t be finding anything better soon.

Where to Buy the SunSun HW303B Canister Filter

An affordable filter that still packs quality from SunSun is no surprise. This company has a number of aquatic products under their belt for a variety of aquariums, all accessible and reasonably priced.

The SunSun brand continues to rise in popularity, with customers raving about the satisfaction they’ve received from their products.

Their success has proven them worthy to be featured on the shelves of retailers, and you’ll be able to find items like the SunSun HW303B Canister Filter both in-store and online.

You can check fish, pet, and specialty stores, or you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• Wal Mart (from $90)
• Chewy (from $77)

And of course, you can also find this canister filter on Amazon.

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That’s all for our review on the SunSun HW303B. Tempted to give this filter a try?