Aquatop CF-500UV Overview/Review

[Blue-Ram101]

The filter arrived last night, got everything opened up rinsed off and started up. Here are the things I noticed.

The canister unit itself is quite solid and made of quality plastic, nothing loose or rattling could be notice or found.
Once you open the filter each tray has a lifting handle for easy removal of the media tray, also all the trays come pre packed and the bottom of each is lined with filter floss matting. (most likely does reduce GPH slightly)
The hose connection assembly does come with a quick release, so no need to have to unhook hoses when performing filter maintenance.
Also the uv light is enclosed in a quartz housing with rubber bumper on the bottom to keep the bulb from rattling. (Also the UV light does have its on/off switch with visual indicator to make sure its working correctly.)
It comes with plenty of hose and peices to adjust the length of the spray bar and filter intake, this is where I notice the cheap part of this filter.
Instead of the normal soft/flexible style plastic its very stiff and somewhat brittle, I found this out as I cracked a piece on the spray bar.
Also the pieces that hang over the side of the tank and into it could use some attention in the means of support (or maybe i just wasnt doing it right) I have my tank filled up to the black portion and I wanted the spray bar just right below that, which in turn pushed the hanging U peice up and off the side of the tank. Normally would probably not be an issue, except with the larger heavier hoses it did cause some odd bending.
Finally the priming, yes, it does work and quite well, after you figure out the directions (or lack there of... another gripe) dont know what they are talking about.
The key is to make sure the hose from the intake point A is higher then point B with no spot lower in between, I had a loop hanging lower cause I did not cut the hosing. Once I figured out that little portion 2 pushes on the primer sent the thing into a self siphoning routine and it promptly (under 30 seconds) filled itself and was ready to be plugged in.
Once running, it is QUITE and I mean QUITE!!! Unless you have your ear right next to the pump you dont hear it, now if the spray is breaking the water surface at all the outlets can make a fare amount of noise, but submerged it provides plenty of current and not a peep.

Time will tell as to how it holds up!

Pros:
Price
UV Light
Interchangeable Media baskets
Easy to Set up
Priming system
Noise

Cons:
Lack of Directions
Cheap charge and discharge pipe plastic
Priming System( chock up to lack of directions)
Tubing support (the large hoses once filled with water are quite heavy)

Overall I would give a 4 out of 5 and definitely recomend. I have already notice since last night my water is getting clearer. For the price I dont think you can really find a better deal on a canister filter.

[Blue-Ram101]

Addtional Photos

[etheonut]

"Once running, it is QUITE and I mean QUITE!!!"

Quite what? Don't keep us in suspense man!

Kevin

[Blue-Ram101]

Huh... I did mispell that... >.< FAIL

Ok so what I meant was verily devoid of sound!!

[pumpkinseed]

Hello Blue Ram...
Thank you for reviewing this filtrarion system. My husband and I are just now in the process of setting up a 75 gallon freshwater
aquarium. We are headed to Fayetteville this afternoon to look at tanks and equipment and perhaps meet some of NWAAS membership.
I have been researching different canister type filtration. I have come to the conclusion this household has way too much dog hair
floating about clogging up any HOB filtration system we may choose. The reviews on Fluval and Eheim canisters has been conflicting
and confusing and I would welcome the option to buy any system for less money, if it is able to maintain good water clarity and chemistry.
We are considering all options
Any findings or input on other systems will be greatly appreciated and we look forward to perhaps meeting some of you today.

Cordially,
Pumpkinseed


Small, tenacious and exceedingly curious!

[pumpkinseed]

Hello Blue Ram...
Thank you for reviewing this filtrarion system. My husband and I are just now in the process of setting up a 75 gallon freshwater
aquarium. We are headed to Fayetteville this afternoon to look at tanks and equipment and perhaps meet some of NWAAS membership.
I have been researching different canister type filtration. I have come to the conclusion this household has way too much dog hair
floating about clogging up any HOB filtration system we may choose. The reviews on Fluval and Eheim canisters has been conflicting
and confusing and I would welcome the option to buy any system for less money, if it is able to maintain good water clarity and chemistry.
We are considering all options
Any findings or input on other systems will be greatly appreciated and we look forward to perhaps meeting some of you today.

Cordially,
Pumpkinseed


Small, tenacious and exceedingly curious!

[Blue-Ram101]

This is the first canister I have owned, but from price to options it appears to be the best deal for the dollar, it has been running for a little over a week and the water has never looked better, the uv light has been doing an excellent job of combating the green water issue I was having. So far very pleased especially for 99 dollars!!

[pumpkinseed]

I will continue to watch for your reports on htis filtration system!! Thanks

Sorry about the double post (wi-fi problems)

Pumpkinseed








Small, tenacious and bursting with curiosity

[mewickham]

The reviews on Fluval and Eheim canisters has been conflicting

Pumpkinseed, I was a dealer for 25 years. Eheims are top quaility and highly dependable-- but not the least expensive. They are well worth the money. I especially like the pro series, because they have the internal baskets (much like the filter reviewed at the top of this thread). Fluvals were also great filters. I've also been a big fan of Fluvals for many years. They also have (or had?) internal baskets.

One brand I wasn't nuts about-- except that we sold lots of repair parts for them-- were the Marineland canister filters. But that was 10 years ago and many on this forum say there's are dependable. So maybe Marineland got its act in order. They did change ownership in that time period.

I have no experience with the Aquatop brand, so cannot comment on it. It looks very Eheim-like in design.

[pumpkinseed]

Hello Mewickham:

Does the canister flitration also supply the aquarium aeration as it does with the HOB filtration systems?
Sorry, if that is a very stupid question

Thank you to both of you Blu Ray and Mewickham, for your help!!

Pumpkinseed



Small, tenacious and exceedingly curious!!

[etheonut]

Aeration from a canister filter will depend on how you set it up.
I usually set mine up to force the water across the surface, which does in face supply good aeration.

Kevin

[mewickham]

Kevin is right. It depends on how you set it up. Most people think that bubbler-type filters aerate by adding oxygen. They don't. What they do is circulate water past the water surface, where exhaled CO2 can escape and O2 can reenter. So if you set the canister output to move surface water, it will aerate.

[Blue-Ram101]

Agreed with the above, I set this one up like that originally and promptly changed it, due to the high flow rate, was pretty noisy

[pumpkinseed]

Thanks again, everyone!!

pumpkinseed









small, tenacious and exceedingly curious

[rpddink]

I know someone who has the same aqua top filter and has had it running for a long time (he loves it). also I know of a couple if sites that host a huge following of fans for this filter..
and for $65.00 Its awsome!!!!!!!

[Blue-Ram101]

So being a cheaper device there will always be some areas they shaved off cost. Another I found, (though I probably pushed a little hard) is the clamp down pieces that pull the barrell head into the body of the filter. However, I contacted them via email this morning to see about getting a replacement part. Here is the email chain below. Keep in mind my email went out at 10:19 (ignore the initial time stamp its wrong)

Gary,

I need you to pay for the shipping and the replacement item is on the house.
Shipping is $5.00. Would you please call us and ask to speak with Ryan. He will
take the order over the phone manually and get it out the door today.

Alexander Phelps
Product Specialist
Office (562) 697-9860 x 206
Fax (714) 256-8300
alex@aquatop.com


From:Gary Farris [mailto:Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 8:53 AM
To: 'Alexander Phelps'
Subject: RE: Hello!

Correct.

Thank you for the advice lol

Gary Farris
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Fax: 479-273-8461
Email: Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com

All email correspondence is as follows (Unless otherwise specified)
sbbids@wal-mart.com - any bid and/or request for NTE increase
sbclose@wal-mart.com - all completetion reports
piecs@wal-mart.com- everything else

From:Alexander Phelps [mailto:alex@aquatop.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:44 AM
To: Gary Farris
Subject: Re: Hello!

That clip has a small metal piece attached to it correct? The metal attaches it
to the bottom portion of the filter not the top?
-Alex

PS I am swift
PPSS Prime Button, Slow and Steady. Push down slow and hold for a few seconds,
the repeat.
PPPSSS The canister should be empty when you prime the unit. If filled much
difficult to fill the unit. If the can is empty when you prime, air can
leave/exit the unit while water takes its place via gravity. When the can is
filled with water and you try to prime with empty return/intake lines you are
priming water out of the can..... as a opposed to priming water into the can.
PPPPSSSS TIP: cut you in and out lines as short as possible.


________________________________

From:Gary Farris <Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com>
To: Alexander Phelps <alex@aquatop.com>
Sent: Wed, July 20, 2011 8:31:07 AM
Subject: RE: Hello!
Wow, I can honestly say I have never had a response this fast to a service
request! I have attached a photo of the handle that cracked.

Shipping Address:

1215 NE Fillmore St
Bentonville, AR 72712

Again, thank you so much for the fast response!


PS
Is there a secret to priming the system? It took quite a while last night!

Gary Farris
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Fax: 479-273-8461
Email: Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com

All email correspondence is as follows (Unless otherwise specified)
sbbids@wal-mart.com - any bid and/or request for NTE increase
sbclose@wal-mart.com - all completetion reports
piecs@wal-mart.com- everything else

From:Alexander Phelps [mailto:alex@aquatop.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 10:26 AM
To: Gary Farris
Subject: Re: Hello!

Greetings Gary,
I am sorry to here about the broken handle. Is it possible you can send me a
photo so there is no mistake as to what handle I send you? I am assuming the
handle attached to the Barrelhead itself. If I receive a photo from you by 3 pm
today, I can send out a replacement to you today.
-Alex


________________________________

From:Gary Farris <Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com>
To: "info@aquatop.com" <info@aquatop.com>
Sent: Wed, July 20, 2011 8:19:23 AM
Subject: Hello!
I recently purchased one of your CF-500UV canister filters and was cleaning it
out last night. When I went to secure down the top last night one of the snap
downs cracked up where it pulls against the top of the unit. I was able to get
everything pushed down and sealed however that side clasp will not work in the
future to help pull the top down. I just bought this roughly a week or so ago
from truaqua.com. So all that said I was wondering if I could order a
replacement part to replace the broken clasp.

Gary Farris
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Fax: 479-273-8461
Email: Gary.Farris@wal-mart.com

All email correspondence is as follows (Unless otherwise specified)
sbbids@wal-mart.com - any bid and/or request for NTE increase
sbclose@wal-mart.com - all completetion reports
piecs@wal-mart.com- everything else

When I actually called in they said its warranty, so they would cover the shipping and replacement. Granted didnt speak the best english, but the customer support was very impressive to me for such a realitively uknown company

[Blue-Ram101]

Just a little tid bid I found out this weekend. If you do purchase one of these, I highly recomend smearing some vasoline around the gasket on the barrel head, it makes it much easier to place into the filter canister and keeps the gasket from rolling and not sealing properly and getting water everywhere.... just sayin!!

[pumpkinseed]

Oh my. I believe thats two....
Still following your review with interest!!

Pumpkinseed

[Blue-Ram101]

Just a quick update. Pump is still running strong and quiet. Very very pleased with this purchase and aside from initial things listed above no issues.