Aquatop CF-500UV Overview/Review
Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:52 am
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.
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.