SunSun powerheads

ErosJN · 12/11/2013, 11:06 PM

Anyone use sunsun powerheads? I purchased one saturday which arrived today (wednesday) and for 18 bucks this thing works wonders. I've read some issues with older models but I believe they fixed them. I purchased the 1300 GPH one for my 75 gallon and that thing makes some good current. Going to purchase one more friday and take out the 3 smaller powerheads I have and just run the 2 1300 GPH ones. Anyone here have experience with them, good or bad?

Thanks,
Eros

Art13 · 12/12/2013, 07:06 AM

i bought the one that puts out about 800gph and within a week it malfunctioned and gave my whole tank electro shock therapy. They all recovered, the feather duster blew his top, thats about it. It didn't kill anything so the shock wasn't that bad, just be careful and watch the tank, maybe get something to check for stray voltage. If you have coral you will know if it happens, they will shrivel and make funny shapes if its an lps, my candy cane was no longer a circle, it made some type of jagged shape like it was trying to close up but couldn't fully do it.

BenBradford · 12/12/2013, 04:48 PM

I have always stuck with the maxijets and had good success. Just bought 2 hydor 600gph and so far am happy.

outssider · 12/12/2013, 06:17 PM

I have several of the 800 gph. some are going on two years +. I've had only one fail but that was after lots of use. I even use them for mixing new water for water change. If your using a gfi, they can't short anything out.

Boston21 · 12/12/2013, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outssider

I have several of the 800 gph. some are going on two years +. I've had only one fail but that was after lots of use. I even use them for mixing new water for water change. If your using a gfi, they can't short anything out.

I also use the same ones. I have one attached to one side of my Smartwave and it actually has less of a click to turn on then the Koralia Evo's, and it cost me like $12 shipped lol.

ErosJN · 12/12/2013, 10:40 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Art13 when did you purchase yours? I'm keeping an eye on mine and so far so good. My theory is that if it works good for 8-12 months then its worth just replacing on a yearly (or so) basis. $18 a year for a 1300 GPH power head seems good to me. What would your average powerhead cost that put out that same rate?

jerpa · 12/13/2013, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErosJN

Thanks for the input guys. Art13 when did you purchase yours? I'm keeping an eye on mine and so far so good. My theory is that if it works good for 8-12 months then its worth just replacing on a yearly (or so) basis. $18 a year for a 1300 GPH power head seems good to me. What would your average powerhead cost that put out that same rate?

This theory is sound assuming the failue doesn't cost you any livestock. I'm a Tunze guy so that powerhead would cost me about $90 with a proven track record, awesome customer service, and a pump that will last well over five years. I went through the cheap powerhead dance when I first started and I could've saved a few hundred dollars by purchasing quality units from the start.

Ratpack · 12/13/2013, 06:09 AM

I have two of them on the way, so I hope they are decent. Just want to suppliment my Vortech MP40 on m 75gal.

Art13 · 12/13/2013, 06:37 AM

i got mine about 2 months ago to answer that question. I may have just had a bad model but after your first scare its hard to put the logic in for me at least that one might fail a year but they are still cheaper so i can get more to replace them, only because of the amount of money sitting in my tank. I run two hydors now and though they still aren't considered an expensive one, they do have a better track record i believe and also in addition to the suction cup, they have a magnetic holder.

Hodge1995 · 12/13/2013, 08:04 AM

I tried one and the cord melted in two under water. I had never seen anything like it.

Monkey_Tang · 12/13/2013, 07:41 PM

I got two of the 1600 gph ones, had them in the tank for about 3 weeks and so far so good. I don't have them on a wave timer I just let them run continuously to put less strain on them. For the price with the magnet mounts I couldn't resist trying them and I'm more than satisfied so far

Good_GReef · 12/13/2013, 07:53 PM

I think i have the same ones where you have to suction cup it to the glass and then push the tab down to lock it? Mine ran for a long time but found that the tab breaks easily, so be careful there.

ErosJN · 12/23/2013, 12:29 AM

Thanks again for the responses, in time I'd like to purchase a trustworthy brand powerhead, but for now I've been observing and no problems yet. I ended up purchasing a 2nd one for a total of 2600 GPH in the 75, and there's a great current. Fish seem to love it, even the clown fish purposely go right up to one and swim against it, quite funny. RatPack two 1600s will definitely work, might even be a bit much. My two 1300s are definitely strong, but doable.

12/11/2013, 11:06 PM	#1
ErosJN Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Port Richey Posts: 290	SunSun powerheads Anyone use sunsun powerheads? I purchased one saturday which arrived today (wednesday) and for 18 bucks this thing works wonders. I've read some issues with older models but I believe they fixed them. I purchased the 1300 GPH one for my 75 gallon and that thing makes some good current. Going to purchase one more friday and take out the 3 smaller powerheads I have and just run the 2 1300 GPH ones. Anyone here have experience with them, good or bad? Thanks, Eros

12/12/2013, 04:48 PM	#3
BenBradford Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 53	I have always stuck with the maxijets and had good success. Just bought 2 hydor 600gph and so far am happy. __________________ I can't stop thinking about fish...

12/13/2013, 08:04 AM	#10
Hodge1995 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Kinmundy , IL Posts: 658	I tried one and the cord melted in two under water. I had never seen anything like it. __________________ ~300 gallon Mixed Reef~ Current Tank Info: 300 Gallon Reef / JBJ 28 pro

12/13/2013, 07:53 PM	#12
Good_GReef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Broomfield, CO Posts: 130	I think i have the same ones where you have to suction cup it to the glass and then push the tab down to lock it? Mine ran for a long time but found that the tab breaks easily, so be careful there. __________________ Eat. Pray. Reef. Repeat. Current Tank Info: 120g reef with horrifically giant gbta and rbta hosting maroons, scooter blenny, duncan, zoas, monti, starry blenny, foxface, filefish, peppermint shrimp gang. 30 gallon cube Reef, zoas, xenia, clown, mandarin, chalices, lps, acan, mini maxi anemone

12/12/2013, 07:06 AM	#2
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	i bought the one that puts out about 800gph and within a week it malfunctioned and gave my whole tank electro shock therapy. They all recovered, the feather duster blew his top, thats about it. It didn't kill anything so the shock wasn't that bad, just be careful and watch the tank, maybe get something to check for stray voltage. If you have coral you will know if it happens, they will shrivel and make funny shapes if its an lps, my candy cane was no longer a circle, it made some type of jagged shape like it was trying to close up but couldn't fully do it.

12/12/2013, 06:17 PM	#4
outssider Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Reseda, Ca. Posts: 1,717	I have several of the 800 gph. some are going on two years +. I've had only one fail but that was after lots of use. I even use them for mixing new water for water change. If your using a gfi, they can't short anything out.

12/12/2013, 10:40 PM	#6
ErosJN Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Port Richey Posts: 290	Thanks for the input guys. Art13 when did you purchase yours? I'm keeping an eye on mine and so far so good. My theory is that if it works good for 8-12 months then its worth just replacing on a yearly (or so) basis. $18 a year for a 1300 GPH power head seems good to me. What would your average powerhead cost that put out that same rate?

12/13/2013, 06:09 AM	#8
Ratpack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 709	I have two of them on the way, so I hope they are decent. Just want to suppliment my Vortech MP40 on m 75gal.

12/13/2013, 06:37 AM	#9
Art13 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,444	i got mine about 2 months ago to answer that question. I may have just had a bad model but after your first scare its hard to put the logic in for me at least that one might fail a year but they are still cheaper so i can get more to replace them, only because of the amount of money sitting in my tank. I run two hydors now and though they still aren't considered an expensive one, they do have a better track record i believe and also in addition to the suction cup, they have a magnetic holder.

12/13/2013, 07:41 PM	#11
Monkey_Tang Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 15	I got two of the 1600 gph ones, had them in the tank for about 3 weeks and so far so good. I don't have them on a wave timer I just let them run continuously to put less strain on them. For the price with the magnet mounts I couldn't resist trying them and I'm more than satisfied so far

12/23/2013, 12:29 AM	#13
ErosJN Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New Port Richey Posts: 290	Thanks again for the responses, in time I'd like to purchase a trustworthy brand powerhead, but for now I've been observing and no problems yet. I ended up purchasing a 2nd one for a total of 2600 GPH in the 75, and there's a great current. Fish seem to love it, even the clown fish purposely go right up to one and swim against it, quite funny. RatPack two 1600s will definitely work, might even be a bit much. My two 1300s are definitely strong, but doable.