Sign up Pimp #52.
I've been running my 302B w/UV for 5+ months now and it rocks. Best filter for the Money.
But you can make it work better.
A few observations:
1) The Instructions SUCK! Pics on the side of the box! WTF!
. Inlet Right (At rear with air purge in front)
. Outlet Left (At rear with air purge in front)
. Plumbing= make your own*
2) Get rid of green hose, it grows algae, replace with black hose.
3) Filter basket handles are crap, pull out of baskets or break. Toss 'em in the garbage and use the UV holes to lift 'em out. Reduces restriction of flow too.
4) * Stock plastic plumbing is junk, replace with PVC (paint black) and hard plumb tank to 5/8" flex hose of filter.
5) LUBE all o-rings! Liberally use canola oil or vasaline on top/inlet/outlets!
6) Filtration choices. So Many to choose from. I've listed 6 I've found for the 302B 3tray models. T=Top, M=middle, B= Bottom
a) T=50m pad+scrubbies+100m pad, M=8 scrubbies, B=Sponge(?)+50m pad+flosss
b) T=floss, M=scrubbies, B=biomax rings
c) T= floss, M=biomax rings , B=scrubbies
d) T=sponge, M=bio balls+scrubbies, B= Bio Balls
e) T=Floss, M=Bio balls+rings, B=scrubbies
f) T=50m pad+100m pad+balls/rings, M=scrubbies, B=Sponge(?)+flosss
G) Mine#1) T=50m pad+floss+100m pad, M=50m pad+Biomax rings+50m pad B=50m pad+bio balls+50m pad
H) Mine#2) T=50m pad+floss+100m pad, M=50m pad+Biomax rings+50m pad B=50m pad+ Scrubbies.
I'm still learning how to fine tune this filter for optimum filtration, repost in a couple months.
Im also looking to pimp my sun-sun (got a couple more) with increased inlet/outlet sizes, pressure meter, basket-o-rings, larger impeller sizes and different filtration combos.
Lets learn how to make these cheap filters work better than the BIG boys.
Looking for others filtration combos & Ideas.
Pimp # 52 Roy sigining up for duty.