Tom Aquatics Rapids Pro Series Canister Filter

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Average

Great Filter by ANDREW MARTINEZ

Experience Level: Beginner

Posted on 12/5/2008 from ALBUQUERQUE, NM UNITED STATES

Comments: FILTER RUNS EXCELLENT!! BUT PROTIEN SKIMMER NOT SO GREAT. VERY EASY TO SET UP AND VERY USER FRIENDLY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS JUST STARTING OUT WITH AN AQUARIUM. HOW TO MAKE THE PROTIEN SKIMMER WORK MORE EFFICIENTLY, WOULD MAKE THIS FILTER SYSTEM THE BEST OF THE BEST. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

total package by TROY C

Experience Level: Expert

Posted on 7/9/2008 from Pace, FL UNITED STATES

Comments: I have used almost every filter on the market and this unit works circles around most all others. this has everything needed for a salt set up .provides great water movement in my 55 gal but i also use a few small magnetic tank power heads on the lower levels.unit was quick and easy to set up. very quiet compared to my prevoiuse filter set up and less mess . i really liked the compact design that incorporates all equipment in one unit.this is a great setup for those trying to piece together a solid quality multi filter system. This has everything you need just add some extra power heads inside your tank for that extra lower flow and you are set Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

Great Filter by Brett

Experience Level: Beginner

Posted on 1/12/2008 from MEDFORD, NY UNITED STATES

Comments: I am just starting out ,so a flood of inforamtion came my way. But I landed on this filter whcih I love. Honestly I have not had it long enough to notice and real problems (couple of months) but it is doing an awesome job. Now the deal with the protein skimmer, they are right (other reviews) not the most powerful motor behind it, BUT I shortened my hose and BAM works great. Just lift the motor 6 to 8 inches higher than the protein skimmer,and cut the line with leaving only a few extra inches for a future move (can always get a longer one later)and mine is working fine. Autofill is must one thing less to worry about. I have a 55 gallon tank which I am getting it to turn between 40-45 times an hour. Given I have two Hydor 2's (600 gph for each of those and pump states 1000 gph but with all equipment probably around 700 gph with 42 gallons roughly because of a few inches of substrate leaves me with 45.23 GPH. This filter is a must. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Great

great filter but by ALBERT BUERKEL

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 12/1/2007 from LINDENHURST, NY UNITED STATES

Comments: I set the filter up and it works fine except for the protien skimmer.I tried a stronger air pumpand adjusting the height but to no avail.I still like this filter,it keeps the water crystal clear and replaced my magnum 350 and sump bio filter. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

Great

Great product 4 THE PRICE by PurpleUp

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 11/28/2007 from EL DORADO HILLS, CA UNITED STA

Comments: Protein skimmer and instructions leave a bit to be desired. This is a fairly simple yet complex unit with many components. Users deserve a step-by-step method for its installation and daily use, which this product DOES NOT INCLUDE. Expect minor flooding during setup. But because I am writing this review AFTER successful setup and use, I am still rating it 4 of 5 starts. It solves many of the problems beginner to intermediate reefers now have, where they cannot easily drill holes or add a flood proof sump to their system. If the 3rd media compartment is emptied, you can place a heater hidden from the display tank. A digital thermometer probe can be inserted in the sump as well. The integrated Auto-Refill System is a must have b/c no sensors are required for use -[What the instructions do not explain is how to adjust water level in the sump by placing the refill unit at a slightly higher position above the base of the sump.] Return pump is 2000gph and 1000gph at 5ft! If the protein skimmer performed for consistently, it would have received an excellent rating. Changing air-stone and air-pump do not seem to improve performance of skimmer, and it would be extremely difficult to add a new protein skimmer to the sump. Overall though, benefits clearly outweigh the flaws. Later developments to this product will hopefully fix these issues. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

Average

Overall a good filter by BARBARA

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 10/23/2007

Comments: For the most part I like this filter. It does a great job of keeping the water clean. The instructions left a lot to be desired and the media is expensive, especially the poly filter pads which come in a pack of 3 for $6.99. What they don't tell you is you use all 3 every 2 weeks. I found that the air pump they supply for the skimmer is not powerful enough. Once it was replaced with a stronger pump the skimmer runs well. Be patient with the skimmer, it takes the wooden airstone about 1/2 an hour to kick in at it's full strength. I found that for this filter to run at it's best it needs the autofill system, if the tanks water drops the slightest bit you get microbubbles from the filter. Overall a good filter and easy to maintain and change filter media. Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Unsatisfactory

skimmer useless by DIANA POWERS

Experience Level: Intermediate

Posted on 9/4/2007 from SAN ANGELO, TX UNITED STATES

Comments: The system is good looking and very quiet, but the skimmer is useless...it won't skim no matter what modifications I've used. One of the hoses had a leak (had to buy my own hose). After following set up instructions, I realized they left some info out and had to break it down and set up again pretty much on my own. It's been a bad experience, I wish I could return it... I would not recommend this product to my friends.

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2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

Below Average

The skimmer sucks by Chuck

Comments: Nice unit, but forget about the skimmer ever working for anything. I've tried modifying it with multiple limewood airstones and heavy duty air pumps.. it simply won't skim, even after 3 months of use! Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

Excellent!

Great filter and priced right by Jason

Comments: I just started a saltwater aquarium and I bought this filter. It does a superb job in keeping my aquarium clean and my fish are in excellent health. Everything I needed to set up my tank was included Yes, I would recommend this product to my friends.

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