Cleaning a Dophin C1600 canister filter?

Ok cool - I'm looking into purchasing one - just wanted to hear other's thought before I make the purchase.

 

is it an easy clean? has it run smoothly? are the parts good quality (for the amount spent)?

 

It's a great filter. Can't believe I've had it over a year already. Never had any issues at all.

From a parts availability point of view, I've been told they are locally available, but I have never had to source any.

Cost wise, I guess its actually considered a budget filter when you compare to an EHEIM or something similar.

Its also very powerful. I have a 220l tank, and actually have to turn it down. I run mine somewhere between 60-75% of full power. Any more, and the fish just get blown into a corner

 

I don't have a problem with mine (more than 5 years old now), in terms of efficiency. I do have a pretty messy time cleaning it, though. Maybe just a little more than I would other 'budget' cannister filters. My biggest woe is priming the damn thing - I've tried nearly every trick in the book, but this thing requires a good 5 minutes of earnest CPR before it gets going again. A great workout, but always sweaty and in a tight space.

My Eheims (x2) are both going strong, and am looking to buy another in the near future due to ease of cleaning and startup.

Regards,

 

Yes they're fine, don't believe the flowrate though

 

I have only ever had to prime my Cascade 1200 once, and that was when I initially set it up 2 years ago.
By following the mentioned shutting down steps, it auto primes the moment the valves are turned open.
A lot of bubbling and some suction noise from the spray bar, but that is it.

 

From what I gather it sounds like a good filter and works well for the amount spent - I have a fancy goldfish setup so I want to get a good canister - as they do have quite a lot of waste output and the internal canisters work on my nerves (when i pull them out to clean - the water is filled with debris - even with the slightest movement) - another reason I wanna upgrade to the external canister would - less contamination in the water (having to put hands in tank to remove and replace the filter)

 

Not sure if i understood you correctly..
Are you worried about your hands in the tank contaminating the water?

 

Easy way to prime the dophin for me is after cleaning all the media i drain the canister and then drain some water from the tank back into the canister when it is full i close it hook it back up hook it up to tank and turn it back on and then there is no priming needed just starts straight back up

 

I use the exact same filter and I do close the inlet valve for a few seconds while the filter is still plugged in, then the outlet and no water spillage at all.

 

That is another factor that I am concerned about.

 

Do you have any other recommendations, canisters that are affordable...

 

Things to consider is the size of your tank and your budget.

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I do that, and while it shortens the time to prime, it doesn't remove the process altogether. It's a hassle, but I got the filter second hand and it does the job well, so I don't mind all too much. If it were more of a hassle, or all of my filters required this start up, I'd have a problem with it.

It sounds like it might just be my unit that gives such problems. Dophin is probably among the cheaper effective canisters out there, but do some shopping around, see what is available, and ask about the units you like on this forum.

As for my recommendations, if you're willing to save up, Eheim is the way to go. Tetratec is probably second on my list, even though I've never owned one, I've pretty much only heard positive things so far. Both these brands you pay a little more for, but then Dophin comes soon after. Personally, if I don't end up getting an Eheim, I might look into building my own DIY canister, of which there are many instructions to do so on the internet.

Regards,

 

I wouldnt worry too much about it
As long as you wash your hands beforehand, you shouldnt have a problem.
I have my hands in the tank every night as most of my fish eat out of my hand and i have never had a problem

 

Hi I have a dolphin c-1600 model , when i start it work for 30 second then get stuck and turns off
any one have any idea What to do

PS: in my town we don't have a repair shop for it

 

Did you open it up already, and removed the impeller. Maybe it just got gunk in there

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My dophin c1600 lost alot of its flow, my tetratec is still going strong.

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Yes , every things is clean
Every time it shutdowns the magnet becomes very hot and i have to wait until it become cold again to turn it on
I got is from my friend and its been turned off for few month
at first the ceramic rod in it broke so i replaced it with metal rod its the same lengths and diameters as original

 

Sounds like the metal rod is causing the over heating, maybe try and source the right rod. I know lfs's in Cape Town stocks dophin spares.

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