Polar Aurora 265GPH 3-Stage External Aquarium Filter with Built-in Pump Kit - New

STEVEN DONADIO & VANESSA DONADIO: Very good filter system. Cleared the water up right away. Was hard to prime since the tank is on the floor.

United States on Jun 18, 2023

Mike Esenbock: I have had many different canisters over the years. This one contains all the features of the high priced models in a very simple and efficient design. I will buy again.

United States on Apr 08, 2023

Marc Rhodes: So its a 50 dollar canister. This product, once set up, seems pretty good. Initially I had problems because the fittings that connect the hoses to the unit are not made for each other. Its a bit flimsy, and is a poorly executed copy of a fluvial canister. I managed to use a heat gun to soften the hoses to get them to slide over the connectors and the intake and supply connectors as well. I am a plumber so it was easier for me, but most people will find it more difficult, as they simply dont match. Time will tell if it holds together, but im optimistic. It is very quite, almost cant hear anything, but it is definitely plugging along and cleared the water in my turtle tank in about 15 minutes. YES, IT HAS FILTER PADS, BUT NOT MEDIA. ,Buy some more filter pads, spheres, biomax, etc for it. Instructions are vague and theres no pictures of unit fully assembled. For me, this was a good value, for everyone else, maybe get yourself a real fluval, hagen, or EHEIM UNIT .

United States on Dec 09, 2020

AWIldBirdLover: In order to set this up correctly, I looked at a YouTube video to get me started.

This aquarium filter is QUIET! I never hear anything which just amazes me. I did have issues with priming it. Do not prime this with no water in it. Fill the filter almost full and then put the lid on it and then start to prime it and you will have quicker success with getting it started.

I bought the media separately because there was a backorder on the filter with the media. I bought the SunSun Canister Filter Media Set (Triple Pack) and that worked well. I only have three baskets in the 265gph canister filter so I combined the bio-balls and ceramic rings in one basket and the charcoal in one basket and the cotton in another basket. The cotton filter comes in each of the three baskets in the basic filter setup. I only used one.

The directions are in English but it is in broken English so some of the steps may not be 100% clear, and that is why I watched the YouTube video to get started.

The one CON to this filter setup is the output flow return tube. It wants you to run it horizontally along the back of the tank, where it is overhanging the LEFT side of...

United States on Jan 09, 2019

Jane-Rey Bard: Minor Cons:
-Replacement filter floss seems unavailable.
-No varying density in floss pads.
-Not self-priming.

Pros:
+All other media, bio-balls, ceramic tunnels, and carbon are readily available, though likely branded for other filters.
+Easy to setup/install.
+Great price.
+Quiet.

This is my first canister filter. I have been considering an external filter for years, but didn't want to spend over $100, so I was happy to give this a shot for the same amount I'd pay for a larger AquaClear hang on tank filter. It's not self-priming, but who cares!? It's priced awesome!

Before purchasing, I looked into availability of replacement media and found nothing branded specifically for Pingkay, but many comparable products that would fit. Ultimately, carbon and ceramic media is just in large media socks, bio-balls are loose, and I accepted I would need to cut my own foam/floss if the pads provided ever became so worn they could not be rinsed and reused. The accompanying floss pads are fine and thin, one in each of the three chambers. They catch a lot without restricting water flow.

This company is obviously new to marketing...

United States on May 19, 2014