I ordered 2 sunsun 4 stage canister filters off amazon. So far I love them. They really do a great silent job of keeping the tanks clean. Sand stays cleaner verses gravel. However the light doesn't kill off the algae. But over all I'm a happy girl. I have my filter stacked as such from bottom to top. Basket 4.bio balls, basket 3. Ceramic rings basket 2. Ammonia chips mixed with charcoal. I just ordered lava rocks to add to them. I take a big kitchen pitcher and fill it with tank water when I clean the filter. I clean all media pouches in that pitcher and reuse. As for priming. It's a workout, but work it. My biggest problem was getting the top off to clean filter! I quickly discovered gently sliding a butter knife in one side will brake suction and do no damage. Basket handles are weak. I never remove the bottom basket out, I just remove the media, clean it, then slide it back into the bottom basket. This keeps the handles from breaking. Buy a jar of Vaseline. Use it on the gaskets and at the ends of hoses to keep leaks from happening. Enjoy.