Customer Reviews

Marineland PC0350C Magnum 350 up to 100-Gallon, 350 GPH

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We got this filter for a turtle tank. Two red-eared-sliders. They make a big mess. It's a 40 gallon aquarium filled about half way. So this filter is way oversized. However, all the smaller mechanisms we used didn't do the job.

This one seems to work fine. It keeps the water much cleaner than any others we have tried. A quick rinse of the filter cover every few days keeps it in top shape. It's fairly quiet too. That's important as it's in my daughter's bedroom.

I've had a 75 gallon tank for about 30 years. This is only the 1st time I've had to replace the original Magnum I started with. I stared experiencing problems with the motor about 3 months ago, which I repaired, and then it stopped pumping as much water. I probably could have repaired that, as well, but felt it was probably time to get the latest and greatest. The main reason I stayed with Magnum, aside from my extreme satisfaction with my first one, is the ability to use generic charcoal/filtering materials. I took the opportunity to look at several other makes and all required the use of their own filters, pads, etc., all at high cost. Being able to use generic supplies keeps the long term costs down. Installation was a breeze. The reason for a 4 instead of a 5 rating is due to the slight difficulty of positioning the unit under the tank. Due to the quick release valves, the actual height needed is much higher than the actual height of the unit itself. I found that I had to "force" the hose to bend around the edge of the tank to go up the back. It seems to put a lot of stress everything and I'm concerned about the long term effect. Time will tell. In the meantime it works great, is quiet, and I am looking forward to another 30 years!

Years ago when I had many aquaria set up I tried both the Vortex diatom filter and the Magnum filter. The Magnum filter outlasted the Vortex filter by years, and the only reason I still do not have my magnum is that I sold all my aquaria stuff after a divorce years ago :(

Now that I am in a good stable relationship, out comes the aquarium lusts again! I plan on getting the Magnum 350 here at Amazon soon. What makes the Magnum so special is that you can use it as a continuous filter media/activated charcoal filter in your large tank and it will sit there filtering the water for months with no upkeep. And when it is time to clean and replenish it's media, the operation is easy to do. AND, you can convert this filter into a diatomacious earth filter for those massive grungy tank cleaning jobs. This filter can remove all the crud from large tanks and still keep great water flow. Again, it is easy to clean out this unit after diatom use and re convert it into a everyday power filter.

Once you buy a Magnum, it will last a lifetime.

4 out of 5 stars - since I have not cleaned the media & it has been running for only 3 days
Pros: Strong filtration, separate filtration & mechanical construction, quiet
Cons: Professional setup required, many parts & assembly (so follow instructions carefully & watch youtube demonstrations).

This canister filter is not ready to go out of the box. Don't expect that. Have realistic expectations of taking about 2-3 hours to carefully setup and you will not be dissapointed. Posted pictures of before tank (not cleaned on purpose) & after

Item really cleaned up the tank. Fast. Greatt and aazing the product. Would highly reccommend. Little rough start but is good. Even when powerwent off it came right back on without a hassle.

I bought my first Magnum 350 a few months ago for a turtle aquarium and cannot imagine owning a different filter. Other products that may do a similar quality job are 2-3 times the price if you are lucky to find one on sale. The Magnum can be a little difficult to get to prime the first time, but have some patience. I had to get some charcoal out of the propeller below the media on my first try.

It's a great product and I'm buying a second one for my other 13 yr old Red Eared Slider.

this product has de imagen wrong. this isnt be the image I saw on the website when I made the purchase.. and all the seller say is:

Carlos,

The black compartments that you are speaking of with the filter wheels are for the other model I had mentioned before. The Magnum 350 Pro has the added bio-wheel option; this is not what you have ordered. The Magnum with the added bio-wheel to make it a Pro version is also extra money.

I hope this helps to clarify, any other questions let me know.

Jessica

Big Al's Online

Big Al's has a blog!

Check it out for info and tips:

[....]

From: CARLOS DANIEL MARTINEZ ABARCA - Amazon Marketplace [mailto:[e-mail address removed]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 10:48 PM
To: Big Al's Online
Subject: Re: Order information from Amazon seller Big Al's Online (Order: 102-6632755-1120233)

hello Jessica,

this is the image I saw on the website when I made the purchase..

As you can see in the small box in blue this is the part I did not received..
don't get me wrong, I got the filter along with everything else, the blue thing and the charcoal, I even got the black thing inside of this box shape item, all of them have a
what I dont have is the big black thing that you put the filter inside of .

Lic. Carlos Daniel Martínez Abarca
Contador Publico Autorizado
Miembro Colegiado Nș 2191
Telf.: 22800339-84646116

De: Big Al's Online - Amazon Marketplace <[e-mail address removed]>
Para: CARLOS DANIEL MARTINEZ ABARCA <[e-mail address removed]>
Enviado: Miércoles, enero 18, 2012 10:32 A.M.
Asunto: FW: Order information from Amazon seller Big Al's Online (Order: 102-6632755-1120233)

Carlos,

Thank you for getting back to me, I am sorry to say no one here speaks Spanish.

I'm not sure what picture you are seeing, I have checked Amazon and our Web site to see what picture we show and I do not see anything extra included in the picture that would look to be black.

Did you happen to see the other model that has the bio wheels on a different picture?

There are two models available, the one you purchased ML Magnum 350 and then there is the ML Magnum 350 Pro. The other series that includes a bio wheel would be the H.O.T series. I hope this helps to clear anything up, let me know if you have any other questions.

Jessica

Big Al's Online

Big Al's has a blog!

Check it out for info and tips:
[.....]

From: CARLOS DANIEL MARTINEZ ABARCA - Amazon Marketplace [mailto:[e-mail address removed]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 18, 2012 12:58 AM
To: Big Al's Online
Subject: Re: Order information from Amazon seller Big Al's Online (Order: 102-6632755-1120233)

i dont have problem with cancel the claim, but i need someone who speak spanish to explainme better.

Lic. Carlos Daniel Martínez Abarca
Contador Publico Autorizado
Miembro Colegiado Nș 2191
Telf.: 22800339-84646116

De: Big Al's Online - Amazon Marketplace <[e-mail address removed]>
Para: CARLOS DANIEL MARTINEZ ABARCA <[e-mail address removed]>
Enviado: Martes, enero 17, 2012 1:12 P.M.
Asunto: Order information from Amazon seller Big Al's Online (Order: 102-6632755-1120233)

Order ID 102-6632755-1120233:
1 of Marineland PC0350C Magnum 350 up to 100-Gallon, 350 GPH [ASIN: B00025YUR2]

------------- Begin message -------------

Carlos,

We have received your A-Z Claim for your order of the ML Magnum 350. Could you please call 1-888-824-4257 so that we can better clarify the situation, as I am not sure what you are looking at?
Could you please cancel the A-Z claim so we can better help you?

Option 3, Jessica. I am at the office until 5pm EST until Friday, please get back to me as soon as you can.

Thank you in advance

This is a very good filter and I do recommend it for intermediate or advanced aquarium keepers, or anyone that is comfortable doing a little tweaking for the set-up. I have had the filter for a month, and I have experience using other canisters such as Eheim Classic, which I also like. The reason I say very good for intermediate or advanced is that it requires a bit of tweaking to make the pump run silently (my method explained below). The amount of media that it holds is good, but canisters such as Eheim hold a little more (not sure that it matters really). I have mine connected to the inlet of a UV sterilizer, which is large and contributes very little back-pressure and then feeds directly back into the tank. I measured 180 gal/hr, which is fine for me.

I know my writing style is skittish. Sorry 'bout that.

Disclaimer: This is what worked for me. Electricity and water can be dangerous together and cause death. Proceed at your own risk and hire professionals if you are not qualified.

To set it up for ideal performance, you need a small amount of mechanical ability, engineering aptitude, patience, and confidence.

This is what I did. Firstly I bought:

1) two extra Marineland double-valve-quick-connects

2) about 6 feet of good 3/4" tubing (I know it comes with 5/8" tubing but 3/4" works fine)

3) 15 extra hose-clamps

4) submersible pump, with about 6 feet of tubing dedicated tubing for it, an a u-shaped plastic device for the discharge end of the tubing that will keep it in place at the edge of the aquarium. This pump serves two purposes. To pump water from 8-gallon buckets during water changes, but also for purging air from the Magnum-350.

5) about 15 pieces (to make elbows) that have 3/4" and/or 5/8" nipples on one end and threaded connections on the other. Some are straight/some elbows. Some male/some females. This is to put elbows where the hoses are kinking.

6) one liter of bio-media such as ehfilav to substitute for the activated carbon (not that there is really anything wrong with activated carbon, just not my preference).

7) GFI power strip for safety (can get at home-depot cheaper than LFS)

8) a couple of hours of peace and quiet.

OK, now hook up the canister filter according to instructions, don't turn it on yet, decide if anything will also be in the process stream, such as sterilizers, heaters, etc. If not, no problem. Hook everything up. I used 3/4" tubing for the filter inlet (good idea), but it is necessary to use a separate hose-clamp, not the clamps that are built-in to the quick-connects. No problem. Just twist the clamps built in to the quick-connects until they are backed away from the nipple and out of the way, and clamp it. Actually, at this point, don't clamp anything. We are just fitting it for size. (all of this is changeable, don't worry). Now fit all the tubing up with the filter where you want it.

OK now everything should be hooked up (not plugged in). I'm working with a standard cabinet below the aquarium. Poke your head into the cabinet and see where the kinks are. I saw the hoses kind of kinking where they came into the cabinet and again above the filter where they were coming into the filter, so that is where I put the plastic 3/4" elbows, so all of my tubing is minimal distance, and pretty straight. The 3/4" elbows are much bigger than 5/8" elbows and will restrict water flow less.

Cut the tubing so that it is short as possible but still reaches the elbows/filter/whatever. Buy some extra tubing if you are worried. It is not expensive.

I put elbows directly on top of the filter, connected with short peices of 3/4" tubing, aimed at the back of the cabinet, and then put the supplied-quick-connectors-valves directly above those elbows.

Fiddle around with it until you are satisfied, and importantly, do not have kinks in the tubing. Also, you want the location of the filter in the cabinet so it is fairly easy to take out when it is time for cleaning.

OK. Half way there. Go outside for a smoke if so inclined. You deserve it.

Now we are going to fill the filter with water and get rid of the air. Getting rid of the air in the filter is necessary to make it run quietly.

Make sure that the (supplied) plastic elbow for the filter supply is well connected where it is above the waterline so it is not sucking in air. This is important. I noticed mine was sucking in a little bit of air and fixed it by band-aiding it with some larger tubing outside it. (well this may have to be done later when/if it is noticed)

Start the filter according to instructions. I think this involves filling it with water to prime it. Then it will start pumping. No problem. The issue is that there is a certain amount of air that requires extra steps to remove. The Marineland instructions says to run the pump a bit, then switch it off and the air will bubble back out the inlet. That works but only to a point. There is a bit of air that stays in that tube and keeps getting sucked back into the pump (making it noisy). Ok. so you turn the pump on. It sucks water (with a little air). You turn the pump off. The excess air goes back up the inlet tube and bubbles out as much as it can. NOW. close all of the quick-connect-double valves. This means closing 4 valves. Most of the air will be in the filter supply tube and not in the filter.

Have a (separately bought) Marineland quick-connect-valve (half-assembly) attached to a tube that is attached to a submersible pump that is in the bottom of a bucket and plugged into a GFI powerstrip that is switched off (for now).

Now the air is in the filter-supply-line, and only so much of that is going to bubble out, so we will have to pump it out backwards. This is the critical step to make the marineland filter (or any canister filter without an air-purge) operate quietly.

With all valves closed, holding a paper towel to capture the 1 tsp spill, disconnect the quick-connect of the SUPPLY line, and connect the submersible pump line to the SUPPLY line. Open the valves and pump the water backwards through the supply line and this will make all of the air bubble out. Close the two valves first, then depower the pump. Disconnect the quick-connects and reconnect the filter to the supply line (that now has no air in it). Open the valves and run the filter. Much less air in the filter. OK this has to be repeated a couple of times to get out all of the air. Pick up the filter and move it around to facilitate the air bubbling out (immediately after turning off the filter).

After doing this and purging out all of the air (necessary in most canister filters), it is very very quiet and is a very good filter. Once the air is purged, it should stay out unless it is drawing it in from somewhere in the suction (keep bubble makers away from the filter inlet).

OK I hope this helps. I like the filter.

Suppose to work quietly, and I have two of them, neither is silent. Kind of sounds like water rushing. I keep them under the fish tanks in the stand to lessen the noise. I called their support line as parts were missing. The person I spoke to was very kind and willing to help me out and sent the parts out without giving me any grief. I asked about the canister not filling up all the way thus making the water rushing noise, she said after a long pause that it was normal operation of said filter.
Putting the filters together was not very simple. Nothing has broken on me but I can see how people don't like the very plastic feel for something that is expensive as these canister filters are.
The media is a little difficult to work with when taking out the old to replace.
The only good design of the whole filter, the fact that the body will disconnect from the motor so you do not have to unplug the unit from the wall, or in my case, the power strip behind the tank stand that isn't easy to get too.

Over all not a bad filter because it does clean the water pretty well, but the design flaws it has and the noise force me to give it two stars.

I had this filter for years on a 55 gal tank I bred angel fish in. It was economical quiet & effective. Probably 16 years later I see they still make it, and it is still the cheapest canister its size!