Equipment Review and Discussion :: Review of the Magnum 250

[mat012]

Hi everyone,

I bought this a couple of weeks ago to try and use as a diatom filter - I was worried about parasites, etc. This was supposed to be relatively easy to use as a diatom filter and would take care of some of the same issues that UV sterilizers do.

I havent tried it with DE yet, but thought I would give a report on its use as a water polisher with only the micron filter that comes with the unit. WHile it is not supposed to be as effective as DE it is supposed to rid tanks of critters and particles that are very very small.

Pros: It does give a very nice polish to the water. It is effective at giving the tank that "crystal" clear look. I like this a lot! Also it is portable. I dont have to leave it on the tank long term. If you had two tanks this would be really useful. As it is now I can just take it off the tank, give it a rinse and store it out of the way until the next cleaning. It is also only $50. Thats is pretty cheap!

Cons: This thing is harder to prime than my canister filter. Also has lots of parts that allow many places for air bubbles to get trapped in the filter. It still works but the trapped air makes it noisy. The parts also make it more complicated to initially set up - basically its clumsy. Lastly you have to rig it to work in a turtle tank that is not filled to the top. This means buying additional tubing, etc. The hard plastic connections are also large so it was hard to find 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 tubing locally. Again clumsy.

Overall, I like it - but I dont love it. I really like the nice clean water. I think it has cleared up a minor ich problem. But it is not a super product.

I would be interested to here how this might compare to the UV sterilizers. Are they easier? Do they work? How is the effectiveness compared to the cost?

[Daniel3507]

i bought a UV sterilizer for about $50 bucks and it was pretty easy to set up. i mounted it the inside of the tank stand on the wall. all you really have to do is put the bulb in and connect the hoses and plug it in. changing the bulb is easy too. i havent had to do it yet but all you do is unscrew it from the bottom and put the new bulb in. you dont have to turn the filter off or anything. once i put it in i did notice i didnt have green water.

[Chrisbarnett]

Hmm, I just thought of something... Since you are using it as a diatom filter, not your average filter for biological filtration, could you find a small UV sterilizer and run it inline with your diatom filter? What I would do is put it on the intake, to kill anything before it reaches the diatom, so that nothing will grow on the media inside. Therefore keeping the filter a water cleaner, rather than another place for biological bacteria to grow...
Just an idea.

[mikee]

I also use the Marineland to polish my water and it does a good job. I use the 350 which is a little more powerful. After running it with the diatom media I finish it off by putting carbon powder and let that run a few hours also. Most folks don't bother with this as it is an extra step, but is certainly make the water very clear and clean. M.

[mat012]

Mikee,

How do you charge your filter with the DE? Also is the carbon powder similar to the DE or do you change out the micron filter and fill the carbon holder with the carbon?

Chris - thanks for the suggestion. I hadnt thought about doing that though I have thought about a UV sterilizer. Right now I am at a spending point that my hubby would kill me if I actually bought another bell or whistle for this tank! Also I rinse the micron cartridge in hit water after each use - thta should keep growth at a minimum??

[Chrisbarnett]

I'd say that would be fine. I'd also let it dry out completely if you can, to kill anything.