what works better than carbon in carbon basket of magnum 350 ?

[bert]

using carbon in the filter basket of the magnum 350 provides little bio- filtration since it needs to be REPLACED, can i use SOMETHING else that will offer both chemical and bio filtration that can be re used ?

[DIYMatt]

As far as I know, there isn't a reuseable chemical filtration method that would work in the magnum. But, then again you shouldn't need chemical filtration unless you are removing medications or something, most people don't use it. Also, its debatable whether much bio-filtration can happen in a magnum at all. There just isn't enough space for media and that water moves pretty fast in those things. Thats what the bio-wheel attachments are for, and they are supposed to be very good at it.

I use my magnums for mechanical filtration which they are very good at. In one I use the micron cartridges and I have two. When it starts to clog, I just take one out and throw it in a 20:1 bleach solution and rinse it out when I need it again. I have been using the same cartridge for five years now. You do the same with the foam sleeves but they don't hold up very long bleaching them. In the other I just have really old carbon(2years) and ceramic noodles. I don't replace anything ever, I just rinse the catridge media and all. But, it is not he only the only filter on that tank. This method only really works on a heavily planted tank, or a tank with another filter for bio-filtration. In the past I have also simply stuffed the media container with floss and it has worked well for particle filtration. I hope this helps.

[marcos]

i dont have much experiance with magnum filters but i would think you could yous poly filter it works good at removing meds, organics, mtels,phosphates ect probly better than carbon and i would think you could cut or roll it to fit in a magnum filter

[bert]

How well does the magnum 350 do at removing ammonia ? i have a powerhead attached to a foam filter it's a 100 gallon tank, i saw some different carbons that claim they are better at ammonia removal than standard carbon, zeolite or something like that and a couple of others.:eek:

[JSchmidt]

Zeolite and other ammonia-absorbing compounds are not necessary in a healthy, established tank. As tanks mature (usually over 4-6 weeks) they develop a colony of bacteria that consume ammonia and nitrite -- the development of this bacterial colony is the 'cycle' that you see referred to. Unfortunately, even with a filter medium that can serve as a substrate for these beneficial bacteria to cling to, the Mag 350 holds a small enough volume of that media to make it a poor choice for biofilter. That's why you can get Biowheels that attach to the output of the Mag 350: the Mag removes particulates from the water (mechanical filtration) while the biowheels remove the ammonia (biofiltration) by providing a great site for the bacteria to colonize.

Carbons don't remove much, if any ammonia. If carbon is mixed with zeolite, the zeolite will remove some ammonia, but it will actually be competing with the bacteria that consume ammonia. Better to do water changes during the cycle to keep ammonia down (e.g., below 1 ppm) and let the bacteria grow. It's cheaper, too...

HTH,
Jim

[bert]

thanks jim, i am looking into adding the bio-wheel attachment to my Mag.350 i have a powerhead attached to a foam filter in the tank, but i am not sure how much bio-filtration it is giving.
bert

[SayersWeb]

I am a believer in the bio-wheel also.... although the one made for the Magnum is a bit clunky. I just bought a 120 gallon that came with a magnum with bio-wheel attachment. I found it a bit frustrating and rather cheaply made.

You may want to consider keeping the Magnum in place as is and adding a HOB bio wheel filter to the tank. I've bought a bunch of the Penguin 330s dual bio-wheel filters from Dr. Fosters and they are cheap at less than $21 (on sale) each.

I've posted this in a few other threads as well... I don't work for Penquin (Marineland) or Dr. Fosters, just think they are a fine deal at that price. :)

[bert]

thanks for the helpful info. i was looking at the way those need to be spliced into the existing Mags. hoses and the trouble i had with the hoses at the begining, i have them just right, right now, i don't want to mess with them, oh by the way, what causes the hoses to turn yellow inside, kinda like a little gunk starting in there ? the hoses are shielded from all light sources, is it some sort of algea, or is it telling me my filter media is in need of cleaning ? this is the 1st cannister filter i have owned and the tank is in it's 5th week of recycling.