HOT magnum assessment

[CWO4GUNNER]

I received my order for one Marineland HOT Magnum (Hot Mag) from Pet Solutions online for $56 including shipping $5 coupon. I ordered it because I wanted a portable canister filter I could move around to different tanks for various reasons including QT filter. My assessment is that overall the Hot Mag has better portability, better engineering, and better performance capability then I expected. I really expected it to be a scaled down version of the Magnum 350 but I was surprised to find that the impeller housing had no right angles but is a smooth spherical impeller chamber that is more efficient and moving water without cavitations. A dramatically improved intake diffuser that channels water along all the sides of the large foot pring media sponge 6x12". The carbon basket was narrower and filling and cleaning it of carbon as with the Magnum 350 would be a messy affair, however this needn't be the case with the use of carbon packed in nylon stockings which can be fed in and arranged in all the voids without spilling any carbon as demonstrated in my Magnum 350 DIY performance mod. Like the 350 magnum I opted to use the larger gauge polishing filter screen which like the Mag 350 DIY mod, provided substantially improved GPH for the Hot Mag as well.
Negatives are, more time and patience needed to reassemble filter after cleaning due to more parts and tighter tolerances, although easy with practice. For an HOB it requires more space in the back of an aquarium then most medium Power filter HOB's. Although no more noisy then the 350 Magnum which is considered quiet, because the Hot Mag sits high and outside of a cabinet, it seems more noisy. But these are small concerns when considering what a well made and effective portable canister filter this is. I am now glad I did not buy one of the knock off canisters filters I researched with many leak and structural customer complaints. It is clear to me that the Hot Mag is really put together well and elegantly designed from an engineering stand point, and with a durability reputation unrivaled. Excellent buy.

 

[excuzzzeme]

I agree with your sentiments about the H.O.T. Magnum. I have 2 of them and I use one as a power vacuum. I take it tank to tank and vacuum away! I used 2 on a 90 gallon tank that had an Oscar and a Pleco. It did a superior job and the micron cartridge made the water crystal clear. I had a couple of small tanks that went cloudy and I used it to polish the water.

Media basket allows for filter media of your choice and adds to it's versatility.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I add a thin layer of cut poly blanket ( Pet Smart $3.50 8x24") under the blue "right size" sponge. I do this by turning it inside out then wrapping the cut poly blanket over the "right size" sponge. Then I grab them together with both hands and roll both together right-side-in over the media basket like rolling two socks on your foot at once. The inner white poly blanket which is way finer then the sponge, polishes and helps remove phosphates. They always turn back, heavy and muddy so I simply toss them out and cut a new one.

 

[RodInCALIFORNIA]

i now have 17 HOT magnums i use 1 on each tank with the micron cart 24/7 and i love that filter i dont use it as my main filter but i like how it keeps my water so clear. i have bought all mine off ebay.

 

[dixienut]

nothing better than my2hot mags and my 350 mag,..better than most
i fine it easier than other to clean

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I think the magnum filter design has been in production 20 years and many owners still have the their original because of its superior durability, simplicity and most importantly the surface area circular design giving it a huge filter surface area compared to designer canisters which use a stacked media design and have a filter foot print that is actually 4-6 times smaller then the magnum design. It really doesn't matter how many exotic types of filter medias you can stack in a filter, if your not using the full surface area potential of a canisters size, your working against basic filter principles. This is why in industry you always see barrel type filters with there media or membranes rolled for greater surface area then stacked. In fact I have never seen it stacked except in aquarium filters.

 

[Gill Roy]

I have had HOT 250's for years and have nothing but praise for them.
They worked really great in a 75gal turtle tank I had and do a wonderful job as a power vac as mentioned.
I have two 350 cans with the bio wheels on my 135gal now and would never consider buying anything else.
I have never used any others and so definitely can't make a comparison. But that just means there was never a reason to try another with the performance, build quality and user friendliness of this line of equipment.

my .02
:lol:

 

[JK47]

I love my HOT Mag. They are wonderful mechanical filters ad do a great job aerating the waters surface. I wish the outlet tube was longer (deeper). Careful with small fish though, I found 31 BN pleco fry in mine because I didn't have a sponge on the inlet.

 

[tanker]

I too am a HOT MAG lover!! I have 7 of them (two for each of my tanks and a spare). You mention that they are noisy?? My HOT-M make no noise--just a slight humm.

The only thing that I wish can be changed is:
1) A longer intake for deeper tanks--But I bought the Fluval tube and it fits just fine.
2) An adjustable Output angle--for CO2 tanks. I must turn my output to the side then "angle it 45 degress to point semi down for no surface agitaion.

PS--IMO it is still one of the best filters for the money!!

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

UPDATE: After using the Hot Magnum for 3 weeks now on my cycling tank and then having to move the Hot Magnum for carbon detoxification of another tank I have concluded that the filter serves the best purpose as a portable with established media for cycling new tanks and, filled with fresh carbon for tanks with toxic issues or post medication removal, and as an auxiliary 2nd filter. Most of its strengths are in its grab and move/go portability and fast media changeability without the song and dance hose routine of a floor canister. Although I consider the Hot Magnum superior to most HOB filters, I do not recommend it as a replacement or alternative to a needed workhorse canister filter (Magnum 350). For its niche in portability and special application/ emergency/ auxiliary use its a great filter, but it cannot match a floor canisters long term performance between servicing, flow rate, consistent power under high demand, and room for additional media. But the Hot Magnum is the best in portability and flexibility. In these 3 weeks I have experienced that it requires 2-3 times the amount of cleaning then a floor canister and loses GPH quickly as it becomes dirty due mostly to its limited size and smaller 11 watt motor. However the portability and easy servicing dose offset this to a degree. It is IMHO a must have for the established multi-tank aquarist, and more effective alternative to any HOB, but not a viable replacement for a high demand, endurance, and capacity of a large floor canister filter.