After your advice earlier...

[Corp000085]

Its the deluxe version which includes the quick release valves and the gravel siphone, which connects to the intake of the magnum. This is for my 30 gallon cycled tank currently... When i get a big huge tank (i measured and i have 6'x4' worth of cement floored room to work with) i'll be moving the magnum to that tank. Now i have some questions for those of you who already have the magnum 350.

1) Which set of filters do you use, and for what time or percentage of time? The micron filter or the carbon chamber?

2) Will the blue sleeve harvest enough bacteria alone, or do i have to go to get a bio wheel?

2a) I'd be getting the bio wheel 30 if i were to get one at all... How much noise does the wheel make?? I had a penguin 125 before, and it made a ton of noise. however it wasn't powered by the spraybar as the bio wheel 30 standalone unit is.

3) How often do you rinse the sump and filtration parts/media?

4) realistically, how long does the black diamond carbon last?

Setting this thing up will be an awesome experience for me. I can't wait to tackle that after dinner tonight. I'm very interested in your feedback, especially for the bio wheel question and the micron filter question, as i'm a bit confused as to the recommended useage for each. Marineland labs give out quite vague instructions... OF course, they make a good chunk of change off of naivety. Ok, screw dinner... load me up with feedback and i'll check back after its too late! i'm setting up my new george bush tax break toy.

 

[semper fi]

this is one of my fav filters. runall of my tanks on it, including the larger tanks.

1. i use the carbon filter with the blue sponge sleeve the most of the time. the micron filter is for water polishing. usually when i clean the tanks, i let the carbon filter run. if i want the water to look crystal clear i run the micron filter for about 8 hours. when you are not using the sponge sleeve you do need to keep it stored in tank water or you will kill off the bacteria.

2. the blue sleeve does contain enough bacteria. do not neccesarily need a biowheel. i don't use one with any of mine

3. i rinse the sump and filter out in tank water when the filter seems like it is getting clogged. if the water just trickles out, the filter is clogged.

4. carbon stays active for three weeks. any carbon should be replaced after 3 weeks. after 3 weeks it starts to become inactive and can leach the toxins it removed back into the tank.

 

[Corp000085]

Thanks man... I'm going to run the micron filter tonight and do a gravel vaccuum with the attachment. I do have enough bacteria on my decorations/gravel to sustain me while i get rid of my aquaclear. Ok, happy cleaning for me now!

 

[drobbins27]

Good luck

 

[semper fi]

good luck and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

btw - i am not a guy

semper fi aka maggie

 

[Corp000085]

sorry about the guy thing... I do have a question. When i have the valves open fully, the intake sounds like its sorta rushing air and water. How do i get rid of ALL the air in the thing so it doesn't make that noise?? do i just have to wait a few hours for it to do its thing, or do i shake it or something? thanks alot, ma'am.

 

[Corp000085]

For those of you who want my running diary of my new magnum, let me tell you, my tank is CRYSTAL clear! I didn't realize that my decorations were supposed to reflect off of the walls. They are now. With that being said, i took out the micron filter and put in the basket full of carbon. I still haven't perfected getting out air bubbles, but who cares... this tank is awesome right now!

 

[semper fi]

when you remove the micron filter it also needs to be stored in a sealed container with tank water so as not to kill off the bacteria.

love the magnum. would highly reccommend it to anyone.

sf