The Magnum 350 is a self starting convertible canister filter. This is one of the big boys - for fish lovers with larger tanks (55 to 100 gallon.) It sits on the floor, has a powerful bottom mounted motor, and is self priming. This means that you don't have to pour water into it to get the pump to begin working. Water enters the canister, surrounds the media (carbon or Micron Cartridge) and flows through rather than around it.
The Magnum 350 comes with a "water polishing" Micron Cartridge as standard equipment. This is one of two ways that the Magnum cleans water. The Micron Cartridge looks like a cylindrical accordian. It has 320 square inches of surface area and sits inside the canister. Water enters the canister and flows over the fiber covered pleats in the Micron Cartridge. As the water flows over these pleats, the fibers trap microscopic water particles. By physically removing actual particles, the water becomes cleaner. In addition, the Micron Cartridge acts as a "biological filter."
Biological filtration is an essential element in cleaning aquarium water. Waste produced from fish in the aquarium causes the accumulation of ammonia in the tank. Ammonia can be lethal to fish if it builds to a high level. Water passing over the biological filter causes a form of bacteria to develop on the filter media. This bacteria is called Nitrosomonas. It attacks ammonia and breaks it down into nitrite. Nitrite can also be harmful in high levels. Nictrobacter species also appear on the biological filter and convert Nitrite to non lethal Nitrate.
The second way that the Magnum cleans water is through "chemical filtration." Chemical filtration refers to using some sort of filter media - in this case carbon - to remove impurities from the water. This is achieved through what is called a Carbon Media Container, sold separately for the Magnum. Carbon is placed into the plastic mesh cylindrical container. A fiber sleeve is placed around the mesh and the whole thing goes into the canister. Water flows through the center of the Carbon Media Container, through the carbon, and back into the aquarium.
Because the unit sits on the floor,long plastic intake and outlet tubes are necessary. The intake tube sucks water from the aquarium through the Magnum while the outlet tube returns water from the Magnum to the aquarium. Quick Disconnect valves, sold separately, can be placed on each tube to shut the flow of water off for times when it necessary to move the unit to a different location for cleaning.
One of the drawbacks of this unit is the fact that the Quick Disconnect valves don't come with it as standard equipment. Therefore, the whole unit must be disconnected and moved - tubes and all - when changing the media. (Unless your aquarium is in a place where dripping water won't harm floors, furniture, etc.)
If you aren't careful, there is also the danger of massive water spillage. Remove the top of the canister with the tubes still in the aquarium, and water will flow out so quickly onto the floor that a 55 gallon aquarium will be empty in twenty minutes.
Another disadvantage is that the Carbon Media Container and filter sleeve for the outside of the container must be purchased separately and don't come with the unit.
On the plus side, this unit is phenominally powerful and works more efficiently than any filter I've owned; and I've owned plenty. I can go for three or four months without performing maintenance on the unit or changing part of the water in the aquarium (not recommended) and the water is still crystal clear.
Cleaning the Magnum should take place once a month. This includes changing the carbon and Carbon Media sleeve, making sure the impeller is working properly, cleaning all tubes and accessories with warm water, etc. This is all detailed in the easy to understand instruction book that comes with the Magnum.
For the money, this is the Cadillac of filters and won't let you down. I highly recommend it.
