Marineland Magnum 350 Canister Setup Help

[mylifeismyown66]

Okay so I am starting up a 55g fish with live rock tank and I have 2 magnum 350 filters I was going to set up for it. I see there are a few ways to set these up (micron polishing & mechanical/chemical filtration) Im not too sure what the difference is, but should i set each up differently? and if so do I fill it with carbon or what? Thanks for all youre help, I am new at this. Also 1 of them will be using the biowheel attachment, so which one should I use that on?

[cagey]

Set both up with carbon in provided container/basket and sponge cover in place. The one w/o the bio whell can be used on occasion w/ the cartride to polish the water. That is the water will sparkle w/ the micron filter. These pleated filters clogged quickly so watch your output flow. IMO

Kevin G

[mylifeismyown66]

So the micron filter should only be used on occation, not all the time? Also I just set up my tank with one filter running right now. I was told my an aquatic store not to use carbon because it will affect too much good bacteria or whatever in the water, so i filled the container with eheim hollow ceremic rings as I was advised, and i have the filter sleeve around the container. This is what I have the biowheel on.

[charlie]

I think you should do some reading. Sounds like your fish store is making some money that they shouldn't, JMHO.

Here is a link to some fine threads:
Saltwater Aquariums - Reeflands Forum

[returnofsid]

The Micron filter should only be used occasionally, or it'll plug up too fast. That particular canister filter is a very good one. If you have the bio-wheel attachment, I'd not use it. Just use the canister filter as a carbon filter and occasionally use the micron filter to "polish" the water.

[reefhead728]

i started with magnums 3 years ago on my 55 gal. i would use the carbon retunofsid is right the micron filter will clog they should only be used occasionally i realy never used mine, dont understand why your local shop told u not to use carbon i never had a problem with it. the only problem i ever had with the magnums was the oring seal leaking, but there steal a good filter for a 55.

[ricksreef]

ya, there's no correlation between using carbon and bacteria harm. if anything, if you don't change it out often enough, the carbon bed will become a bacteria bed just like those ceramic rings that you don't need.

you can also use DE (diatomatous earth) powder in the micron cartridge to really make your water sparkle. (and there's no difference between pool DE @ $20/50lbs. or 'reef' DE @ $12/lb.).

[mylifeismyown66]

Ya I have decided to run 1 with carbon and the other with broken up liverock. Thought it sounded like a pretty good idea. I probably wont even use the micron cartridge often at all. I have also had issues with that O ring seal that was mentioned.

[cagey]

I run a 350 w/ a micron. I have three carts 1 in filter, one soaking in a bleach solution and one on the shelf. Every three days I swap the cart out. Flow decreases quickly. Water is crystal.

[ricksreef]

Ya I have decided to run 1 with carbon and the other with broken up liverock.

without a prefilter, expect the rubble filter to generate some nitrates relatively soon.

[reefplayground]

There is some reason not to use carbon in a reef tank. Poor quality carbon will deteriorate in your system, leading to the release of waste straight back into your aquarium. but as long as you use quality carbon and change it according to your stocking levels, you will be ok.

[mylifeismyown66]

Also does anyone have any tips on what they do when power goes off with these filters?

[reefplayground]

You mean if your power to the aquarium completely cuts off?

I have computer battery back-ups running on our systems. Usually get 2-3 hrs of power, more if you use a larger unit, or more than one unit.