Showing posts with label reef tank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reef tank. Show all posts

Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched

Nutrafin Plant Gro Iron Enriched, 4.1-OunceI have been using this product for several years. I have 4 tanks at differant levels and are all heavily planted. I put this product in weekly. I am constantly giving offsprings away because of their growth and lushness. This product is a must for anone wanting to have live plants. Substrate is critical for good growth.

I am experienced and have used different products for my planted aquariums. Always been a fan of Nutrifin but did not know they had this until I found it on Amazon. This is great stuff, all natural, and my plants are growing very well. Thanks Hagen and Amazon!

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This product works really well in a tropical planted tank if you keep the iron levels where they are supposed to be. I will definately be buying this product again

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I used this in my 20gal, my plants are growing new roots like crazy. one of my fish died, but i dont know if it was related to the formula or not.

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Laguna PowerFlo Filter Coupling, 4500/1000

Laguna PowerFlo Filter Coupling, 4500/1000My original filter coupling kept popping off, so I pushed the tab and it broke. I ordered this part as it was described as the same item. It came in the time promised and it fit right in and it's been working ever since. Excellent replacement part.

Jardin Aquarium Cleaning Manual Squeeze Water Change Cleaner Pump, 1.9m Long

Jardin Aquarium Cleaning Manual Squeeze Water Change Cleaner Pump, 1.9m LongI have been using this to clean my 75 gallon Marine Aquarium for a few months now and it is doing a very good job. The pump primer works great, the on/off valve makes it convenient to control the flow and the suction is very good to assist with removing detritus from the tank. Plus the price was amazingly low!

The siphon works well. It pumps water as it's supposed. Quality wise you get what you pay for. This is an inexpensive alternative.

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This thing has so many air leaks that there is no chance of starting a siphon. The siphon tube is thin, cheap ribbed plastic which does not seal to either end of the pump. I thought this would be great with the controllable flow, but since no siphon is possible there is no flow to control. Took 2 weeks to arrive too, so I guess you get what you pay for. It's not even worth my time to return it.

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Works well and is simple to use. Shipping was not as long as stated. I used it in a 30 gallon tank and will recommend this to anyone.

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Hydro-Sponge Filter I--HS910 - Aquarium Technology, Inc.

Hydro-Sponge Filter I--HS910 - Aquarium Technology, Inc.Most aquarium filters now use a motor to force water through some kind of filter pad which must be replaced at intervals. However, before there were reliably sealed electric motors, most home aquariums moved water using the "airlift" principle, in which a rising column of bubbles pulled water through the filtering material. This is an elegant and just about failsafe method. Debris in the tank cannot ever jam the external air pump which feeds the filter, and if electricity is interrupted, the filter cannot lose siphon, it simply starts bubbling again when power is restored to the air pump. Many fish love to play in the rising stream of bubbles.

Hydro Sponge filters, first marketed in the 1990's, are a more recent application of the airlift. Hydro Sponge I is intended for aquariums up to 10 gallons. Made of dense, strong plastic with a weighted base which holds the sponge up away from the aquarium bottom, they dismantle easily for cleaning of the sponge. The pores within the sponge provides an enormous surface area for colonization by beneficial bacteria providing very thorough biological filtration. They can be powered by an air pump with or without an airstone (using an airstone will give finer bubbles and make less noise), or with an electric powerhead for those with larger tanks or who simply feel the need for more energetic water movement in the tank.

It is difficult to imagine such a simple device working well. Surprisingly, they are excellent, and can be used as the only filter in the tank for many applications. I've used them on tanks sized from 10 gallons up to 75 gallons, always with good results. The local fish store where I shop has an expensive trickle filter for their dozens of tanks, and every single freshwater tank also has a Hyrdo Sponge or similar sponge filter as well. Apparantly the sponge is doing something which the trickle filter doesn't?

Maintainence is as simple as the filter. When you perform your periodic aquarium water change, (20% every week) save some of the old water in a bucket. Separate the top and bottom parts of the filter and remove the sponge from the tank. Squeeze it out in the bucket. See all the stuff which the sponge removed from the water? Reinstall the sponge and refill your tank. Go have dinner with the money you saved not purchasing replacement filter cartridges.

In sum, a clever and elegantly simple device which works very well.

This review is for the Hydro I specifically, but it applies to all of the Hydro Sponge Filters.

The Hydro I Sponge Filter is the best for smaller tanks (5 or 10 gallons), just as its counterparts (the Hydro II, III etc.) are great for their respective size tanks. Other types of sponge filters exist on the market, but the Hydro ones are the most efficient because you can put an airstone down the shaft of the filter to get the water going through the majority of the sponge's surface. In addition, the sponge sucks up a surprising amount of debris and waste so it is good for a certain amount of mechanical filtration as well. As other reviewers explained, about once a month you simply squeeze the sponge "clean" in the tank water sitting in your bucket during the water change in order to ensure that you don't kill the bacteria by using chlorinated tap water. The water generally becomes dark brown or black, and you get a sense that you have really cleaned the tank well. (For the more squeamish types, the sponge smells like healthy earth so it is completely inoffensive. You can then use this water to feed house plants some nutrients, if you want!)

Pros: I am a great proponent of the use of sponges because I have never had problems with water readings as a result of using biological filtration. Sponge filtration is much, much more than a backup for canister or hang on power filters that clean a large number of gallons per hour. Biological filtration keeps the tank clean using beneficial bacteria and aerates the tank at the same time. Using a gang valve, you can aerate a little or a lot, depending upon whether the type of specimen you are keeping likes currents or calmer water. The biological force of a sponge filter is such that you can start a new tank by lifting a cycled and seasoned sponge filter from one tank and putting it into another. If you take some seasoned gravel too, you can immediately add a tankful of fish without worrying about ammonia spikes etc. Most importantly, I love sponge filters because when you are medicating your tank and have to remove the carbon from your filters for the antibiotics or drugs to be effective the biological filters continue to keep the denizens of your tank alive during this potentially disastrous time in your tank's life (eliminating parasites or diseases can last for up to two weeks). These Hydro sponges are soft, so amphibians or sensitive fish do not get roughed up when they brush against the sponge. If you clean your sponges regularly (once a month minimum), you will only need to replace the sponge if it loses its shape and no longer fits around the plastic rod. If you neglect cleaning, I would imagine that the sponge might get so gummed up with debris that it would no longer be absorbent and you would need to replace the sponge at that point.

Cons: The only disadvantage is the way they look--sort of like tiny little nuclear power plants in your tank--so you strive to find ways to hide them behind rocks, decorations, or large aquatic plants (or be creative and incorporate them into the decor by, say, having a theme like "post apocalypse" or "industrial age"!) Granted, I have tended to use a larger sized sponge than is recommended by the manufacturer, as I do not think it is possible to overuse sponges since the beneficial bacteria reproduce according to the amount they are fed. However, even if you get the proper sized sponge for the tank, they are difficult to conceal.

Overall, given the pros and cons, I love my amphibians and fish more than the look of their tank, so I avidly use sponge filters to keep them alive and happy. I like Hydro the best because of the possibility of using an air stone and because I like the softness of the sponge.

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I bought this sponge filter for my angelfish, who were suddenly spawning every week. The babies were not able to survive if I left the regular filter on. I ended up having to move them to a ten gallon tank, and thus the need for this filter.

I have to say, I've never had a better filter. You attach an aerator line to the inside, and that's the only thing you need. The air bubbles oxygenate the water while they also work to draw water through the sponge. All the muck that usually accumulates pretty quickly in my tank was drawn in, and the sponge works to break it all down naturally, which is actually healthier for my fish and plants. And no babies were harmed by this little device. it's gentle, but effective.

And the best part is that you do not have to buy filters! Just rinse and squeeze the sponge under room-temp water for a moment and you're done. I'm definitely going to replace my old money-devouring filters in my 55 gallon tank with some like this. These are well worth buying, and actually pretty cheep considering it all. I advise anyone thinking of getting one of these to make the leap. You won't be sorry.

Read Best Reviews of Hydro-Sponge Filter I--HS910 - Aquarium Technology, Inc. Here

I bought this for my Axolotl tank as I needed a sponge filter so they couldn't get their little fingers or gills stuck in the filter uptake. I was very happy to find one at such a great price and with such great reviews so ordered it immediately. Upon arrival I discovered just how huge this monster is! I should have read the dimensions listed (though would have gotten it anyway) so I would not have been shocked by the size. A 4 1/2 in diameter takes up a huge amount of space in a 10 gallon tank (they are like what, 18 by 12?). Just a heads up for people looking at this product. Even with the huge size, this product seems to be working good and I have no complaints with it. I actually find the bubbling sound of the top quite soothing. :)

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what can i say? a simple sponge filter perfect for a 10 gallon tank that houses anything small that a power filter might suck in. baby shrimp, fish fry, etc. low maintenance, low cost, low electricity use. great filter.

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Fish Mate 500GUV & 1000GBIO Replacement Filter Foam

Fish Mate 500GUV & 1000GBIO Replacement Filter FoamThe picture is clearly misleading. It shows the filters for the replacement kit, but what you see, sure as heck isn't what you get. I used the picture as a guide as to what would be included in the order, but all I got was a huge box with a tiny piece of foam that wasn't worth 10 cents, much less than $10. What gives? Either my order was incomplete, or they posted the wrong pic in the description. Considering the size of the box and the amount of packing material, I have to wonder.

Either way, I returned the item in the same huge box they sent it in.

Does the job, easy to clean. Works well with my prefilter on my pump to clean the water after it goes through the UV.

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Item was returned, it was wrong size. I had ordered the wrong filter because I wasn't sure of the model of my filter.

Item had arrive in good time, item was returned & I was credited for it-thank you.

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Up Aqua Ceramic Bamboo Shelter, Medium

Up Aqua Ceramic Bamboo Shelter, MediumMy CPO Crayfish love these... I'll find them climbing all over them and hiding in the tubes. One thing to note however, the tubes are glued in the form you see them, no way to change how they are formed.

Kent Marine AKMRC2 Reef Carbon for Aquarium Filter, 2-Pound

Kent Marine AKMRC2 Reef Carbon for Aquarium Filter, 2-PoundKent Carbon is the best at removing pesky organic pollutants, stains, and entrained toxic gases from all of my marine and freshwater aquariums and/or ponds. When it comes to satisfying my tropical fish, Kent Carbon always does the job.

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Petco Snowy River Aquarium Gravel, 20 lbs.

Petco Snowy River Aquarium Gravel, 20 lbs.Exactly what i was hoping it would be perfect for what i was gonna use it for. Would deffinatly buy this item again or suggest to another

I got enough, so when it's time to change the gravel, I have enough without having to buy more. It filters out really well, and large enough to where it doesn't clog op the filters with smaller gravel.

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This gravel looks great in my betta's 5 gallon "natural" aquarium, though I bought the 5 lb size. It is much lighter and much more attractive (in my opinion) than the standard Petco River Rock Shallow Creek Aquarium Gravel, 20 lbs.. I find the River Rock one to be too dark and, frankly, ugly. The size is great and perfect for the roots of my Anubias. The light color accentuates the colors of my fish and decor.

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Spring & Fall Diet Sticks

TetraPond 16481 Spring and Fall Diet Wheatgerm Fish Food, 1.72-Pound boxI have used this product for past 10 years and it works well as intended. Pond Fish love it. It is cheap and the food floats on the water. The fish love it.

Will do the business with the merchant again.

i didn't try it ,but the fish

seem to eat it.....looks to

be a good product.. i would

recomend it...

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Our pond is too small for koi, so we have shubunkin. They are obviously well conditioned on this food since they produce a handful of babies every spring before we switch to the summer food.

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I've had a Koi pond for 8 years now. Prior to this year, I stopped feeding them (Tetra Koi Viabrance) after the water drops below 50 deg (Oct Mar). My fish were fine each spring. This year I saw this online, and said what the heck, I'll give it a try. The fish will eat the stuff, but at a much lower rate than the regular season (which is normal). Problem is, this box is too big for my needs (with only 13 fish). I only saw 2 sizes, this and 7.05 ounce can, which was $10 versus $15 for this. I wish they had a package that was half this size (but bigger than can), cause the fish won't eat all of this between the fall & spring of next year. I don't know if they really need this stuff as I mentioned above, but for the price I figure it can't hurt to feed them until water hits below 40 deg.

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Tetra Pond food is a great way to feed outdoor Koi by conveniently using the zip type seal. Fish love it and the price I paid was approximately 20% cheaper than I used to pay in conventional pond shops.

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Tetra Nemo Aquarium Ornament

Tetra Nemo Aquarium OrnamentMy daughter-in-law wanted this figurine for Christmas. It was on her wish list and made her very happy other than the fact that one of the pieces of 'coral' were broken.

Aussie Aquariums - Wall Mounted Plasma Fish Tank - Mini

Aussie Aquariums - Wall Mounted Plasma Fish Tank - MiniI purchased this item as a bathroom decoration. Having had MANY aquariums I knew it was not the ideal tank. Definitely not a beginner or goldfish tank.

The quality of the aquarium is superb. It comes with a net, pump filter, great flourecent lighting canopy,Cleaning Siphon, lid, and reach pile for adding plants & decorations. My hand fits easily into the tank, so cleaning won't be a real issue. I'll remove the fish & decorations, stir the rocks at the botton & siphon out 20% of the water and debris.Replace with fresh decholrinated water, add decorations & then fish once everything has settled down. A papertowel will wipe the glass clean, or a razor blade can remove the algae (if necessary) since the tank is real glass. Just be careful not to kick the adhesive & spring a leak!

The ideal fishes for this type of aquarium would be guppies. A betta, mollies or swordtails. Perhaps a Zebra Danio or Tetra if you add a tiny heater.Place away from areas that will get direct light from the sun or heat from the heater/air from the AC. Fish don't like temp fluxuations!

Enjoy your tank. I was VERY suprised by the superb quality. I think my male betta will be more than happy in his planted tank in my spa bathroom.

This and any other aquariums with the same design fail to tell customers that for a fish to be healthy, the tank it's in has to have a wide surface area. What's wide about a 3 inch by 20 inch surface area?

The fish also have no room to turn around. Most fish will grow larger than the few inches this tank allows.

You can't fit a siphon in it, which means you can't remove the poop from the tank, which means the built-up ammonia will kill your fish in a short amount of time.

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This and any other aquariums with the same design fail to tell customers that for a fish to be healthy, the tank it's in has to have a wide surface area. What's wide about a 3 inch by 20 inch surface area?

The fish also have no room to turn around. Most fish will grow larger than the few inches this tank allows.

You can't fit a siphon in it, which means you can't remove the poop from the tank, which means the built-up ammonia will kill your fish in a short amount of time.

Read Best Reviews of Aussie Aquariums - Wall Mounted Plasma Fish Tank - Mini Here

Biosafe 6401-1 GreenClean pH Down Ph Adjuster, 1 Pounds

Biosafe 6401-1 GreenClean pH Down Ph Adjuster, 1 PoundsThis product has great value and a great price but the only reason i did not give it a 5 star rating is because it doesn't work as fast as the liquid form

I have been using this for over a week and the ph in the pond has only decreased minimally. However, we have been having a lot of rain and they may be the problem.

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This product seemed to work great for my 250 gallon preformed pond during the extreme heat of summer 2012 in St. Louis where I was constantly adjusting the PH.

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Marineland Eclipse Seamless Integrated Aquarium System, 5 Gallons, Corner

Marineland Eclipse Seamless Integrated Aquarium System, 5 Gallons, CornerI have owned this aquarium for 3 years now. It looks great sitting on my kitchen counter. I could have been more consistent about cleaning the system (about 1x a month), but generally speaking the fish have thrived. Several mistakes I made include: 1) thinking that the bio-wheel needs to be occasionally replaced (don't go there) 2) leaving the light on too much which created an algae bloom, and 3) buying fish that outgrow this small aquarium. I made those mistakes in the first year. Since then it has been smooth sailing except for the light fixture burning out. The light switch is pretty cheap, so repeated use caused it to break. I rigged up another lighting system since I was not able to order a replacement part except for the whole lid unit (which costs as much as the aquarium), but it is not very satisfactory. I am breaking down and buying another aquarium just to get a functioning light. This time I am going to hook up the light to a timer and avoid overusing the switch.

This tank was purchased as an upgrade for my betta. I decided to send this tank set back almost immediately because I found the quality and design of the tank to be pretty disappointing...especially coming form Marineland. First off, the acrylic tank body scratches incredibly easily, especially compared to my other acrylic set by a different manufacturer. Even the foam packing material didn't appear to protect it well. The top and bottom of the tank were both lined with obvious scratches right out of the box! The filter that came with the set is made of flimsy plastic and doesn't sit well in the compartment designated for it. Nearly every time I opened the lid, the filtration system popped up because the cords got stuck in the hinge. The cords from the filter and light have to fit through a really narrow opening near the hinge of the tank. The tank comes with a clip to hold these, but it really doesn't help much. To add a heater, you must carefully thread the cord through a small hole on the opposite side of the lid and drop the heater through a narrow opening in the plastic that supports the filtration system, which is a real pain should you need to adjust the temperature or remove the filter for any reason. As for the lid, I don't understand why they didn't include a little feeding door like many other systems do. It is a hassle to open the entire top (especially if you are limited on space above or behind the tank) just to dump in some flakes. I did like the tank's aesthetics and corner shape when it arrived, and the quality of lightbulb included, but thats about it honestly. In my opinion, there are better tank sets to choose from...particularly if you are shopping for a Betta.

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I've owned the Eclipse 5 gallon corner aquarium for almost a year completely trouble-free. The filter is nearly silent, save for the trickling sound of water. My aquarium is located in my bedroom, so peace and quiet are imperative for a good night's sleep. I run the light daily (turned off at night and most mornings) and have not had to replace the bulb yet. Never had any leak issues, and everything fits together as one would expect.

Filters are pretty inexpensive. I can usually get a three-pack of Z-size through Amazon on sale for about $4-5. That translates into about $20/year if you're changing them every month.

My tank houses a betta and apple snail. The current was a bit too strong for my betta, so I modified the filter intake (the part that sticks down into the tank) with a bit of sponge. It was a >$2 fix that greatly improved the flow for my betta. I also have a heater in my tank. I'm not sure what previous reviewers were talking about regarding there being no room/place for a heater. There are two notches on the back of the lid: one for the filter and the other for the heater, if you choose to have one. They are on opposite sides so the heater isn't right next to the intake.

This tank has been a breeze to manage. I'd recommend it to any beginner or intermediate aquarium hobbyist.

UPDATE: It's been two years since I bought my Eclipse 5-gallon corner aquarium. I've had absolutely zero issue with it. Last month, I had to replace the bulb that came with the tank originally. This was the first time I've had to do so, and it was a painless, 3-minute replacement process. The tank is still as quiet and efficient as the day I bought it.

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This is by far the best aquarium kit i've used so far. Ive had it for around 1 month already. The filter and bio wheel do the job with keeping the water clear and ammonia levels close to non-existant, respectively. Fish seem very happy and healthy. I was so pleased with this tank, i bought another one!

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I've had this tank for 6 months now, and it's on the kitchen counter (in a corner) with 5 male guppies in it (one inch of fish per gallon) and have a couple of plants also. I set it up quickly and easily, and haven't had any problems with scratches. The light is bright enough to keep the 2 plants healthy as long as I planted them directly under the light which is near the front of the tank. The bio wheel is perfect-just don't rinse it, replace it, or let it dry out-ever. I thoroughly rinse the carbon filter every Saturday with tap water and replace it every month. 1/2 gallon water change every Sat. too (via a tank vacuum to churn up the rocks a bit-while avoiding plant roots). It's a 20 min. job.

The only thing I don't like about it is the lid isn't well designed for a kitchen counter with overhead cabinets. I wish the lid was a hinged 2 piece! I can't open it fully on the kitchen counter-even when I pull the whole tank to the counter's edge. (Or, at least they should put an adjustable prop up stick in it. So, I have to unplug everything and take the whole lid off-which is a bit tricky in the kitchen and annoying. They could have put more effort into cord management, too. The cords get pinched in the lid if you don't carefully guide them thru the small holes. My 5 gal dream tank would have those retractable cord roller-upper things in the lid.

But, it looks nice, and the fish & plants are happy.

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Mardel Live pH In-Tank Meter Aquarium Water Testing, Three Pack

Mardel Live pH In-Tank Meter Aquarium Water Testing, Three PackIt isn't as accurate as an actual PH test kit with the two separate additives and beakers. It seemed accurate for about a week and then showed the water to have a dangerously high PH. When I tested with the traditional methodthe PH was where it should have been.

I give it two stars just because it was accurate (if only for a week).

I found that this pH checker was not as accurate as the one that I bought from Pet Smart. The one from Pet Smart was made by Seachem. It was an Alert combo which contained two devices. One was for pH and the other was for ammonia readings. The dual pack was around 12 or 13 dollars. The pH checker lasts 3-6 months while the ammonia lasts for 1 year. While the Mardel is cheaper long term because it comes with 3 meters that each last 3 months I will choose the Seachem for accuracy.

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Its okay for getting a rough idea of where your pH balance is, but not 100% accurate. But at least it gives you a good indicator as to whether you need to really test it and check your water pH.

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Aquarium Dukshin DP-07EA Battery Operated Water Change Pump for fish tank Cleaning (10L/min)

Aquarium Dukshin DP-07EA Battery Operated Water Change Pump for fish tank CleaningProduct as described

F a s t s h i p p i n g

T h a n k y o u ! . .

I had to say it is a very useful water pump for all people have aquariums. It is enough to say that changing water for your aquarium became very easy with this pump.

The first one I bought had leakage in the tube but when I submitted a complaint they sent me a new one. I am quite happy with it.

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The battery powered water changing pump, really hard to search for. They used to sell this kind of stuff in pet stores. Now you can barely find it on line. Its great, works well. Its a bit expensive and it shipped from Hong Kong. Which took two weeks. I want to get another one just because I have a 75 gal fish tank so it takes longer to empty. Keep in.mind when you her toward the last inch of water you'll have to use a bucket to get the last of it. Gravity is your enemy there.

Read Best Reviews of Aquarium Dukshin DP-07EA Battery Operated Water Change Pump for fish tank Cleaning (10L/min) Here

Marineland PC-ml160 Multi-stage Canister Filter

Marineland PC-ml360 Multi-stage Canister Filter- 55 to 100-Gallon, 360GPHI traded up to the C-360 after using the 350 Magnum for 7 years.

The C-360 is a great canister filter, if you pay attention to directions and use some common sense.

Keep in mind that this is a professional series filter its not for the average hobbyist who will pull it out of the box, hook it up (without understanding instruction), and watch the pretty fish swim by.

Here is what I found -

1). The filter weighs 23lbs empty it holds 2.5 gallons of water at 8.5lbs per gallon. When full of media and water, this filter weighs 45lbs. Not something you want to move around a lot.

2). Since I considered myself a semi-pro fish keeper I hooked the filter up without reading or understanding the instructions A Big Mistake. Micro-bubbles and leaking like you wouldn't believe.

3). Take the time to inventory what is in the box and understand the components.

4). Per the instructions, keep the hoses to a minimum length. A straight shot from the canister to tank is best. (I found this vital to eliminating micro-bubbles).

5). When hooking the hoses to the canister mechanism, DO NOT hand tight only. You will need to use a wrench to completely tighten. Caution do not over tighten or plastic will crack. (this step is vital to eliminating micro-bubbles)

6). Make sure the canister is full of water prior to priming. Instruction say 2 pushes of the prime button ignore this and plan on 10-15 pushes with some wait time in between.

7). Placement of the media baskets in the canister is CRITICAL. Make sure the top cylinder of each tray has the rubber gasket on (these fall off easily).

8). Place the bottom basket in the canister, next one on top. Critical that you stick your finger down the hole to make sure the 2nd tray is seated on the 1st. Repeat for all trays. Make sure they snap together.

9). Make sure to keep the rubber ring (gasket) on the top lid lubricated. I used small amounts of vaseline it works great.

10). On 1st set up you can expect micro-bubble for the first few hours. You can wait it out, or slightly tip the canister to a side to remove faster. If bubbles prolong check that your hoses are tightly connected. No hand tightening. Check that you have the shortest possible hose run and that it is not obstructed.

11). I would highly recommend this filter to anyone who want to pay attention to detail, and set it up correctly. Leaking and Micro-bubbles are for those who don't understand how the filter works.

I am not sure why other's have reviewed this filter with "micro-bubbles". I have been using my C360 for a 60-Gallon tank and have been nothing but delighted. It does take some patience setting each tray appropriately on each of the previous tray placements, but the unit is difficult to snap the top on if all trays aren't set propery. To me, this is a self evident tip, I haven't done something right... Not a problem with the unit itself. Other than a few drops of water when I remove the tubing head, there is no mess at all around the aquarium. Very easy to use, very efficient, and very quiet...

A great filter... I am buying two more for my soon to be aquired 125 Gallon...

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I am a noobie when it comes to Aquariums...however, the new home I purchased had an outdoor Koi pond, which was not deep enough to keep them out during the winter (in the Northeast). I went and purchased a 125 Gallon tank and the C-360...it is very easy to use, and when you need to clean it, just turn a knob, pull out the hoses and take the filter away without spilling but maybe a drop of water...clean it, flush it and connect it and you are back and running...VERY easy...my water looks clear and clean with 12 Koi! :)

Read Best Reviews of Marineland PC-ml160 Multi-stage Canister Filter Here

The reviews left by others had stopped me from buying the ML360 canister filter.

I was trying similar products with better reviews that ended up not working for my set up.

Fluval 306 too loud for me.

Aquastop Canister too loud, impeller rattle, not enough room for the media I liked to use. The UV Sterilizer is a plus!

As a last resort I purchased the ML360. After 1 week of running this filter I have no complaints, yet.

I wanted something that was quiet. A low hum was ok, I just didn't wan't to hear the filter when I was reading or trying to fall asleep.

I love the sturdiness of this filter, everything seems to be of good quality plastic,nothing is cheap, thin, or mediocre. Clamps snap on firmly.

The vinyl tubing has a 3/4" inner diameter and 1" outer diameter and its tough to manage, but not impossible. A few cuts and adjustments does the trick.

I was having a hell of a time keeping the intake U-tube in place while adjusting the heavy hosing. I ended up using a 90* elbow to get to the filter to prevent any kinks.

I didn't like the media that the filter came with. I use SeaChem's media (bottom to top) Carbon Matrix, PhosGuard, Purigel, Matrix, and ML Polishing Pad included with the filter.

Water flow is great, i'm using am in-line 10 Watt UV sterilizer on the return line and the water pressure hasn't gone down at all.

The water exhaust nozzle has a vent adjustment so you can aim to different streams of water, very useful. I have one disturbing the surface tension on the tank and one going down and towards the far side of the tank.

What you will like: It is quiet, NOT silent, you can hear a low hum, but it doesn't over power a quiet room. (Bedroom in my case)

What you should consider: Take an hour out of your schedule to get the tubing just right. I suggest getting some 3/4" 90* elbows if your aquarium stand has a small opening for hoses and cables. I 'd spend the extra $40 and get your own media.

Side Note: Media of good quality that will mitigate water changes and keep the aquarium crystal clear. I find SeaChem good for this. The 4 years i've been keeping fish I find that SeaChem products are the best, never had issues with Ammonia, Phosphates, Silicates and Nitrates stay around 10ppm. I usually do a 30% water change every month. Media change/re-charge every 4 5 months.

Good luck finding what you're looking for. Hope I helped you in some way.

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Easy to get hooked up and even the filter media is included. Runs quietly and has resulted in my 55 gallon aquarium having the cleanest water I have ever had. Very impressive. Well worth the money!

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Microbe-Lift Special Blend for Home Aquariums

Microbe-Lift Special Blend for Home Aquariums, 16-OunceThis is by far the most effective aquarium additive I have ever used. It's speeds up the cycle and significantly reduces the frequency of water changes ... without polluting the water with chemicals. I still test my water regularly just less water changes. There's really no need to add anything else. Highly recommend.

After using Microbe Lift PL in my pond, I found out about Microbe Lift's in-home products. True to form, the aquarium products stink just as much as the pond stuff (the smell goes away after a few minutes), but it works wonders! Crystal clear water; reduced algal growth in my 125 gal. fresh water, and 50 gal reef-tanks; and and vibrant, healthy, active fish.

100% natural and I swear by these products.

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I was looking for a product that would extend water changes in my fresh water fish tank and create a healthy environment for my fish. When I was at Petco, they recommended Microbe-Lift Special Blend. I used it as instructed and this product is excellent. The water is crystal clear and I haven't changed the water in 4 months; it says you can go up to 6 months. This product does smell like rotten eggs, which is normal; however the smell goes away within minutes. I highly recommend this product for anyone who is tired of water changes and wants a healthy environment for their fish. The product sates you can use this for salt water fresh as well.

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Found this stuff at PetCo and gave it a try, I love it. It smells horrible, but it works. I have 5 aquariums from 150g to 10g, had no problems at all. I bought niteout originally but Special Blend alone has worked for me. Never had any water problems. I recommend this over all other bacteria supplements. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

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This product does have a bad smell at first that dissipates quickly. Hydrogen Sulfide (the source of that rotten egg smell) induces a state of "hibernation" so the bacteria survive longer. It is added as a type of preservative if you will. I crack the top, measure it out, quickly re-cap the bottle and then toss my dose in the tank. The smell lingers in the room for just a bit but it doesn't make your tank water stink. Once the process of opening the bottle and kicking up that smell is over and airs out I don't have any smell sticking around. My ammonia and nitrites are both at 0ppm with nitrates 30ppm. For the first time in 5 years my plants are growing instead of keeling over on me. I haven't been using it long, but I'm really glad I found it. Smell aside :)

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Nutrafin Aqua Plus Water Conditioner

Nutrafin Aqua Plus Water Conditioner, 16.9-OunceI really love the size of the container for the price. It is much cheaper than my LFS. I absolutely love the cap because it has measurements in it and I think that every liquid product should come with a measuring cup on the cap as well. It is a must now!

Don't overuse it.I caught myself overusing it when I bought the large bottle with the pump and after about 2 weeks I noticed it was half way gone and I lost a couple of my saltwater fish not cheap ones either but just read the label and you will be fine and the product works great unless you are the type of person who has a hard time taking time to read directions,Thank you great product.

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I use this in every water change and evap fill. This is awesome at detoxing the metals from water and softening it as well so hard tap is even safe in salt water tanks.

Read Best Reviews of Nutrafin Aqua Plus Water Conditioner Here

I use Aqua Plus every time I do water changes in my aquarium. I have used this product for many, many years with 100% success. It not only takes out chlorine and chloramine in tap water, it neutralizes toxic heavy metals like lead and copper, and protects fish scales and fins. It also contains a patented stress-reducing formula that includes Valerian Root. Other water conditions may claim to be as good, but it's been so successful for me over the years, I won't use anything else. When the fish store I frequent stopped selling it because "it costs more than other brands" I searched for it at other fish stores. Although I did find it, Amazon's price was amazingly lower.

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best used in saltwater tanks excellent clears chlorine and makes very safe even with soft and hard coral Highly recommend

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