Marineland Magniflow 180 Canister Filter

The Marineland Magniflow 180 is a canister filter for freshwater or saltwater aquariums up to 30 gallons. It’s rated to move 180 gallons per hour through three stages of filtration: mechanical, chemical and biological. Being a canister, it sits in the stand below the tank, out of sight, with hoses running up to the water.

How the three stages work

Marineland’s Stack N’ Flo trays force water through each media layer in turn rather than letting it slip around them. Foam catches debris first. Activated carbon then pulls out odors and discoloration. Bio-filter balls give beneficial bacteria room to grow, and a polishing pad clears fine particles.

What’s included

• Filter foam
• Activated carbon in bags
• Bio-filter balls
• Polishing filter pads

Replacements use Marineland Rite-Size S media.

Starting it up

Canisters must be full of water before the motor runs. The Magniflow has a quick prime button that fills the chamber so the filter can start itself. Check every hose connection before you plug it in.

Maintenance

The lid has a watertight seal and lifts off for servicing. Rinse foam in old tank water, replace carbon on a regular schedule, and leave the bio-balls mostly alone so you don’t lose the bacteria. Lubricate the lid seal now and then so it closes cleanly. Marineland backs it with a three-year warranty.

Who should look elsewhere

For tanks bigger than 30 gallons, a larger canister such as the Fluval 307 is the better fit. If you’d rather avoid hoses altogether, a hang-on filter like the AquaClear is simpler to set up.