Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter Review

An aquarium is only as good as its filter. Without a good filter, an aquarium will not only get dirty – its inhabitants run the risk of being exposed to disease.

Finding and deciding on the right filter for your tank can be a tough process, and the one you choose can make all the difference.

The Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter is a great choice for both saltwater and freshwater aquariums that are on the smaller side (around 55 gallons).

It boasts a three-stage filtration system designed to ensure a deep clean as well as a simple to use design that works faster so you can rest easy.

If you’re interested in the Magniflow 220, here are the details to help you in your search for the perfect filter.

Marineland Magniflow 220 Canister: The Details

Specs

• Weight:7 lbs.
• Dimensions:2 x 9.2 x 15.5 in.
• Filter Capacity: 55 gal. (30 gal. in the 160 GHP model and 100 gal. in the 360 GHP model)
• Media Stages: Chemical, mechanical, and biological
• Self-Priming or Standard: Self-priming
• Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

Features

The Magniflow Canister Filter boasts new features that set it apart from other filters on the market today.

These features are designed to make the device mess free and consumer friendly.

Marineland created this filter so that less work needs to be put in without sacrificing the work that it puts out – and this product puts out a lot of work.

Canister Lid

One thing about filters is that their lids can easily come off, resulting in its contents spilling all over the floor.

To combat this, the Magniflow 220’s canister lid contains a water-tight seal that reduces the mess that filters are known for.

Just press down on the lid to make sure you create a tight seal and voila.

The canister is also easy to remove despite fitting snugly on the device, which is a definite plus.

No more miniature floods pooling under the aquarium, no more mess, and no more elbow grease.

Stack n’ Flow Filter Trays

Poorly designed filter trays are a hassle because small amounts of water tend to leak out of them.

However, the Magniflow 220 forces water through the filter trays – not around them – for optimal three-stage filtration.

These filter trays  also fit snugly within the device, which ensures that the device will work to its full capacity.

 

Quick Prime Button

Priming filter tubes is a pain to perform manually, as any aquarium enthusiast can tell you.

This device features a new quick prime button that fills the filter chamber with water for self-priming system start-up.

You won’t have to worry about getting your hands dirty or wondering if you’ve thoroughly primed your tubes, and you won’t have to attempt to manually siphon before getting loads of aquarium water in your mouth.

Valve Block

The Magniflow 220 has a quick release feature that shuts down water flow and separates it from the motor housing for quick maintenance and no spills.

This makes filter cleaning less of a headache-inducing chore and makes maintenance a quicker task.

Three-Stage Filtration

What makes this filter worthwhile is its three-stage filtration system that includes chemical, biological, and mechanical stages.

The chemical filtration stage consists of a carbon bag with Black Diamond premium carbon that removes water impurities, discolouration, and odours.

The biological filtration stage features bio-balls and ceramic rings that house a large surface area, which promotes the growth of Bio-Spira and ammonia-neutralizing bacteria.

The mechanical filtration stage uses filter foam pads to capture the detritus that riddles the tank.

Basically, you’ll be getting a thorough clean that’ll keep your tank alive and help it to thrive.

Water Polishing

It’s one thing to get the water clean, but does it actually look clean?

The Magniflow 220 has a water polishing feature that will make your tank look as clear as day.

It contains a polishing filter pad that acts as a water polisher, removing the fine debris that other filters can’t. This is a feature unique to this filter, one that you won’t find in most filters on the market.

Chambers

As previously stated, the Magniflow 220 has a three-stage filtration system, but in total, it has four distinct chambers that the water is cycled through to conduct a thorough clean.

This includes the chambers for water polishing, biological filtration, chemical filtration, and mechanical filtration – in that order.

Marineland Magniflow 220 Canister Review

The Positives

Aside from the slew of new features this filter provides, there are many other positive things going for it as well along with it’s sleek and trendy design.

Quiet

Powerful filters are often loud, which can become a nuisance that most people don’t want to deal with.

Your aquarium is already big enough to see – there’s no need to hear it, too!

This device is powerful but operates quietly so that you won’t slowly lose your mind from all the whirring and sputtering.

Warranty

Marineland offers a limited three-year warranty for the Magniflow Canister Filter, eliminating the worry that comes should something break down.

As far as warranties go, this is one of the longest-lasting ones you’ll find on the market, whereas most filters are covered for a maximum of two years.

Of course, this warranty only covers defects in the product that aren’t caused by human error, so make sure to read the directions and handle this device with care.

Cost

Luckily this device isn’t costly and won’t put a significant dent in your budget.

It’s generally priced lower than competing brands, though the cost varies depending on which retailer you decide to purchase from.

Just because it’s relatively cheap, it doesn’t mean the quality suffers – which is surprising and rare for canister filters!

User Friendly

Assembly and maintenance for the Magniflow 220 is very user friendly, and it comes with comprehensive directions that help eliminate the guesswork.

It’s designed to be straightforward so that less time is spent fiddling and more time is dedicated to having it up and running.

The set-up itself is fairly easy and won’t leave you scratching your head for answers.

Marineland took into consideration the needs of its consumers and put work into designing this filter accordingly.

The included tote-handle acts as a bonus for easy portability.

Easy Cleaning

Thanks to its user friendly design, the Magniflow Canister Filter is also super easy to clean.

The filter is easy to pull apart for cleaning or repairs and should take a matter of minutes to put everything back together after cleaning – even if you’re a newbie.

All it takes is simply popping the tab up on the valve block to stop the flow before disconnecting the clips. When it’s all clean, just reverse and plug it back in.

Thanks to the valve block, you won’t have to worry about too many leaks or spills during the process. No more cleaning day dread!

This easy process also makes the canister easier to maintain so you can easily prolong the life of your filter. Did we say easy?

Here’s a video showing a set-up and cleaning of the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter.

Works Quickly

It’s great when a product can perform right at the start.

The Marineland Magniflow runs with a great flow rate to get your tank crystal clear in a matter of hours after setting it up.

And it doesn’t stop there, the Magniflow will work to keep your tank and glass looking clean and clear for months.

Durable

The Magniflow canister is built to last with a heavy duty construction and high quality materials.

Marineland skips the use of flimsy plastic and instead uses long-lasting materials for professional quality.

This combined with its long term warranty will make sure you won’t have to go through buying a whole new replacement any time soon.

Includes Media

This is an especially important note for beginners.

The Magniflow filter includes media with your purchase to get you started and to cut some costs. This will give you a good head start when setting up your filter.

The Marineland Magniflow Filter also includes all the tubing and everything else you will need to get your filter up and running in no time.

The Negatives

No filter is without fault, so here are some things to look out for if you want to purchase this device.

It’s Not a HOB

Hang-on back filters (or HOB’s) are mounted on the back of the aquarium for space conservation and convenience.

The Magniflow 220 isn’t a HOB and has to be placed near or underneath your aquarium. This means that you will need more space to house it, which can be difficult to arrange if you don’t have a forgiving spatial arrangement.

If space is an issue for you, then this is something to think about.

One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Should you have a tank that is significantly smaller or larger than 55 gallons, you shouldn’t get this device.

It won’t work nearly as well and you will run into issues concerning the cleanliness of your tank.

This line of filters does have models that accommodate smaller and larger sizes, so if your tank doesn’t meet the size requirements, then you will need to invest in a different model.

O-Rings

There has been some confusion regarding the o-ring that comes with the device.

The o-ring doesn’t come installed on the lid and needs to be lubricated with silicone grease before installation.

This isn’t outlined in the instructions and may cause issues if you didn’t know this fact beforehand.

Overall Verdict

We recommend the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter for anyone with a freshwater or saltwater aquarium. The positives far outweigh the negatives, and it will prove to be the filter that you’ve been looking for.

With features like water polishing, quiet performance, and three stage filtration, you’ll be able to get your tank looking crystal clear with ease.

Just make sure you’re aware of the hidden catches beforehand, which we’ve outlined here, and you’ll be able to make a clearer decision.

Where to Buy The Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter

Thanks to its great performance and reasonable pricing, the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter can be easily found in-store and online.

To start, check out the following online retailers:

• Pet Co (from $131)
• Pet Mountain (from $99)
• Drs Foster Smith (from $129)

 

And of course, it’s available on Amazon.

---

That’s all for our review on the Marineland Magniflow Canister Filter. Tempted to give it a spin?