MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter Review

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Whether you’re a new buyer or a seasoned veteran, shopping for a high-quality aquarium filter is always a hassle. Each brand promises the moon, but with your tank inhabitants’ well-being (and your budget) at risk, how can you be sure?

To help your decision, let’s take a look at the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter. Is it right for you?

According to our observations, it’s easy to set up, requires only a little maintenance, and is self-priming.

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With that said, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to fishkeeping tools. Some users may not be satisfied with its large size and might be concerned about noise, and longevity.

Is this the right canister filter for you? Let’s take an in-depth look at the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter and find out.

MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter: The Details

Specs

  • Weight: 2.5 lbs.
  • Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 11 inches.
  • Filter Capacity: 97 gallons.
  • Flow Rate: 290 gallons per hour.
  • Media Stages: Three media stages.
  • Self-Priming or Standard: Self-priming.
  • Warranty: Three-year warranty.

Features

Capacity

The MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter can fit in an aquarium tank of up to 97 gallons. But don’t feel limited by that number.

This filter can accommodate tanks from 50 gallons all the way up to 97 gallons. So long as there is enough water to partly immerse the filter, you should be fine.

Beyond that, the filter can work through 270 gallons of water per hour. In a 90 gallon tank, that means it will clean the water three times in 60 minutes. The waste production of your fish won’t be able to keep up!

Media

This MarineLand Magnum Canister Filter has three stages of filtration and uses a couple of different forms of media. Namely, it leverages chemical filtration via black diamond premium activated carbon.

The activated carbon helps remove odors, discoloration, and water impurities. The Magnum also uses biological filtration by way of a Bio Spira, a kind of bacteria that helps neutralize the growth of ammonia and nitrites.

The canister also uses mechanical filtration via a Rite-size floss sleeve, designed to get rid of larger pieces of debris.

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Priming

There is no priming with this canister filter. Since it works with a submerged motor, the tubing is given automatic access to the water; no need to create a suction manually!

The motor will do all the priming work for you. This is, by far, the best feature on this filter!

Water Polishing

This filter also includes a water polishing feature that removes small and fine debris, ensuring your water is entirely clear.

There is a reusable pleated micron cartridge, which you can place inside the filter to polish the water. This cartridge can also be “charged” with diatomaceous earth to increase its efficiency, polishing the water even faster.

A clear tank is an aesthetically pleasing one, so this added feature helps provide you with crystal-clear views of your tank inhabitants.

MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter Review

The Positives

Super Easy to Set Up

New aquarium-keepers and seasoned experts alike will enjoy the simple set-up process of this canister filter. First, place the foam gasket inside the canister and then shake the canister to orient the gasket properly.

Next, find the internal media container and pour the activated carbon inside. Rinse the container under water until it runs clear. Place the media container and the floss sleeve into the canister.

Attach the canister to the motor by twisting it on. Add the suction cups and mounting bracket to the inside of the tank and slide the canister filter onto the bracket.

Put together the tubing and the diverter, and then attach them to the canister. Fill the tank with water and then plug the canister in. For water polishing, you’ll also insert the micron cartridge into the canister. It’s that easy!

There won’t be much fuss when it comes to getting this filter up and running, which means you’ll have a cleaner tank in no time.

Very Easy to Maintain

To ensure the Magnum canister filter continues working at maximum capacity, you’ll need to change the media. But don’t worry, it’s quite an easy task.

The floss sleeve will need to be changed every two to four weeks, while the activated carbon needs changing once a month.

marineland polishing internal canister filter

Likewise, the micron cartridge should be cleaned or replaced once a month. This process just entails rinsing them in your sink. As such, the cleaning and maintenance of this canister filter are far from demanding.

Whether you’re new to the hobby, or just have a busy schedule, MarineLand has made this canister filter a breeze to maintain so you can spend your time on other things.

Incredibly Easy Priming

How easy is it to prime the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter?

Well, you literally don’t have to do anything. So pretty easy!

The filter is completely self-priming. All that’s necessary is to submerge the filter underwater when you turn it on and the motor will handle the task.

This removes the trouble of trying to suck water up through the tubing.

Highly Versatile

Since an aquarium filter is only capable of a single task (cleaning water), it can’t be versatile. Can it? On the contrary, this filter’s design provides a range of options.

Since this filter works on differently sized tanks, it can be used over and over again on current and future aquariums. So long as the tank is between 50 and 97 gallons in capacity, you can recycle this device across your collection.

Additionally, you can choose how the filter operates in your unique tank set-up. Do you want the everyday three-stage filtration, or would water polishing with the micron cartridge best suit your needs?

You can customize its abilities to fit the quality of your tank.

Exceptionally Durable

Since the outer shell of the canister is made from strong plastic, its interior filtration components are well shielded from damage. As such, this design will last for years to come.

marineland polishing canister filter review

This strong shell also safeguards all the electrical parts from the water, ensuring both the filter and your fish are safe.

You won’t have to worry about replacing your canister filter sooner than later. You can rely on the MarineLand Magnum Canister Filter to keep doing its job without issue. And for the price, that’s a great deal.

Surprisingly Affordable

Speaking of price, we were super impressed at the price-tag on this filter. You get all the above features for a fraction of the price of other high-quality canister filters on the market.

The MarineLand Magnum is priced at under $50 on Amazon! That’s a steal. You won’t have to empty your wallet to ensure your tank stays clean, MarineLand makes it easy to keep a healthy tank.

MarineLand always includes a warranty with their products, so if you find a fault in manufacturing, you know you’re entitled to a repair or replacement.

And since this canister filter is built to last, the little money you spend will go so much further, saving you even more cash in the long run.

Very Efficient

We’re happy to report that this canister filter actually does its job, and it does it well!

Don’t let the price tag fool you, you’ll be impressed with how well this filter performs whether you’re using the filtration, water polishing or both.

It’s great at getting your tank clean, and does so quickly, removing cloudiness and debris before it has enough time to settle. You won’t have to wait around for a couple of days for the Magnum to get the job done. It gets to work straight away!

And while most powerful canister filters can cause quite some noise, we loved how quiet the Magnum is. It won’t be a distraction in common or quiet areas, opening up a variety of locations where you can place it.

marineland polishing canister filter review

The Negatives

Not Compact

Because the MarineLand canister filter works in such large capacities, this, unfortunately, means it isn’t the smallest or most compact design on the market.

You won’t be able to conceal or hide it easily. It doesn’t weigh much – only 2.5 lbs. – but it is rather bulky. If you prefer a more sleek appearance to your tank set-up, this may not be the right product for you.

Pay Attention to Set-Up

While this canister filter is incredibly easy to set-up and use, there are some things to watch out for. If you’re not careful, the canister filter can actually be noisy instead of whisper-quiet like it’s intended to be.

It’s a rather powerful canister filter with a strong motor, and that leads to an abundance of noise. If you’re not careful with the set-up, it will lead to a noisy filter and no one wants their tank to become annoying.

Follow the instructions carefully, and know that if your filter is being noisy, you’ll probably need to make some adjustments. But at least there’s room for improvement!

Here’s a video showing what the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter looks like out of the box and set-up.

Overall Verdict

After looking over all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter.

With its easy set-up process, the self-priming feature, and the effortless maintenance, it’s hard to find anything wrong with this filter.

The noise level and perhaps the size of the filter are the only complaints, and those may not be deal-breakers for everyone.

If you’re in the market for a new filter for your tank, this MarineLand Magnum is definitely worth checking out.

Where to Buy the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter

MarineLand is known amongst hobbyists and enthusiasts for being an affordable and accessible brand, with a wide variety of equipment available from aquariums to filters.

Thanks to their success and popularity, MarineLand items are available around the globe with the MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter available both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check pet and specialty stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

And of course, you can also find this cheap canister filter on Amazon.

MarineLand Polishing Canister Filter Review


That’s the end of our MarineLand Polishing Canister Filter review. Tempted to give it a try?

MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter Rated
  • Build Quality
  • Accessories
  • Design
  • Ease of Use
  • Value for Money
4.5

FCG Verdict

The MarineLand Magnum Polishing Internal Canister Filter is a steal for the price!

It’s easy to use and maintain, packs a ton of power, and is super durable, perfect for getting the job done.

>>> Check current price on Amazon.

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