Up to 150 Gallons

If you have a larger tank you may have had considerable problems finding a filter that would suit it, not only for power and rate of flow, but also for reliability and price. If this is the case with you, you could do worse than consider purchasing the Marineland C-530 Filter. Exquisitely engineered for efficiency, these steel canister filters ensure that the usual problem of water bypassing the filter is eliminated, and can handle any tank up to a capacity of 150 gallons.

It's often found in larger tanks that an inefficient or poorly designed filter allows impure water to actually bypass the filtration media. This can be quite a problem, because as wastes collect in the tank, bacteria in the water start to bloom, and can turn the water very cloudy. This usually ends with you having to replace all the water in the tank, with all the associated problems, or with having to purchase an entirely new filter, which can really bite into your budget.

The C-530 prevents these issues through superior design. Not only does this design prevent bypass, but it also provides for different levels of filtration by including different kinds of filtration systems in a single appliance and package. These include, of course, traditional mechanical filtration, but also add to this biological filters that harness micro organisms to further break down wastes and ensure complete filtration of the water. And there are chemical filters as well to further ensure purity.

As you can see, the makers of the C-530 have really tried to put together the complete filtration package. There is a valve block that can ensure a rapid shutting down of the filter – and this can also eliminate those messy spills when you maintain the filter. It also features hassle-free startup, and you can prime it at the touch of a single button. And of course it comes already supplied with all the media necessary to efficient operation. It may seem strange to mention this as a feature, but we noticed that some of the filters we examined actually were supplied without the filtration media, which has to be purchased separately! Not so the C-530.

Pros and Cons

So what the main points in favor of this filter?

• Powerful, with built in anti-bypass features
• Easy to install, with all necessary filtration media already included
• Anti spill features ensure the minimum of mess during maintenance
• Effortless startup and shutdown is part of the intrinsic design

Points against?

• On testing, it was found that the flow rate can be drastically reduced with extended use
• Components are found to be lower in quality that more expensive makes, but I suppose that's only to be expected
• The outlet nozzle is less dynamic and versatile that supplied with other manufacturers' models

Manufacturers Specs

Marineland C-530 Aquarium Canister Filter - Up to 150 Gallon The C-530 Multi-stage Canister Filter is the solution to canister filtration for a big tank. This revolutionary canister filter is the ideal choice for optimum aquarium 3-stage filtration. These sleek, stainless steel filters are specifically engineered for virtually no bypass. The three stages of mechanical, biological and chemical filtration are accomplished through easy-access stack n' flow filter trays and rite size X filter pads. Other amenities include a valve block for quick shut down and spill-free maintenance, a quick prime button for easy no-mess startup, and a complete package of filter-specific media included for instant setup. Thos canister has a flow rate of 530 GPH and is designed for tanks up to 150 gallons.