The "New Guy" Story and Marineland C530 review

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
OK, I am cycling my new 90 Gal tank after running the C530 on my 30gal for a week. So far so good. I checked it out inside earlier today and it all looks good.

I did a flourite/blacksand combo for a planted tank and since I was going to let my tank cycle why not see how the filter handles unwashed substrate?? So it's a good test I will let you guys know how it goes. So far so good though, it is hugely better than last night at this time. I need to mix the substrate better so that will make a mess. We will just have to see.

So far enjoying the filter and the flow. For a 90Gal it's a lot of filter. Not as quiet as the Eheim I have decided, but very acceptable.

One of my kids casually opened the lock/shutoff valve mechanism for the intake block and cut off flow. THANK HEAVENS there is a secondary lock. I happened to see there was no flow from the filter and I have no idea how long the shut off vlave was closed for, Didn't get any louder.

So I can say it's kid proof....as long as you don't leave it like that before a holiday.
 
great review I actually just looked at one of these filters yesterday and was thinking about buying it. on another note, Marineland's customer service is excelent. I have a c220 and I broke the little ear where the latch goes on the canister. This is one of the ones that had that problem. I called marineland and explained what happened. I even told the lady i broke it! she listened to what happened and the told me no problem! I will get a new one shipped out to you today! I also run several Fluval filters. I had a 505 that was leaking and replaced the o ring but still leaked. I called Fluval and was pretty much told to get bent. That is how I came to own the marine land. I think I will be buying the 530 to go on my 125 along with the 220 and replace my other Fluval filter.
 
Almost a year now and no follow up from Magnumb on his C530. No news is good news? I am curious how the unit has held up. Many reviews on the Marineland canisters complained of leaks with in 2-3 months.

TxSharker, if you do end up with a 530 let us know how it holds up after a few months. This was the one thing that held me back from getting one of these things. Instead I ended up going with the FX5. This seems to be the exception when it comes to Fluval. It has a very good track record and reviews.
 
I will definetly keep you informed if I have any issue with it. At the moment I am waiting on Marineland to send me the new one. The owner of the LFS has one on his 150 and said it was a beast and has no problem keeping up with his overstocked tank. I asked about leaks and he said he hasnt had any problem at all and he has been running it for about 6 months.
 
Great review. I dont own one but im always comparing other filters too the Marineland c-series. I have seen these and love the media room they have. Only thing is that price tag but most of the top name brand filters do have that high price tag though. Their is a great how to video series on youtube for the Marineland c-360 and even that 3 basket canister is a monster.
 
Would the C-530 be too much for a 75 gallon ? I was thinking of getting the 360 but was thinking why go small when you can go big ?
 
This was a pretty good right up with some exceptions. You say this is your first canister filter so I don't understand how you're comparing it to eheim and fx5s. Actually from reading it you'd think you talked to eheim pimps/fx5 haters to gather your info about the two. I can tell you one thing. I have an Eheim 2080 and an fx5 and they're both silent. I have to put my ear two inches from either one to hear it. For you to say it's far quieter is dishonest and makes it seem like you think you have to put down the fx5 because it's supposed to be the big boy of the canisters. Even though the 2080 holds more media and flow seems comparable. I don't see any or much chance for bypass on an fx5 either. I guess you could silicone the trays together to seal completely but I'd think the way they fit together combined with the pressure of the lid clamping down tight would make them virtually bypass free. Decent review but in the future you can let the product stand on its own merits without having to say it's as good or better than a product you haven't owned or used. This does have me interested into looking into one of these for a future tank.
 
Appreciate the review. This was a filter I was considering for my syno tank ( I got them a FX5) and still would consider it later for another tank now.
 
I bought this C-530 filter for my 75 gallon, I really like it.. The prime button is a real PITA and requires some heavy pumping initially to get it going.
 
Hmmm...writes a big long review then disappears :screwy:
 
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