Diatom Filters

Diatom filters are used on a certain occasions when you want to clear the water column of each and every particle- they render the water perfectly clear. They are very useful when you stir up a tank while cleaning, when folks are coming to visit, or to clear certain freeswimming parasite lifestages.
They utilize diatomaceous earth to filter the water to a very high degree- not even a speck of anything is left.

Most of them are not designed for continuous use.
 
They're awesome, i love mine. When i dont have time to do a thorough tank cleaning i stick it on, stir up the gravelas much as i can with my hand and go where ever i need to go. come back in a half hour and its crystal clear.

ryan
 
I have 2 tanks, both 55g. For the spot use as suggested, what type do I need? Is it necessary or wise to have individual diatom filters for each tank? How long does a 5lb box of diatom powder last? Belkow are two diatom filters I looked at from bigals.

Vortex Diatom Filter D-1
This filter has a flow rate of 150 gph.

Vortex Diatom Filter- XL
This filter has a flow rate of 400 gph.
 
The smaller one will work fine- it's up to you.
You'll just use one- rotate them as need be. 5 lbs. will last fairly long (small one takes one cup per use), and when you need to replace it go to a pool supply store and buy it in (even more) bulk.

I will warn you- they are a huge pain in the butt to use. You will more than likely have white powder floating everywhere until you master their quirks. As you read the instructions, pay particular attention to the "alternate charging method"- it works best for me.
 
Don't forget - Diatomaceous Earth is Highly Abrasive!

You don't want this to get in your lungs, on fine, smooth surfaces, on your dog, etc...it wil eventually kill softbodied animals such as slugs, worms...

The diatoms exoskeletons make up the substance, making it both fine, but highly abrasive - pretty good as a strong polish for metal, though!
 
I recently ran my diatom filter for 1 week straight/24 hours per day in my q-tank to help clear up a massive ich breakout. It worked really great and all my fish in the q-tank survived.

I'll also use the diatom filter when I add some playsand to one of my tanks.

5lbs of diatom powder lasted me about a year.
 
Cearbhaill said:
The smaller one will work fine- it's up to you.
You'll just use one- rotate them as need be. 5 lbs. will last fairly long (small one takes one cup per use), and when you need to replace it go to a pool supply store and buy it in (even more) bulk.

I will warn you- they are a huge pain in the butt to use. You will more than likely have white powder floating everywhere until you master their quirks. As you read the instructions, pay particular attention to the "alternate charging method"- it works best for me.
Click to expand...

A sure way to put the D.E in so that it doesnt float everywhere is to mix some in a cup or other container with water. Then put the cup right where the inlet is so that it will take up the D.E. mixture and it will evenly distribute throughout the filter. I dont have one but this is similar to what i have to do for my pool filter.
 
I'd recommend the Vortex XL for 55g and up. A friend of mine has a 55g and it works fine on it.. They really do work wonders on "polishing" the water.

The Vortex XL will take less time to clean the tank than the Vortex D-1.

As I mentioned in the past, the Vortex comes with poor instructions. Here's a great website showing the best way to set-up the Vortex. This person should get paid (by Vortex makers) for making and sharing this info

Link: http://www.carolinagal.com/diatom.htm

You might want to print it out since who knows how long the site will continue to be online...
 
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Thanks for all the replies. I started thinking about purchasing a diatom filter after water changes on Saturday. The water in the rural town I live in will periodically contain a sediment that gives the water a yellowish color. The water department claims that it is harmless. Water reports and my crude tests are normal. This picture is immediately after a 50% water change. My AC 300s cleared it in less than an hour but I would have liked to filtered it further with the diatom. All inhabitants are alive and kicking! I will be purchasing the Vortex XL this week.

Scott
cloudytank.jpg
 
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