Diatom filter - run alone? or with regular filtration?

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MissMelba

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Jul 2, 2004
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South Florida
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Hi,

Sorry if this seems to be a stupid question, but when I run my diatom filter (Santa was good to me! I got a new Vortex XL!) should I turn off the regular filter? I have a wet/dry system with a DIY spray bar. The turbulence is not bad either way. I don't know if I run both will the diatom filter get 'all' of the water?

I wanted the diatom filter as my water is cloudy (white), all the time, from the tap. I plan to run the diatom filter a few hours each week about a day after water changes.

Thanks,

MissMelba


175 gallon - ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 5ppm, ph 6.9 but slowly returning to 7.3 with water changes, kh and gh in 'good' range - a few platies, mollies and panda cories. New 10g Q-tank, waiting for filter media to get colonized in the big tank's filter so I can get more fish.
 
I wouldn't turn off the regular filtration during the time that you run the diatom. The diatom will remove small particulates, but you want the main filter to continue running to deal with ammonia and nitrites.
 
Diatom filters are great! I only use mine from time to time to 'polish' the water. BTW, where do you get your Diatomaceous Earth (the white powder) from?
 
Hi Matak,

I have not purchased replacement Diatomaceous Earth yet as the filter came with a bag of it. We have a lot of LFS's in the area (S. Florida) so I should be ok. The filter came from PetsMart online, maybe they can ship some to you?

regards,

MissMelba
 
MissMelba, wanna save BIG money? Buy your replacement DE powder at a discount pool supply store. Same stuff at about 5% of the cost!
 
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