Vortex Diatom D-1 questions

[Aquaman2000]

Just received this last night from Big Al's. Started putting it together, and there were no hose clamps in the box - arrgggg!!!! Oh well, easily fixed, I went to an auto parts store and bought some hose clamps that worked very well. I used the alternate instructions posted here by 80gJoe (Thanks Joe.) All I can say is Wow! The water has never looked clearer. I was in the middle of a mild algae bloom, and it looked horrible. Now though, it is crystal clear. A great purchase.

Now for some questions.
1) I didn't have a way to hook the hose to the faucet to backflush, so I took it apart and cleaned the filter. Seemed to be plenty clean to me - is this method ok? If not is there something I can get at a hardware store to hook up the hose, or do I have to buy the Vortex faucet adapter?

2) I rinsed the filter bag very well, and it was still damp when I put it back together. Will this be a problem? I figure if you backflush to clean, it will be damp too.

3) Do I have to use the Votex brand oil and lube, or will something else work?

Thanks for the help.

[125gJoe]

#3. Stick with Vortex brand oil. It will last a long time and it's not really that $$...

#2. I leave the bag out to dry...

#1. No need to "back-flush", just dump it out and rinse thoroughly..


Your Vortex should have come with heavy duty rubber bands. Guess hose clamps will work fine too..

The Vortex XL and D-1 are very nice to have!!
:)

[Aquaman2000]

Thanks Joe.

Come to think of it, there were some rubber bands. I guess I was confused by the instruction manual, it showed them to be black rings.

Thanks for answering my questions.

You are right, it is a nice thing to have. :)

[gutterguppy]

Actually, I've found that taking it apart and cleaning it actually gets it cleaner than backflushing. When I backflush I always end up with some trapped crap that won't come out.

I also leave mine filled, but I use it at least once a week between all of my tanks. So, I don't think leaving it damp would be a problem, unless you aren't going to use it for a while.

[125gJoe]

gutterpuppy -- Thanks! I have not "back-flushed" my Vortex since it seemed like it would not get all the 'junk' out of it. I have yet to hear of back-flushing and how it went until you mentioned it now. I have always tore it down and cleaned it...
Originally posted by gutterguppy
Actually, I've found that taking it apart and cleaning it actually gets it cleaner than backflushing. When I backflush I always end up with some trapped crap that won't come out. ...I also leave mine filled, but I use it at least once a week between all of my tanks. So, I don't think leaving it damp would be a problem, unless you aren't going to use it for a while. Fungus and other molds grow very quickly! Even in just 2 days... I'd recommend not to leave filled between useages. Putting the fiber filter -damp- in the jar and closing it up until next time is not good either...

[superjohnny]

I know this is a bit off topic, but www.petsmart.com had it cheaper than bigals ;)