Im wondering of any of you run one? What do you think of them? Are they worth it? How often do you run yours? Basicly any personal experiences with them would be great.
Diatom filters
- Thread starter fish_freak
- Start date
Im also curious if they work well at removeing phosphates as this is the main problem with my 90 gallon.
They work great with removing free floating particles in the water. Nothing will make your water cleaner than using a diatom filter. I dont think diatoms will remove phosphate from the water though. I have to check on that.
I don't believe a diatom filter will remove phosphates. Even though diatoms are really small (a few microns) the pores are still large enough for dissolved phosphates to get through. However, holding onto the floating particles instead of letting them float around the tank, may help isolate phosphate producing crud in the filter. That said, I would guess they would still just decompose in the filter and release the phosphates into the rest of the tank?
Is there a test for phosphates by any chance? I am kind of assumeing that is the problem because when I use phosphate remover it clears right up if I dont use it then the tank just stays a little hazy not bad but not crystal clear like I perfer.
yes, I thought you already had one! 
You're just smart (the cloudy water thing is a good observation).
Hagen makes one, as does Seachem. they're both OK for salt and freshwater. For marine, I think they're a concern for sensitive inverts (corals, anemones, etc.). For FW, I need to monitor them for plant nutrients.
You're just smart (the cloudy water thing is a good observation). Hagen makes one, as does Seachem. they're both OK for salt and freshwater. For marine, I think they're a concern for sensitive inverts (corals, anemones, etc.). For FW, I need to monitor them for plant nutrients.
Well Now im going off topic but if I get the test and it turns out to be phosphates are high is there anything I can do to get rid of them other than the phosphate remover that I use? I really dont care to add things to my tank and phosphate remover softens the water a bit which is ok I suppose because the tank has new world cichlids.
Ahh, I'm guessing the phosphate remover works by precipitating (turning dissolved stuff into solids, hence forcing them to fall to the bottom and out of solution). That would also explain why it reduces hardness.
To reduce phosphates, I guess do water changes or add lots of plants? Does anyone else have any others?
To reduce phosphates, I guess do water changes or add lots of plants? Does anyone else have any others?
Yes plah thats how it works exactly. The problem is the phophates only apear after a water change so Im asumeing its comeing from the tap. Plants wont work out JD and Jag both diggers. I will have to pick up a test kit for it to confirm this is the acctualy problem. Also this only happens in the summer. I dont know why but for the last two years this has been a problem for about 2 months a year??