Vortex Diatom Filter

Absolutely love mine.. I hook a gavel to the intake when cleaning my tanks. Nothing. Like A complete gravel vac without water change

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I've still go the original one I bought in the early eighties. Well made product for sure. They prime just like any canister filter. On initial startup they are notorious for getting an air pocket right at the impeller so the impeller cavitates. I start mine by sucking the output to start the siphon. Once the pump is running I take a little container ( like a 3lb ricotta tub) and put it in the tank and transfer the hoses so they are inside the tub. Then I lift the tub up so the pump is "cleaning" the water in the tub and I put the diatom powder charge into the tub while the filter is running. Once it is running clear I lower the tub and put the hoses into the tank. Takes longer to explain than to do it. Also the filter came with a "Mason" jar as the filter body. All glass. Make sure you have no air leaks and the turbulence tube is in correctly on the input side.
 
rastoma said:
I don't think any amount of explaining what you just tried to explain will explain what you're actually doing. :hypnotized:

I'm dizzy just reading it :)
Click to expand...
All I am doing is starting the filter in the tank without a diatom charge. Then I use the container to add the powder. Since it's a smaller volume of water the filter charges faster and no powder gets into the tank at all. You just get the input and output hoses in and out of that container while it's running. Really simple and effective way to charge the filter if you don't happen to have the recharge valve that Vortex sells for it. I'm too cheap to buy it and haven't really ever needed it.
 
GraphicGr8s said:
All I am doing is starting the filter in the tank without a diatom charge. Then I use the container to add the powder. Since it's a smaller volume of water the filter charges faster and no powder gets into the tank at all. You just get the input and output hoses in and out of that container while it's running. Really simple and effective way to charge the filter if you don't happen to have the recharge valve that Vortex sells for it. I'm too cheap to buy it and haven't really ever needed it.
Click to expand...

I use a small plastic bottle to charge mine after its running


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I've been using the diatom filter for thirty years and it's a wonderful piece of equipment. I use to use mouth to start siphon now I turn canister upside down as instructions suggest it's tricky at first.

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