Diatom filter

[wooden_reefer]

I still have a Vortex Diatom filter that I bought in the very early 80's.

I almost never use it anymore, may be just one or twice in the past 15 years.

When properly charged, diatom filter is effective in filtering out waterborne ich etc. In essense, it simulates the ocean's dilution effect. Most fish remains lightly infested but live happily.

After reading so many SOS ich posts, I think may be the diatom filter still has a major role.

Some people just never have the committment to quarentine against ich. They will allow themselves to get into a bind. Ich in fish in reef tanks, SOS etc.

In a reef tank that is small enough for the diatom filter, it is effective in stabilizing the situation. This gives the aquarist time to figure out a remedial game plan.

BTW, when coated with powder fine activated carbon, the Vortex diatom filter is excellent in picking up many organic chemicals.

 

[ctx00]

I'm glad you posted this - I've been wondering what the heck a diatom filter was, and haven't been able to find any solid advice. I saw the "Vortex Diatom Filter" on a retailer's website and wasn't sure if it was a new invention or a really outdated one.

So would you recommend that reefkeepers should invest in one? They seem relatively cheap, and claim to totally remove the microbes and algal cells that UV sterilizers are supposed to sterilize. I was thinking about testing one out.. I don't generally have parasitic problems, but I do have a big hair algae problem, and the diatom beads/media can supposedly trap the germinating algal cells.

And what do you mean by coating the filter with powder fine activated carbon? Does this simply mean you place the carbon inside the unit and run it?

Heck, if one of these units only costs $40-50, and it can help me save a tang that costs at least twice as much, I think it would be a great safeguard to have.

 

[wooden_reefer]

No, unless you have a lot of cash. It still has marginally uses. Using it with hypo or copper may add extra insurance, which is not wholy necessary. When used with powder activated carbon (coated on after diatom layer) it is a very effective and fast chemical filter.

Good friendship builder when you loan it out to those who don't use quarantine.

Commit to quarantine and you don't need one.