Diatomaceous Earth

[goreefer]

I also use a Vortex Diatom Filter. I have used one for over 20 years and swear by them. I do not use it full time, but use it when there is some type of problem that I want to filter out junk in the water. It will not filter out chemical problems that are in tap water, you should use a RO unit for that. You can add carbon to the filter and it will remove some of the organics, but I still use my RO for purifying tap water.
As far as it being able to filter out ich, remember that it will only get what is free floating in the water. You will still need to treat the fish. There is tons of entries about how to treat in the disease topics.

 

[swoop_ds]

This sounds like a really great product. I did a search on ebay.ca and found a couple for around 100CDN$ before shipping.

So is the general consensus on this is that they are good as disaster remedies?

I think they would kill 'good stuff' in the water column if they were ran 24/7 so I don't think that that would be an option but it seems like it could be a good filter for a qt tank or like I said, in emergencies on the display tank.

 

[wds21921]

The DE filters have been around for quite a while. I remember seeing them in the late 70's being used to quickly clean out retailers tanks.

In theory it probably would work well for free floating parasties including Ich however, the chances of it removing bacterial problems may be limited.

Also as stated, what about pods and such that are beneficial to the tank and it's inhabitants?

I think it would probably make a great 'main filter' for a QT tank as it would eventually remove anything that might happen to come in with your 'fish'.
I'll assume that when you suggested treating fish with it you may have been toying with the idea of introducing the DE powder directly into the water of the tank?

I think it would simply amount to Asbestosis for your fish in that practice. Like Asbestos in humans the damage is the actual sticking and non-removal of the mineral fiber which causes the damage. Essentially the fiber really doesn't do anything at all. What it does do though is it leaves an open wound that will never heal. That leaves you open ot a host of many diseases that would normally simply pass through your system when the mucous lining your lungs would entrap and expel it
I would think we're eventually and probably looking at the same thing here.
You may be able to do it and get away with it and have good results, many or a few times. The potential for it to create asbestosis like conditions though is probable.

In the case of corals now, to take it one step further, I'd never even consider this.
Since most corals are covered or coated with a very thin membrane the potential here for outright disasterous effects far outweight the benefits IMO.

I think the 'concept' though is good and could lead to further use of this as a treament of sorts. Good thinking!!!

 

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7016736#post7016736 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ledford1
Are you talking about DE filters or the pulverized DE that you can sprinkle on the ground or on insects?


That's what I'm afraid of - irritation to the gills or perhaps even the eyes. However, there are a few claims to be fish-safe - just sprinkle some of the fine powder into the tank. I'm not sure if that will actually work though.

The DE used for the Vortex and Magnum filters is baby powder fine. You mix it with water in the filter and run the filter closed loop, the suspended powder collects on an internal filter bag once the pump is running. You have a set of lines if the filter isn't "hang on" with a valve that transfers the flow from closed loop to filtration mode. When the filter bag is coated with the DE it filters down to 1 micron sized particles.

The DE isn't a treatment it's a filter media.

 

[hllywd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7116325#post7116325 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by swoop_ds
This sounds like a really great product. I did a search on ebay.ca and found a couple for around 100CDN$ before shipping.

So is the general consensus on this is that they are good as disaster remedies?

I think they would kill 'good stuff' in the water column if they were ran 24/7 so I don't think that that would be an option but it seems like it could be a good filter for a qt tank or like I said, in emergencies on the display tank.

24/7 isn't a good idea because of the pods an things. They have always been touted as "water polishers". They have a carbon you can add with the DE. I can't say if it's really beneficial to the tank but it makes the water look nice....

 

[enamdjd]

I have used the Vortex diatom filter; since I was a kid back in the 70's. The filter is great to polish water and presently I use it routinely in my QT just in case there is the free floating form of ich.

Dr. A.