If you've never heard of a diatom filter...they're very useful for big tanks...

[Sk8r]

Back in the days of cc bottoms, we used to use them a lot. Now they're much rarer. Modern reefers have probably never seen one in action...
But they are a 30 minute major improvement if not cure (depends on pump strength) for:
1. green water (can fix this one)
2. diatoms on sandbed (turkey baster while using)
3. probably flatworms: I never had to deal with those
4. anoxic water due to....sporulation of caulerpa, coral spawning
5. couldn't hurt, with cyano and other such.
6. sandbed kickup due to rock moving.
7. cleaning of nasty pocket in sandbed: can be very dangerous without this filter.

I think everybody with a mega tank should think about buying one: cheap, compared to other investments.

You don't run them all the time: they'd take out your water micro-life: they stripmine the water and make water so squeaky clean you can't see it.

A powerful one running almost looks like tank-clearing in time-lapse photography. They're that good, that fast. They can clean up water you can't see through into water you'd almost be willing to drink in a very, very short time.

 

[deansreef]

pics or links?

 

[Sk8r]

Here's one: they are not kidding about this---it works in marine or freshwater. An old, old piece of tech that can save your bacon if you come home to any version of this situation, white or green.
http://www.diatomfilters.com/

 

[daven]

I have a 185 (225 total volume) I bought a Magnum 350 for this. It has regular filter (and carbon) and it has a micron filter. Sometimes I just run the micron filter, sometimes I add diatomaceous earth. Either does a wonderful job of water polishing in fairly short order (hours).

Let me say thought, that I've never had a real problem with green water or whatever, just sometimes I wanted to clear it up. Besides, I'm an equipment junkie and sometimes I just buy stuff because

 

[Dino]

Old reefer friend (HS teacher, who in fact sorta jump started me into this hobby) used to use one during his weekly tank cleanings. You don't see them very often, just finding a store even online that sells them anymore is rare. They do work though!

 

[Amoore311]

Couldn't help but notice all of the ones at the link supplied above have been discontinued.

I'll have to look into one of these if they are under $100, like the ones listed in the above link.

 

[buildinboats]

You guys are making me feel very old. I still have one on the shelf, ready to use. Time is passing too quickly my friends.:eek1:

 

[swjim]

I remember diatom filters from my freshwater days as a kid, but I didn't realize they could be used for salt as well. Interesting...

 

[billdogg]

I have 2 - a vortex that rarely gets used, and a System1 Diatom filter that gets used BEFORE every waterchange - before? you ask??? yes - on the fresh saltwater i make up in a 55g barrel - try it - you will be amazed at the gunk that comes out of "clean" saltwater!!! I will also use it as neede on my DT's, but try to limit it's use because, as Sk8tr said - it will filter out too much if you let it. I have been in this hobby for over 20 years - i can't imagine putting unfiltered H2O in my tanks. You can get a System1 filter for about 159$ online. absolutely one of the best purchases you can make IMHO

 

[Arati]

Try having Discuss without one.

 

[Sk8r]

Discus? Yes. I tried discus---wished I'd had one then.

 

[cveverly]

I also remember these. They were the top of the line filter/polisher in their day. The one I had was a hang on that looked like a mason jar with a fan motor on top. :lol:

I have also used a diatom filter on a swimming pool. Worked well but they required a lot of maintenance.

 

[Mark426]

I used to use them...man..I am old too. Anyway...they do work, but are a major pain in the rear. If you do happen to get one...I STRONGLY advise you make several dry/practice runs in a bucket before you try it in your reef. Until you figure it out you WILL fill your tank full of diatom powder.

 

[Sk8r]

Lol---got that teeshirt.
THe only good thing to say about a diatom media accident is that once you getting it running IN instead of OUT it rapidly sucks up the powder it blew into your tank. But it is alarming.

But when you do need them...

A lot of times I come in on some tragic mess in RC and I am pretty sure in many cases if the person had had access to one of these they'd have avoided a tank crash.

Back in Jurassic times, you used to deliberatelly stir your cc sandbed and suck up the result with a diatom filter---clean as a whistle in very short order. Not that I recommend it now; but that's how bad a mess it can suck up, that fast.

 

[orchidsnfish]

I'm not an old reefer and I have one! I have used that thing so much! Just used it yesterday in fact. Out of all the equipment I have the diatom filter if the only thing I have actually worn out! I have this one Vortex D-1
I love this thing! I used it when I set up my 265 and it cleared the mess from drilling live rock overnight. I use it when I blow detritus off my rocks, when I set up a new tank, when the tank looks dingy, etc.

Everyone should own one. I need a new one. Like I said I have used it a ton. They are kind of a PITA to get started, but well worth the effort. Like when you set up a newtank, the sandstorm that usually lasts a few days...you can actually sit there and watch the tank go clear! Within minutes!

Angela

 

[Sk8r]

Hopefully you can just replace a few gaskets and maybe the filter baggy-thing and the thing will still run. The old ones you could probably build the whole filter from a mason jar and spare parts.

But no kidding about solving a sandstorm.