? on Diatom Filters.

T

Trandall

New member
What are your thoughts on the use of a diatom Filter? I'm not talking all the time I'm talking about using one to correct a problem.

What happened to me is I had a Calcium precipitation thing happen. Didn't buffer properly and now I have tiny particulate pieces in my tank that just will not filter out no matter what I do, water changes, etc. At times looks like a tiny snow storm. All my water parameters are great and everything is now well balanced. Corals & fish are doing fine.

I've been told that a Diatom Filter will *polish* the water and make it sparkle. Tanks doing great but the water just isn't clear.
Thoughts?
Thanks~

Terri Randall
 
Diatom filters use the silicious frustules (shells) of Diatoms which are very Porous to screen out very small particles, 1 micron or larger I think. A diatom filter is only to be used occasionally because the frustules get clogged so you shouldn't leave the media in for a while. If the particles are very small, a Diatom filter may work. I've heard of these filters being used for organic particles so I don't really know how they'd handle inorganic matter but if you do use, please be careful not the inhale the Diatomaceous earth cuz it can mess up your lungs.
 
I think its the best "not necessary" piece of equipment out there. Its great for stirring up sand periodically, getting tank water spotless, ich, great for newly set up tanks, moving around rocks every cpl months and get all that detritus out.

Annoying to start up and change powder, but a cool little machine and I think will definitly clear water column
 
I bought mine to polish the water, and have used it once in two years. They are a pain to set up, and mine blows microbubbles all over the place.
 
Just get a HOT Magnum filter. Use the micron filter with it and throw in sum diatom powder. Works great. I used it when I set my tank up, cleared it up in no time.
It can also be used for multiple other situations.
 
Thanks. I actually have a HOT Magnum already and have been using it but not with diatom powder it it. Never thought of that application.
Thanks~
 
They are definately not necessary but the bigger the tank the more handy they can be as I can't think of anything that can clear cloudy water faster than a diatom filter.
 
Paul B never posts here.
Oh maybe he does.
I am on my fifth diatom filter and I personally could not have a 37 year old tank without one. Eventually you will need to get those particles out of a tank and a diatom is the only think that will do it. They are a pain to start at first until you get used to it. Just don't go by the instructions.
Paul
 
Hi Paul. I bought a diatom. Now, to set it up and get it to run properly. I just saw your post where you said NOT to follow the directions. Would you mind sharing with me how to go about setting it up properly? I would appreicate your input and experience in this. I bought the Vortex model XL if that helps.
Thank you for any insight you can provide.
 
I have a couple of Vortex XL's. Great filter. I think the instructions say to kink the hose and let it run until the jar is clear or something like that. That will take forever but you can try it.
To put the powder in, put the recommended amt of powder in a container with some tank water. Put the diatom filter on the floor and hold the hoses up so they are not kinked or looped.
I usually put the filter on the floor and hold the hoses up in my vise but you can just hold them in your hand. Put a funnel on the "intake" hose and pour in the water and powder. Keep both hoses up and at the same level. Finish filling the filter with tank water through the funnel. When the water comes to about an inch from the top of the hoses, you need to put the two hoses together. You probably have a "U" tube or some other kind of device that lets the hoses hang out of the aquarium. I just use a rigid plastic tube and put the two hoses together with that.
Bring the filter to the tank and start the motor. If there is too much air in the filter you may have to tilt it to start the pump.
In a minute or two the filter will clear and you can put the both hoses into the water where you have them plugged together.
While underwater, disconnect the tubes from each other.
This is the tricky part. I use a spring clamp to hold the outflow tube into the tank while I install the strainer on the intake tube.
If you have a "U" shapped tube, you can use that to plug the two hoses together and unplug them underwater. The U will hold the outflow tube in place while you connect the strainer to the intake hose.
Don't run it without a strainer or you will suck up your fish.
I put a restriction on the exhaust hose temporarilly to make it into a power washer. I use a plastic thing from a florist that carnations come in. It's like a long skinny funnel.
This of course is not needed but it really scours the rocks.
Good luck
Paul
 
I got my diatom hooked up and running today, but I'm wondering if I have a problem? I followed all the directions to the letter and got the siphon going, etc. with no problem. It's working as I can already see the powder changing color in the jar.

But, occassionally it looks like there is some diatom powder escaping from the exhaust tube into the tank? Could it just be tiny micron bubbles? Or do you think it actually is the diatom powder? If it could be the diatom powder, why would it be sporadically coming out of the exhaust tube? How would I correct this problem?

Also, if it is in fact the powder, will it mess up my system? Hurt my corals? etc?

Would appreciate any input.
Thanks

Terri Randall

__________________
 
Thanks Paul. I got your reply. It must be bubbles as there is no cloudy water whatsoever. It happens sporadically and right before it spits out, I hear a small whoosh like sound so am assuming it sucked up a bubble like you said.

I will also follow your advice on black-flushing and not open the canister. I'm fairly certain there's no hole in the bag or the powder would likely continue to come out and not in sporadic blurbs.
After I got it set up & running, I took a powerhead and created a bit of a snowstorm. The diatom is really taking care of it. Polishing the water very nicely.

I'm really likeing this filter. The motor on top does seem to get pretty warm though. I assume that's also normal?

Wonder how long I should run it? I was thinking 2 to 3 days, and doing a rock cleaning snowstorm once each day.

That ought to do it for now I think. You don't run yours all the time do you? I was only looking to polish the water and hopefully help to pull out any remaining ICK that might be in the free floating stages.

Speaking of ICK.... I know I heard a LOT of pros and cons, but I had VERY good luck using *Chem-Marin*, *Stop Parasites*. Did the 5 day treatment and everyone is doing great. This of course is after I lost my porky & male bird wrasse. I did QT them and tried several other remedies including fresh water dips and another medication that was recommended to me. But they both died.

Then I got the Stop Parasites medication and treated the whole display tank < reef safe> because I could not get the purple tang out into a QT tank. Worked great, no spots, everyone is doing well, acting normal, eating well, no scratching, etc. It didn't seem to hurt my corals at all either. They did shed a bit of slime but they all seem fine.

I'm very happy with this medication and will keep some on hand at all times. The guys at VIVID told me they had good luck with it and I decided to give it a go.

Now, I'm hoping since I'm done with the treatment that the diatom will help pul the ick out.

Sorry to ramble, but this has been a long process and I was SOOO careful and I finally see the end for now. Thanks for all your help Paul.
 
Terri I usually run it for a couple of hours. After that time there is nothing else in the water to pull out. They are not made very well and not really capable of continous operation. The seals under the motor on the shaft don't last long but you can order them. They do get hot after an hour or so but thats because they are not very durable and the cooling fins inside and not adaquate.
I personally could not have a reef without one and if they stopped making them, I would have to make them myself.
Paul
 
Diatoms will remove everything that is in the water or can be stirred into the water including paracites and even some bacteria.
They will not remove anything chemical or chemically change anything. Diatoms are easily removed.
 
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