Who uses a diatom filter?

[Paul B]

Mine are very old but if I didn't take them apart numerous times they would have croaked long ago. It's not just the rust. The bronze bearings are not real good and the seals don't last very long so they suck air and leak. When they age, they overheat which is why there are big holes all over mine, to cool them down. I even drilled holes through the motor bearings so I can keep a lot of oil on them. I can keep them going forever, but many people would have a problem because I am nuts

 

[MrineLfRlz]

i used a magnum 350 with a micron filter when i setup my 40g long. i did not use the powder, i was lazy and did not feel like going to the pool store lol

but it worked well.

Has anyone else tried this if so i might just go this route and use the DE.

 

[Keyvan S]

My pump died..so now I run it with a submergible pump attached to the intake hose


KS

 

[cloak]

Isn't a diatom filter just a matter of having a bunch of media downstream? Different, but the same?

 

[Paul B]

There is no media in a diatom filter, it is just fine filtering powder that does nothing to the water chemistry which is exactly how I want it to work. I am not big on things that change anything chemically as seawater is very stable as long as you don't mess with it.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

update

update

The link i posted before were i found a vortex diatom filter i called them just a few minutes ago and was told that vortex was not going out of business they have had a fire and a flood so production will be very little right now but they will come back from this and be back to full production.:thumbsup:

 

[MrineLfRlz]

found some here
http://www.pet-discount-supply.com/fish/vortex_diatom_canister_filters-vor00010.htm

They dont have alot in stock so if anyone wants one they have them!!!

I just ordered my XL filter a extra bag and a recharge valve.
So i can get the DE from a pool place then correct and its fairly cheap?

 

[rjallen]

I had a diatom filter back in the old under gravel filter days. I was poking around and found the company in Florida. Turns out I knew the family when I owned a Dive Store as they do or used to own/ operate Vortex Springs. I think some of the original family still are involved with the springs. They sell the filters directly I believe. They also sell parts for at least some of the older units. Sorry PaulB, the wind powered filters are no longer supported but the electrical powered ones are supported or at least some of them have replacement parts available. Since they still manufacture the systems, they may have and can suggest substitute parts as well.
They have a great many uses and I will be getting another in the future.

RJA

Vortex Springs is a open water/ cavern dive. There is a cave but is usually gated. They offer camping and a very nice partially wooded setting. They also fill tanks. The springs are used by scuba instructors as part of the check out dive process. They are located in the panhandle of Florida.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

I have seen the light!!!!

I have seen the light!!!!

Well im a believer!
This filter is great does what everyone says it does filters everything bad stuff goes in absolutely nothing but clean water comes out!
I love the design were nothing but clean water goes through the impeller and i have not let water get anywhere near the outside of this thing im being very careful since these rust easily and i dont want to find this out the hard way.
The only thing is the bag of DE that came with it isnt enough so i ordered 25lb bag w/shipping for under $20. When im done using it to clean my entire system 4 tanks connected i will clean it up, dry it off very well, put it in the box, throw some silica packs in and seal it up for safe keeping.
THIS THING ROCKS

 

[Paul B]

25lbs will last you forever. The diatom powder contains carcinogens so don't breath the powder. It is basically glass dust, kind of. Or silica. Sometimes it is hard to get the powder but a swimming pool place has it very cheap.

 

[MrineLfRlz]

25lbs will last you forever. The diatom powder contains carcinogens so don't breath the powder. It is basically glass dust, kind of. Or silica. Sometimes it is hard to get the powder but a swimming pool place has it very cheap.

Glass dust wow didnt know that i will remember that thank you very much for the heads up while i was pouring it in the container charging it i spilled some dust but will be very careful from now on!
Thanks again for the heads up Paul

 

[moondoggy4]

Yeah just wear a mask.

 

[joejvj]

The powder is Diatomaceous earth. It is composed of diatom skeletons. It is 90% silica (no it won't dissolve at the pH of saltwater or add silicates to your tank).

It is not a carcinogen. It is used in industries for filtering drinking water, beer, wine, and has many other industrial uses. It is a mild abrasive and used in toothpaste. Breathing the dust can cause irritation in the lungs.

 

[Paul B]

OK, maybe it only causes baldness

 

[richierich2000]

OK question after you run your filter how do you clean it? I have the xl

 

[laga77]

Just run the bag under water after emptying the jar. No need to scrub or wipe the bag. You could tear a hole in it.

 

[Paul B]

I would not open the thing. I just connect the output hose of the filter to a faucet and run water through it in reverse. You have to do it with the unit half filled with water and half with air and shake it.

 

[albano]

I would not open the thing. I just connect the output hose of the filter to a faucet and run water through it in reverse. You have to do it with the unit half filled with water and half with air and shake it.

+1... Paul, is this information in your book?

 

[richierich2000]

Ok back flushed it now how to get the water out?

 

[Paul B]

Albano, I think it is.
Rich, turn it up side down and make sure there is only air in the hoses. Most of the water will drain out. Put it away like that.