anyone ever used a diatom filter?

Leah · #1 07-28-2009, 04:35 PM

Years ago my dad had one and he swears by them. And keeps asking why I don't get one
it really did a hell of a good job. At least on fresh, I vaguely remember it but we had tons
of tanks and cleaning them all was super amazing with the crap it pulled. That I do remember. Good luck with the search!

BlueAbyss · #2 07-28-2009, 05:00 PM

I used one a couple times in the old freshwater days... amazing machines, diatom filters. Sparkling water in minutes. I do remember reading somewhere that it can increase silicates though, which can produce a diatom bloom.

Lance · #3 07-28-2009, 05:37 PM

I use mine all the time. Got it from mops.ca

Snaz · #4 07-28-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

I use mine all the time. Got it from mops.ca

Looking at that site I see description that is wrong. You don't want to run these filters full time or it probably will collapse on itself and end the universe in a blink. Seriously these are for polishing only and not meant to be run "full time".

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....8e5+1248803155

Lance · #5 07-28-2009, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaz

Looking at that site I see description that is wrong. You don't want to run these filters full time or it probably will collapse on itself and end the universe in a blink. Seriously these are for polishing only and not meant to be run "full time".

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....8e5+1248803155

When I say I use it all the time I didn't literally mean continuously

When I do a water change and siphon off the detritus I stir up the gravel and use the Diatom to clean the water column. Run it for a couple hours after every water change.

Aquattro · #6 07-29-2009, 01:31 AM

Christy, check any local stores to see if they have one you can rent. We used to have a store here that would rent it or loan it out as needed, although I thought I heard diatomaceous earth could no longer be bought. Health reasons. I've used one though, and I'd love to have one for emergencies.

BlueAbyss · #7 07-29-2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aquattro

...I thought I heard diatomaceous earth could no longer be bought. Health reasons.

Diatomaceous earth is pretty nasty stuff if you breath it in, for sure (wear a dust mask when working with it, and eye protection would be good)... but I hope this isn't true, it is one of the more useful products out there for killing garden insects without chemicals.

Oh, and for filtering aquariums on occasion... yes, I believe that's what we were talking about

So is it not available from the company that makes the filters than?

sharuq1 · #8 07-29-2009, 02:00 AM

Try Pisces in Calgary. I think they are on sale right now. Maybe they could ship one to you?

PoonTang · #9 07-28-2009, 05:47 PM

Christy. what about using a filter sock in your sump. I used to do that whenever i was going to do some mucking about in the tank or when i was blowing all the crap off my rocks.

fencer · #10 07-28-2009, 06:39 PM

I still have mine. It is an old model but still works.But never used in salt(BTW it is for sale cheap

) The startup is kinda messy but after a few passes the filter starts gaining efficency and you get very clear water. I would do it in the sump first or a pail to get it to prime so it does not exhuast diatom powder all over the tank