Diatom Filters?????

[xoolooxunny]

I was doing a little reading up on them after Hobbs mentioned them in another thread. Seems they lower the co2 in the tank, BUT, you dont have to run them 24/7. Just a couple hours a day, so i was thinking about getting one, and putting on a timer to run for a little bit in the early hours after the night, or a couple hours before the lights come on, what do think would be better, keeping in mind a) fish resting periods, and b) ph swings.

Anybody have any input or experience?

[Chrona]

Never heard of them lowering CO2. Do you recall where you saw that? Diatom filters are usually used like a few hours a week to polish the water, or right after tank setup/algae infestation to clear it up. The pads and diatom powder clogs quickly, so it isn't worthwhile doing it fulltime.

[xoolooxunny]

Never heard of them lowering CO2. Do you recall where you saw that? Diatom filters are usually used like a few hours a week to polish the water, or right after tank setup/algae infestation to clear it up. The pads and diatom powder clogs quickly, so it isn't worthwhile doing it fulltime.

http://www.diatomfilter.com/faq/continuously.htm

its down past the halfway point on that page. Do you think it would be worth it to have one around to run it once and awhile then?

[Chrona]

Oh, it's just the water disturbance it causes, gotcha. I thought they were talking about the thing actually filtering out the CO2 from the water lol.

I don't own one, but I would imagine they are very handy for water polishing. It seems half of plantedtank.net has a HOT magnum with a micron pad and diatom powder just for this purpose. And the HOT magnum is only like 50 bucks at DR F S

[xoolooxunny]

I got my HOT magnum for like 100 bucks!! do they come in different sizes (gph)? Do they use it for algae prevention? because my magnum has a great polishing filter insert that looks like the filter inside a shop vac, and it works great.

[xoolooxunny]

NM, i just saw it on the website now, its on sale for 78 bucks, its the same package i got, the deluxe crap or whatever. It pushes 350 gallons an hour good for up to 100 gallons, and then i have a powerhead that pushes the same gph. since i have a planted tank with small fish, i think this is enough filtration. what do you think? would i benefit from having a diatom filter in the supply department of my hobby?

[Chrona]

Don't have any experience with the product, but most people seem to say that the HOT is only good for polishing water (not so good for normal filtration). The 50 dollar one I was talking about is the plain HOT magnum, no biowheels or anything. There are two sizes btw, 220 and 350. I think you have the latter.

As for the diatom filter, if you don't normally have issues with a cloudy tank or parasites, then I wouldn't bother. Apparently you have to put the pad in, then pour diatom powder into the water so the intake sucks it up and charges the filter pad. Sounds like a pain imo.

[xoolooxunny]

Don't have any experience with the product, but most people seem to say that the HOT is only good for polishing water (not so good for normal filtration). The 50 dollar one I was talking about is the plain HOT magnum, no biowheels or anything. There are two sizes btw, 220 and 350. I think you have the latter.

As for the diatom filter, if you don't normally have issues with a cloudy tank or parasites, then I wouldn't bother. Apparently you have to put the pad in, then pour diatom powder into the water so the intake sucks it up and charges the filter pad. Sounds like a pain imo.

o i c. sounds like what i have to do for a pool, same deal i guess, larger scale. hmm. Ok, thanks, just wondering if this hobby had another curve ball to throw at me!

[Lady Hobbs]

Diatom filters are used occassionally.......not daily. Like every week or every other week for about 4 hours. I have a friend who had the Vortex and she said it was amazing. It removes such small particles other filters would never get and even microscope particles like ICK. It seems to me a good investment that a person can easily move tank to tank for deep down cleaning. They also remove New Tank Snydrome and all algae's.

http://www.diatomfilters.com/

This site claims continuous use but I think I would stick to water polishing. Sure cheaper than getting a canister for every tank you have. You hang the filter from a hook (included) and just run the line into the tank. Move from tank to tank.

[Chrona]

Not all algae, it should be noted. Only the waterborne stuff like green water. If the algae is stuck on something halfway across the tank, the diatom filter can't do anything about it :)

[Lady Hobbs]

True. I stand corrected. Or stuck to the glass like snot.......been there /done that!

[xoolooxunny]

now, would this include any of the free floating stuff that makes algae on the glass? and why is it that 99% of the algae that i get on my glass is on the back?? Me and my boss were wondering this today, bc thats where he gets it to...

[Chrona]

now, would this include any of the free floating stuff that makes algae on the glass? and why is it that 99% of the algae that i get on my glass is on the back?? Me and my boss were wondering this today, bc thats where he gets it to...

I get the same thing. My guess is that there is less water flow along the back

[Algenco]

I had a Vortex Diatom filter years ago. I used it after water changes,stirring substrata, etc.
It was amazing! Tanks would be crystal clear in no time.
Will most likely purchase another after I get all the other goodies I want:hmm3grin2orange: