Vortex D-1 Diatom Filter

[fishmommie]

Here Mom!
http://www.aquariumguys.com/vortex-diatom-filter.html

Thanks Dave~

[fishmommie]

A diatom filter uses layer of diatomaceous earth coating a filter bag or filter block to filter the water. That takes a fairly powerful motor to run the pump, and it will get very warm.

While it will filter out diatom algae from the water, it won't do anything to reduce the nutrient load on the tank. Which promotes the diatom algae growth.

Which might explain why it's not often recommended. thanks for the info. appreciate it.

And Northerly - thanks for starting this thread. Very interesting.

[Indian Woods Angels]

The D1 diatom filter is one of the greatest performing filters ever.

It was a pain to use and like mentioned not to be used continuosly. It is designed as a polisher and as a polisher is awesome.

It had a sock that could be used to pull out large detritus alone or this same sock could be loaded with diatomaceous earth, tiny shell particles. With this feature you could pull out small particles. When it really worked well is when you used the carbon powder added to the diatom earth. It was now a polisher.

You could remove almost any organic from the water, it would pull tannins and protein surplus from water very well. I believe it could pull some of the nitrogen cycle chemicals from the water if used with the right carbons.

That said it is a bit of a pain in the butt to load the layers into it properly and a bit of no fun to clean. I've built a couple of the using GE filter shell, cartridges and high performing pumps. Fix the cord and try it, you may love the thing.

[Northerly]

I think I definitely will fix it up! I could always use a bit of a polish in my tanks before company comes over lol. Any idea on the gph of these things?

And no problem mommie! I am very interested myself lol.

[Indian Woods Angels]

I thought 200 to 300 GPH depending upon the material you have loaded into it. They have a nice flow at first but especially with the D earth and powdered carbon they low down pretty quick. Then again they are slowing down on the junk. If you ever used one with the D earth and the carbon and polished the water, you will freak out on how crystal clear the water really can be made with one.