Diatom Filter for a Nano

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'm planning on getting the Marineland Magnum Polishing internal canister (diatom) filter for my 10 gallon tank because right now I have suspected velvet and though I'm going through a fallow period, I worry this strain I have might somehow survive like it did in my other tank after a 76 day fallow period. (This time i cranked the heat up to a toasty 82 though because I'm going to try to make it a 45 day fallow period!) I know this type of filter would generally be considered overkill since most nano tanks just rely on water changes so my question for you guys before I buy it off Amazon is: Do you see any downside to using a filter like this? I hear they clog easily but having the knowledge that they can help mitigate parasite concerns to some degree by removing the ones in the water column (I know the eggs will remain) is reassuring.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Here's the tank...it's gonna be a FOWLR

 

[Karen00]

Did you ever find an answer to this or did you buy the Marineland. If so how has it been for you? I would be curious to know. I just recently read about these filters in another thread on here and they sound amazing so I'm wondering what the downside is (if there is one).

 

[Mjl714]

I missed this inquiree, I have said filter and use it periodically to run diatomaceous earth, usually works great. As far as clogging easily, it will clog quickly if your water if filthy and you have the micron pleated filter installed, but otherwise these are great little inexpensive and helpful filters. Just put mine in one of my tanks today.

 

[Mjl714]

Did you ever find an answer to this or did you buy the Marineland. If so how has it been for you? I would be curious to know. I just recently read about these filters in another thread on here and they sound amazing so I'm wondering what the downside is (if there is one).

Downside, I would say the suction cups which attempt to hold the unit in place probably should be a little beefier / larger. An on off switch, separate from plugging in and unplugging the unit would nice. Otherwise I find this unit well worth the under $50 USD I paid a few years ago. Mine has an MJ1200 powering it and that alone was probably most of the cost.

 

[Karen00]

Downside, I would say the suction cups which attempt to hold the unit in place probably should be a little beefier / larger. An on off switch, separate from plugging in and unplugging the unit would nice. Otherwise I find this unit well worth the under $50 USD I paid a few years ago. Mine has an MJ1200 powering it and that alone was probably most of the cost.

Thanks for your comments! Diatom filters in general sound awesome. For all of my years doing freshwater tanks I have never heard of these. I happened to read about them here and was quite surprised to read how they had fallen out of favour in the aquarium hobby in general. I just looked at the Marineland. I thought it was external so won't work on my 5g unfortunately so I might try DIYing something.

 

[Mjl714]

It is an internal unit and does provide some nice water polishing.

 

[Subsea]

Three useful tools that polish water: diatomaceous filter, UV sterilizer and GAC. Both diatomaceous filter and UV sterilizer will help limit free swimming parasites. UV sterilizer excels at elimination of algae spores. GAC removes DOC (dissolved organic carbon) 15 fold more efficiently than protein skimmers says Ken Felderman in Advanced Aquaria article on carbon dosing.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

Did you ever find an answer to this or did you buy the Marineland. If so how has it been for you? I would be curious to know. I just recently read about these filters in another thread on here and they sound amazing so I'm wondering what the downside is (if there is one

I actually decided not to buy one primarily due to concerns over shipping the unit, spare filters, and DE due to my location (Bangkok) and the crazy import fees I'd have to pay to try it...I was going to give it a shot anyway until someone who owned one said the flow it gives off is way too powerful for my nano tank...if I was in the States I would've given it a shot anyway since I could always just return it but I don't have that option here

 

[Subsea]

I actually decided not to buy one primarily due to concerns over shipping the unit, spare filters, and DE due to my location (Bangkok) and the crazy import fees I'd have to pay to try it...I was going to give it a shot anyway until someone who owned one said the flow it gives off is way too powerful for my nano tank...if I was in the States I would've given it a shot anyway since I could always just return it but I don't have that option here

if parasites are the concern, then uv sterilizer is a solution.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

if parasites are the concern, then uv sterilizer is a solution.

I know that UV sterilization is effective, but I'm really a fan of protection through natural immunity so I've spent the past couple months doing all I can to work on diversifying and strengthening my microbiome...I know that a UV sterilizer would probably decimate that biodiversity I've been trying to build from what I've read...if I still can't get over the velvet or ich (whichever it is) even after a fallow period I'll use one as a last resort though

 

[Miami Reef]

I have had many of these diatom filters from marineland.

Here’s my opinion and I believe everyone should listen to me because I’ve purchased probably 8 of these units with the same experience.

1. They are cheaply made. They will stop working after a few weeks, best case scenario it will just be an extremely weak flow, worst case it will just stop working.

2. They are annoying to clean after a while. At first you’ll be excited, but these things are a hassle to recharge after 2-3 days.

3. For something that you will use for parasite management, it’s important to use something reliable. These diatom filters will work for ich, but since you will most certainly not be using them long term (You’ll get super tired really quick), the benefits drop off very sharply.

4. They are way too strong for a 10 gallon tank. I’ve tried it and there’s no way around it, your fish will fly out of the tank.

Since your tank is a 10 gallon, if you really wanted to manage parasites, just quarantine them. It’s so easy in that size tank.

Or even better yet, just don’t QT at all! Most of the fish you can add in a 10 gallon is resistant to parasites. You really won’t have an outbreak and even if you do, treating them and deciding to QT is super easy for that size tank.

If you really want a tool to manage parasites, just get a UV sterilizer, only because the less human reliance with a unit, the more effective it is.

 

[Tamberav]

I have had many of these diatom filters from marineland.

Here’s my opinion and I believe everyone should listen to me because I’ve purchased probably 8 of these units with the same experience.

1. They are cheaply made. They will stop working after a few weeks, best case scenario it will just be an extremely weak flow, worst case it will just stop working.

2. They are annoying to clean after a while. At first you’ll be excited, but these things are a hassle to recharge after 2-3 days.

3. For something that you will use for parasite management, it’s important to use something reliable. These diatom filters will work for ich, but since you will most certainly not be using them long term (You’ll get super tired really quick), the benefits drop off very sharply.

4. They are way too strong for a 10 gallon tank. I’ve tried it and there’s no way around it, your fish will fly out of the tank.

Since your tank is a 10 gallon, if you really wanted to manage parasites, just quarantine them. It’s so easy in that size tank.

Or even better yet, just don’t QT at all! Most of the fish you can add in a 10 gallon is resistant to parasites. You really won’t have an outbreak and even if you do, treating them and deciding to QT is super easy for that size tank.

If you really want a tool to manage parasites, just get a UV sterilizer, only because the less human reliance with a unit, the more effective it is.

What abut using one to polish after stirring the sand bed? Sadly I bought one recently for that. Hoping it doesn't break after a few weeks like you said.

 

[Paul B]

I have been using a diatom filter of some kind (not the one you have) since the 60s and would not be in this hobby if I didn't have one.

 

[Miami Reef]

What abut using one to polish after stirring the sand bed? Sadly I bought one recently for that. Hoping it doesn't break after a few weeks like you said.

This is an excellent purpose for that.

Not all will break after a few weeks. Some can last 1-3 months depending on luck.

Looking back, there is a DIY version using a GFO reactor, a 1 micron pleaded filter, and a sicce pump. These will definitely work much longer.

I personally use a marine land diatom filter, but that’s because I have a specific purpose: I am keeping a delicate sebae anemone in QT and want to prevent a bacterial infection.

These filters are not all bad, they do their job, and they do it very well. The pumps are just prone to breaking. They do offer replacement pumps which are less expensive and it’s very easy to change them out (I’ve done it a few times).

@Tamberav

 

[Miami Reef]

Here’s mine with my Sebae anemone - the only reason I put up with maintenance. Your water will be extremely clear. I love these filters, but I just wish they weren’t so prone to breaking. Then the maintenance will be justifiable. I wonder every day if this one will stop working, and it makes me nervous because I love my anemone haha

 

[Miami Reef]

Marineland Maxi-Jet, Multi-Use Water Pump and Power Head
This is the replacement pump.

 

[Tamberav]

Maxi jets fit it? I have a cobalt brand maxijet and they never break. I have some that are probably 8 years old and still work. One has been in use for 7 years non stop. So if I can put that on it... it should work forever.

 

[Karen00]

I actually decided not to buy one primarily due to concerns over shipping the unit, spare filters, and DE due to my location (Bangkok) and the crazy import fees I'd have to pay to try it...I was going to give it a shot anyway until someone who owned one said the flow it gives off is way too powerful for my nano tank...if I was in the States I would've given it a shot anyway since I could always just return it but I don't have that option here

Thanks for replying! Too much flow would be my problem as well given I just have a 5g (and space). I found a video on DIYing one so I might try that or see if there is a way to modify an external nano canister. Reading the comments here and other threads they sound great.

 

[Miami Reef]

Maxi jets fit it? I have a cobalt brand maxijet and they never break. I have some that are probably 8 years old and still work. One has been in use for 7 years non stop. So if I can put that on it... it should work forever.

Let me know!