Diatom filters, anyone?

[hybridazn]

So these crazy, old things

Diatom earth filters. Anyone ever use one or even still use one? They were great at cleaning (and by cleaning, I mean stripping the water bare lol) algae blooms from the water column and even had rumors of helping with ich outbreaks.

Any experiences anyone would like to share?

#reefsquad

 

[mcarroll]

@Paul B @Jolanta to name a couple off-hand.

 

[Brew12]

So these crazy, old things

Diatom earth filters. Anyone ever use one or even still use one? They were great at cleaning (and by cleaning, I mean stripping the water bare lol) algae blooms from the water column and even had rumors of helping with ich outbreaks.

Any experiences anyone would like to share?

#reefsquad

I used them to filter the yeast out of my home made beer prior to putting it in the keg. Worked great but the maintenance on them was awful!

 

[mcarroll]

I used them to filter the yeast out of my home made beer prior to putting it in the keg. Worked great but the maintenance on them was awful!

Interesting! What filter did you use? Literally a Vortex?

 

[Brew12]

Interesting! What filter did you use? Literally a Vortex?

Not sure what brand it was but I doubt it was built for aquariums. I picked it up from my home brew shop way back when I was stationed near Seattle.

 

[radiata]

I haven't used one in years. Mine never held up well in my humid basement, but I wish I still owned one.

Note that people once questioned whether or not they added silica/silicates to your system because of what diatoms are made of. I don't think the question has ever been settled.

 

[Fin]

I had a couple of them 30 years ago. They would polish up the water in my 200 gallon pretty quickly. I used it about once a month. Always had trouble with the seals leaking after a time. I am considering getting another one to use on my new tank. Doesn't look like they have changed a bit in all those years. Hopefully they have better seals.

 

[Jolanta]

I bought used one to try to eliminate dinos but only used it one time.

 

[welsher7]

I still have my old one. I used on my cichlids tank every now and then to clear up the water.

No idea if it still works....

 

[mcarroll]

Not sure what brand it was but I doubt it was built for aquariums. I picked it up from my home brew shop way back when I was stationed near Seattle.

That's totally cool. Did it resemble these at all, or was it more of a pleated paper filter in a 10" reactor type of a thing?

 

[radiata]

Doesn't look like they have changed a bit in all those years.

Agreed, it looks the same - but you'll be in sticker shock with the latest pricing!

 

[__Jreef__]

I use to have one many years ago, I used just once a week for maintenance and the water was crystal clear after couple hours and I been thinking to get one.

 

[Maritimer]

Good polishers.

We had one at the public Aquarium that was the size of a pool filter - you could fill it with diatoms, but we more often used powdered carbon. Stuff would take the yellow right out of a 2,500 gallon tank . . .

I haven't used one at home in a couple of decades.

~Bruce

 

[hybridazn]

Agreed, it looks the same - but you'll be in sticker shock with the latest pricing!

I think I saw the xl going for over $200!

 

[cracker]

I have, one haven't it in a while but it "will" clean your water.

 

[hybridazn]

I bought used one to try to eliminate dinos but only used it one time.

Any success?

 

[FFJB]

I bought used one to try to eliminate dinos but only used it one time.

Did it work?

 

[Jolanta]

Its really early to say something couse I only used it one time two days ago, I just got it, tomorrow it will be my second try. I will let you know if it works for them.

 

[hybridazn]

Its really early to say something couse I only used it one time two days ago, I just got it, tomorrow it will be my second try. I will let you know if it works for them.

Keep us updated!

 

[Black Pearl]

It certainly helps with dino, especially after blowing it off rocks and get it free floating in the water,recently purchased one for that very reason, but imo its just great for overall maintenance, gets your water crystal clear. Its been reported that it will remove free floating ich