Old school

MexiReefer · Feb 27, 2019

what type of media do they use? where do you buy the replacement media, if needed?

Ubergroover · Feb 27, 2019

MexiReefer said:
what type of media do they use? where do you buy the replacement media, if needed?

DE the same stuff they run in a pool filter...50Lbs for 20 bucks....There is ALMOST no limit to what it will filter out. Bought my last batch at a pool store..or you can buy food grade. I do not and have never seen a difference.

Paul B · Feb 28, 2019

You can not use food grade powder. For some reason it isn't porous and the filter just clogs as soon as you run it. I still have a big bag of the stuff.

McPikie · Feb 28, 2019

So basically like using a crazy thick filter sock?

SDK · Feb 28, 2019

D1 retro thread. Love it !

I used one with the additional powdered carbon in the late 70’s and early 80’s with every weekly water change. My mom hated it, but it sure helped with both Discus and the pathetic state of marine husbandry back then.

Katrina71 · Feb 28, 2019

That's cool. I wanna try one. I'm old, but apparently not cool.

Retro Reefer · Feb 28, 2019

A blast from the past.. I had one years ago when still running under gravel filters, it worked great!

Fin · Feb 28, 2019

Love it when old school stuff pops up on tbe scene again with new reefers. While these do work, the reason I think you don’t see many of them around anymore is that salt water was/is not kind to them. They rust as easily as a 1975 Datsun.

. They were also not a lot of fun to set up and both of the ones I had leaked, but boy did your water sparkle when you were done with it.

I had a couple of them back in the early 80’s and used them on my 200 FO tank. I think I still have a jar around here someplace. Might have to clean it out good and get another one.

Paul B · Feb 28, 2019

Retro Reefer said:
A blast from the past.. I had one years ago when still running under gravel filters, it worked great!

I still have the diatom filter and an undergravel filter.

Retro Reefer · Feb 28, 2019

Paul B said:
I still have the diatom filter and an undergravel filter.

Yes and two sticks to rub together to light your grill

;Hilarious

Retro Reefer · Feb 28, 2019

Agree with @Fin mine leaked like a sieve and quickly rusted but you couldn’t beat the clarity of your water after use.. I got away from using them when I started skimming and using ozone which provided similar water clarity.

truepercs · Feb 28, 2019

Seeing this i wanted to read more... Some folks run these when their aquarium has ich?
I see a search on this topic also pops up a few threads.

Fin · Feb 28, 2019

For smaller applications, Marineland has a Magnum diatom filter for a much lower price. Just requires using the pleated filter element and charging with diatom powder. I say smaller, but one of our local reefers used a couple of them in his 300 gallon.

Corey Baker · Feb 28, 2019

Do these filters strip or remove nitrates or other nutrients? Or basically only an awesome particle filter? I guess certain particles could contribute to nutrients as they break down but these do not remove already broken down phosphates, nitrates... and so on correct?

Thanks

Cory · Feb 28, 2019

Corey Baker said:
Do these filters strip or remove nitrates or other nutrients? Or basically only an awesome particle filter? I guess certain particles could contribute to nutrients as they break down but these do not remove already broken down phosphates, nitrates... and so on correct?

Thanks

They only remove particles as small as 1 micron. I have one and dont use it because i cant figure out how to work it lol. I have the vortex with the powerhead "upgrade". Id probably buy the marineland version next go.

Paul B · Feb 28, 2019

After reading this thread it forced me to drag mine out and I am using it right now.

Ubergroover · Feb 28, 2019

Fin said:
Love it when old school stuff pops up on tbe scene again with new reefers. While these do work, the reason I think you don’t see many of them around anymore is that salt water was/is not kind to them. They rust as easily as a 1975 Datsun. . They were also not a lot of fun to set up and both of the ones I had leaked, but boy did your water sparkle when you were done with it.

I had a couple of them back in the early 80’s and used them on my 200 FO tank. I think I still have a jar around here someplace. Might have to clean it out good and get another one.

True! They get beat up...but at 160 new and the actual benefit. I'll buy one every two years...yes sir

Ubergroover · Feb 28, 2019

Corey Baker said:
Do these filters strip or remove nitrates or other nutrients? Or basically only an awesome particle filter? I guess certain particles could contribute to nutrients as they break down but these do not remove already broken down phosphates, nitrates... and so on correct?

Thanks

And...if there are parasites in the tank, larger than 1 micron, they get filtered out. In today's world that's blasphemy.....lol. seen it, done it.

Breadman03 · Feb 28, 2019

I just saw this write up on an easy way to implement one permanently. The OP uses an intermediate "sump" between the display and the filtration sump. He can turn the DE filter on or off without impacting the main flow as the DE filter is operating as a closed loop in the intermediate sump. To recharge the DE filter, he shuts down the sump return, which allows him to run the DE filter in the intermediate sump until the DE has been filtered properly. The concept has me really thinking about implementing one. My neighbor has a pool filter laying around, but I wonder if it would work and how much I would have to rehab it.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/de-filters-use-design-and-implementation.536965/

ca1ore · Feb 28, 2019

Nice, used to have one as part of my regular maintenance procedure. It rusted out years ago. Been thinking about getting a new one. Something like this perhaps ….