Why were diatom filters discontinued??

[livinlifeinBKK]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone knows why they stopped making diatom filters if they were so efficient at removing parasites and polishing the water. I know there is one single model still available on Amazon (Marineland polishing filter) but other than that nobody seems to make them? Why is that?

 

[KrisReef]

They were not that popular among (enough) hobbists to keep a market interest in suppliers. Also, the old manufacture didn't upgrade their product very quickly (Vortex) and the brand died a slow painful business death. I bought one of their filters a few years ago after they closed their doors and I ran it recently to polish the water in my reef. I also have one of the Marineland HOT Magnums that is 30 years old and still use it for a charcoal filter but not with the diatomacious earth pleated cartridges. The earth is kind of a dirty filter to set up so most folks just use carbon now, I think.

I also think pool filters have gone away from DE filters? but I could be wrong about that?

So, the market didn't support them is probably the best answer, but not the only answer.

 

[Paul Barrett]

They were not that popular among (enough) hobbists to keep a market interest in suppliers. Also, the old manufacture didn't upgrade their product very quickly (Vortex) and the brand died a slow painful business death. I bought one of their filters a few years ago after they closed their doors and I ran it recently to polish the water in my reef. I also have one of the Marineland HOT Magnums that is 30 years old and still use it for a charcoal filter but not with the diatomacious earth pleated cartridges. The earth is kind of a dirty filter to set up so most folks just use carbon now, I think.

I also think pool filters have gone away from DE filters? but I could be wrong about that?

So, the market didn't support them is probably the best answer, but not the only answer.

Do you want to sell the one that you have?

 

[Jekyl]

Do you want to sell the one that you have?

Search posts by @Paul B he has details on making your own.

 

[Paul Barrett]

Search posts by @Paul B he has details on making your own.

Thanks

 

[exnisstech]

Thanks

Here Paul's DIY one

DIY Diatom Filter for under $100.00

I have 4 or 5 old Vortex Diatom filters in various stages of disintegration and I use one all the time to stir up the gravel in my 125 gallon tank. I also use it to blow out detritus in the pores my real rock. The tank uses dolomite gravel and the gravel has been in there for the 52 year life of...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Paul B]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if anyone knows why they stopped making diatom filters if they were so efficient at removing parasites and polishing the water.

The original Diatom Filters were built by Vortex and were made for fresh water. I have 5 of them in various states of decomposition.



I have been using them since the 60s. As far as I can tell no one built one for salt water that was really good so I now build my own.

The original ones used a bag inside that the powder stuck to but after many years the bag disintegrated.

The seal between the pump and jar was pretty useless especially in salt water so they kept failing and leaking.
You can almost no longer get parts for them but they are easy to make.



If it were not for diatom filters I would not be and would not stay in this hobby as I find them invaluable for a salt water system.

Nothing polishes water like a diatom and if you are concerned about parasites, (I am not) a diatom filter will remove them without adding any chemicals. It boggles my mind that so many people fear parasites and use chemical poisons on fish when a diatom is much more easy on the fish.

I sometimes use it when I collect NSW because here in New York the water is murky due to mud.

These are 2 that I built and use them occasionally. I love the things and probably the main reason my reef is over 50 years old.



Once or twice a year I blow detritus out of my rock and eliminate it using a diatom filter.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Pleated them by hand, too. I bet

Anyway
I used to use them on the old Magnum 350 filters. They would come with a carbon capsule, a pleated polishing filter, and a little packet of diatomaceous earth. Loved them

Than at Tidal Gardens recommends a little $100 unit for spot filtering, from Amazon

Amazon.com

Link to Tidal Gardens video