Diatom Filters

[Matty]

Does anyone here use a diatom filter? I heard that they really polish the water nicely, and i am thinking of getting one for my 90g aquarium to run along with my eheim. what would you suggest and why?

 

[Teelie]

I don't use them and IMO aren't necessary unless you have a persistent diatom problem. The old adage of "if it's not broke, don't fix it" comes to mind with this. Though it won't hurt your tank, if you don't have a diatom problem, it won't help much either.

 

[Matty]

but apparently the vortex diatomic filter filters out everything in your water right down to the atomic level, so wouldnt one of these be good for a once a month, water cleaning?

 

[Teelie]

I don't know and to be honest, I wouldn't want that level of cleaning either. That sounds like it would also remove essential minerals, vitamins and other chemicals or particles in the water. As it is, I use R/O water and have to add supplements to replace what I lose from not using tap water. A filter with that level of cleaning is too much for my tastes.

But that's just my opinion. Others who have them and have more experience with them can say better how affective or inaffective they think they are.

 

[Squirrelbuddies]

I have a "System 1" diatom filter I bought for my 55 gallon. It was a little pricey but does a great job. It's something I don't use very often -- but it's nice to have when the need arises. According to the marketing material, "...it's great for polishing water down to one micron."

I purchased it because I had a slight haze in the water which would not go away and it did exactly as it was supposed to do and I ended up with crystal clear water. However, 6 months down the road I bought an Eheim canister filter for the tank (to replace the Emperor 400 I was using). Since I've had the Eheim in place, I really haven't had to use the diatom filter.

 

[fishing4exotics]

I've got the Vortex brand diatom filter. Works as advertised. It will remove particles down to 1 micron. Will not remove trace elements or minerals. The diatom powder is a bit of a mess to deal with. Once you get your filter working good you will love the way it polishes your water.

By the way, the diatom powder has been found to be a carcinogen. Also, you can buy diatom powder in bulk at a pool supply store.

 

[Matty]

can you run the diatom 24/7? or is it only for a once a week type application?

 

[fishing4exotics]

I wouldn't run it 24/7. It's main pupose is to polish the water. Not as a main filter.

 

[anvil63]

I've used them, but a long time ago. It did a great job on the water. A

Also don't worry the diatom filter will NOT remove nutrients from your tank. It filters things down to one micron. That is one one millionth of a meter. Atoms and molecules are still many many times smaller than this (on the order of 1000-10000 times smaller).

Also, due make an effort not to inhale the dust from the dry diatomaceous powder. It is only upon inhalation that it is a potential carcinogen. This is because it is so small that it can get to the alveoli (tiny air sacs involved in gas exchange) of your lungs and is of a composition that your bodies white blood cells cannot "eat" it. A normal dust mask and pouring into the filter outside wouldn't be bad precautions to take though.

Carl

 

[BigC]

They are fantastic as a water polisher, your water will be Gin clear in no time at all. You will only need to leave it on for a matter of hours though as it is not a biological filter as such due to it clogging very quickly.
But as I said used as a water polisher it is second to none.
Regards
BigC

 

[Matty]

then its decided. Im getting a diatom filter!

 

[Matty]

oops, another question: Can you use a diatom filter with a saltwater aquarium?

 

[tttnjfttt]

you might get a better answer to your last question if you post it in the salt water forum.

 

[Opcn]

Yes you can.

 

[fishing4exotics]

You can. Diatom filter will not remove any of the trace elements in your marine tank.