Diatom Filters

[steelhealr]

A diatom filter is a really cool piece of equipment, but, who needs it? what does it do? and how does it function?

From the Good Earth

In general, a diatom filter is an additional filtration unit that can be connected to your aquarium and 'ultra' filtrates your aquarium water by forcing the water column through diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous earth is composed of fossilized diatoms, a type of algae, that are deposited in the ground and forms a white powdery and abrasive type powder. The consistency is similar to chalk. It is highly porous and when used in aquarium filtration, it can remove particles as small as a micron. This is fine enough to remove the Ich organism from water.

Diatomaceous earth

Diatoms

How Diatomaceous earth is supplied

Uses for Diatom Filters

Diatom filters are used for several reasons:
1) mechanical filtration: occasional cleaning of the aquarium when the water column becomes turbid, or, spot cleaning
2) to 'polish' the water. Many people who have show tanks will use diatoms filters to give their tank water extra cleaning prior to showing them
3) parasites--many parasites are larger than 1 micron and a diatom filter can remove them. They obviously cannot rid the entire tank but they can significantly reduce any present in the free water column

Types of Diatom Filters

There are several types of diatom filters available. Some brands are discontinued.

Hang on Back (or front)

One example is Tetra's Whisper Diatomagic, the one I own and which has been discontinued. The filter hangs on the front of the tank and runs with a water pump. The filter is placed in the tank where water pressure keeps the outer door closed when the nozzle is kept above the filter. Diatomaceous earth is added, is drawn into filter material, and when the faucet arm is swung over the tank, water from the aquarium is drawn in thru the filter which is now coated with diatoms. The water is then cleaned.

Canister

Vortex

Hot Magnum 350

The most common type of canister diatom filter is made by a company called Vortex. This is canister that can filtrate on a continuous basis, whereas the Diatomagic does not. It is labelled as a 'high speed' filter and some models filtrate at 400GPH. Hot Magnum 350's have been used as well with good results.

Advantages

1) Rapid cleaning of the tank
2) Removal/diminution of parasites from the water column
3) Extremely clean water
4) Can be run in conjuction with your tanks main filter
5) They can be run in marine systems

Disadvantages

1) Diatomaceous earth clogs rapidly
2) Can be messy to use
3) Filters can be an additional expense or even more expensive than regular filters
4) Certain filters with moving parts have been known to break down after a year or so

Hope this helps and feel free to add any comments.

SH

 

[crazie.eddie]

A diatom filter filters the smallest particles out of the water. It helps filter out diatoms from GW. It helps clarify the water. Unfortunately, since diatom filters filter out the smallest particles, they will tend to clog easy. They also tend to overheat, so they are not made to run 24/7. UV sterilizers kill diatoms in GW along with parasites and bacteria. UV's can be run 24/7, thus are a better solution compared to a diatom filter.

Using a diatom filter can be expensive. The diatomic powder is made as 1 time use, unless you keep the powder wet and use it frequent. Otherwise, it will need to get replaced frequently. Also priming the diatom filter is a PITA to prime. If you accidentally have diatomic powder on the rim of the jar as you close it, you can compromise the seal of it.

 

[InaneCathode]

The diatoms mentioned are most commonly referred to as "Diatomacious Earth"
DE as it's known, is a known carcinogen. Be VERY careful when you're handling it, try your hardest not to raise any into the air.

Eddie, you can't kill diatomacious earth as it's already dead. The 'diatoms' are whats left of ancient algae.
Also, UV sterilizers don't remove particulates, they only kill living things that pass through them.

 

[steelhealr]

Agree with the above in that diatoms are dead remnants of algae. Also, my filter does NOT overheat and I am unaware of that being an issue with most. UV sterilizers DO kill living unwanted (and sometimes wanted) parasites and algae. SH

 

[celaeno]

The diatoms mentioned are most commonly referred to as "Diatomacious Earth"
DE as it's known, is a known carcinogen. Be VERY careful when you're handling it, try your hardest not to raise any into the air.

what happens if the DE is raised into the air and we breathe it? is it like smoking or worse?

EDIT: i just googled DE and got this wikipedia entry... http/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_..._considerations

silicosis... *shudders*