Re: Diatom question...

[Kev]

Anyone?
"Kevin E. Venable" > wrote in message
.com...
> I've just set up a new 220. With all the stuff I ordered, I also got a
> Vortex XL filter to keep this tank looking it's best. I'm running 2 mag
350
> pro's both set up last night...I added some stress zyme along with Start
> right..to help the cycling along...We've put in "Chubby" a huge goldfish
> that has help broken in our last 2 tanks. If I was to go ahead and set up
> the Diatom, would it hinder the cycling process?? Thanks>>Kev
>
>

[coelacanth]

I've used diatom filters in the past to 'polish' the
water, only running it when needed for an hour or
two when the water got pea-soupy or cloudy.
Since this tank is brand new, I can't understand
why you'd be running it now.

Or do other people run their diatom filters constantly?
I haven't used one in years...

-coelacanth

"Kev" > wrote in message
.com...
> Anyone?
> "Kevin E. Venable" > wrote in message
> .com...
> > I've just set up a new 220. With all the stuff I ordered, I also got a
> > Vortex XL filter to keep this tank looking it's best. I'm running 2 mag
> 350
> > pro's both set up last night...I added some stress zyme along with Start
> > right..to help the cycling along...We've put in "Chubby" a huge goldfish
> > that has help broken in our last 2 tanks. If I was to go ahead and set up
> > the Diatom, would it hinder the cycling process?? Thanks>>Kev
> >
> >
>
>

[Toni]

"coelacanth" > wrote in message news:3ZzWa.4905>
> Or do other people run their diatom filters constantly?
> I haven't used one in years...
>


I use a diatom filter right after I clean a tank when I want the water to
look crystal clear immediately, or when I am vacuuming gravel.
I'd use one if ich were present.
Or if I were trying to clean up an algae problem by scraping daily.

I'm sure I've left out 1001 uses, but they are not usually run constantly,
no.

--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm

[Kev]

Hi, Thanks for your replies. I don't plan on running it constently, just as
needed to keep the tank looking it's best. as well as our other tanks..The
only reason I have it going now is that it's a "new toy" (to me anyway) ..I
just blew powder all over the tank so I guess we'll see how well it does
work.lol...."Toni" > wrote in message
thlink.net...
>
> "coelacanth" > wrote in message news:3ZzWa.4905>
> > Or do other people run their diatom filters constantly?
> > I haven't used one in years...
> >
>
>
> I use a diatom filter right after I clean a tank when I want the water to
> look crystal clear immediately, or when I am vacuuming gravel.
> I'd use one if ich were present.
> Or if I were trying to clean up an algae problem by scraping daily.
>
> I'm sure I've left out 1001 uses, but they are not usually run constantly,
> no.
>
> --
> Toni
> http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm
>
>

[Jim Brown]

If I recall correctly, older models were designed for intermittent use, and
were not to run all the time. I believe the newer models are able to go
24/7 but why would one want to?

Jim

coelacanth > wrote in message
y.com...
> I've used diatom filters in the past to 'polish' the
> water, only running it when needed for an hour or
> two when the water got pea-soupy or cloudy.
> Since this tank is brand new, I can't understand
> why you'd be running it now.
>
> Or do other people run their diatom filters constantly?
> I haven't used one in years...
>
> -coelacanth
>
> "Kev" > wrote in message
> .com...
> > Anyone?
> > "Kevin E. Venable" > wrote in message
> > .com...
> > > I've just set up a new 220. With all the stuff I ordered, I also got a
> > > Vortex XL filter to keep this tank looking it's best. I'm running 2
mag
> > 350
> > > pro's both set up last night...I added some stress zyme along with
Start
> > > right..to help the cycling along...We've put in "Chubby" a huge
goldfish
> > > that has help broken in our last 2 tanks. If I was to go ahead and set
up
> > > the Diatom, would it hinder the cycling process?? Thanks>>Kev
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[jduprie]

the newer ones *can* run 24/7, but (as others have said), there really isn't
a reason to. Running it shouldn't make any difference to getting your new
tank cycled. It *might* help a tiny bit (by adding more surface for stuff to
colonize), but I think it wouldn't be significant.

A quick note on the XL: it will probably leak around the seal. A bunch of
people I've spoken to have this problem, and nobody seems ot have found a
good solution. If it does, the method people seem to prefer is to stick teh
whole thing ina bucket, and fill the bucket up with water. the water level
has to be above the top of the jar, but below the motor. If you just cover
the top of the lid, it works great. The unit still leaks, but all it really
does is cycle a little bit of the water int he bucket, so it doesn't matter.
The leak typically shows itself as a very slow drip, and/or a slow
accumulation of air inside the jar...

To keep from clouding the tank:
Get everything set up, and put the in and out tubes in a small bucket
(or large cup) inside the tank, filled with water, but witht he top of the
cup above the water level of the tank. Let the filter run in the cup, and
when the cup is clear, simply lower the cup into the tank. The filter is now
running in the tank, and there's no cloudiness.
If this is too much hassle (as it often is), simply let the water cloud
up. It doesn't hurt anything (except maybe decapods - see below), and the
filter will take all the stuff out anyway.
If you're keeping invertebrates, especially ones with shells (like crabs or
crawfish) thediatome powder may cause some problems. A common use for
diatome powder (outside of aquaria) is for insect control (ants, roaches,
etc). It accumulates in their joints and breathing tubes. In the joints, it
acts like an abrasive, and grinds them away. In the breathing tubes, it just
clogs them up and they suffocate. I don't know if this will also happen in
aquaria (I don't think the gills would be aproblem, but hte joints
might)......

Good luck
--JD


"Kev" > wrote in message
.com...
> Anyone?
> "Kevin E. Venable" > wrote in message
> .com...
> > I've just set up a new 220. With all the stuff I ordered, I also got a
> > Vortex XL filter to keep this tank looking it's best. I'm running 2 mag
> 350
> > pro's both set up last night...I added some stress zyme along with
Start
> > right..to help the cycling along...We've put in "Chubby" a huge goldfish
> > that has help broken in our last 2 tanks. If I was to go ahead and set
up
> > the Diatom, would it hinder the cycling process?? Thanks>>Kev
> >
> >
>
>

[Toni]

"Kev" > wrote
> I
> just blew powder all over the tank so I guess we'll see how well it does
> work.lol


Kev-
We *all* blow powder all over the tank.
<g>
It will work fine.


--
Toni
http://www.cearbhaill.com/aquarium.htm

[Kev]

Hi...As far as "blowing powder" all over the tank It was no big deal as
stated....Not the most expensive stuff I've wasted...<g> and Thanks for the
detail jduprie!..the crappie mimeographed "handbook" tried to explain how to
use the "pitcher method"...but really wasn't well written like yours. Anther
thing that threw me off, and I had to E-mail Vortex about it, was It said to
fill the bag of powder to the line with water, mix then add to the jar.
However, No line on Bag!!.....and another thing...( I don't mean to rant..
really....:) ) on the Blue sticker that DID have a water line on it said to
stick right above the stand for future reference..I had a hellava time
peeling it off my tank stand..LOL...I ran it a couple of hour and it really
did "polish" the tank. Now I'm gonna tackle the 55 gal. and see how it does
on an established tank. I just wanted to thank all that replied and I hope
to be able to return the experience and knowledge to someone soon.
"jduprie" > wrote in message
et...
> the newer ones *can* run 24/7, but (as others have said), there really
isn't
> a reason to. Running it shouldn't make any difference to getting your new
> tank cycled. It *might* help a tiny bit (by adding more surface for stuff
to
> colonize), but I think it wouldn't be significant.
>
> A quick note on the XL: it will probably leak around the seal. A bunch of
> people I've spoken to have this problem, and nobody seems ot have found a
> good solution. If it does, the method people seem to prefer is to stick
teh
> whole thing ina bucket, and fill the bucket up with water. the water level
> has to be above the top of the jar, but below the motor. If you just cover
> the top of the lid, it works great. The unit still leaks, but all it
really
> does is cycle a little bit of the water int he bucket, so it doesn't
matter.
> The leak typically shows itself as a very slow drip, and/or a slow
> accumulation of air inside the jar...
>
> To keep from clouding the tank:
> Get everything set up, and put the in and out tubes in a small bucket
> (or large cup) inside the tank, filled with water, but witht he top of the
> cup above the water level of the tank. Let the filter run in the cup, and
> when the cup is clear, simply lower the cup into the tank. The filter is
now
> running in the tank, and there's no cloudiness.
> If this is too much hassle (as it often is), simply let the water
cloud
> up. It doesn't hurt anything (except maybe decapods - see below), and the
> filter will take all the stuff out anyway.
> If you're keeping invertebrates, especially ones with shells (like crabs
or
> crawfish) thediatome powder may cause some problems. A common use for
> diatome powder (outside of aquaria) is for insect control (ants, roaches,
> etc). It accumulates in their joints and breathing tubes. In the joints,
it
> acts like an abrasive, and grinds them away. In the breathing tubes, it
just
> clogs them up and they suffocate. I don't know if this will also happen in
> aquaria (I don't think the gills would be aproblem, but hte joints
> might)......
>
> Good luck
> --JD
>
>
> "Kev" > wrote in message
> .com...
> > Anyone?
> > "Kevin E. Venable" > wrote in message
> > .com...
> > > I've just set up a new 220. With all the stuff I ordered, I also got a
> > > Vortex XL filter to keep this tank looking it's best. I'm running 2
mag
> > 350
> > > pro's both set up last night...I added some stress zyme along with
> Start
> > > right..to help the cycling along...We've put in "Chubby" a huge
goldfish
> > > that has help broken in our last 2 tanks. If I was to go ahead and set
> up
> > > the Diatom, would it hinder the cycling process?? Thanks>>Kev
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>