Vortex XL Diatom Filter Opinions

[Ben]

Hi All,

I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
(Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
anything.

Thanks,
Ben

[james mitchell]

It is an excellent filter. The only possible drawbacks I can think of
relative to other diatoms are:

- It can be difficult get going the first time if you do not do some
research (google search on the newsgroups). I had no problem at all after
reading the do's and don'ts on the newsgroups.

- It requires a lot of diatom powder for each charge (3 cups). The Vortex
D-1 only requires 1 cup. This is also a good thing since this filter has
approximately 3 times the surface area of the D-1. It can go a lot longer
without clogging.

If you understand what you're buying, you can't go wrong with it. I bought
the Vortex recharge valve which makes it a lot easier to work with. I
highly recommend buying this with the filter, a must if you plan on using it
with multiple tanks. I don't see a need for the siphon starter option. I
have no problem getting the siphon going. Also, buy 5 or 10 lbs of diatom
powder with the filter. It only comes with 1 charge.

HTH,
Jim


"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
> one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
> decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
> (Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
> anything.
>
> Thanks,
> Ben
>
>

[NetMax]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
> one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
> decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
> (Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
> anything.
>
> Thanks,
> Ben

The Vortex Diatom filter has a reputation as being an excellent water
polisher (when used with diatomite media). Most of the people I know who
use one, do not use it as a permanent installed filter (maybe they want
to keep it as a spare to move from tank to tank ;~) I suspect the
pleated filter cartridge would fill too quickly if your problem was
excessive fish poop, but I have no hands-on experience.

NetMax

[Toni]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
> one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
> decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
> (Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
> anything.
>


These filters are the best thing going as far as removing fine pareticulate
matter from your water column on an occasional basis. Algae problem? Scrape
her down and run the DE filter for a few hours. Ich? It's a great adjunct
for helping remove the free swimming stage. House guests? Make that water
crystal clear.

That said, the design is antiquated. It is difficult to prime (use the
pitcher method illustrated in the instructions), difficult to move from tank
to tank, and difficult to clean... especially when compared to newer, better
designed filters.

Do I have one? You bet.
Would I replace it with another? Yep.
They simply work really, really well- PIA or not.


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

[Rick]

"Toni" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> "Ben" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi All,
>
> These filters are the best thing going as far as removing fine
pareticulate
> matter from your water column on an occasional basis. Algae problem?
Scrape
> her down and run the DE filter for a few hours. Ich? It's a great adjunct
> for helping remove the free swimming stage. House guests? Make that water
> crystal clear.
>
> That said, the design is antiquated. It is difficult to prime (use the
> pitcher method illustrated in the instructions), difficult to move from
tank
> to tank, and difficult to clean... especially when compared to newer,
better
> designed filters.
>
> Do I have one? You bet.
> Would I replace it with another? Yep.
> They simply work really, really well- PIA or not.
>
>
> --
> Toni
> http://www.cearbhaill.com/discus.htm
>
>

I noticed an advertisment that shows the new Vortex with a carrying handle
for easy movement and a gravel vacuum attachment. Sounds great to me. I'm
not sure how the vacuum would work, whether it cleans the water and it goes
back into the tank or down the drain.

Rick

[jduprie]

they're the best I've found for water polishing. I'd never use one as a full
time filter though.

I've had major problems with leakage on mine - its always had a slow leak,
not matter what I do. It doesn't actualy leak water out, it lets air trickle
in, so it loses its prime. The solution I came up with is to simply sit the
whole thing ina bucket of water with the water level above the top of teh
jar, but well below the motor housing....

Is it good? I think its the best. could the design be improved? You bet! a
couple of minor changes would make it alot easier to use, and a lot less
prone to leakage.

-_JD


"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
> one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
> decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
> (Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
> anything.
>
> Thanks,
> Ben
>
>

[Toni]

"Rick" > wrote in message
news:E7_Db.736279$pl3.486552@pd7tw3no...
> I noticed an advertisment that shows the new Vortex with a carrying handle
> for easy movement and a gravel vacuum attachment. Sounds great to me. I'm
> not sure how the vacuum would work, whether it cleans the water and it
goes
> back into the tank or down the drain.
>


I have both- the hang on the tank housing is great.

The gravel vac was a complete and TOTAL waste of money. I still have it- one
of these days I'm sending it back along with the cheesy valve thingamajigger
that is supposed to help you go tank to tank.
It broke the first use.

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

[Ben]

james mitchell wrote:
> It is an excellent filter. The only possible drawbacks I can think of
> relative to other diatoms are:
>
> If you understand what you're buying, you can't go wrong with it. I bought
> the Vortex recharge valve which makes it a lot easier to work with. I
> highly recommend buying this with the filter, a must if you plan on using it
> with multiple tanks. I don't see a need for the siphon starter option. I
> have no problem getting the siphon going. Also, buy 5 or 10 lbs of diatom
> powder with the filter. It only comes with 1 charge.

Thanks for the info Jim. I'm actually thinking of changing it to the
vortex Diatom Freedom Filter. From what I understand, while it's
slightly less powerful, it comes with more of the features I would use.
As for buying diatom powder, I'm told you can use the diatom stuff
they use for pools which is a lot cheaper. Have you done this?

Thanks again,
-ben

[Ben]

Toni wrote:

Hi Toni,

> That said, the design is antiquated. It is difficult to prime (use the
> pitcher method illustrated in the instructions), difficult to move from tank
> to tank, and difficult to clean... especially when compared to newer, better
> designed filters.

If you don't like this (as in you think it's antiquated, etc), is there
one you'd prefer? I'm thinking the vortex Diatom Freedom Filter might
have a little more what I'm looking for.

> Do I have one? You bet.
> Would I replace it with another? Yep.
> They simply work really, really well- PIA or not.

Not sure what PIA means.

-Ben

[Ben]

jduprie wrote:

Hi JD,

> they're the best I've found for water polishing. I'd never use one as a full
> time filter though.

Why would you never use one as a full time filter? (If it's the below,
I understand. Just curious if there's another reason).

Thanks,
-Ben

[Bruce Abrams]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> jduprie wrote:
>
> Hi JD,
>
> > they're the best I've found for water polishing. I'd never use one as a
full
> > time filter though.
>
> Why would you never use one as a full time filter? (If it's the below,
> I understand. Just curious if there's another reason).

Because it filters so finely, it would clog on a very regular basis and you
would find yourself spending untold hours each week emptying and recharging
the filter.

[jduprie]

mostly I wouldn't use it full time because its overkill. There really isn't
any reason to run a diatom filter full time - its purpose is to remove the
ultra-tiny stuff - like maybe after an algea bloom, or if you're trying to
treat a disease, or to simply lear up cloudy water (I use it just before I
take photos....)

The leak problem is just more of an annoyance than a real problem. 'course,
if I was going to run it ful time, the leak would be a killer...

--JD


"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> jduprie wrote:
>
> Hi JD,
>
> > they're the best I've found for water polishing. I'd never use one as a
full
> > time filter though.
>
> Why would you never use one as a full time filter? (If it's the below,
> I understand. Just curious if there's another reason).
>
> Thanks,
> -Ben
>

[Toni]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> As for buying diatom powder, I'm told you can use the diatom stuff
> they use for pools which is a lot cheaper. Have you done this?
>


I use the same DE for both my Vortex and my pool filter.


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

[Toni]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
>
> > That said, the design is antiquated. It is difficult to prime (use the
> > pitcher method illustrated in the instructions), difficult to move from
tank
> > to tank, and difficult to clean... especially when compared to newer,
better
> > designed filters.
>
> If you don't like this (as in you think it's antiquated, etc), is there
> one you'd prefer? I'm thinking the vortex Diatom Freedom Filter might
> have a little more what I'm looking for.
>


From what I can see in the ads the Freedom filter is not substantially
different, aside from the hoses being made of flex tubing instead of the
impossibly stiff old style. Plus it has a recharge valve.
I could be wrong about this.


> > Do I have one? You bet.
> > Would I replace it with another? Yep.
> > They simply work really, really well- PIA or not.
>
> Not sure what PIA means.
>



Pain In the Ass.


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

[Toni]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
>
> Why would you never use one as a full time filter? (If it's the below,
> I understand. Just curious if there's another reason).
>


They are just not designed to run full time.
No biobugs, too labor intensive (you'd have to change it daily), and the
pump will burn out.
Ugly as heck hanging on the front of the tank, too.


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

[John]

You might also consider the "System 1' Diatom filter. It is a HOT
(Hang On Tank) type that is easily movable to other tanks. It is also
'expandable' to a larger system by just purchasing an expansion kit
for about $25 extra. The expansion kit is only necessary for very
large tanks >150 gallons or for use when you are cleaning more than
about 3, 55 gal aquariums. It turns out to be cheaper than the
Vortex... See
http://www.thatpetplace.com/MainPro/itemdy00.aspx?HKW=F25&TKW=&SKW=&EDP=778&T1=F25+0051+0098&PgNo=1
or
http://www.aquariumcenter.com/view_item_plants.php?id=204& for one of
them.

Although a few dollars more, it is a VERY reliable unit. I was talked
into purchasing it instead of the Vortex about 15 years ago by the
owner of theaquariumcenter, before he became such a large store, back
when he only had 2,000 gallons worth of tanks... he is way over that
size now and his staff still uses the System 1 filter for cleaning up
'new delivery' tanks after the fish go through their isolation period
but before he ties them back into his central filter system. They
also use it to clear floating algae from his planted tanks which are
permanently isolated from his central system.

He told me then that the pump was easier to use and highly reliable.
My filter is still running strong, only replacement part that I have
purchased has been the impeller due to a stupid and I do mean stupid
mistake on my part that resulted in me breaking the impeller... I had
attempted to add a gravel cleaning tube to the intake, and instead of
using an outer diameter tube, I used an inner diameter one and pushed
it in too far, thus breaking the impeller...

Anyway, once I replaced the impeller, it still works just fine. Motor
is VERY powerful and will clean a darkly colored water, 55 gal tank in
less than an hour.

Once the first tank is clean, I simply turn it off, take off the
intake tube, move it to another tank, replace intake tube, and turn it
on. 30-45 minutes later I do the same thing and move it to my 3rd
tank and so on.

On Tue, 16 Dec 2003 16:06:28 -0500, Ben > wrote:

>Hi All,
>
>I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
>one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
>decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
>(Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
>anything.
>
>Thanks,
>Ben

[D&M]

Appears the popular opinion has changed on the Diatom filter. When I first
posted about it, all replies were against it.
I ended up with a H.O.T. micron filter, which has been quite a pita, but
works "ok". Wish that I got these kinda reviews before i went for the
submissive filter.

Oh well, live and learn, maybe one day I'll get a diatom filter to try for
myself. All I want is a decent polisher.


"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Hi All,
>
> I'm looking for opinions on the above filter. I'm thinking of getting
> one for my tanks as apparently, my fish poop way too much! I've heard
> decent things about this one and am curious if others have tried it.
> (Or ones like it). I'd like to make an informed decision before I buy
> anything.
>
> Thanks,
> Ben
>