Diatom filters

[n*a*m*2*2*@e*r*o*l*s*.com]

After unsuccesfully dealing with persistent green water and cloudy
water issues in my tank for the last few months, I broke down and
bought a Vortex D-1 diatom filter today. Quite frankly, I am amazed
by this thing. Within 1 hour, my water turned from a hazy green, to
crystal clear. I do have questions though-- the instructions aren't
very clear, how do I store this thing once it is finished? I can't
just leave the water in it, right? The instructions mention flushing
the unit out, but won't that also flush out the filter powder along
with it? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never worked
with one of these before. Thanks for any insight or useful tips.

[Glenn]

yew, flushing it out also washes out the dirty powder. You store it dry
until needed next time. You can save big $$ by getting your powder at any
swimming pool/spa supply store. It is the same stuff used by spa and pool
filters.


" <nickm> wrote in message
...
> After unsuccesfully dealing with persistent green water and cloudy
> water issues in my tank for the last few months, I broke down and
> bought a Vortex D-1 diatom filter today. Quite frankly, I am amazed
> by this thing. Within 1 hour, my water turned from a hazy green, to
> crystal clear. I do have questions though-- the instructions aren't
> very clear, how do I store this thing once it is finished? I can't
> just leave the water in it, right? The instructions mention flushing
> the unit out, but won't that also flush out the filter powder along
> with it? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never worked
> with one of these before. Thanks for any insight or useful tips.

[CanadianCray]

I know those filters are great but isn't that kindof a pain in the $^%? WHy
not spend the money on a UV Sterilizer I never have to worry again.

--
Craig Williams
_________________________________

www.Canadiancray.tk
" <nickm> wrote in message
...
> After unsuccesfully dealing with persistent green water and cloudy
> water issues in my tank for the last few months, I broke down and
> bought a Vortex D-1 diatom filter today. Quite frankly, I am amazed
> by this thing. Within 1 hour, my water turned from a hazy green, to
> crystal clear. I do have questions though-- the instructions aren't
> very clear, how do I store this thing once it is finished? I can't
> just leave the water in it, right? The instructions mention flushing
> the unit out, but won't that also flush out the filter powder along
> with it? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never worked
> with one of these before. Thanks for any insight or useful tips.

[luminos]

"CanadianCray" > wrote in message
.. .
> I know those filters are great but isn't that kindof a pain in the $^%?
WHy
> not spend the money on a UV Sterilizer I never have to worry again.
>
> --
> Craig Williams

Because they perform completely different functions?

[Rick]

"luminos" > wrote in message
...
>
> "CanadianCray" > wrote in message
> .. .
> > I know those filters are great but isn't that kindof a pain in the $^%?
> WHy
> > not spend the money on a UV Sterilizer I never have to worry again.
> >
> > --
> > Craig Williams
>
> Because they perform completely different functions?
>
>

well not completely different functions as one will kill most but not all
free floating parasites like ICH and the other will remove most but not all
of the same thing . A UV unit will kill of free floating algae where the
diatom will remove it so they perform similar functions. A diatom filter
will polish you water to crystal clear clarity whereas the UV unit will
certainly help keep your water clear but not to the same extent that the
diatom unit will .

Rick

[Glenn]

UV sterilizers kill anything living in the water, and the diatom
mechanically removes particles. It will do far more to clear water than any
other filter type. Great to hook the gravel vac to and clean the gravel
occasionally.



"Rick" > wrote in message
...
>
> "luminos" > wrote in message
> ...
> >
> > "CanadianCray" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> > > I know those filters are great but isn't that kindof a pain in the
$^%?
> > WHy
> > > not spend the money on a UV Sterilizer I never have to worry again.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Craig Williams
> >
> > Because they perform completely different functions?
> >
> >
>
> well not completely different functions as one will kill most but not all
> free floating parasites like ICH and the other will remove most but not
all
> of the same thing . A UV unit will kill of free floating algae where the
> diatom will remove it so they perform similar functions. A diatom filter
> will polish you water to crystal clear clarity whereas the UV unit will
> certainly help keep your water clear but not to the same extent that the
> diatom unit will .
>
> Rick
>
>
>

[Doug W]

I agree, diatom filters kick ass for removing pea soup
green algae. I had the worst problem about 8 months
ago in my 75 gallon. Nothing worked, until I got that very
same diatom filter. Two treatments (it came back slightly
after a month) and I have been green water free ever since.
I think that my well water contains certain compounds that
green water algae seem to love. I cannot keep any
live plants in my tank, as my 4 large golden severums
devour everything I put in there. Or perhaps maybe I
am due for another outbreak this summer, as I live near
some farms, and perhaps the runoff from the farms
(ie: fertilizers) enters my well, I dunno?

Doug



" <nickm> wrote in message
...
> After unsuccesfully dealing with persistent green water and cloudy
> water issues in my tank for the last few months, I broke down and
> bought a Vortex D-1 diatom filter today. Quite frankly, I am amazed
> by this thing. Within 1 hour, my water turned from a hazy green, to
> crystal clear. I do have questions though-- the instructions aren't
> very clear, how do I store this thing once it is finished? I can't
> just leave the water in it, right? The instructions mention flushing
> the unit out, but won't that also flush out the filter powder along
> with it? Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never worked
> with one of these before. Thanks for any insight or useful tips.

[Graham Broadbridge]

"Doug W" > wrote in message
...
> I agree, diatom filters kick ass for removing pea soup
> green algae. I had the worst problem about 8 months
> ago in my 75 gallon. Nothing worked, until I got that very
> same diatom filter. Two treatments (it came back slightly

I run a Vortex XL on my tank 24/7. Not to remove green water, but simply to
keep the tank crystal clear. It also lets me leave the eheim running as a
bio filter without collecting too much crap.

They're not cheap though, here in Australia it left little change out of
$550.

No problems with CO2 injection nor with the potency of my PMDD.

I just buy the diatom powder from a local swimming pool supplier, around $4
for 10kg (which lasts a long long time).


Graham.

[TR]

Hi Graham,
I've been looking into buying one of these, both for the filtering, and also
because it has an attachment to use for gravel cleaning.
With it running 24/7, how often do you recharge it? Any other routine
schedule that you follow with it?
Have you used the gravel attachment, and any comments if so?

As for the price, not sure what the exchange rate is but here in the US it
can be found online for $90-$110. I've searched the NG and found mostly
praise for the Vortex, and diatom filters in general.
Thanks,
Tom

"Graham Broadbridge" > wrote in message
. ..
> "Doug W" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I agree, diatom filters kick ass for removing pea soup
> > green algae. I had the worst problem about 8 months
> > ago in my 75 gallon. Nothing worked, until I got that very
> > same diatom filter. Two treatments (it came back slightly
>
> I run a Vortex XL on my tank 24/7. Not to remove green water, but simply
to
> keep the tank crystal clear. It also lets me leave the eheim running as
a
> bio filter without collecting too much crap.
>
> They're not cheap though, here in Australia it left little change out of
> $550.
>
> No problems with CO2 injection nor with the potency of my PMDD.
>
> I just buy the diatom powder from a local swimming pool supplier, around
$4
> for 10kg (which lasts a long long time).
>
>
> Graham.
>
>

[Ben]

Tom,

Vortex recently came out with a new one called the Freedom that's a
little better if you want to run it 24/7. (It's supposed to be run like
that while the X1 and D1 are 'not' rated to be run that much.)

It also has an attachment to hang on the back and includes the recharge
valve. http://www.diatomfilter.com/products/diatom_dff_filter.htm

-Ben

TR wrote:
> Hi Graham,
> I've been looking into buying one of these, both for the filtering, and also
> because it has an attachment to use for gravel cleaning.
> With it running 24/7, how often do you recharge it? Any other routine
> schedule that you follow with it?
> Have you used the gravel attachment, and any comments if so?
>
> As for the price, not sure what the exchange rate is but here in the US it
> can be found online for $90-$110. I've searched the NG and found mostly
> praise for the Vortex, and diatom filters in general.
> Thanks,
> Tom
>
> "Graham Broadbridge" > wrote in message
> . ..
>
>>"Doug W" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>I agree, diatom filters kick ass for removing pea soup
>>>green algae. I had the worst problem about 8 months
>>>ago in my 75 gallon. Nothing worked, until I got that very
>>>same diatom filter. Two treatments (it came back slightly
>>
>>I run a Vortex XL on my tank 24/7. Not to remove green water, but simply
>
> to
>
>>keep the tank crystal clear. It also lets me leave the eheim running as
>
> a
>
>>bio filter without collecting too much crap.
>>
>>They're not cheap though, here in Australia it left little change out of
>>$550.
>>
>>No problems with CO2 injection nor with the potency of my PMDD.
>>
>>I just buy the diatom powder from a local swimming pool supplier, around
>
> $4
>
>>for 10kg (which lasts a long long time).
>>
>>
>>Graham.
>>
>>
>
>
>

[Private Pyle]

Ben > wrote in message >...
> Tom,
>
> Vortex recently came out with a new one called the Freedom that's a
> little better if you want to run it 24/7. (It's supposed to be run like
> that while the X1 and D1 are 'not' rated to be run that much.)
>
> It also has an attachment to hang on the back and includes the recharge
> valve. http://www.diatomfilter.com/products/diatom_dff_filter.htm


I have the Freedom filter, and it works great. It's load though, and
in my opinion much too loud to run 24/hr. But I do have to say that
it works awesome and just a few hours a week keep the tank sparkling.

Pyle

>
> -Ben
>
> TR wrote:
> > Hi Graham,
> > I've been looking into buying one of these, both for the filtering, and also
> > because it has an attachment to use for gravel cleaning.
> > With it running 24/7, how often do you recharge it? Any other routine
> > schedule that you follow with it?
> > Have you used the gravel attachment, and any comments if so?
> >
> > As for the price, not sure what the exchange rate is but here in the US it
> > can be found online for $90-$110. I've searched the NG and found mostly
> > praise for the Vortex, and diatom filters in general.
> > Thanks,
> > Tom
> >
> > "Graham Broadbridge" > wrote in message
> > . ..
> >
> >>"Doug W" > wrote in message
> ...
> >>
> >>>I agree, diatom filters kick ass for removing pea soup
> >>>green algae. I had the worst problem about 8 months
> >>>ago in my 75 gallon. Nothing worked, until I got that very
> >>>same diatom filter. Two treatments (it came back slightly
> >>
> >>I run a Vortex XL on my tank 24/7. Not to remove green water, but simply
> >
> > to
> >
> >>keep the tank crystal clear. It also lets me leave the eheim running as
> >
> > a
> >
> >>bio filter without collecting too much crap.
> >>
> >>They're not cheap though, here in Australia it left little change out of
> >>$550.
> >>
> >>No problems with CO2 injection nor with the potency of my PMDD.
> >>
> >>I just buy the diatom powder from a local swimming pool supplier, around
> >
> > $4
> >
> >>for 10kg (which lasts a long long time).
> >>
> >>
> >>Graham.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >

[Graham Broadbridge]

"TR" > wrote in message
link.net...
> Hi Graham,
> I've been looking into buying one of these, both for the filtering, and
also
> because it has an attachment to use for gravel cleaning.
> With it running 24/7, how often do you recharge it? Any other routine
> schedule that you follow with it?

I backflush and recharge it weekly - the same time as I do tank maintenance.
Any longer than that and it gets a bit clogged and starts to blow bubbles
(which are CO2 bubbles), it tends to suck dissolved gasses such as CO2 out
of the water.

> Have you used the gravel attachment, and any comments if so?

No I havent used the vortex gravel cleaner. I do use it to clean the
gravel, I just attach a normal gravel cleaner to the intake of the filter,
normally just before I recharge the filter.

> As for the price, not sure what the exchange rate is but here in the US it
> can be found online for $90-$110. I've searched the NG and found mostly
> praise for the Vortex, and diatom filters in general.

Yes, they're pretty cheap in the U.S. Unfortunately there isn't a big
market here in Australia, so the freight costs are high and of course the
dealers like to hit where it hurts. Anyway I have nothing but praise for
the filter (although getting the thing back together is a pain in the ass
whenever I take it apart for a good clean).

Regards
Graham.

[Graham Broadbridge]

"Ben" > wrote in message
...
> Tom,
>
> Vortex recently came out with a new one called the Freedom that's a
> little better if you want to run it 24/7. (It's supposed to be run like
> that while the X1 and D1 are 'not' rated to be run that much.)

FYI, the user manual for the XL states that it is designed to run 24/7.
They just warn that at around 200 gallons per hour it may create too much
stress for the fish. I've not found that to be a problem, in my case the
fish love the flow from one end of the tank to the other.


Graham.

[Graham Broadbridge]

"Private Pyle" > wrote in message
om...
> I have the Freedom filter, and it works great. It's load though, and
> in my opinion much too loud to run 24/hr. But I do have to say that
> it works awesome and just a few hours a week keep the tank sparkling.

If it's anything like the XL, it gets a lot quieter after a few months of
operation. Initially it was loud enough to be disturbing, but after a few
oils it's much quieter.

Graham.

[MartinOsirus]

Diatom filters are excellent to use - I have the system 1 - works well -
especially in messy G/F tanks. They are not 24/7 filters - I run mine 1 hr 1-2
times/month. They really clean up the water (polish)