Diatom Filter or H.O.T. Magnum

I was in a hurry one day and did not want to wait for the chlorine
to clear so I tried oxy instead. It is amazing the tarry brown goo
that bubbles off the filter. Probably don't need to do it, but as
far as work goes, it's just a couple of buckets out in the laundry
room. Fill them with either bleach or oxy, takes at most two
minutes, then walk away.
Jeff

Hi Jeff,
Is that just the regular powdered Oxi Clean, any particular strength?
Just curious, as I have ordered a HOT Magnum coming in this week,
and I'm just trying to keep notes about the various tips for making
use of it. Thanks!

Regular Oxyclean, or it's generic equivalents. One scoop to half a
gallon hot water. Use something heavy to hold the filter down. A
friend left half a six pack of Budweiser long necks behind and I find
them ideal for this task. ;-)
None of this really gets the filter back to white, but I don't think
it matters. I tried this because I'd read that oxy is fairly benign
and I could never seem to rinse all the Clorox out. I've since
learned no moisture, no chlorine so let the filter dry out completely.
Jeff

Ok, I've learned a bit today... I'll see if the oxyclean has any advantage
over tap water :-) jk

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

"Jeff Lowe" wrote in message
...
None of this really gets the filter back to white, but I don't think it
matters. I tried this because I'd read that oxy is fairly benign and I
could
never seem to rinse all the Clorox out. I've since learned no moisture, no
chlorine so let the filter dry out completely.

It's amazing how much of that simple information gets left behind in the
never ending parade of new products that promise all sorts of magic.

No moisture == no chlorine, also sunlight kills chlorine even on damp things
left in full sunlight - that's why you have to add chlorine to pools every
day during summer, the ultraviolet kills it.

How many folks out there buy expensive tubes of pHup when Baking soda does
the same job better :-)


Graham.

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004 22:58:50 +1000, "Graham Broadbridge"
wrote:
How many folks out there buy expensive tubes of pHup when Baking soda does
the same job better :-)


Graham.


I've read a few things about this in the archives. Do you mind
ellaborating on the process a bit. Like how much per gallon?

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004 22:58:50 +1000, "Graham Broadbridge"
wrote:
How many folks out there buy expensive tubes of pHup when Baking
soda does the same job better :-)

Graham.

I've read a few things about this in the archives. Do you mind
ellaborating on the process a bit. Like how much per gallon?

In my 29g, it's CO2 injected, starts about 7.0, and I run 15-22ppm of CO2,
the CO2 brings down the pH to 6.0, I add 1 teaspoon of BS and get it back to
7.0, hardness started out at 2, raises to 4-5 when done.. it's really the
better product to use, IMO...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

On Thu, 29 Apr 2004 12:07:29 -0400, "RedForeman ©®"
wrote:

In my 29g, it's CO2 injected, starts about 7.0, and I run 15-22ppm of CO2,
the CO2 brings down the pH to 6.0, I add 1 teaspoon of BS and get it back to
7.0, hardness started out at 2, raises to 4-5 when done.. it's really the
better product to use, IMO...

So you add it straight to the tank?

Does it just neutralize the Ph to 7.0 or always raises it. My Ph is at
about 7.4 right now and I would like to get it back to 7.0

In my 29g, it's CO2 injected, starts about 7.0, and I run 15-22ppm
of CO2, the CO2 brings down the pH to 6.0, I add 1 teaspoon of BS
and get it back to
7.0, hardness started out at 2, raises to 4-5 when done.. it's
really the better product to use, IMO...

So you add it straight to the tank?

I add it when doing water changes... I add the BS to the water going back
into the tank, and I add it slowly...

Does it just neutralize the Ph to 7.0 or always raises it. My Ph is at
about 7.4 right now and I would like to get it back to 7.0

It raises your gH(buffer) and your pH comes UP with it, not down...read BS
goes UP, not down. If you're starting with a 7.4 and you want it to be 7.0,
add some driftwood or CO2, and it'll come down...

Unless there is a reason you want the water at 7.0, I wouldn't bugger with
anything special... your fish will adapt, and if you're getting the fish
from a local LFS, you'll be fine with it.. get some soft, acidic water
loving fish, and you'll be in trouble...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

IIRC, adding Reverse Osmosis water will lower the pH, and gH, and if you're
wanting to move from 7.4 to 7.0 that would help you do it, but in what
mixture, I'm not sure
--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

"RedForeman ©®" wrote in message
...
In my 29g, it's CO2 injected, starts about 7.0, and I run 15-22ppm
of CO2, the CO2 brings down the pH to 6.0, I add 1 teaspoon of BS
and get it back to
7.0, hardness started out at 2, raises to 4-5 when done.. it's
really the better product to use, IMO...

So you add it straight to the tank?

I add it when doing water changes... I add the BS to the water going back
into the tank, and I add it slowly...

Does it just neutralize the Ph to 7.0 or always raises it. My Ph is at
about 7.4 right now and I would like to get it back to 7.0

It raises your gH(buffer) and your pH comes UP with it, not down...read BS
goes UP, not down. If you're starting with a 7.4 and you want it to be
7.0,
add some driftwood or CO2, and it'll come down...

Unless there is a reason you want the water at 7.0, I wouldn't bugger with
anything special... your fish will adapt, and if you're getting the fish
from a local LFS, you'll be fine with it.. get some soft, acidic water
loving fish, and you'll be in trouble...

Small typo: It raises Kh (Carbonate Hardness ....Germans.....) since it is
sodium bicarbonate, and does not change Gh. Limestone or coral will raise
both. Some folks don't like the idea of adding sodium, but other folks add
salt.... go figure. Use some peat or water softener pillows to drop the Ph
some, or don't worry about it, 7.4 to 7.0 is not much of a change. Just stay
away from the Ph Down products that are phosphoric acid as they are likely
to cause an algae bloom.
Worry less, enjoy more.
Jeff

Small typo: It raises Kh (Carbonate Hardness ....Germans.....)

ooops... my bad Jeff, thanks for catching it...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

"Randy Ocano" wrote in message
...
I've been using a HOT Magnum for years for just polishing.The micron
cartridge generally does a good job but on rare occasions I charge it
with diatom powder. I doubt if Marineland recommends this or if it
would void your warranty but it seemed to work fine. Haven't touched
either of my vortex filters since I've started using the HOT Magnum.
To charge the filter you'll need two input tubes, one for the input
and the other for the output. Place the filter in the tank and
submerge a small plastic pitcher and bring it up with the input and
exhaust tubes in it. I then slowly dump a cup of diatom powder in it.

Just received my HOT Magnum yesterday. Marineland now includes an
instruction sheet for charging and using the micron filter with diatom
powder. So I woudn't think there will be any warranty issues :-)
Instuctions are basically as you describe.