Diatom filter question
- Thread starter Mudfrog
- Start date
You don't really have to replace the diatom powder unless it is dirty. Then again, diatomaceous earth is so cheap that it could be replaced after each use. No need to run the filter continuously. Use it when the tank water needs polishing.
I love DE filters! I started with a Diatom D1 filter a friend gave me. The results are phenomenal!
This is the DE powder I use: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swimming-Pool-Diatomaceous-Earth-DE-Powder-25-lbs-/180708348618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a130e92ca 25 pounds for $20 with free delivery. For the Diatom XL this amount of powder should easily last 5 life times!
While the Diatom XL filters are simply awesome, they do not have very efficient motors. This is the major reason to not run the filters continuously. When I used my Diatom D1 (less screen area than your XL) on my 110g tank it would usually run a couple of days (After a water change which would stir up the gunk and cloud the water) before the flow slowed considerably.
You can turn off the motor, shake the filter to knock off the powder and then turn the motor back on to expose a new layer of the DE powder. But I would usually just put the filter away until the next months water change.
Stir up your tank very well so the water is near opaque with debris then marvel at how quick it turns perfectly clear when you turn the Diatom XL on!
P.S. I stopped using my Diatom D1 only because I liked it so much that I replaced it with a Hayward EC40 pool filter (In my signature) that I do run continuously.
This is the DE powder I use: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swimming-Pool-Diatomaceous-Earth-DE-Powder-25-lbs-/180708348618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a130e92ca 25 pounds for $20 with free delivery. For the Diatom XL this amount of powder should easily last 5 life times!
While the Diatom XL filters are simply awesome, they do not have very efficient motors. This is the major reason to not run the filters continuously. When I used my Diatom D1 (less screen area than your XL) on my 110g tank it would usually run a couple of days (After a water change which would stir up the gunk and cloud the water) before the flow slowed considerably.
You can turn off the motor, shake the filter to knock off the powder and then turn the motor back on to expose a new layer of the DE powder. But I would usually just put the filter away until the next months water change.
Stir up your tank very well so the water is near opaque with debris then marvel at how quick it turns perfectly clear when you turn the Diatom XL on!
P.S. I stopped using my Diatom D1 only because I liked it so much that I replaced it with a Hayward EC40 pool filter (In my signature) that I do run continuously.
Just be careful with DE as pool filter grade is considered dangerous to breath in, unrelated but thought I'd throw it out there.
When I bought the filter I also ordered a 5lb box of Vortex Diatom Powder. It was only $20 to the door.
So ideally you want to run this after a water change? On a 125g how long should I leave it running? I was thinking around 8-10 hours for the first use?
So ideally you want to run this after a water change? On a 125g how long should I leave it running? I was thinking around 8-10 hours for the first use?
^^^^^
DE is diatomaceous earth, the skeletal remains of diatoms. These tiny skeletons are mostly just silicon. They are very small. Breathing in fine silicon particles is not a good practice and not good for your lungs. Yes, please use caution as adixon advises.
DE is diatomaceous earth, the skeletal remains of diatoms. These tiny skeletons are mostly just silicon. They are very small. Breathing in fine silicon particles is not a good practice and not good for your lungs. Yes, please use caution as adixon advises.
I think you will find that the water clears up in about 15 minutes. I think you will find that the DE powder will plug after a couple of days depending on the amount of material in the water. So I would run the filter somewhere between 15 minutes and a couple of days.
You do not have to wait for a water change to run the DE filter. When I do water changes it usually stirs up the debris from the bottom of the tank making it a great time to use the Diatom filter.
If you have green water or a problem like Ich I would run the filter until the problem goes away.
P.S. My Diatom came to me with just straight vinyl tubing ends. I used a couple of PVC elbows and hose barb fittings to make a "U" that I could hang over the side of the tank for both the intake and return tubes. This made the Diatom filter much much easier to use!
I also picked up one of these in the pond section at home depot to keep my fish from being sucked up into the filter when I left it unattended. The Diatom filters have a pretty powerful motor and produce a pretty heavy flow.
I also picked up one of these in the pond section at home depot to keep my fish from being sucked up into the filter when I left it unattended. The Diatom filters have a pretty powerful motor and produce a pretty heavy flow.