anyone ever used a diatom filter?

[PoonTang]

Christy. what about using a filter sock in your sump. I used to do that whenever i was going to do some mucking about in the tank or when i was blowing all the crap off my rocks.

[fencer]

I still have mine. It is an old model but still works.But never used in salt(BTW it is for sale cheap ) The startup is kinda messy but after a few passes the filter starts gaining efficency and you get very clear water. I would do it in the sump first or a pail to get it to prime so it does not exhuast diatom powder all over the tank

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by PoonTang

Christy. what about using a filter sock in your sump. I used to do that whenever i was going to do some mucking about in the tank or when i was blowing all the crap off my rocks.

Yep I do have a filter sock in there. I was just thinking for the other tiny particulates that are always in the water. I dunno, I'm thinking maybe I'll just crank up the ozone again, it did a pretty good job too.

I guess I could always save the $200 for desperately needed corals and just crank up my dollar store turkey baster

[Lance]

Originally Posted by Snaz

Looking at that site I see description that is wrong. You don't want to run these filters full time or it probably will collapse on itself and end the universe in a blink. Seriously these are for polishing only and not meant to be run "full time".

http://www.mops.ca/cgi-bin/SoftCart....8e5+1248803155

When I say I use it all the time I didn't literally mean continuously When I do a water change and siphon off the detritus I stir up the gravel and use the Diatom to clean the water column. Run it for a couple hours after every water change.

[Aquattro]

Christy, check any local stores to see if they have one you can rent. We used to have a store here that would rent it or loan it out as needed, although I thought I heard diatomaceous earth could no longer be bought. Health reasons. I've used one though, and I'd love to have one for emergencies.

[sharuq1]

Try Pisces in Calgary. I think they are on sale right now. Maybe they could ship one to you?

[BlueAbyss]

Originally Posted by Aquattro

...I thought I heard diatomaceous earth could no longer be bought. Health reasons.

Diatomaceous earth is pretty nasty stuff if you breath it in, for sure (wear a dust mask when working with it, and eye protection would be good)... but I hope this isn't true, it is one of the more useful products out there for killing garden insects without chemicals.

Oh, and for filtering aquariums on occasion... yes, I believe that's what we were talking about So is it not available from the company that makes the filters than?