Diatom Filter Use...

Delatedlotus · Oct 24, 2019

Just a question.. By using a Diatom Filter (an XL) does it or will it pull out any trace elements in the tank..? Diatomaceous Earth filters out very small particulates such as ick. My question is does it or will it filter out any trace elements at all..? I just love it.. it works so, so, well for me and my tank. It makes it crystal clear and removes of much waste build up. I have old tank syndrome really bad to the max. I have had my tank set-up for over 21 plus years and probley to much live rock about 200lbs in 450 gallons. It extremely hard to clean around in the rocks. I am going to be getting rid of some of the rock soon. But running it for some days now I just wonder. I just did a water change and starting Diatoming my tank.. It is moving Crud so the max... These do work like no other!. I am a firm believer in these all together 100%. But... I am worried about my trance elements...

Humblefish · Oct 24, 2019

It won't remove any trace elements. It just traps particulates and most parasites/bacteria in the diatomaceous earth.

Delatedlotus · Oct 24, 2019

How would I know that.. I have just wondered by running it for days 24/7..?
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Delatedlotus · Oct 24, 2019

I have a lot of yellowish snot looking chunks coming out from between the rocks.. It is sucking it all up.. !

Waterislife · Oct 24, 2019

Diatom fiters are only used for short-term cleaning, they are not designed to leave on the aquarium as a permanent filter.if you have any fish in that tank eventually it will start to suck the slime coat off the fish

Feet4Fish · Oct 24, 2019

Thanks for sharing that. I am by no means disagreeing with your statement that long term DE filter use if detrimental to a fish’s slime coat, but can I ask you where you learned that? Most users of DE filters, me included, only use them intermittently but I know a few aquarists on this forum who run them much more continuously. I just have never heard that has a negative against constant use. Thanks!!!

ddrueckh · Oct 24, 2019

Waterislife said:
Diatom fiters are only used for short-term cleaning, they are not designed to leave on the aquarium as a permanent filter.if you have any fish in that tank eventually it will start to suck the slime coat off the fish

I don't have anything to prove you wrong, but how can a filter suck a slime coat off a fish? Maybe if you rub the intake tube across the fish it would...but any filter would do that. I think the biggest issue running it 24/7 would be keeping the water too clean for coral. For a fish only tank, I don't see any harm.

Dave

Humblefish · Oct 24, 2019

Waterislife said:
Diatom fiters are only used for short-term cleaning, they are not designed to leave on the aquarium as a permanent filter.if you have any fish in that tank eventually it will start to suck the slime coat off the fish

Suck the slime coat off a fish?! :rolleyes:

I agree the smaller DE filters will get clogged after only a day or two, but I believe a pool grade DE filter can run for a week or two before needing to be cleaned.

Feet4Fish · Oct 24, 2019

I value your opinion and curious on this one....do you see any harm in using implements designed for a pool on our marine systems. I am building out a large fish only and wanted to put a Hayward DE filter on it such as @robert and several others. But just recently a long time aquarist and aquarium professional told me not to use pool equipment.

ddrueckh · Oct 24, 2019

soffutt said:
I value your opinion and curious on this one....do you see any harm in using implements designed for a pool on our marine systems. I am building out a large fish only and wanted to put a Hayward DE filter on it such as @robert and several others. But just recently a long time aquarist and aquarium professional told me not to use pool equipment.

You just need to make sure they don't use any material that can contaminate your water...lubricants, copper or other metal fittings and such. Also make sure it can hold up to saltwater.

Waterislife · Oct 24, 2019

soffutt said:
Thanks for sharing that. I am by no means disagreeing with your statement that long term DE filter use if detrimental to a fish’s slime coat, but can I ask you where you learned that? Most users of DE filters, me included, only use them intermittently but I know a few aquarists on this forum who run them much more continuously. I just have never heard that has a negative against constant use. Thanks!!!

when I bought my first diatom filter in 1984 there were big words in the instructions that said not intended for long-term use can be detrimental to fish slime coat with extended use that came right from the box from a diatom filter glass jar white powdery substance used as the media same thing that you're talkin about just totally old school

Feet4Fish · Oct 24, 2019

Thanks for that.

Waterislife said:
when I bought my first diatom filter in 1984 there were big words in the instructions that said not intended for long-term use can be detrimental to fish slime coat with extended use that came right from the box from a diatom filter glass jar white powdery substance used as the media same thing that you're talkin about just totally old school

Dr. Dendrostein · Oct 24, 2019

Since July, been using DIY DE filtration, made from clear whole house filter 4.5"x 20" casing.
Hooked up at return pump discharge. I do have to recharge every 2 weeks. Heavy feeding.
Use it 24/7. For soft corals, carnation corals, dendronephthya spp.

1 of 33 carnation corals, dendronephthya spp

Dr. Dendrostein · Oct 24, 2019

Waterislife said:
when I bought my first diatom filter in 1984 there were big words in the instructions that said not intended for long-term use can be detrimental to fish slime coat with extended use that came right from the box from a diatom filter glass jar white powdery substance used as the media same thing that you're talkin about just totally old school

Truth was, long term use of their product, would ruin motor.

WVNed · Oct 24, 2019

It will not hurt to leave it run. But once it has goo in it don't let it set and run it again. It will poison your tank with hydrogen sulfide. It will not remove trace elements. When bubbles start to come out recharge it. The pump is cavitating.

It is basically a very very fine filter sock drive by a pump.

Feet4Fish · Oct 24, 2019

Could you provide some more detail on your DIY DE filter, perhaps some pics. If you turn out being satisfied with your build a thread about it would be great!

Dr. Dendrostein · Oct 24, 2019

soffutt said:
Could you provide some more detail on your DIY DE filter, perhaps some pics. If you turn out being satisfied with your build a thread about it would be great!

Always remember , wear a cartridge filter mask, when dealing with DE.

Here's a link. May need to used a little imagination where I missed certain info in thread