Question about diatom filters

[trainbob]

Twenty plus years ago when I kept fish I always had a diatom filter which was used as a supplement filter used for water changes and cleaNing the sand and scrape the glass. Plus Vortex claimed that their filter can filter out ich and other parasites . Well when starting back up again one of the first things I looked for was a diatom filter but to my surprise it was hard to find one. Actually just found one from Marineland and had to go to a pool supply store for the DE powder. So my question is why are diatom filters more popular in the fish keeping hobby

 

[lapin]

Trends come and go. Now in pools, the sand filter has pretty much replaced the diatom filter. I think the filter sock/roller mat has taken over.

 

[trainbob]

Thanks for the update. That is somewhat reassuring because I was not sure if something bad was known about them

 

[Cabinetman]

I’ve used a big pool one on my 560 gallon trying to control ich. I even used the 1 hp pool pump to feed it and it didn’t stop the outbreak of Ick I had enough to make me feel it was working. As far as it being a super fine filter I find a 5 micron filter sock is easier to use

 

[trainbob]

The one that I have comes with a micron cartridge filter but they don’t say what size it is although it can be charged with de powder which tells me that it is not as fine as the powder Do you filter with the 5 micron sock continuously or just once in a while

 

[Cabinetman]

The one that I have comes with a micron cartridge filter but they don’t say what size it is although it can be charged with de powder which tells me that it is not as fine as the powder Do you filter with the 5 micron sock continuously or just once in a while

My set up is kind of unique. I have a t off my return pump that goes back to the first section on my sump that I’m able to clamp a big sock too so when I want to clean my sump out I can just shut the flow off to the display and pump the water thru the sock letting the sump recirculate until it’s running clear. With a 5 micron 32” long sock hanging up it don’t take long to clear the water in the sump no matter how much I stir things up.

 

[trainbob]

Wow that’s a big sock