UV Sterilizer or diatom filter

[cycled123]

I'm looking to get a UV sterilizer or diatom filter for my 180g tank. I'm looking for pathogen reduction and water clarity. The diatom filter I would run intermittently so would not have to be plumbed in so that would be easy. And I could use it between multiple tanks (I have several). But I can not find a lot of information on them. The little research I have found say they work great but don't last and can be a pita to get started. They are also hard on your fish do to the flow rates. I imagine pods would also get sucked up. The sterilizer I'm looking at is ~3.5 ft long. I can either hook it off of the manifold off the return line or run it closed loop with its own pump placed vertical down the back of the tank. I know I want to balance contact time across the bulb with turnover of water volume. Off of the manifold I would have more contact time across the bulb but less turnover. Running closed loop I can achieve more turnover but less contact time. Bulb changes would be way easier if ran off the manifold. If ran off of manifold I would be able to have the "output" dump directly into skimmer chamber to immediately be skimmed out. Closed loop I could place the intake lower in the tank versus just surface skimming. Closed loop would also cost significantly more because I would need to purchase a pump. What would be a good external pump for this application? Help!

 

[dstienmann]

Ive got 2 4ft Pentair SMart UV 40w and a Diatom XL. The Diatom really makes the starfire glass shine! Im building a bigger diatom filter out of a pool filter.
The Diatom I think works better all around I even have the UV set around 145GPh Didn't do anything for the Ich outbreak either

 

[cycled123]

Ive got 2 4ft Pentair SMart UV 40w and a Diatom XL. The Diatom really makes the starfire glass shine! Im building a bigger diatom filter out of a pool filter.
The Diatom I think works better all around I even have the UV set around 145GPh Didn't do anything for the Ich outbreak either

Thanks! This exactly the info I need to help me make a decision

 

[cycled123]

Ive got 2 4ft Pentair SMart UV 40w and a Diatom XL. The Diatom really makes the starfire glass shine! Im building a bigger diatom filter out of a pool filter.
The Diatom I think works better all around I even have the UV set around 145GPh Didn't do anything for the Ich outbreak either

Forgot to ask any problems with reliability for Diatom XL?

 

[cycled123]

Ordered a XL Diatom filter today with retrofitted pump. Hopefully I am making the right decision :)

 

[RockyProndoa]

Ive got 2 4ft Pentair SMart UV 40w and a Diatom XL. The Diatom really makes the starfire glass shine! Im building a bigger diatom filter out of a pool filter.
The Diatom I think works better all around I even have the UV set around 145GPh Didn't do anything for the Ich outbreak either

Any experience with Dino's and that UV? I currently have an osteo outbreak and am considering this exact unit.

 

[Daniel Waters]

Ordered a XL Diatom filter today with retrofitted pump. Hopefully I am making the right decision :)

I'd love to know what you think of the diatom filter after you run it a while!

 

[Ubergroover]

I have used one for a long time. I pull it out when my tank is stressed or my tangs get ich. I run it for a week and fish are healthy. I have a yellow belly hippo tang that has had ich a few time from adding fish. Since using the filter I have yet to loose a fish from disease. Tang is 2 years old. best 160 dollars you can spend. Plus the local pool store carries the media. same stuff as a pool filter.DE. Just my experience....

 

[Thomashtom]

Diatom filters work great!!! Just have to monitor them cause they clog quick.

 

[Be102]

Ordered a XL Diatom filter today with retrofitted pump. Hopefully I am making the right decision :)

Any updates on the diatom filter?

 

[cycled123]

The diatom filter works but is to much flow to keep on all the time so we got a UV filter. We will use the diatom filter sporadically as needed.