diatomaceous earth filter to polish water in a reef tank?? y/n ?

drtechno · 05/28/2007, 02:43 PM

Can I use a diatomaceous earth filter on my 20 gal reef to polish the water real quick?

My parameters are 0-0-0 (amm, ite, ate) but there is mild amounts of ?debris floating in the water since I am skimmerless (just LR/LS and powerheads/heater).. I would like to have crystal clear water

Or will it strip the water of minerals / nutrients ?

minimalist · 05/28/2007, 02:50 PM

I presume that's some kind of HOB filter. You can use it for a short time w/out issue. I wouldn't use it for longer than a week without replacing the filter media (especially the sponge) as it will become a nitrate factory.

drtechno · 05/28/2007, 02:54 PM

Ya.. its a micron filter that runs short term (a few hours) to remove debris and particulate matter..

Of course, I suppose coral feeds on particulate matter.. hmmm...

Sk8r · 05/28/2007, 03:03 PM

It's great for that purpose: we used to use them to clean up after we stirred the old crushed coral beds...BUT don't use them often. Great for a club to have one, to be on loan when somebody's nevvy drops Cheerios in to feed the fish or when something's bloomed or mated and clouded the water. It can get that sort of thing out literally in minutes, in time to save fish from suffocation---good, yes, in rare application.

rayjay · 05/30/2007, 02:33 PM

Unfortunately, it also strips the tank of zooplankton.

05/28/2007, 02:43 PM	#1
drtechno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 156	diatomaceous earth filter to polish water in a reef tank?? y/n ? Can I use a diatomaceous earth filter on my 20 gal reef to polish the water real quick? My parameters are 0-0-0 (amm, ite, ate) but there is mild amounts of ?debris floating in the water since I am skimmerless (just LR/LS and powerheads/heater).. I would like to have crystal clear water Or will it strip the water of minerals / nutrients ?

05/28/2007, 03:03 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It's great for that purpose: we used to use them to clean up after we stirred the old crushed coral beds...BUT don't use them often. Great for a club to have one, to be on loan when somebody's nevvy drops Cheerios in to feed the fish or when something's bloomed or mated and clouded the water. It can get that sort of thing out literally in minutes, in time to save fish from suffocation---good, yes, in rare application. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

05/30/2007, 02:33 PM	#5
rayjay Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,969	Unfortunately, it also strips the tank of zooplankton. __________________ Seahorses. Culture nanno, rotifers and brine shrimp. Current Tank Info: Seahorses

05/28/2007, 02:50 PM	#2
minimalist Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 506	I presume that's some kind of HOB filter. You can use it for a short time w/out issue. I wouldn't use it for longer than a week without replacing the filter media (especially the sponge) as it will become a nitrate factory.

05/28/2007, 02:54 PM	#3
drtechno Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 156	Ya.. its a micron filter that runs short term (a few hours) to remove debris and particulate matter.. Of course, I suppose coral feeds on particulate matter.. hmmm...