Diatom filter question

reefer1970 · 04/07/2019, 11:35 AM

I have a 40g tank on the floor that I want to use a diatom filter to help clear up a Dino outbreak along with other measures. Since it uses gravity to bring water in, I can’t get a Prime ( tank on floor). Can I plumb in a separate pump to either push or pull the water through one of the hoses? Is flow rate a big deal?

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billdogg · 04/07/2019, 02:15 PM

I assume you are using a Vortex from your description?

I would fill a 5g bucket with fresh saltwater. Put it up on a table or whatever and start the filter as you normally would using the 5g bucket as your "tank". Once the filter is charged with diatom powder, using a small pitcher, lower the pitcher into the 5g bucket and get both the intake and output tubes in it. You might need two people for the next step. While keeping the filter running, lift the pitcher out of the bucket and submerge it into the 40g tank. leaving the filter tubes submerged, carefully remove the pitcher from the tank. Although the overall flow may be reduced a little, it should continue to work.

hth!

Good Luck!

Vinny Kreyling · 04/07/2019, 04:43 PM

I use 1 on my sump to remove the "Stuff" it accumulates.
Old school sucking on the return hose still works.

04/07/2019, 11:35 AM	#1
reefer1970 Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Grosse Pointe, MI Posts: 422	Diatom filter question I have a 40g tank on the floor that I want to use a diatom filter to help clear up a Dino outbreak along with other measures. Since it uses gravity to bring water in, I can’t get a Prime ( tank on floor). Can I plumb in a separate pump to either push or pull the water through one of the hoses? Is flow rate a big deal? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

04/07/2019, 02:15 PM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I assume you are using a Vortex from your description? I would fill a 5g bucket with fresh saltwater. Put it up on a table or whatever and start the filter as you normally would using the 5g bucket as your "tank". Once the filter is charged with diatom powder, using a small pitcher, lower the pitcher into the 5g bucket and get both the intake and output tubes in it. You might need two people for the next step. While keeping the filter running, lift the pitcher out of the bucket and submerge it into the 40g tank. leaving the filter tubes submerged, carefully remove the pitcher from the tank. Although the overall flow may be reduced a little, it should continue to work. hth! Good Luck! __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/07/2019, 04:43 PM	#3
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I use 1 on my sump to remove the "Stuff" it accumulates. Old school sucking on the return hose still works. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.