D.E. Filters for Salt Aquariums

Ruebourbon99 · 03/04/2006, 11:23 AM

Hi everyone,
At the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, Texas there is a team conducting research with Sea Urchins. They have quite a few of these hang on tank D.E. (diatomaceous Earth) filters that they use every time the water gets cloudy. These filters make the cleanest water I have ever seen. I was wondering if anyone has ever used one on a home aquarium and if so where did they get it? Thanks

AZDesertRat · 03/04/2006, 12:26 PM

There are several out there for polishing your water. The Vortex Diatom filter is one. Another is the System 1. You can also get DE cartridges for some of the canister filters like the Magnums.

JARJAR · 03/15/2006, 08:30 AM

what do you think about putting an aquaclear with active charbon in there?

any other comments about using a vortex diatom filter?

Sk8r · 03/15/2006, 10:18 AM

I used to use one as a mopup intervention for accidents (anemone suicide, overturned sand bed) and never noticed anything but benefit: didn't run it except on emergencies, and our lfs actually had one they lent out to good customers who had a problem...but that was years ago. I've wondered since when people send in pix of tanks gone to green soup if it might help, but no one has commented. I'm curious what current thinking is. I wouldn't try to run one on a regular basis: they're too efficient, but they do clean things in a hurry. The one thing you don't want to do is accidentally have a reverse blow into the aquarium---that's a major mess!

pete123 · 03/15/2006, 12:00 PM

As stated above the Vortex XL works great for periodic cleanings. I use them during water changes to circ ditrus. Never had a problem with this filter.

BLockamon · 03/15/2006, 04:07 PM

I just wouldn't use one continuously. DE is full of silica (don't breath the dust either), so I would be concerned with leaching over time.

mta · 03/15/2006, 04:51 PM

I'm with pete123.Vortex XL.Did you ever add the SuperChar carbon?Kicks butt!

03/04/2006, 11:23 AM	#1
Ruebourbon99 Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Spring, TX Posts: 19	D.E. Filters for Salt Aquariums Hi everyone, At the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center in Houston, Texas there is a team conducting research with Sea Urchins. They have quite a few of these hang on tank D.E. (diatomaceous Earth) filters that they use every time the water gets cloudy. These filters make the cleanest water I have ever seen. I was wondering if anyone has ever used one on a home aquarium and if so where did they get it? Thanks

03/15/2006, 08:30 AM	#3
JARJAR Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: montreal Posts: 41	what do you think about putting an aquaclear with active charbon in there? any other comments about using a vortex diatom filter? __________________ 90 gallons 2 seio 1100gph, 1 maxijet Euro reef cs6-3 2x MH 250W reeflux Current Tank Info: 90g reef lps

03/15/2006, 10:18 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	I used to use one as a mopup intervention for accidents (anemone suicide, overturned sand bed) and never noticed anything but benefit: didn't run it except on emergencies, and our lfs actually had one they lent out to good customers who had a problem...but that was years ago. I've wondered since when people send in pix of tanks gone to green soup if it might help, but no one has commented. I'm curious what current thinking is. I wouldn't try to run one on a regular basis: they're too efficient, but they do clean things in a hurry. The one thing you don't want to do is accidentally have a reverse blow into the aquarium---that's a major mess! __________________ 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%.

03/15/2006, 12:00 PM	#5
pete123 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 183	As stated above the Vortex XL works great for periodic cleanings. I use them during water changes to circ ditrus. Never had a problem with this filter. __________________ Half owner of the forbidden doughnut Current Tank Info: 240 fish and coral, H&S Skimmer in sump, 40gal fuge.

03/04/2006, 12:26 PM	#2
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	There are several out there for polishing your water. The Vortex Diatom filter is one. Another is the System 1. You can also get DE cartridges for some of the canister filters like the Magnums.

03/15/2006, 04:07 PM	#6
BLockamon Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,104	I just wouldn't use one continuously. DE is full of silica (don't breath the dust either), so I would be concerned with leaching over time.

03/15/2006, 04:51 PM	#7
mta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: yonkers new york Posts: 418	I'm with pete123.Vortex XL.Did you ever add the SuperChar carbon?Kicks butt!