Diatom Filters for $40 - Aquarium Advice

noteworthy · 03-17-2004, 06:25 PM

Well I got my package in from Big Al's Online. Everything went smooth and recieved it in 4 work days. I hooked up the Hot Magnum and ran it for a day noticing not a real big improvement in the clarity of my water. So I went to a local pool shop and bought 25lbs of DE powder for $20. I used a bucket to create a closed circuit so the powder wouldn't fly all through the aquarium. Hooked on the micron cartridge and used a cup of the powder in the hot magnum. Took a few minutes for the bucket to become clear then I let the magnum start filtering the aquarium water.

The results are amazing! Plus it's about $40-50 cheaper than a diatom filter.

Is there any special way I should remove the hot magnum? use the bucket method backwards? Will DE go back into the tank if I turn off the unit while letting it hang on the tank?

I know you can clean the micron catridges 1 part bleach.. 3 parts water. soak overnight.

Just thought I'd share this experience with you guys

---

I also checked on the parts needed to convert an aquatech 30-60 to a biowheel.. $40 from marineland. I ordered a penguin 330 for $23 and just slid in the parts into my aquatech. plus I have a spare filter if one breaks!

Allivymar · 03-17-2004, 08:27 PM

Awesome idea noteworthy! Not something that would have ever occurred to me. Not sure how to unhook it tho [acronym:bfcf2106f8="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:bfcf2106f8]

Oh, and my diatom filter was $65.

noteworthy · 03-17-2004, 09:52 PM

Thanks for the comment but I can't take credit for the idea. I've been reading around on the internet and on AA. Seemed like a neat idea and it does actually work.

OneFishTwoFish · 03-20-2004, 07:44 PM

I had a really bad green water algea problem and got a Magnum 350 to clear it up. The micron in and of itself didn't really work but I got a 25lb box of DE Powder at HomeDepot for $10 and it cleared up my water problem in 20 minutes. It was amazing and really well worth the money. Got the 350 from BigAls too.

I highly recommend it although I find I have the clean the Micro every 5 days or so.

Good luck with yours I know I am really happy with mine.

03-17-2004, 06:25 PM	#1
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	Diatom Filters for $40 Well I got my package in from Big Al's Online. Everything went smooth and recieved it in 4 work days. I hooked up the Hot Magnum and ran it for a day noticing not a real big improvement in the clarity of my water. So I went to a local pool shop and bought 25lbs of DE powder for $20. I used a bucket to create a closed circuit so the powder wouldn't fly all through the aquarium. Hooked on the micron cartridge and used a cup of the powder in the hot magnum. Took a few minutes for the bucket to become clear then I let the magnum start filtering the aquarium water. The results are amazing! Plus it's about $40-50 cheaper than a diatom filter. Is there any special way I should remove the hot magnum? use the bucket method backwards? Will DE go back into the tank if I turn off the unit while letting it hang on the tank? I know you can clean the micron catridges 1 part bleach.. 3 parts water. soak overnight. Just thought I'd share this experience with you guys --- I also checked on the parts needed to convert an aquatech 30-60 to a biowheel.. $40 from marineland. I ordered a penguin 330 for $23 and just slid in the parts into my aquatech. plus I have a spare filter if one breaks!

03-17-2004, 08:27 PM	#2
Allivymar Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,355 Images: 15	Awesome idea noteworthy! Not something that would have ever occurred to me. Not sure how to unhook it tho [acronym:bfcf2106f8="Laughing out loud"]LOL[/acronym:bfcf2106f8] Oh, and my diatom filter was $65. __________________ aka Cycling Guru and the Ich Slayer glares at Terry and QTOFFER Card carrying member of FTAS & GCAS.

03-20-2004, 07:44 PM	#4
OneFishTwoFish Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 22 Images: 5	I did it too I had a really bad green water algea problem and got a Magnum 350 to clear it up. The micron in and of itself didn't really work but I got a 25lb box of DE Powder at HomeDepot for $10 and it cleared up my water problem in 20 minutes. It was amazing and really well worth the money. Got the 350 from BigAls too. I highly recommend it although I find I have the clean the Micro every 5 days or so. Good luck with yours I know I am really happy with mine. __________________ Doug

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03-17-2004, 09:52 PM	#3
noteworthy Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 359 Images: 14	Thanks for the comment but I can't take credit for the idea. I've been reading around on the internet and on AA. Seemed like a neat idea and it does actually work.