diatom filter - Aquarium Advice

deli_conker · 11-30-2004, 10:23 AM

I finally got a diatom filter (about 2 weeks ago). Every time I use it, I get a cloud of diatomaceous earth in my tank. If I had 3 hands, it wouldn't happen, but alas I only have 2.

Anyways, I only run the thing about once a week and I just wanted to make sure that diatomaceous earth is safe for my fish. The packaging says that it is 100% safe for them, I just want to hear from other aquarists about the matter.

grimlock3000 · 11-30-2004, 10:30 AM

What diatom filter do you have? Usually, you can stick a pitcher in your tank and run the inlet and outlets in the pitcher for a few minutes. Then the cloud end up in the pitcher and when that clears up, you remove the pitcher and clean the tank.

BrianNY · 11-30-2004, 10:47 AM

Here's what I do with mine deli-conker. I fill the filter with tap water first (and I mean fill). Then I attach the intake hose to the outflow and turn the diatom on. I wait until I can see that all the diatomocious powder has adhered to the micron filter pad. Then I very carefully undo the outlow and intake connections in the tank, below the water level. This has never given me a problem.

[acronym:8dc445307c="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:8dc445307c]

deli_conker · 11-30-2004, 01:25 PM

I have this filter

Connecting the two together seems the most prudent for my setup. I'll have to find a straight through connector for my hoses. Thanks for the idea. I'll let you know how it all turns out...

11-30-2004, 10:23 AM	#1
deli_conker Banned Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 1,284 Images: 7	diatom filter I finally got a diatom filter (about 2 weeks ago). Every time I use it, I get a cloud of diatomaceous earth in my tank. If I had 3 hands, it wouldn't happen, but alas I only have 2. Anyways, I only run the thing about once a week and I just wanted to make sure that diatomaceous earth is safe for my fish. The packaging says that it is 100% safe for them, I just want to hear from other aquarists about the matter.

11-30-2004, 10:30 AM	#2
grimlock3000 Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: maine Posts: 1,971 Images: 1	What diatom filter do you have? Usually, you can stick a pitcher in your tank and run the inlet and outlets in the pitcher for a few minutes. Then the cloud end up in the pitcher and when that clears up, you remove the pitcher and clean the tank. __________________ 26 freshwater 2x Sunburst Platys (2M, 2F) // 3x Neon Tetras (?) // 2x Cherry Barbs (1M, 1F) // 2x YoYo Loaches (?) // 1x Bushy Nose Pleco (M) // 1x Clown Pleco (?) // 15H marine -30# Live Rock -Mixed Snails (Nassarius // Cerith // Astrea // Black Turbo // Mexican Turbo) -8x Blue Leg Hermit Crabs // 1x Banded Serpent Star // 1x Cleaner Shrimp -1x Royal Gramma // 1x Percula Clownfish -2x Mushroom Leather // Metallic Green Star Polyps // Pulsing Xenia // Striped Xenia // Blue Mushroom -Remora + Maxi-Jet 1200 // 2x Maxi-Jet 600 // Maxi-Jet 400 // Visi-Therm Deluxe 50 // Current USA Orbit 2x 40w [acronym:f2db8017b4="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:f2db8017b4]

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11-30-2004, 10:47 AM	#3
BrianNY Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,259 Images: 18	Here's what I do with mine deli-conker. I fill the filter with tap water first (and I mean fill). Then I attach the intake hose to the outflow and turn the diatom on. I wait until I can see that all the diatomocious powder has adhered to the micron filter pad. Then I very carefully undo the outlow and intake connections in the tank, below the water level. This has never given me a problem. [acronym:8dc445307c="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:8dc445307c]

11-30-2004, 01:25 PM	#4
deli_conker Banned Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 1,284 Images: 7	I have this filter Connecting the two together seems the most prudent for my setup. I'll have to find a straight through connector for my hoses. Thanks for the idea. I'll let you know how it all turns out...