Diatom filters and ground probes

[Tex]

Dual purpose thread. I would like a few opinions on whether people still use diatoms filters to polish water and the necessity of ground probes. I still have both of these items in a dusty box.
Thanks in Advance

 

[steve-s]

Diatom filters can easily strip the water of all nutrient which is often not a good choice. Carbon is a much better way to clarify the system without stripping it of needed nutrient. The probe is IMO, a fad and not really effective for it's implied purpose. It is also rather dangerous if you have faulty wiring and you place your hands in the water. A GFCI is a much better choice in this regard.

Cheers
Steve

 

[seaham358]

I would not run the diatom 24/7 but I have one and it saved my tank when it crashed. I am still not sure what happened but every thing was dying and the tank looked like someone poured milk in the water. Did many WC over a 3 day period and it never got better. A friend said try my diatom, so I did. Had the water better in a few hours and after running 24 it was crystal clear. I will never get rid of that filter.
They make carbon that you can use with that filter if you want to polish the water. I use it once or twice a year if I get a lot of free floating particles that won't settle out. Never been a issue with my reef.