CichlidFish.com - Fish That Think.

Ok this is a search for Diatom users. Who has used them and what do you think of the performance? Head ach or life saver?

My oponion on them

If you don't do regular water changes nothing beats a Diatom filter.Some LFS's that don't/can't do weekly water changes run them on their tanks while they're closed to keep their water crystal clear.


If you keep large fish and do regular water changes they don't seem to be worth while useing unless you have constant problems with algae blooms.


For sensative fish they may be worth useing to "super clean" their water.


Haven't used one in years but it seems the newer ones are more user friendly so they maybe a little more worth while now,the old styles were a to clean and prime if you only used them for polishing

I agree with Stillerman on most counts.
If anyone gets a Vortex Diatom Filter, (D1 or XL model), also aquire the P-29 Recharge Valve. Not Included with these models.
It makes using one a whole lot easier.

Some tips for beginers are.

Use thick walled vinyl tubing 7/8 OD - 5/8 ID especialy on the input side, the pump is so efficient it will collaspe the thin walled tubing.
Use SST water hose clamps on all tubing connections to prevent sucking air into the system. Dont rely on the rubber bands vortex supplies with the filter.
The Vortex Diatoms are closed system filters and can have no air in the circuit.
They are the best for cleaning gravel and not loosing any water except the charge. Just slide the siphons hose up into the input tube of the diatom and go to work. take all the time you want.
Siphons allow you to clean the gravel only untill you draw out the water you are going to replace.
Note: A diatom only filters out solid waist down to 1 to 2 microns in size. A diaton does not remove ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate ( or any other desolved chemicals.
Do Not use swimming pool diatomous earth as this is too course for the filtering (5 to 10 microns). Vortex screens its media for size.
I have used Diatoms since 1980 and I am sold on their performance. No other filter cleans water as well for the cost of operation.
Yes cleanup is a but anyone in this hobbie should not be afraid of getting their hands dirty!

Ok folks, here is a Diatom. It takes work, but you will have the clearest water in town when done! Really makes a difference on vaccuming the gravel. Handyman put a hose clamp on every connection to insure no leaks. we were going to permanetly mount them, but that was'nt going to work out, to many tanks, and it is portable. We have 3, but only use one at a time, unless I use one for vaccuming. Total use time on a tank depends on how dirty. On the 125 gal.- 3-4 hr. For a 55 gal. 2 hr.

the Diatom at work

Here is the Close-up. (it is dirty because I cleaned the gravel)