anyone have a diatom filter?

[Jaynie1028]

Hey I was at aquahut this morning explaining to them that I have a bad ammonia problem in my tank and the own showed me this filter and said it would take out the ammonia and make the water perfect. Does anyone use this filter? And what do you think about it? Is this something I should have for a 29 gallon and a 12 gallon bio cube? If its something that will make my life easy I will buy it. Please give me your comments on this filter.
Thanks

 

[JLAudio]

How old is the tank that has an ammonia problem? When the tank is cycled it should have zero ammonia. I couldnt imagine any mechanical filtration could really assist with that problem, I think chemical and bacterial filtration is your problem.

In regards to the diatom filter, its really good at getting your water crystal clear, especially when setting up a tank. Its a bit annoying to change powder but really is my #1 item for a fish tank that you dont need, but is very useful

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I have one and used it for years on a cichlid tank. It was the only way to get the water crystal clear, And i mean crystal clear. It works by clogging a filter sock with Diatom powder, down to some rediculous micron level.
I have never used it on my SW tank Becase the water has never been dingy. Its also tricky to start the flow. It has a very strong flow however, Might be possible to blast you LR clean and filter the mess out of the tank at the same time.

I dont know weather ammonia can be mechanically filtered out Though.

 

[Jaynie1028]

My tank has been running now for about 6 months. all my levels where at zero. The ammonia never spiked before. So Im still not sure why it did. Tonight Im going to stop by my dads and borrow his diatom that he uses on his freshwater tank. I hope maybe it will work out well for me. I though empty all the water out of the tank and replace with all new then hook up the diatom. I hope that will give me 0 ammonia

 

[nanchil]

Make sure he didn't use any medication on his fresh water tank. If he did, better to avoid that.

 

[Bob 1000]

Ammonia usually means lack of filtration like not enough LR or Bio balls... I don't think a diatom filter will take out ammonia that just sounds crazy.. I didn't read all of your post before... Diatom filter's are for polishing water...

 

[Jaynie1028]

Im sure he has used meds in his fish tanks in the past. But he said he hasnt used the filter in years. if there ways anything in the filter it would have died off by now right????

 

[Cibo]

I have a hang on one and I love it!!
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209090/product.web

I use a turkey baster blow off anyrocks get things moven in the tank and run it!
Makes the tank crystal clear!

 

[rgun2515]

I have one. Don't really use it much anymore... Used it alot on my 90G FOWLR tank. It will not make "the water perfect". It will clean/clear it up a little. Great for "vacuming" your rock...

By the way... Copper dosent die. I would not use his unless you change the filter and add new powder. Even then, you are taking a chance...

 

[NYreefNoob]

it wont bring amonia down diatom is used for plishing the water

 

[georgelc86]

Diatom is actually fossilized diatoms shells. Feels like a powder to us but its very deadly to roaches because the shells cut up the roach and dehygrate it. Its also the same stuff used in swimming pool filters. It however does not, NOT remove ammonia becuase its inert. AquaHut needs to hit the books. Its also a pretty big filter too if I remember correctly. I would buy it so that you can run it when your tank clouds up or you aquascape and you have crap all over the place. But not for ammonia removal.

 

[Paul B]

I am on my fifth or sixth diatom filter. I have been using them for about 40 years and could not have an old reef tank without one. I use it about every three or four months but it will do do nothing to reduce ammonia which should not be in there in the first place.