Vortex Diatom Filter

[Pinkheine]

Do you use one? If so how often?

We have one that we used to use often on our Fish only ... never had used it on the reef until last night/today. Figured it was a good idea the tank being a year old to give the rocks a good cleaning and put it on.

Just wondered if anyone else uses one and if so how often.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I would love to use one, but I'm too cheap to buy one since mine broke. I know PaulB uses them often.

 

[onegreenray]

i have a old one i run once in a while. they work great. clears the water right up.

 

[McReef]

Ill use my vortex xl during water changes , def polishes the water nice.

 

[albano]

use XL when stirring/cleaning sand in (8' x 3') sump, lots of 'dust', quickly removed

 

[Pinkheine]

Very good. I just wasn't sure if there was a possible way of using it being too much on a reef, too often. We used to use it every couple of months on our fish only.

Glad to put it to use again.

 

[gcfishreef]

i use every couple of days

EXCELLENT !!!!!

 

[Paul B]

I am on my fifth one and have been using them for 40 years. I could not be able to have such an old tank without one. I use it about every two months

 

[Pinkheine]

I am on my fifth one and have been using them for 40 years. I could not be able to have such an old tank without one. I use it about every two months

So that's the "secret" hee hee.
It really did an outstanding job of getting out everything that kind of just floats, then settles again. I blow off the rocks very often but this made the ease of clean up much better. I always have anxiety though when I use them.. that the powder will somehow backfeed into the tank if there is a power problem.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Even if the powder gets inyo the DT, it is harmless and the filter, will filter it right back out.When I had a cichlid tank I used it at least once a month, or whenever I had an algae proble. Algae gone in 2 hours!!!!
I think I am going to buy another one after reading this thread. My wife will be thriiled to have another piece of crap lying around the house LOL

So that's the "secret" hee hee.
It really did an outstanding job of getting out everything that kind of just floats, then settles again. I blow off the rocks very often but this made the ease of clean up much better. I always have anxiety though when I use them.. that the powder will somehow backfeed into the tank if there is a power problem.

 

[Paul B]

I put a restriction on the outflow hose which is really one of those little plastic long skinny funnel looking things that florists use to put a carnation in. It makes a powerful powerwasher out of the diatom, just don't direct it at any coral

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Nice tip (no pun intended) Thanks

I put a restriction on the outflow hose which is really one of those little plastic long skinny funnel looking things that florists use to put a carnation in. It makes a powerful powerwasher out of the diatom, just don't direct it at any coral

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

I love mine been using it every other month to clean detritus in the main tank as well as the sump.