Diatom Filter

[shortymet55]

I have a huge green water (Algae Bloom) issue. I read a link given to me by a very nice person on the forums here. Anyways, in the link, it says the best option to clear green water is a Diatom Filter. First of all, do you all agree? Other options had there flaws, except this one (Other than price). Things like darkness for 4 days, leave you with tons of dead algae. Anyways, assuming this is the best option, I have a few questions.

1.) Do most LFS rent these out? The link says they do. Ill be calling a LFS soon, but just seeing if yours do, since I cant call at 11PM.

2.) Whats the cheapest one available (if i cant rent)?

3.) How much Diatom Powder would I need to purchase? I mean how far does 1lb go in a small filter?

4.) Does anyone still use these?

5.) Are they a good thing to have around just in case you feel like having a clearer tank?

6.) Anyone interested in selling?

Thanks

 

[BigC]

Hi,
Back in the old days when I started fishkeeping, I used to go to an old guy who sold tropical fish fro his garage and two converted garden sheds, he's long gone now, but this was my first encounter with the Diatomic earth filters. He would go round each tank on a cycle and have the filter run for a matter of hours and boy the water was Gin clear.
Nowdays it seems a hard piece of kit to get hold of.. HOBBY from Germany seems to be the only Mfg. in Europe. but the Americans had two manufacturers, one was called Vortex and the other name escapes me, Sorry.
Anyway I have found a new breed of hangon pressure filter that may suit your needs
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...cfm?pcatid=3625
and the earth is sold seperately
http/www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...cfm?pcatid=3616
Perhaps you can now go ahead and do some more research into the above product to see if it suits your needs.
Let me know how thing work out
Regards
BigC

 

[shortymet55]

Well, soon im going off to my LFS to see if I cant buy one of these filters. Im looking ofr the cheapest options which seems to be the Vortex D-1, which is $96 shipped from Bigalsonline. Ive been reading about these online and they seem to be what i need. Sure hope i dont waist my money.

 

[shortymet55]

Instead of buying the Vortex, I opted to buy the Magnum H.O.T. filter as suggested by my LFS (and it seems online many people agree). They said this filter might work slower, but since I dont have big tanks, it will be fine. Also, it is a filter too, so I can use it as one if needed. Also, the Vortex would be $96 online and this one costed me $54. Now, I just need to get the filter and pick up some Diatomaceous Earth (10lb for $6).