Diatom Filters

[LILGUY]

I had a Vortex diatom filter decades ago and a Whisper about 8 years ago. I need a new one, Whisper Diatomagic gone from the filter line, Vortex having production problems. Any other options?

 

[fatheadminnow]

to TFF!!!!

What size tank?

I would look into AquaClear Power Filters. They come in different sizes for different size aquariums, ranging from a 10 gallon tank all the way up to a 110 gallon tank.

-FHM

 

[LILGUY]

to TFF!!!!

What size tank?

I would look into AquaClear Power Filters. They come in different sizes for different size aquariums, ranging from a 10 gallon tank all the way up to a 110 gallon tank.

-FHM

Thank you for the welcome.I want a diatom specific to rotate on 55-75 gal goldfish tanks. There was the Votex, Second Nature "Diatomagic" and the AP system 1 filter. Anyone know if still available?

 

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum LilGuy.
I do not recognize your first choices of filters. My own preference for a goldfish tank that size would probably be a Rena Filstar XP3 model filter. It would give a nice high water turnover rate with enough filter capacity to allow only needing to clean it every couple of months. Of course there are lots of other Eheim and Fluval and even Marineland filters that would be about the same capacity as the Rena, but I have little personal experience with those product lines.

 

[bhamguyspecv]

Those Vortex diatom filters are SUCH a pain to use, but MY GOD they work! You can literally clean your water to the point where the fish look like they're floating on air! An old friend of mine has one of the early models (still working btw) and he demonstrated it for me on his 125gal, and I have never seen such clean water. You can find some left over stock selling on ebay, and google for example

http/cgi.ebay.com/Diatom-XL-Filter-by-VORTEX_W0QQitemZ290392000854QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item439cb64956

but the newer production models are having issues with the sealing rings (hence the manufacturing problems). If you're desperate to have one thats about your only option besides finding one of the classics on ebay. If you choose to go with one of the newer models, stock up on a SEVERAL of the various seals so you don't have an unserviceable product in a few years. These filters are not user friendly though, and are not designed to run full time - only for water polishing. I don't know of any other diatom filters available. The filter media I can imagine is a little hard to use for constant filtration due to the very high micron rating (1 micron or better) because in theory it should clog VERY quickly! The Vortex diatom pumps are EXTREMELY powerful for that very reason.

 

[LILGUY]

Thanks all. I ordered a Vortex from the manufacturer and extra seals.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Thanks for posting this! I have been keeping fish for about 9 years now and surprisingly have never come across a diatom filter before. Looks like quite a useful bit of kit.

 

[raptorrex]

its worth remembering that crystal clear water is no indication of healthy tank and fish. there is more to filtration than clean, "looking" water. in combination with a "proper" bio filter they may well help, though.