Opinions on diatomaceous filters

[tcarswell]

I am considering getting a diatom filter as I have read they can help greatly with water quality and even help disease control. Anyone have personal experience ? I really don't see them spoken about often

 

[tcarswell]

For all the compelling evidence on these filters I am surprised noone is interested.. BUMP

 

[petepro]

I've owned one for years. I use it only a couple of times a year. (maybe 6) It is great to polish the water. I also use it to remove meds from the water by adding powdered charcoal. I currently have a 55 running a 405 with ceramic and fiber pads only.

If it is a good price I'd pick it up. I believe they stopped making the d1 filter I have.

 

[tcarswell]

Right on ! Do they help remove disease/parasites as claimed ?

 

[wow_it_esploded]

Just so you know, they do not run continuously... In-case you didn't...

They will remove certain spores of parasites from the water, but not disease as the pores are too big to filter out bacteria and viruses (is that even possible?). I know that ich spores, in the free floating stage (there are 3 stages) will be removed... Though I doubt that it would make much of an impact on the curing time because you can only run it so long...

 

[Merbeast]

All they are really good for is polishing the water. From a price/benefits perspective, there are various cartridges and micron filters that can do as well for less and can run continuously.