magnum or diatom

[sryder]

anyone use magnum or diatom filter to clean or polish thier water? I was wondering what the benefits or disadvantages they would be to have one?

 

[Reefreak]

I have a HOT Magnum and 2 D1 Diatoms. The Diatoms are far superior for polishing water but they are a pain in the A$$ too
I use the Magnum for vacuuming the substrate you can take your time that way, you could also use the Diatom for that but even more of a pain.

I use them for different things but for polishing there is no comparison Vortex Diatom hands down

 

[sryder]

any way the dt can get in the water?

 

[mmkeeper]

How do you use the magnum to vaccume?

 

[Reefreak]

You do need to be careful when charging a Diatom filter. I use a 2 quart plastic pitcher inside the tank to get it going "this is the pain in the A$$ part I was talking about" with the filter running inside the pitcher inside the tank and water level inside pitcher 2" or so below tank level I add the diatom powder, after a couple minutes slowly dip the pitcher in the tank and remove it. At this point as long as the intake is not removed from the water and allowed to suck air it will be fine. The other issue is if there were a power outage while it was running and then the power came back on it would shoot powder into the tank, you can purchase a breaker type unit that will not let an appliance turn back on after a power failure for about $20
These filters are not for everyone however, your water will sparkle like you cant believe. They also make a powdered activated carbon for them, I haven't used that so don't know.
They are also a bit difficult to clean.
Hope this helps

 

[Reefreak]

How do you use the magnum to vaccume?

Just hook up your gravel vacuum to the intake side of the magnum and clean your substrate as usual however, you can do a much better job because you are not limited on time because you are not taking water out of the tank.

 

[Krish]

Steve, I have a H.O.T magnum I polish my water with as well. I only use it during a water change when I blow off my rocks or when I vacuum my sump. Other than that, it's off of the tank. I use to use it to run carbon in, but with the frequent water changes I do, it was more of a pain to keep changing out cartridges so I just use it once a week to polish. It's a real handy piece IMO.