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| FAQs on Freshwater Aquarium Diatom
Filtration
Related Articles: Freshwater
Filtration,
Know Your Filter Media, A Concise Guide to Your Options by Neale Monks,
Power Filter Impressions,
A review of some popular mechanical filtration systems
by Steven Pro,
Canister
Filters By Steven Pro,
Setting up a Freshwater Aquarium,
Tips for Beginners,
Related FAQs: FW Filtration 1,
Biological Filtration,
Establishing Cycling, FW
Sponge Filters, FW Canister Filters,
FW Hang-on Filters,
Ultraviolet Sterilizers,
Chemical Filtrants,
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Asking questions and supporting your
web site, one particular question about diatomaceous earth filters
07/20/2008
I certainly do not mind supporting your web site for the opportunity of
asking questions now and then without first having to search the web and
your web site. I can appreciate your not wanting to answer the same question
a number of different times. But if I did ask a question to which the answer
is found on the web or your web site, would I get a bona fide answer?
<Always>
Can I support your web site using PayPal rather than a credit card?
<Mmm, yes... there's a link to such (PP) at the bottom of most pages
("Donate")>
Do you directly or indirectly "connect" support payments with how you
respond to a question?
<Never>
I want to be fair with you. Is there some typical amount per question that
you consider appropriate for your consultation?
<Mmm, no... if folks want to contribute, that's fine... if they either lack
funds, or figure that the help should be gratis...>
I am seeking answers appropriate to my probably unique set-up. I am not a
typical hobbyist. I'm past middle age and, within reason, I don't let a
detail like cost get in the way of enhancing my only have tank. It is a 400
gallon, heavily planted, lightly stocked, automatically supplemented,
freshwater aquarium that has been in continuous operation about 7 years.
About a fourth of this volume is in the several different filter systems
that are remote from the display tank. Algae is not generally a serious
problem but rather is a nuisance since I go to great lengths of control
phosphates, but when I have a problem, it is a big problem. From this brief
description, I hope you can appreciate my frustration with typical articles
and answers that are for smaller, less stable tanks.
<I can... do realize that the breadth of "topics" for ornamental aquatics is
indeed huge... I will never be able to assemble reasonable, complete, ready
"answers" to all in my lifetime... Thank goodness for the "Net"... capacity
for listing, linking>
Now my questions.
Does diatomaceous earth contain phosphates and silicates that would enhance
algae growth and therefore be a filter medium that you would not recommend
for a planted tank?
<Mmm, no appreciable phosphate... one guaranteed analysis: Chemical
composition: SiO2-90.7%; Al2O3-3.8%; Fe2O3-1.3%; CaO-0.4%; MgO-0.43%;
TiO2-0.20% K2O-Na2O-2.5%;
Or Wiki's: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous earth
The Silica/te/s not of concern either... in fact, there are proponents of
"feeding" such to marine, fresh, planted systems. The only downside of DE
use might be some possibility of the powder getting loose in your system...
but I assure you, having owned, used Vortex/Innerspace's "jar" units many
times, over decades... that this exposure is apparently not harmful. Cheers,
Bob Fenner>
Filter Feeders Died After Using Filter - 01/09/2006
Hi. I have a 55 gallon tank that I use a vortex filter on about once a month
or so to polish the water. It has always worked
great. Recently I added several bamboo shrimp to the tank, as well as a clam
and a muscle. They were thriving and doing great for over
a month until I ran the Vortex on it. Within days of running it, I lost two of
the shrimp, and the clam. I was thinking that this might
have been due to the Vortex taking out all of their food supply. Do you think
this could be what happened? If so, is there something
you would recommend that I could add to the tank right after to
replenish the filter feeder's food supply?
thanks for the help. Keep up the great work,-Ed
< All of the animals you lost are filter feeders. Your Vortex filter is
extremely efficient. I think your hunch is probably right that the filter is
removing the food supply for these animals. Any type of food that you would need
would defeat the purpose of the Vortex filter and result in fine particles of
food floating around the tank. You might try taking some fish food and crushing
it up into a powder. Add some water to make it into a runny soup type mixture.
Take an eye droppers and squirt this mixture right at the filter feeders once a
day. I am sure the other fish will eat any excess.-Chuck>
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