WTB: ??????????

[sxyatsxty1]

Nearly 38 years ago, my ex and I owned Pasdenda Pet Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. We had about 40 tanks which was my job to keep clean, running and make the weekly trips to Miami for stock.

One of my jobs was to stir up the gravel and run a filter in the tank until the water was clear. It had a long hose, a filter inside a big jar. When the filter got dirty, I either rinsed it off or put a new one in it. I think (?????) it was a Diaton filter. That's what I want to buy. Are they still as good as they used to be? Anyone brand better than another?

Anyone have one in good condition at a reasonable price?


EC

[eklikewhoa]

That's a Diatom filter.
Yes they still offer them.
Check out DrsFosterSmith.com

[sxyatsxty1]

With the way things have progressed in this world, do people still use them and find them an important part of aquarium care?

EC

[eklikewhoa]

I know of only one LFS that still uses it.

Other then that I find it not as commonly used.

[jisatsuguy]

arent you referring to a diatomacious(SP?) earth filter? the kind that use sand, like for pools? ive heard of people running those at home... funny, that is the intended use for leslies pool sand. the ones ive seen are large canister type filters..

[alexarae]

+1. No one really uses them anymore, but it keeps the water awfully clear though

[Astex]

I have to admit I have one and keep it on hand for when I am doing a massive rearrangement of my tank and for sudden ich outbreaks. I don't know if it really helps with ich, but it doesn't seem to hurt either.

They do clean the water very very well though.

[sxyatsxty1]

Well, I'll be the first to admit I spoil my fish. They get a better diet than I do and I probably 'overdo' more than not. I'm thinking, too, if I had one and used it consistantly, it would help with fish do-do, my overfeeding and help keep the water conditioned.....right? I could stir up the tanks once a week, run the diatom while I watch TV and my tanks/fish would all be the better for it. Right?

OK, so I know what I want............anyone have one they'd like to sell, the best place for me to purchase one and brand Then, I'll dive back into my cave and leave you alone.

EC

[TaTeR ToT]

honestly, a simple python gravel vacuming oce a week would do the same thing for a lot less money.

[peterp63]

arent you referring to a diatomacious(SP?) earth filter? the kind that use sand, like for pools? ive heard of people running those at home... funny, that is the intended use for leslies pool sand. the ones ive seen are large canister type filters..

A diatom filter uses diatomaceous earth. A sand filter uses sand. Both are commonly used to filter pools. I've used D.E. with our pool, but never in the aquarium... although I do have an aquarium version that I acquired.

[PhishPhreek]

Diatom Filters have a cloth bag covered with diatoms, when dirty you backwash them sending the dirt & diatoms to the drain. This is a small sacle of swimming pool filters and used by A-B and other brewers to filter out the haze in their beer so it is clear and pretty.
They are fantastic filters, even taking the brown out of brown water. Their one drawback is that it is a pain to backwash them and recharge them with new diatoms.

I have 3 working and one for parts (cracked pump housing). But all of mine are the 2 quart size, I really would like to have one of the big gallon size.