Diatom powder & HOT Mag's

[Mugwump]

...anyone here ever used Diatom powder with their HOT Mag's??....how did you 'charge' it and how did it work??

[b125killer]

I love the Hot Mag, I haven't used the Diatom powder. Just never wanted to mess with the stuff.

[LizStreithorst]

I've never used the stuff either.  What would the advantage be over the micron filters.

[Mugwump]

I've never used the stuff either.  What would the advantage be over the micron filters.

Diatom powder filters it even better..........

[wsantia1]

Never tried it but am tempted too.

[Mugwump]

Never tried it but am tempted too.

It's charging the 'mag' that gets tricky....you need to get it running well otherwise with the unit will shoot the powder out in out flow.....I think that Ed tried it...maybe he'll chime in....???he got the powder spraying effect tho... ...the powder has to coat the cartridge well before turning the flow loose..

[wsantia1]

Never tried it but am tempted too.

It's charging the 'mag' that gets tricky....you need to get it running well otherwise with the unit will shoot the powder out in out flow.....I think that Ed tried it...maybe he'll chime in....???he got the powder spraying effect tho... ...the powder has to coat the cartridge well before turning the flow loose..

That's what I'm worried about.

[EdKaz]

It's charging the 'mag' that gets tricky....you need to get it running well otherwise with the unit will shoot the powder out in out flow.....I think that Ed tried it...maybe he'll chime in....???he got the powder spraying effect tho... ...the powder has to coat the cartridge well before turning the flow loose..

Yup......tried it once.
Filled the filter with water, stuck it in a bucket and dropped in 1/4 of powder. Ran it until it sucked up all the powder.

Shut it off and moved it to a tank, hit the switch and BADDA BOOM............INSTANT Diatom powder SNOW STORM in the tank

Took a LONG time to get it all back out of the tank. 

I never even tried it a second time though I AM toying with the idea again just to see if it helps with the "brown algae"/diatom issues in a couple of my tanks here.

THIS TIME,  the plan would be to start the filter up with both the intake and exhaust inside a small bucket or large jar while hanging on the tank until it ran clear, than slide the jar out from under the intake and exhaust tubes.

[Mugwump]

It's charging the 'mag' that gets tricky....you need to get it running well otherwise with the unit will shoot the powder out in out flow.....I think that Ed tried it...maybe he'll chime in....???he got the powder spraying effect tho... ...the powder has to coat the cartridge well before turning the flow loose..

Yup......tried it once.
Filled the filter with water, stuck it in a bucket and dropped in 1/4 of powder. Ran it until it sucked up all the powder.

Shut it off and moved it to a tank, hit the switch and BADDA BOOM............INSTANT Diatom powder SNOW STORM in the tank

Took a LONG time to get it all back out of the tank. 

I never even tried it a second time though I AM toying with the idea again just to see if it helps with the "brown algae"/diatom issues in a couple of my tanks here.

THIS TIME,  the plan would be to start the filter up with both the intake and exhaust inside a small bucket or large jar while hanging on the tank until it ran clear, than slide the jar out from under the intake and exhaust tubes.

BOOMBA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[GraphicGr8s]

I love my diatom filter. And the way you want to charge your HOT filter is exactly how I charge my Vortex up. But as soon as you shut it off it flakes off. And yes, there is a noticeable difference in the clarity of the water. I use a bypass valve setup so I don't have to shut it off moving from tank to tank.

[Mugwump]

I love my diatom filter. And the way you want to charge your HOT filter is exactly how I charge my Vortex up. But as soon as you shut it off it flakes off. And yes, there is a noticeable difference in the clarity of the water. I use a bypass valve setup so I don't have to shut it off moving from tank to tank.

I don't shut my Diatoms off either...fold crimp out flow, then intake....move..release intake, then out flow...boomba....doing it like that for many years...love my Diatoms, all three of them, 2 regular, one jumbo....

[GraphicGr8s]

I like a bypass valve setup. It's like an H configuration and you don't have to crimp any hoses.

1/2" CPVC fits the tubing and a hose clamp keeps it there.

[Mugwump]

I've tried the valves in the past, they were too flimsy, and not durable enough...I even returned one and the replacement was just as bad....it's been awhile tho, perhaps they've got a better unit now???

I bought my first Diatom for $29 in 1970....a local fish shop had them....been using them ever since..

[GraphicGr8s]

I got mine in 1980 Vortex Inner Space D-1.
I've not found the valves to be flimsy at all. And it is less that $10 to make. 3 valves, a bit of pipe and a tee. Well, and the CPVC glue. So maybe $15.

I've got to be honest though. I haven't used my DF in a while. A long while. And yet I have a 50lb bag of DE in the garage.

[Mugwump]

I got mine in 1980 Vortex Inner Space D-1.
I've not found the valves to be flimsy at all. And it is less that $10 to make. 3 valves, a bit of pipe and a tee. Well, and the CPVC glue. So maybe $15.

I've got to be honest though. I haven't used my DF in a while. A long while. And yet I have a 50lb bag of DE in the garage.

Perhaps I'll just try to make one then...it would make life easier...LOL...