Diatom Filter

I had one of those 30 yrs ago!!  There mainly for water polishing (clearing up cloudy water) not as an everyday filter..The powder is diatom powder just like the name implies, you can get it online (Ebay) they worked great for there function but were prone to leak...

What does the label on the unit say?  (in terms of brand, model, etc.) The more common models are Magnum Canister filter (convertable frommedia basket to diatom cartridge) and Vortex (they made both a canister stye and a hang over tank).  Tetra/Second Nature also made a nice hang over the side model in the 1990's that you don't see very often. 

I use them whe setting up new tanks that need to be crystal clear in a VERY short time and where I have a lot of debre in the tank that I want cleared out.  They can also be used to reduce the number of free swimming stage of ich an a tank. 

Diatomatious earth (spelling???) AKA diatom powder  It's a white powder that is made up of the skeletons/shells of diatoms (a tiny critter that lives in water)  When added to a diatom filter 

In general diatom filters are a polishing filter and not intended to be run all the time.  The micron filter cartridge or bag will clog in short order (after a few days) and end up restricting the water flow which can ruin the motor.

Jeff 

awhile back I bought a large lot of fish equipment. In there there was a diatom filter. I have heard they are excellent filters that get a lot of smaller particles out of your water. Do people still use these? What is the powder that you place in the bag? How do I figure out how big of an aquarium I can place the filter on?

any other info you can give me on the filter would be appreciated

thanks

Justin