Diatomaceous earth

Diatomaceous earth can it be used for substrates. If so does anyone use this for there substrate what's it's pros and cons. Also what fish would benefit from this. Cheers

Don't think you could use DE as substrate as its just too fine. The food grade is used for insect control as it consists of diatom skeletons and it basically cuts insects up and kills them. Also, handy to use for tick treatment in reptile enclosures when used correctly. Also such a find dust that it is not recommended that you breathe it. Hope this helps.

Probably should have also mentioned that DE is used to "polish" water when used in the old style diatom filters.

Aleishoo wrote:

Don't think you could use DE as substrate as its just too fine. The food grade is used for insect control as it consists of diatom skeletons and it basically cuts insects up and kills them. Also, handy to use for tick treatment in reptile enclosures when used correctly. Also such a find dust that it is not recommended that you breathe it. Hope this helps.

Probably should have also mentioned that DE is used to "polish" water when used in the old style diatom filters.

How would you use it in reptile enclosures to control ticks.

dragonboy69 wrote:

Diatomaceous earth can be used for substrates.

are you asking or telling?

I have never seen or heard of Diatomaceous earth being used as a substrate. Unless there is a larger grain size that I do not know about, the stuff that I am used to is WAY too fine for substrate. Your tank would always be cloudy.

I have used Diatom filters on pools before and they are remarkable filters which can be applied to fish tanks as well to get that real super polish on the water but they do take a bit of effort. I have to say though the results are amazing!

Sorry Doug I was asking. The guy at Clark Rubber said to try that as substrate. Can I use that product for my External Canister. How would I go by using it. Would I just put it under my cotton filter. Is there a life span for it as a filter substrate.

There are 2 types of DE. There is pool grade and food grade. Food grade is available in feed stores. Some use it as an additive in livestock feed. I personally don't. But for non chemical insect control in captive reptiles it is used sparingly in the enclosure after it has been cleaned. The animal is usually kept on newspaper for several days and the DE is dusted onto the bare bottom of the tank, wood, corners etc. As we know ticks hide in darkness during the day and can be rather hard to eradicate. This seems to be a rather safe and effective method. I've also known people to use it on bird cages and not the birds themselves. Diatoms are planktonic skeletons that are rather sharp and tend to pierce insects and drain their body fluids thereby killing them. I have used it on my plants in my garden at it works well.
If you were to use DE with a canister filter, what you would do is mix some DE with your aquarium water in a glass and slowly pour some near the intake so it can get right into your filter and begin filtering smaller particles. This works best with the pleated filters (not unlike the pool type filters) and you can also have a filter "wrap" of sorts over your media canister. Not sure what kind of filter you have but I'm hoping you understand what I mean. The DE just allows more particles to be trapped by your filter. Likely your cotton filter.
The old style Diatom filters that were so popular in the aquarium trade in the 70's utilized this method rather well. I saw them used many times in lfs's going from one tank to the next in order to "polish" the water for a nice sparkling appearance.
I don't know why anyone would recommend you use it as a substrate. As Doug mentioned your tank would have a constant cloudy appearance. Once again, you don't want to breathe large amounts of it as it is extremely fine dust.
I hope this helps

I have an Orca 4 stage canister filter

I'm not familiar with that brand but if it's an enclosed canister with an upright pleated cartridge (like the old Magnum filters) you can utilize DE. Some filters sell "wraps" of sort that go around the pleated filter. This along with the DE allows smaller particles to be trapped. Something like a millionth of a micron.
Keep in mind what a pleated swimming pool filter looks like and you will understand what I mean. But please do not use pool grade DE as I have been told it is not safe for fishes. Also proceed with caution when getting advice from non fishy folks. While being a DIYer is admirable and has it's merits I've seen people do things while constructing koi ponds and waterfalls that have had disastrous results.
I work in a lfs that services and designs koi ponds and its nice to see people realize their dreams of a beautifully landscaped pond filled with beautiful fish but shortcuts and attempting to do things in an inexpensive manner usually can end up costing more in the long run.

http://www.google.com.au/search?sclient=mobile-gws-psy&hl=en&gl=au&site=webhp&tbm=isch&source=hp&q=orca+canister+filter&oq=orca+canister+filter&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.12...3712.10910.0.11984.38.20.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0.&pbx=1&biw=320&bih=405&cad=cbv&sei=YkDET5DtEcmviQfk_J29Cg#i=3. This is an image of my filter type. It's got 4 trays one is a black sponge like steal wool type lol. Then another has got ceramic rings third has charcoal and fourth has got the wool. I'm sorry but I don't no what a pleated swimming pool filter looks like. Is it like the cylinder vacuum filter type that you talking about. So would you recommend the food grade in my filter. Cheers for your reply.

It's more like this.
The DE collects on the pleated cartridge trapping smaller particles and thereby polishing the water.
I've seen cotton wraps with velcro attached around the cartridge as well.

Hope this helps.


http://video.petco.com/v/25917/marineland-hot-magnum-hang-on-tank-convertible-canister-filter/

if you work looking to use DE on your tank I would highly recommend NOT putting it into a standard canister filter! The fineness of this stuff is amazing and it will easily pass through even fine filter wool.

You want to use it in a proper diatom filter. As mentioned these have specific cartridges to catch the DE and then use it to filter the water.

Not to mention Backwashing is a pain in the butt if the filter is inside!

Why not save yourself the trouble of blocking your filter and just use either gravel or coarse sand??

I always removed the cartridge and blasted it with a garden hose keeping in mind you would only filter in this way to polish water. I wouldn't do it for more than a few hours.