Does anyone have one of these? We got one 3 weeks ago and it's supposed to "polish" the water. It sounded perfect for our needs and it's big enough to handle a 180 gallon tank....we also have two Rena canister filters. The problem is the water isn't clear like they said it would be and there was a couple of leaks. My husband rebuilt the the leaky valve and made it so we don't have to take the entire thing apart to add more powder and clean it. Our tank is 6 weeks old now and I'm almost positive it's finished cycling.
www.diatomfilter.com/products/diatom_xl_filter.htm

This is the one we have. I just feel kinda ripped off because it's not the amazing thing the website said it was. I'd love to hear from anyone else that has one.
Sins

sorry cant help you here.......

It's live and learn I guess but you'd think something that expensive would just have to be good.

my only concern would be how fast the micro filters get clogged and how expensive the replacement are.

About once a week and we got 10 pounds of the powder for about $15, we clean it when we do the weekly water change. It only take one cup to run it a week so that's a good deal.

is the powder called "decalite"? if so, then, it is good.
you are using the same principle in the swimming pool filtering
system or cooking oil purification process. the only problem
with that power is when you turn off the pump and run it again
with out replacing the bag of power, it will become compact and
restrict the flow of the water.

It says " An especially selected grade of washed diatomaceous earth for us specifically in Diatom Filers" We leave it running all the time except for water changes and we clean the canister filters and the diatom at the same time. It's lots of work but they thank us for it

perhaps we are talking of two different things. decalites are
disposable. you need to replace the entire bag whenever you
clean the filter. it works perfectly in swimming pool.

when we clean it I'll take some pics and show you. The bag we have is cloth and is meant to be reused, it washes clean very easy cause the powder hardens a little and just falls off.

now, i know.... we are talking of the same items.
as i have said, once you stop running the water
it will compact the substance and constrict the
flow of water. that is the very reason why you need
to replace it regularly. so you do have bag or pouch
to hold it in place.