Anybody know if Magnum 350s with the micron cartridge can filter out the Ich parasite like diatom filters can? I know some people have filled 350s with D.E. powder thus turning them into diatom filters, but I was wondering if just using the micron cartridge could accomplish the same thing.
Can Magnum 350s filter out Ich?
- Thread starter asincero
- Start date
I would say probably not. Just add 3-4 teaspoons of diatom powder diatom powder to the filter. I would suggest running the filter through a bucket of water first to prime the filter first until the bucket runs clear. If you don't, you will cloud the aquarium with diatom powder.
The problem with ick and trying to capture it is the filter will only catch the parasites in suspension. It's while they are in suspension that they will seek out a weak host (fish) and hang on. No filter will rid your tank of that.
To get rid of ick, use the heat and salt method. IMO
The problem with ick and trying to capture it is the filter will only catch the parasites in suspension. It's while they are in suspension that they will seek out a weak host (fish) and hang on. No filter will rid your tank of that.
To get rid of ick, use the heat and salt method. IMO
partsrep said:
Yes, thats what I've been reading so far about Ich. It's only vunerable when it's in the free floating stage of it's lifecycle. If has already attached itself to a fish, there's not a whole lot you can do except wait for it to fall off by itself. Raising the temperature of the water speeds up the Ich's lifecycle, thus causing them to fall off quicker.
I plan on someday setting up a loach tank, with clowns being the centerpiece. I've read that clowns are particularly vunerable to Ich, so I've been doing my research ahead of time on how to combat and treat it. I've only started getting into this hobby 6 months ago, and I've yet to come across a case of Ich! So I have no first hand experience dealing with this disease yet.
From what I can gather so far a good treatment strategy would be: raise the temperature of the water to speed up Ich lifecycle, then use a diatom filter for 48 hours or so to filter the parasite from the water. Or I could use Ich meds, but I also read those can sometimes do more harm than good especially when used on clowns.
The reason why I asked about the Magnum is that while diatom filters are not meant to run all the time (even tho Vortex claims theirs can), Magnums can. I've read people run Magnums with the micron cartridge 24/7, replacing the cartridge every 4 days or so. Since the cartridges are reusable, they're always using 3 cartidges in rotation (one in use, one being cleaned, and one dried and ready to go). Sounds like a nice system to me to get diatom-like filtering all the time without the hassle of using an actual diatom filter.
asincero said:
I use two HOT Magnums (same thing but portable and hangs on the tank). I've used the diatom powder with the micron filter and find that it will clog rather quickly usually just a few hours. The micron filter by itself can run for days, sometimes weeks depending on the tank load. I have 4 micron cartridges so I always have a clean one available.
The Magnums are very efficient mechanical filters and if I had an outbreak of ick, I would run the Magnum 24/7 until the ick has cleared. 86 degrees and 1 tsp aquarium salt per 5 gallons will help.
If you have more than one tank I would recommend the Magnum HOT which can easily move from tank to tank.