diatomaceous earth filter to polish water in a reef tank?? y/n ?

[drtechno]

Can I use a diatomaceous earth filter on my 20 gal reef to polish the water real quick?

My parameters are 0-0-0 (amm, ite, ate) but there is mild amounts of ?debris floating in the water since I am skimmerless (just LR/LS and powerheads/heater).. I would like to have crystal clear water :)

Or will it strip the water of minerals / nutrients ?

[minimalist]

I presume that's some kind of HOB filter. You can use it for a short time w/out issue. I wouldn't use it for longer than a week without replacing the filter media (especially the sponge) as it will become a nitrate factory.

[drtechno]

Ya.. its a micron filter that runs short term (a few hours) to remove debris and particulate matter..

Of course, I suppose coral feeds on particulate matter.. hmmm...

[Sk8r]

It's great for that purpose: we used to use them to clean up after we stirred the old crushed coral beds...BUT don't use them often. Great for a club to have one, to be on loan when somebody's nevvy drops Cheerios in to feed the fish or when something's bloomed or mated and clouded the water. It can get that sort of thing out literally in minutes, in time to save fish from suffocation---good, yes, in rare application.

[rayjay]

Unfortunately, it also strips the tank of zooplankton.