Can a Vortex Diatom Filter Be Used for a Gravel Vacuum?

Gravel Vacuum

• Gravel vacuums exist to remove dirt, waste, debris, filth and microorganisms trapped in the gravel of an aquarium by an under-gravel filter. Under-gravel filters strain water through the bottom of an aquarium, sucking filth in the water toward them. This filth subsequently becomes trapped in the gravel at the bottom of the aquarium if not properly filtered. A gravel vacuum, always used when changing the water in an aquarium, sucks all the water out of the aquarium, along with all the waste trapped in the gravel.

Diatom Filters

• Diatom filters are not just filters, but entire filtration systems that take the place of under-gravel filters and gravel vacuums. These systems use a special biological filtration designed by Vortex that contains the skeletons of diatoms, or microscopic single-cell plants. The skeletal remains of these plants contain myriad microscopic holes that remove debris, filth, waste and more from aquarium water. Diatom filters possess two sets of hoses. One set sucks water out of the aquarium and through the filter. The other returns filtered, purified water to the aquarium, free of debris and waste.

Substitution

• On paper, Diatom filters and gravel vacuums perform more or less the same function, that of cleaning your aquarium. However, the former cleans by purifying water, while the latter sucks out all water and waste so you can refill your aquarium. Whether or not you can use a Diatom filter in place of a gravel vacuum ultimately depends on your filtration system. Diatom filters exist to take the place of under-gravel filters. If you use an under-gravel filter in your aquarium, use a gravel vacuum for cleaning. Otherwise, you can use a Diatom filter.

Additional Information

• If you own or want to purchase and use a Diatom filter but already use an under-gravel filter in your aquarium, an easy solution to your problem exists. Simply remove the under-gravel filter from your aquarium and replace it with the Diatom filter. Terry Fairfield, author of “A Commonsense Guide to Fish Health,” recommends using a long gravel-vacuum hose to replace the short intake hose on a Vortex Diatom filter. This allows the Diatom filter to clean all of the water from a tank, while also getting it all the way down into the gravel for increased cleaning in the bottom of the tank.