It's a weird old filter. I bought mine used, maybe 8-12 years ago and it was 15-20 years old when I got it; it's the third one I ever owned.

I had one in LA and I had one as a kid. For all I know I have the same one now that I did as a kid.

It's the model of simplicity ans typical of Southern "wellll, just do it" mentality. These guys effectively make one plastic part that makes three things go together: a big motor about the sige of an orange, a 2 quart mason jar and a filter bag upon which a laeyer of diatomaceous earth is dispersed.

That's it, they make a plastic bit and a bag. And it's a genius filter than can clean up any tank in about an hour and filters so finely - because of the diamoaceous earth - down to 1 micron - it even filters out some disease organisms.

But my bag was old and ripped and lo verily I had to call down to the good old boys in Florida that make these things.

They're an utter gas. About 4 years ago I needed a gasket. It was like forty cents mailorder from these guys. I got it and there were no instructions so I called down there again ans asked then how to glue this thing into the fitler. They assured me I needed to use red indian gasket compound from the hardware store.

Now, I know my hardware store prettttttty well. But I looked anyway and of course it wasn't there.

I called them back a third time and asked them where they got this stuff and they said Als Hardware or some such local place, the stuff is made in Kansas or something. Whatever. "What can I use instead" I asked and they stopped for a bit and said "I guess you could use nail varnish". I did and it worked.

RJS Mar 2008