Automatic Mechanical Filter

[OzIA]

Motor option

Motor option

I built a couple of these last year. Mine are more copies of the Roller Mat, using the drum design but I found this motor / worm gear on eBay for under $10. They have a 2 rpm option, which is nice and slow, ideal for this application. Also, they fit nicely in a 100 mm X 50mm X 68mm water proof box.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

Thats a nice option being slow. Too bad i bought tje other already.

 

[Chicago]

tagging along.. would love one for my 900 gallon system .. I have two Iwaki 100rlt for returns ... so any links to DYI or larger for sale made ones ... lets post them .. thanks

 

[DBR_reef]

tagging along.. would love one for my 900 gallon system .. I have two Iwaki 100rlt for returns ... so any links to DYI or larger for sale made ones ... lets post them .. thanks

do you have a build thread or a description of your sump system?

 

[karimwassef]

Settling tank?

 

[DBR_reef]

Settling tank?

Settling tanks tend to not work as well as one would like- I actually tried both commercial and home made tanks. A lot of the particulates we are trying to filter have very similar densities to water, so they don't settle out well, requiring very large tanks. For very large systems back-flush sand filters work very well. But at 900 gallons I think a filter cloth type might still be the best option, as sand filters must be back flushed ~daily, so they use a lot of water.

 

[karimwassef]

I did not plan for a settling tank on my current design, but I got one by accident.

I set up a secondary tank...

It happened to have circular ends.
I accidentally designed it with flow entering pointed down the long side creating a continuous loop flow. I pointed this horizontally.
I unintentionally designed the output to be a central overflow.

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/IMG_6062_zpsgxv1ekqb.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/IMG_6062_zpsgxv1ekqb.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_6062_zpsgxv1ekqb.jpg"></a>

And it turned into this

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 11A5D614-3CC1-497B-833D-AA8F7C59016D_zpsyzve1yip.jpg"></a>

I was upset so I cleaned it up and restarted...

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/CDD50175-23DD-48DE-A53C-0BBA7A947E43_zps510gpn6f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/CDD50175-23DD-48DE-A53C-0BBA7A947E43_zps510gpn6f.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo CDD50175-23DD-48DE-A53C-0BBA7A947E43_zps510gpn6f.jpg"></a>

And in a couple of days the detritus was back

Mind you my DT shows no detritus with very heavy wave action

And I was determined to use this aux tank for my coral surgery... so I pressed on

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/56FB9157-68D8-49EE-9F71-58DB662B93EC_zpsdtm4g6mj.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/56FB9157-68D8-49EE-9F71-58DB662B93EC_zpsdtm4g6mj.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 56FB9157-68D8-49EE-9F71-58DB662B93EC_zpsdtm4g6mj.jpg"></a>

I got really upset... until I saw worms

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/1763E2BE-2537-45EB-8AAF-57105D8C8690_zpshbc2zl5b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/1763E2BE-2537-45EB-8AAF-57105D8C8690_zpshbc2zl5b.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1763E2BE-2537-45EB-8AAF-57105D8C8690_zpshbc2zl5b.jpg"></a>

Hundreds of worms and pods just multiplying in the sediment

So, I put 600W of LEDs on it and let it go

With so much light, it turned into a combination settling tank + Algae scrubber

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/9B8AE2DF-0B26-4CF0-BC05-9C7E3C54E2C9_zpszg4ysnfh.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/9B8AE2DF-0B26-4CF0-BC05-9C7E3C54E2C9_zpszg4ysnfh.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 9B8AE2DF-0B26-4CF0-BC05-9C7E3C54E2C9_zpszg4ysnfh.jpg"></a>

In the meantime, my coral growth exploded and no algae appeared in my DT

So, I shut down my monster ATS and monster skimmer

And started collecting the algae to feed my tank

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/5099125F-5EAF-485C-92FC-2B156F0CA045_zpsh92zlgnd.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/5099125F-5EAF-485C-92FC-2B156F0CA045_zpsh92zlgnd.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 5099125F-5EAF-485C-92FC-2B156F0CA045_zpsh92zlgnd.jpg"></a>

The stuff was choking with pods

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/654C0AD9-0D6F-47C4-B757-78F5AF321B3F_zpsie2iyrbz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/654C0AD9-0D6F-47C4-B757-78F5AF321B3F_zpsie2iyrbz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 654C0AD9-0D6F-47C4-B757-78F5AF321B3F_zpsie2iyrbz.jpg"></a>

This has been going on for months...

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/62AF83E1-FE30-48D0-9648-B0D556F15A77_zps8gmqd8ff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/62AF83E1-FE30-48D0-9648-B0D556F15A77_zps8gmqd8ff.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 62AF83E1-FE30-48D0-9648-B0D556F15A77_zps8gmqd8ff.jpg"></a>

And there's a layer of sedimentary detritus deep in that pool that is full of life. And my corals are running amuck.. due to the muck? I don't know

<a href="http://s1062.photobucket.com/user/karimwassef/media/4A261F16-3008-4CFA-B046-391D6D9C3977_zps6ftrjkvz.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t496/karimwassef/4A261F16-3008-4CFA-B046-391D6D9C3977_zps6ftrjkvz.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 4A261F16-3008-4CFA-B046-391D6D9C3977_zps6ftrjkvz.jpg"></a>

(Picture in MH only. No LED or actinics)

 

[karimwassef]

I am planning a dedicated settling tank in my future tank. I had worked out the math but thought it was impossible or at least impractical... but like all innovation, - accidents and mistakes usually point the way.

The current incarnation is, of course, not a true settling tank. I don't export the detritus. I never planned such a thing so there's no cone for the stuff to flow down into a collecting pipe.

It's not even a true ATS because I don't export the algae either... so this breaks all rules. Designed (by accident) for the very lazy (or negligent) & poor reefer (can't buy a settling tank- too expensive).

My new design will have the option to export with a cone like base.

 

[DBR_reef]

I am planning a dedicated settling tank in my future tank. I had worked out the math but thought it was impossible or at least impractical... but like all innovation, - accidents and mistakes usually point the way.

The current incarnation is, of course, not a true settling tank. I don't export the detritus. I never planned such a thing so there's no cone for the stuff to flow down into a collecting pipe.

It's not even a true ATS because I don't export the algae either... so this breaks all rules. Designed (by accident) for the very lazy (or negligent) & poor reefer (can't buy a settling tank- too expensive).

My new design will have the option to export with a cone like base.

This definitely looks like it is working as a settling tank, but it is a much larger volume than many can have. It would bet that the algae is acting as a filter floss and polishing your water as well.

 

[karimwassef]

Yes. But I feed it back to the fish and the detritus caught in it is consumed or scattered again. It's a closed food loop but a very energetic one.

 

[DBR_reef]

Yes. But I feed it back to the fish and the detritus caught in it is consumed or scattered again. It's a closed food loop but a very energetic one.

Got to love "dirty" systems- they grow coral like nobodies business- as long as you have a mature system and don't overfeed.

 

[karimwassef]

Who are you calling dirty?



I'm as clean as a natural reef... I did overfeeding intentionally for years- no mechanical filtration except protein skimming and ATS (not even socks).

I always felt guilty killing all the life in my exports. I now honestly believe that the key to a successful reef is fish poop. So, like any good farmer, I now collect it, use it to cultivate food, and feed it back to my livestock. In the process, the biofauna (and some poop) that thrives in that cycle feed the reef.

Dirty! Humph!

 

[platax88]

automatic mechanical filter

automatic mechanical filter

Hey there. I'm thinking of building a automatic mechanical filter just like u did for a 330 gal. I'd love to use coolant paper but the source seems to be eBay and they want like $35 for shipping. How has the batting worked out for you? How long do you get out of your 14 yard spools before having to change them. I love the fact that the coolant paper comes in long spools and that it can filter down to a much finer micron. I'm a bit torn because I think that the media would dictate the design and don't know which to go with. Any help is appreciated!

 

[DBR_reef]

Hey there. I'm thinking of building a automatic mechanical filter just like u did for a 330 gal. I'd love to use coolant paper but the source seems to be eBay and they want like $35 for shipping. How has the batting worked out for you? How long do you get out of your 14 yard spools before having to change them. I love the fact that the coolant paper comes in long spools and that it can filter down to a much finer micron. I'm a bit torn because I think that the media would dictate the design and don't know which to go with. Any help is appreciated!

I can't really help you with this dilemma too much, as I have only used the batting, but it does hold up- I am still on my first cut- I have not bothered to make cut any more from the leftover material, because having multiple when you only change it every month or two doesn't make a lot of sense. I have mine on a 260g system, if that helps. But it obviously does not polish like filter paper will, and I think the pore size gets larger with time. It also stretches over time.

I really like the coolant or milk filter paper idea, being that it is disposable and cheap. If you go that route I would probably use a float switch as it will clog faster and you don't want to waste material. I can tell you that the rollermat is suppose to use 60 micron paper, and I would guess you would not want to go much below 50. I was thinking about using this http://www.farmandranchdepot.com/farm-equipment/12-x200-_Filter_Roll-Case-6.html I would contact the manufacture, but I would bet it is 40-50 microns. shipping is $10. I would also consider that ebay sellers 100 micron paper. shipping is expensive, but if you bought it infrequently and in larger quantities it wouldn't be to bad. I wouldn't know where to look for it locally, but you might try asking large machinery mechanics where they get it, or if you can buy some from them.

 

[TheFishGuy31]

I bought my filter paper through eBay. It's an expensive upfront cost, but I think my 75 yard roll is going to last a few years.




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[platax88]

I can't really help you with this dilemma too much, as I have only used the batting, but it does hold up- I am still on my first cut- I have not bothered to make cut any more from the leftover material, because having multiple when you only change it every month or two doesn't make a lot of sense. I have mine on a 260g system, if that helps. But it obviously does not polish like filter paper will, and I think the pore size gets larger with time. It also stretches over time.

I really like the coolant or milk filter paper idea, being that it is disposable and cheap. If you go that route I would probably use a float switch as it will clog faster and you don't want to waste material. I can tell you that the rollermat is suppose to use 60 micron paper, and I would guess you would not want to go much below 50. I was thinking about using this http://www.farmandranchdepot.com/farm-equipment/12-x200-_Filter_Roll-Case-6.html I would contact the manufacture, but I would bet it is 40-50 microns. shipping is $10. I would also consider that ebay sellers 100 micron paper. shipping is expensive, but if you bought it infrequently and in larger quantities it wouldn't be to bad. I wouldn't know where to look for it locally, but you might try asking large machinery mechanics where they get it, or if you can buy some from them.

Thanks! So you are washing out the batting or just disposing? I bought some batting just so I can get a prooof of concept going but paper will be the way I go. I'll just bite the bullet and pay the eBay shipping

 

[platax88]

I bought my filter paper through eBay. It's an expensive upfront cost, but I think my 75 yard roll is going to last a few years.




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Ok I'll bite the bullet on shipping. Do you know if there is a way to cut down the rolls to size? I need 9" wide. If it's easy then I could even buy the 18" roll and cut in half for two rolls. This would set me up!

 

[DBR_reef]

Thanks! So you are washing out the batting or just disposing? I bought some batting just so I can get a prooof of concept going but paper will be the way I go. I'll just bite the bullet and pay the eBay shipping

I wash it, I've probably washed it 20 times


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[DBR_reef]

Ok I'll bite the bullet on shipping. Do you know if there is a way to cut down the rolls to size? I need 9" wide. If it's easy then I could even buy the 18" roll and cut in half for two rolls. This would set me up!

A band saw will work if you have a large enough one



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[platax88]

A band saw will work if you have a large enough one



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I don't but I do have a very fine tooth dovetail handsaw. I could get 3 100 yard rolls out of a large one but I'd be screwed I'd it doesn't cut down. They have an 80 micron roll which should work well. Thoughts ?