cabinetman123
Member
From experience I can tell you that it's not. Especially if you have a large system with lots of crappers lol
My Diy Sand Filter. I'm sick of filter socks!!!
- Thread starter cabinetman123
- Start date
From experience I can tell you that it's not. Especially if you have a large system with lots of crappers lol
cabinetman123
Member
I think likely the sand I got will only be available locally but I wouldn't let that worry you. Just try a pool sand that isn't super fine. I know play sand is way to fine. I'll do a video for you guys showing the size comparing it to sugar.
karimwassef
Active member
Do you know if it is calcium sand or silica?
cabinetman123
Member
I don't know. I think it's just local beach sand though from an island of Nova Scotia. Just sized.
cabinetman123
Member
karimwassef
Active member
Can you take a pinch an put it in vinegar? If it fizzes, it's calcium. If not, it's silica.
cabinetman123
Member
I did try the air pump thing early on but it wouldn't work right for me. It just bubbled a lot in one spot. But I just tried pumping the air in thru the pipe that the water drains outa. if a seperate manifold was built it would work. I've seen one that did use air but it was a massive sand filter. Likely 4x8 feet x 2feet height. Was used at a commercial bass growing operation. Good thinking. Forgot about that.
cabinetman123
Member
Here's a new experiment I'm doing with this filter. Dosing carbon without a skimmer... Can it be done. Can a skimmer be beat. Here's my video explaining the plan
http://youtu.be/D_KRC-jbdiA
http://youtu.be/D_KRC-jbdiA
cabinetman123
Member
It's silica. No fizzing whatsoever
Ron Reefman
Active member
Thanks CM. The name Bellemare made all the difference in a Google search.
I hope you don't mind all the questions? I think this has some serious potential. But then I thought the laser removal of aiptasia was a good idea when I started that 'fad' and it proved to be way less effective than I originally thought. I'm hoping this turns out way better.
I like the bubbler idea for stirring up the sand. If it can be worked out, it would make back flushing the system so much simpler in terms of the need for human intervention.
I wish I wasn't so tied up doing a master bath shower stall rebuild right now! Who would have thought that being retired would end up meaning I have less time... OK, that I have so many things I want to do!
I hope you don't mind all the questions? I think this has some serious potential. But then I thought the laser removal of aiptasia was a good idea when I started that 'fad' and it proved to be way less effective than I originally thought. I'm hoping this turns out way better.
I like the bubbler idea for stirring up the sand. If it can be worked out, it would make back flushing the system so much simpler in terms of the need for human intervention.
I wish I wasn't so tied up doing a master bath shower stall rebuild right now! Who would have thought that being retired would end up meaning I have less time... OK, that I have so many things I want to do!
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cabinetman123
Member
I am surprised no one here has a pond. Back flushing sand filters are used on ponds a lot and the development/engineering is already there. Here is an example...
http://highdesertkoi.com/
http://highdesertkoi.com/
cabinetman123
Member
I just realized something. Adding a sand filter to a tank is just like adding a septic system. Basically the same principle except for the backflush
Horace
New member
In theory so long as you are removing the garbage that is building up in your sand at the same rate you are removing it with the socks, then you should be on an equal playing field.
I still would not do this in place of a skimmer, and would only do this in addition to one. I would prefer to get the crap OUT of the water as fast as possible to reduce the amount of organics turning into Nitrates, so a skimmer IMO is a must have for that reason. But a skimmer as you know does very little to remove large particles...so mechanical filtration is pretty important for super clear water. I know many just skip socks all together, but I dont know how
.
I will need to watch your vids on this more, because I dont fully get how you are flushing the bad water out. I THINK you are using fresh ro/di to do it (which is what I would do...rather than flushing salt water down the drain.....
I still would not do this in place of a skimmer, and would only do this in addition to one. I would prefer to get the crap OUT of the water as fast as possible to reduce the amount of organics turning into Nitrates, so a skimmer IMO is a must have for that reason. But a skimmer as you know does very little to remove large particles...so mechanical filtration is pretty important for super clear water. I know many just skip socks all together, but I dont know how
. I will need to watch your vids on this more, because I dont fully get how you are flushing the bad water out. I THINK you are using fresh ro/di to do it (which is what I would do...rather than flushing salt water down the drain.....
cabinetman123
Member
In theory so long as you are removing the garbage that is building up in your sand at the same rate you are removing it with the socks, then you should be on an equal playing field.
I still would not do this in place of a skimmer, and would only do this in addition to one. I would prefer to get the crap OUT of the water as fast as possible to reduce the amount of organics turning into Nitrates, so a skimmer IMO is a must have for that reason. But a skimmer as you know does very little to remove large particles...so mechanical filtration is pretty important for super clear water. I know many just skip socks all together, but I dont know how
I will need to watch your vids on this more, because I dont fully get how you are flushing the bad water out. I THINK you are using fresh ro/di to do it (which is what I would do...rather than flushing salt water down the drain.....
Ya. I'm stopping all flow to the sand filter then letting it completely drain out then I close my return valve and backflush with tap water. Once the backflush is done I let all the freshwater drain out of the unit to drain and then I can start it up again. So no salt water loss or no real fresh water gain.
cabinetman123
Member
I'm from the country lol. Well water that's perfect. It all drains out too. Was that your reasoning?
