DIY Mech. Filtration

[timeneverfreezes]

Im playing around with adding additional power and flexibility to my filtration system!

So far Ive boosted the mechanical filtration by adding two Whirlpool whole-house water pre-filters.

I know that picture is so grainy it hurts it was taken with my cell phone.


Both filters are currently running 30 micron cartridges and I can already see junk in the first. Ill add a picture tomorrow so you can see how much it gathers overnight. The intake and output are both in the sump...

The waterflow from the Rio2100 is actually o.k im guessing somewhere around 200-300 gph, so thats around 50% of free-flow capacity. The real test will come when I add a 5 or 2 micron cartridge!

The whole setup is really just a temporary thing for when I make my final system.

 

[bitteraspects]

i was looking at those the last time i was at home depot. please keep us updated on it. id love to see how much more it actually filters out.

 

[invisyblegypsey]

i have built some like this and they dont take long to plug up but, i took the paper filer off and left the seal rings. and waped them in dacron from walmart till they just fit and they work great they realy polish the water nice. and i dont have to clean them but abought every 3 months

 

[bitteraspects]

you could use filter wool instead

 

[Jgray152]

You can always run those two filters paralell. Meaning, instead of a series setup like you have, split the intake line into two and spit the flow between the two filters or 3-4 filters. This will increase the maintenance cycle and they won't plug up so quickly

 

[bitteraspects]

but running inline will provide better filtration going into the sump. and only the first one will need to be changed often. and if youre using filterwool or some other form of mech filter pad, you can just rinse it out.

 

[timeneverfreezes]

but running inline will provide better filtration going into the sump. and only the first one will need to be changed often. and if youre using filterwool or some other form of mech filter pad, you can just rinse it out.

Exactly!

Then later I can stagger cartridges, first the 30 micron then the 5 micron. There is also a 2 micron carbon cartridge! Thats why I did a series setup, it seems more flexible to me.

Also if the first one is clogged and I dont feel like cleaning it, etc.. Both have built in bypass valves!

 

[bitteraspects]

id be weary of the micron filters though. seems they would get clogged a lot easier then say a filter pad or wool. but thats the beauty of a DIY. you get to figure it out and tweak it along the way.

 

[Jgray152]

but running inline will provide better filtration going into the sump. and only the first one will need to be changed often. and if youre using filterwool or some other form of mech filter pad, you can just rinse it out.

You can do the same when running them in paralell. Use 4 of them. Split the flow through two HH filters and then have 2 more right after them to polish the water further. BTW, these filters do a great job a filtering water and capturing LOTs. There is pretty much no bypass.

Its better to use a higher micron filter first and then a lower micron filter next to get the best water condition.

hahah. exatly. dont mind Jgray152 the self proclaimed filter guru. lol

I wouldn't call my self a guru but its just common sence that you don't have. Split the load across two filters and they will last longer. No? Think im wrong? Try it!

id be weary of the micron filters though. seems they would get clogged a lot easier then say a filter pad or wool. but thats the beauty of a DIY. you get to figure it out and tweak it along the way.

They would clog up quick when running it YOUR way. Split the flow across 2 or 3 series of filters. You can even split the flow across three large micron filters an then back down to two or one single small micron filter. More paralelled series filtration is best in this case.

Exactly!

Then later I can stagger cartridges, first the 30 micron then the 5 micron. There is also a 2 micron carbon cartridge! Thats why I did a series setup, it seems more flexible to me.

Read my quote below.

You can do the same when running them in paralell. Use 4 of them. Split the flow through two HH filters and then have 2 more right after them to polish the water further.

 

[wow_it_esploded]

May I ask how much? I have been looking to supplement some mechanical filtration on my tank, a 75g with about 90g of water in the system.

I have seen people use these before and they say that they use the filter it comes with until it clogs, then they cut it away and wrap the core in quilt batting, cheap and easy. 3 or 4 bucks are wally-world will get you a huge roll that could be densly packed into this filter.