Fine filter media ideas please???

[Griller]

If you could copy this design & find different pore-size materials to make socks from, you could use a series of graduated socks (one inside the next inside the next, etc.), from 200 microns down to 1 micron. Saves space at least...

Thats a very clever little system - and probably easy to make. What I have just made is essentially the same thing:

As you can see the double layer felt fabric forms a big sack in the first compartment.

It is completely sealed, no gaps.


I wonder of my overflow box is failing to pick up the particles at all. My tank is nearly 3' deep. I designed my own top/bottom draw overflow box to get as much of the water as possible:

Top/bottom draw overflow box and pipes plan

Water flow through the overflow system

​

I wonder if this fine stuff is missing the sump alltogether!

 

[TheCanuck]

it probly is due to the wrong kind of intake on your sump, get the magnum 350!!

 

[turtlesrock]

gosh! you keep trying to do these things that are completely worthless! just buy another filter like a magnum or ac110! if that dosnt work get another! ac110's are not expensive! so go out and buy like 2 and then your problem will be fixed! i commented b4 and i told you what worked for me.. and it worked in less than 24 hours, and today the tank is still crystle clean (the tank is also VERY heavily stocked)

 

[Griller]

gosh! you keep trying to do these things that are completely worthless!

Come on spoilsport - no filter play is worthless I've been messing with filters for years. I used to run a marine farm and had loads of fun and success modifying the filters. Things don't always work out on the first try.
Sorry to be annoying you mate - I just want to find a more elegant solution than adding a second filter. Please understand that I do very much appreciate your advise.

just buy another filter like a magnum or ac110! if that dosnt work get another! ac110's are not expensive! so go out and buy like 2 and then your problem will be fixed!

I'm sure this would work but I want to do it myself - preferrably in my sump. I really like Redoog's setup. I've just got to work out why mine's not doing the job properly.

i commented b4 and i told you what worked for me.. and it worked in less than 24 hours, and today the tank is still crystle clean (the tank is also VERY heavily stocked)

I've seen plenty of heavily stocked tanks running a sump that are crystal clear. I really want to know how they do it!
I don't like messing around with canister filters - I much prefer a big sump or trickle filter (personal preference).

There is logic to my madness turtlesrock. I may go down the road of another filter system but I would prefer not to. I'm going to replace this tank with a 9000 litre (2400 gal) tank, so I need a system that will work on a big scale without the big $$$. Call it paving the road. I will not be buying 20 magnum canister filters that require weekly maintenance for that tank! I'd like to find a solution for this tank that will be practical on a 10x scale.

OK - After careful observation I can see that the fine particles are making it into the overflow. I'm doing a water change tomorrow morning so I'll elevate the pump as well and see what happens.

 

[Redoog]

how about a couple pics ofyour whole sump, maybe the tankas well. your drawings are top notch, but pics tell me more.

What are you using forbio media there mate? Is it possable it is adding stuff to your tank still? Also, what does your batting look like after running a day?

Are you seeing anything build up?

check your draw with some ich med,, the blue stuff. Hold your finger vover it, take it in the tank and release a few drops, watch where it goes.

 

[turtlesrock]

ok...ok.... sorry bout that.. i just reread the thread and relized you were trying to do something different than what i was thinking... anyways.. sorry bout that!

 

[Griller]

how about a couple pics of your whole sump, maybe the tankas well. your drawings are top notch, but pics tell me more.

I can't photo the bottom intake because it is completely hidden. I know it works because all the heavy debris gets picked up.

What are you using forbio media there mate? Is it possable it is adding stuff to your tank still?

Its a very brittle chalky glass media. In fact it could well be the cause! The stuff is cheap crap supplied for free when I got the tank made. It has a super-high surface area but it breaks real easy. May well be breaking down in the water and is being released after the mechanical filter!
I might go hunt down some scrubbies (hope they sell them here in South Australia). I read some people use nylon netting as an alternative to scrubbies.

Also, what does your batting look like after running a day?
Are you seeing anything build up?

Yes - brown gunck! Just what we like to see

check your draw with some ich med,, the blue stuff. Hold your finger vover it, take it in the tank and release a few drops, watch where it goes.

Will do.

ok...ok.... sorry bout that..

Hahaha - you're right mate

 

[turtlesrock]

hahaha!! great tank.. it looks perfectly cleaR

 

[Griller]

OK - I decided to upgrade my mechanical filtration by installing the box under the overflow pipes:



I set it up a little different from the diagram because I got hold of some handy plastic trays and a nice big tub. I only needed 1 box and all my mechanical media will be in it.

Sump ready for upgrade:

I removed the 2 plastic overflow pipes that go into the sump. I also pulled out the felt and re-used it.

Picked up these items from "cheap as chips" for about $20AU:

I wanted a tub 15cm high, it would have been perfect. Unfortunately I only has the choice of 10cm or 20cm high. I went for the 20. I had to modify my overflows to make it fit.

I cut the blue A4 paper tray so I had a stand about 2cm high:

Then I installed the stand in the tub. The stand allows water to pass through a hole in the bottom of the tub unrestricted:

The hole has been cut and a plastic cup installed as the drain. The pink tray is the secondary overflow if the media clogs:

I put in a layer of batting, 2 layers of felt and 3 layers of batting. Sound familiar Redoog? A second pink tray holds everything in place. I drilled holes in the tray to assist flow through the media.

Notice how the pink overflow tray is set up (the one on its side). It gives water direct access the the drain if the media clogs.

This is the side view of the secondary overflow:

I fixed the battting on the side. It should not have been pushed down far enough to expose the felt. The outer layer of batting provides a route so water can pass through the felt that lines the sides of the tub (that's my theory anyway, I didn't want to drill the sides).

This is the drain. It is just a plastic cup cut off. The tape it there because I cracked the tub If it leaks I'll get another one for $10.

Sorry, I forgot to take a pic of the lid. I cut the lid so it could slide over the overflows. This is the filter installed and running.

Phew - all that after doing a 1/2 day charity ride.

I'm guessing it'll be months before I have to clean this monster! I have about 5x the mechanical media that I used to have. The felt was a little dirty when I checked it but very far from being clogged.

Next step is to move the return outlet. I'll put it at the other end of the tank so it pushes water towards the overflow. I notices that the particles are built up at the far end of the tank.

 

[calicichlid]

I aggree with pretty much all that was said. I myself had the same problem, and reponded with the same basic ideas posted here. My lfs advise me to go one step more to use a chemicsl. I went Seachems Clarity it took a couple of treatments (4 exactly using min. dosage) but now my tank maintains the crystal clear look. I only treat it now at the end of my water changes. Just my $.02