Frankenstein's Bag Filter

[Desdinova]

I hooked up my latest idea for a mechanical filter for a messy tank. It didn't work out that well, but I learned that there are a LOT more particles between 50 and 100 microns than between 100 and 200 microns.

The two large bags are 200 micron bags. The smaller bags are: 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 1. The 50 micron bag - by far - clogged up first.



[video=youtube_share;LwRM-BE3hGs]http://youtu.be/LwRM-BE3hGs[/video]

http://youtu.be/1ffthDQZ2vE

http://youtu.be/IQk1LEAN4l0

http://youtu.be/eIZZdQiwky4

 

[Gill Blue]

are you an automotive engineer?

 

[David R]

The thing with bags/socks is that as they clog they will actually filter out finer particles. I found very little difference between 200, 100 and 50 micron socks on my old set up, they all clogged after 3-4 days and no big difference in water clarity.

 

[Desdinova]

I'm a software engineer... does that count?

I like David's theory on bag filters, but my ultimate end is to put them in front of a bio filter that needs as much of the debris removed as possible, before the water gets to the bio media. Eventually, I'll probably be designing an overflow system that will allow only the clean water to go to the bio filter, while returning dirty water, that has overflowed, back to the tank. I've got lots of ideas... I just wish I had time and money for all of them.

 

[Gill Blue]

I'm a software engineer... does that count?

it's looking like it...
they're know for designing things that work, but are difficult to maintain. and that filter appears to meet both criteria.
how difficult is it to swap out that middle sock?

 

[Desdinova]

LOL!

This is actually just a research item. I wanted to see what would happen. When I pull it apart, I'll get some more info and then I'll be ready for the next test. I'm trying to further my understanding of these systems through hands-on experience. Plus, it never hurts to share

 

[David R]

Interesting idea separating the overflow water and returning it to the tank. I think the key thing with socks if you want a good amount of time between cleans is to have some sort of pre-filter that catches the coarse waste.

 

[Desdinova]

I thought the bags WERE the prefilters... That's kind of why I started with two 7" x 16" 200-micron bags and then moved it into the tower. I'm starting to think that it doesn't matter though. I ordered four 10-micron nylon nmo bags this week. Two of them are 7" x 16" and two are 7" x 32". Nylon is tuff and easy to clean and reuse. The felt types, according to my reading on websites that sell them, lose their ability to trap smaller particles when they've been cleaned too many times.

The 10-micron bags that I got off Amazon were not too expensive, but if this works out well, I might get some of the 1-micron nylon nmo bags from Aquatic Ecosystems, which I think are WAY too expensive. I'll have to look around for another source first.