DIY Filter Screen - Sock replacement

[agsansoo]

Who out there is tired of washing, bleaching and buying filter socks ? I was ! So this is my simple solution to replacing my dirty smelly filter socks.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03517.jpg

It's made out of (2) 4" PVC connectors and (1) 4" adapter. Drill a few holes on the bottom and silicone a a little egg create on the bottom and your finished.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03518.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03519.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03520.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03521.jpg

I place a bag of carbon at the bottom also.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03522.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03523.jpg
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/Filter-screen/dsc03525.jpg

I just rinse it out every couple of days. Then replace with a clean one once a month.

What do you guys think ?

[devgru]

looks good.but what did you use as the screen on the bottom?didnt see it mentioned

[mountainguy123]

Is that a coffee filter?? If so, brilliant idea!!
I know what I'm doing tomorrow evening-

[agsansoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14477320#post14477320 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by devgru
looks good.but what did you use as the screen on the bottom?didnt see it mentioned

It's a piece of egg create light diffuser.

[agsansoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14477341#post14477341 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mountainguy123
Is that a coffee filter?? If so, brilliant idea!!
I know what I'm doing tomorrow evening-

Yes, it's a plastic re-usable Mr. Coffee filter. I wouldn't use the metal ones.

[mortonl]

actually, screen looks smaller than I imagined (not a coffee drinker). how much are the screens?

[coralfragger101]

It appears to me that you are simply swapping one chore for another.

Filter Socks: Replacing every couple of days - washing every couple of weeks.

This: Washing every couple of days - changing once a month.

This washing every couple of days could easily be an EVERY DAY chore on a bigger system as the surface area of the coffee filter is much smaller than the area of a filter sock and will clog very easily.

IMO, it will work if you are OK with the trade off.

Thanks but I'll stick with the filter socks.

[Rueg]

Interesting. I wonder - how many microns might the coffee filter be? Most filter bags are 100 micron. I would think the coffee screen would be bigger.

[agsansoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14477568#post14477568 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mortonl
actually, screen looks smaller than I imagined (not a coffee drinker). how much are the screens?

The screens are under $4 at your local grocery store.

[agsansoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14478095#post14478095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by coralfragger101
It appears to me that you are simply swapping one chore for another.

Filter Socks: Replacing every couple of days - washing every couple of weeks.

This: Washing every couple of days - changing once a month.

This washing every couple of days could easily be an EVERY DAY chore on a bigger system as the surface area of the coffee filter is much smaller than the area of a filter sock and will clog very easily.

IMO, it will work if you are OK with the trade off.

Thanks but I'll stick with the filter socks.

Thank you for your feed back. I think you confusing washing with rinsing. I stated I rinse it every couple of days. I wash it like any other piece of equipment (i.e. powerhead or return pumps etc.).

The idea is more like a pool skimmer that traps larger floating debris.

[coralfragger101]

I'm not confusing anything. I'm saying that you have a "chore" to do (whether you call it washing, rinsing, cleaning, etc).

Bottom line is that you have a chore to do with this set up more often than with a filter sock with a larger surface area.

I'm not saying it is necessarily a bad idea. Hell - it would be best if we change our filter socks out daily as well but no one does.

[hebygb]

The advantage of a filtersock is that even if it becomes clogged at the bottom, and the water level rises with in it... the sides are still strong enough to hold up to the draining water as well as maintain the filtration... coffee filters, not so much.

If i didnt have to tinker with my tank, it would no longer be a hobby... I dont mind soaking/bleaching/rinsing a few socks as they accumulate from my tanks. Takes a few minutes and I have enough of them that I do it every couple of weeks.

That said... nice idea... just doesnt work for me.

[agsansoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14478966#post14478966 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hebygb
The advantage of a filtersock is that even if it becomes clogged at the bottom, and the water level rises with in it... the sides are still strong enough to hold up to the draining water as well as maintain the filtration... coffee filters, not so much.

If i didnt have to tinker with my tank, it would no longer be a hobby... I dont mind soaking/bleaching/rinsing a few socks as they accumulate from my tanks. Takes a few minutes and I have enough of them that I do it every couple of weeks.

That said... nice idea... just doesnt work for me.

With these, as they clog up and water rises in the top tube. That's when you simply rinse (back flush in sink) with a little hot water and your good to go. I also totally agree with you about tinkering with your tank. It's just part of this hobby.

[vetdog]

I think it looks like a great idea, I may try it

[96p993]

Andy just wondering how this is still working for you and if you would change anything to your design...

Thanks

[agsansoo]

Have been using this for over 6 months now. The only thing I might change is the bottom. Instead of drill holes I would notch (like a castle) and place the egg crate higher in the tube.
This works great for me. I just rinse daily and clean (soak in vinegar) monthly.

[agsansoo]

Double post

[96p993]

the only reason for the eggcrate is the carbon..correct?

[agsansoo]

Correct, or any other media (i.e. zeovit stones).

[tbar]

How about instead of the coffee filter using filter floss. I think that is the correct term I'm thinking of for that filter media that has blue and white pads together. Just cut it into circles the size of the PVC. Reason I say that is for myself I have all the supplies on hand to do this at home. Rinse it a few times then throw it away cause it's so cheap. I have been thinking of making a bubble tower type thing and this would be an option. I would want the eggcrate an inch or so higher then the water level in my sump so that the pad is not soaking in the sump. Not that the coffee filter is not good just thinking of a different type of filter media. I recently started using socks again to keep food out of the sump. I change them every other day but still don't like them dirty things soaking in the sump.

Tom

[agsansoo]

Yes you can use filter pads too. That's how I did it at first. 100 micron square pads that comes in sheets.

My first bubble trap.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/sump-2008.jpg

[g8gxp]

Quick question. Is that the best place for carbon? I thought that carbon should be placed in a low flow area so that contact time is increase? Putting it directly in the path of the drain line doesn't make for very much dwell time....

[agsansoo]

@g8gxp, sorry for the late reply. Yes your right, low flow is better for carbon. My flow through my sump is only 3-5X my DT volume. I just move and rotate the carbon bag daily when I rinse the screen. I perfer a PhosBan reactor for running carbon, but mine has zovit stones in it right now.

[cdness]

I thought carbon was high flow but tightly packed and GFO was the lower flow allowing it to tumble... I might be mistaked though.

Good idea on the coffee filter. If I didn't have 20 or so filter socks I'd probably try it. It might be more efficient if there was a taller coffee filter to allow more time between cleanings. I wonder if the plastic filter sheets they use in there are purchaseable anywhere...

[agsansoo]

I've wonder the same thing. Seem like there should be some filter companies out there with different screen mesh sizes.

[bshumake]

Nice idea! I might use this in some form or another.

[lmorejon]

Yes you can use filter pads too. That's how I did it at first. 100 micron square pads that comes in sheets.

My first bubble trap.
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t257/agsansoo/sump-2008.jpg

Neat setup. :D

[agsansoo]

Thanks ! I run a traditional BB system. No sand, anywhere. :)