Pegasus Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Thoughts About Filtration..... #2 Been kicking a lot of thoughts around, and here are some more. A filter relies on the amount of water passing through it, and the greater the surface area, the more efficiant the filter becomes, over time that is. There are hundreds of designs for filters, both fully submersed, and open types like the hang on the back type. The internal box filter has its uses, but invariably these tyes of filter have a low medium capacity, and the actual surface area in often not more than a few square inches, and they take up tank space and look very unsightly at the best of times. The internal box filter is just one of the types I am concerned with, for when it comes to cleaning time they are messy and smelly, with bits of carbon falling everywhere, or in some of my situations gravel, as I find it works pretty good at storing the bacteria. Imagine the box filter, but it is no longer a clumsy triangular or square shape, but a long rectangular box that is the full length of the tank, and around 50mm thick and 100mm deep. This rectangular box has two sections, the front area, which is the depth by the length, by three quarters of the thickness. The three quarters portion will hold the medium, while the remaining quarter will be clear, with only clean water passing through it. The two sections would be seperated by a perforated plate. Now consider this rectangular box laid flat on a table. The box would have a snap shut lid which is fully perforated, and the filter medium could be packed into the deep portion of the box. With the lid open a filter matt could be placed in so that it covers the perforated plate. This "matt" could be of the same material as the green scouring pads that could be bought from any supermarket, or it can be bought in big sheets from industrial cleaning supply companies, or it could be just a simple sponge that fits neatly inside. If just the scouring pads are used, carbon or whatever could be added next, followed by another layer of scouring pad or filter wool. The lid is then snapped shut. At each end of this box is a tube fitting that will enable either an uplift tube to go onto it, or a flexible tube from a powerhead. These fittings extend from the rear portion of the box only, that is the clear quarter portion. The box is fitted into the tank with the narrow edge down and the perforated lid facing forward. Imagine now that we have the tubes connected, and we are sucking from both ends of the filer box. The water is drawn in through the perforated lid, through the filter medium, and into the unrestricted quarter portion of the box where the clean water is forced out and up to the surface via the tubes. A month... two months... or six months down the track and the filter needs cleaning. No mess, just lift the unit out, open the lid, rinse off and replace... a two minute job. The benefit here with a filter of this type, is that it would have multiple times the capacity of a standard box filter, and would remain almost unseen sitting at the rear base of the tank. One of 24 inch long would give a filter area of 96 square inches. Semi clear green plastic boxes can be purchased for a few dollars, and with a little alteration could become a very efficiant filter, but the ideal way would be to make the unit from thin rigid plastic to suit the size of tank. Thin plastic sheet can be obtained from model and craft shops, and even some stationers carry a varied supply. A similar type of unit could be slipped under the gravel, or partially buried at the rear of the tank. With a bit of thought, these rectangular boxes could be made in various sizes so that they can be snapped together to extend to fit any size of tank. Questions... Opinions... Improvements... All Welcome. Regards, Bill (Pegasus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hi Pegasus The idea sounds good and reasonable practical. But it is almost like the "Hamburg mattenfilter", but easier to maintain. This idea could be like a rear inside hangon filter. Only across the whole length of the tank. The only problem is for the average guy, how to build it. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 to a very untechnical person such as myself, this sounds great. Where can I get one????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 26, 2003 Report Share Posted January 26, 2003 Hi Goldie Easy. First, go to a technical school, then learn simple mechanics, buy $1000 worth of tools and Bob's your uncle. You can build one yourself John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 There's my problem, I haven't got an Uncle Bob! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted January 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 Hi John, Never seen any of this Hamburgers work, so I can't make comment, but the idea above is very simple, and with the right length plastic boxes (or a few bonded together) it could be made in around half an hour, at a cost of around six bucks..... without the diploma of course I only offer simple ideas to the forums that everyone can tackle, but I have thousands of ideas at home that you would need a diploma to understand. I will make a drawing up and post it soon. Regards, Bill (Pegasus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 Hi What I really meant was, there are some people who cannot nail two pieces of wood togerther. Others who try to build anything, but it is just butchery. Any one with a bit "handyman" approach can make your filter. It does not take a university degree. Just be a reasonable handyman. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Interfecus Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 I wouldn't recommend those supermarket scouring pads: many cleaning items like that have added antibacterial chemicals which could prevent filter colonisation by spreding toxins all through the filter wool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shilo Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 John1 What I really meant was, there are some people who cannot nail two pieces of wood together. My woodwork teacher at school gave up on me completely because I thought I was so hopeless at practical applications. Thought this way and refused to even lift a hammer until 2 years ago when out of desperation I took on a 2 month DIY project. It turned out well. Now nothing DIY stands in my way. Everybody can nail 2 pieces of wood together or build a filter, IF they have enough enthusiasm for the project. Experiance will always produce a better product, but you only get this by doing it. Inferfecus The cheap ones should be alright. Most antibacterial cloths etc cost twice as much and splash their antibacterial properties all over their packaging. Cheers Shilo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted January 27, 2003 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 Interfecus said: I wouldn't recommend those supermarket scouring pads: many cleaning items like that have added antibacterial chemicals which could prevent filter colonisation by spreding toxins all through the filter wool Nothing wrong with the type I use.... and they make a great algae remover if the Pleco's miss a bit :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 Hi Shilo The quote, you quoted is only a "saying". There are people who think they are handyman because the built so much. But in reality the just put things together, nilly willy. The endresult, a catastrophic mess. And you need a certain amount of machinery, not just a hacksaw and a hammer. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldie Posted January 27, 2003 Report Share Posted January 27, 2003 I identify with Shilo My hubby BEGS me not to start any projects ......................He cannot stand to see me struggle and ends up taking over and making a fantastic job of whatever I started. MMM I may send him this page - (minus this post) and suggest he make a Pegasus filter for my two tanks. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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