DIY sump

[tedr108]

I'm working on a DIY sump setup. It has to be sealed, since I have CO2 injection. I am going to use a 6" PVC pipe (as Tom recommended as a possibility in another thread). I will have a place for a filter sock in the 6" PVC and below that I plan on having sponge and bioballs and/or ceramic-type tubes for biological filtration. The 6" PVC will be sealed at the top with holes drilled in the bottom to allow water to escape -- there should be minimal CO2 loss, assuming my overflow box doesn't have too much of a waterfall.

My main question is about filter socks.

I have been leaning toward something like this at Aquatic Eco Systems: Aquatic Eco-Systems: Mesh Filter Bags. Would the standard ones or the polyweld ones be better? I like durability and do not want to have to replace socks too often. I know that Tom keeps multiples socks and soaks them in a bleach solution to clean them. I like the polyweld because they go down to 25 microns -- the standard only go down to 100 microns.

There are also the simple "filter bags with draw strings": Aquatic Eco-Systems: Filter Bags with Drawstring. These would seem to be the most durable, and they go all the way down to 1 micron! They are, however, extremely long (I suppose I do not need to use the full length) -- and I want to leave room for the biomedia below the sock in the 6" PVC.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

 

[Tom Barr]

Search for bio diesel filtering bags

Biodiesel filter bags - Google Product Search

Much cheaper and available

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[tedr108]

Thanks for this, Tom.

Do you go with nylon bags? I read that nylon breaks down faster than polyester and polypropylene with organic and mineral acids (carbonic acid?), but the polys don't do well with cleaning.

 

[Tom Barr]

Poly pro works well.

Regards,
Tom Barr

 

[Panda]

I have a 90 gallon discus tank with two power filters. I'm thinking on getting a new filtration system. What do you suggest? I already have a wet/dry filter ( someone gave it to me as a gift) that I'm not using but it doesn't have a pump.
Should I get a new canister filer? (I'm using CO2) or buy a pump and use the wet/dry? If it is a canister, which one? how much gph should i get? thanks !!

 

[Mooner]

Appears these types (Bio-Diesel) only come with metal rings and are made of Polyester or nylon? Aquatic Eco comes with a plastic ring and are Polypropylene.
The Diesel type are cheaper though. I will email one seller and see if anything different is available.

 

[tedr108]

Chris,

Here's a link to a site with polypro bags at 4 1/8" x 14" (size 4, they also have size 3 -- 4 1/8" x 8"):

High-Flow Polypropylene Felt Filter Bags Search Results High-Flow Polypropylene Felt Filter Bags - Cole-Parmer Catalog

 

[Mooner]

Hi Ted, thank for the reply. These seem to be comparable in price to Aquatic Eco but not near as cheap as the Bio-Diesel type that Tom referred to. Your link has better sizes to choose from, 8" vs 32" from AE. BTW, these type of filters are great for sumps. they last a long time without plugging up and are easy to clean (bleach).

One other method, if one buys this type of filter but needs a custom size they can be resized on a surger in seconds and I've even removed the ring to make them a smaller diameter. The scrap filter material makes a good algae pad for cleaning.

 

[Tom Barr]

Look, if they can handle diesel , they can handle the wimpy water you use.
A little steel is not going to cause any issue unless you are doing a non CO2 tank and even then.............

I've routinely used various metals like galvanized steel wire etc, iron filings etc.

BTW, you can fold sheets and make your own cone socks, or if you have some folks that will sew for you(say 20 or so at a time, the job is simple).

Regards,
Tom Barr