Alternative Filter Roll for ClariSea SK-3000 G3

[dangles]

So I've been looking around for alternatives to the ClariSea branded filter rolls for their filter fleece roller. I haven't really had any luck EXCEPT I did find out that the Hmahli filter fleece rolls fit. They're 328 ft long compared to the shorter ClariSea "XL" rolls that are only 131 ft. The Hmahli rolls are thinner and more porous, though. They list them at 80 micron. ClariSea won't give their rolls a rating but I read somewhere that somebody claimed they're in the neighborhood of 20-50 micron.

The cost is better, too. $0.18/ft for the ClariSea rolls vs $0.15/ft for the Hmahli rolls (although I got mine on sale for $0.12/ft)

I had to find a different solution for mounting the clean side of the roll, though. See photos...

 

[Johnd651]

Very nice.

 

[dangles]

An update on this...

I had my bother design/print a roll holder that would fit the body of the ClariSea and accommodate the larger Hmahli roll.

It worked... Sometimes.

Because the Hmahli rolls are EVER SO SLIGHTLY narrower than the ClariSea brand rolls, they have a tendency to "drift" toward one side, which eventually causes water to push AROUND the fleece and through the acrylic plate behind it without being filtered. I was regularly getting alarms that the roller had not rolled in 8+ hours because enough of the water was bypassing the fleece that the float valve never triggered. I tried endlessly to get the roll centered JUST RIGHT using PVC spacers so it wouldn't do that. But it kept doing it. I finally got frustrated enough that I switched back to the ClariSea brand rolls.

Can it be done? Maybe. But it will require more "fidgeting" than I'm willing to take on at the moment. Especially when I'm leaving on a trip for almost a week. I don't want to go that long without mechanical filtration.

I may play around with it more when I get back. I think the solution (if there is one) will revolve around a 3D printed roll mount that keeps it EXACTLY where it needs to be so it won't drift.

Man I really wish we could find out where these are sourced. Or an alternative that isn't quite so pricey. I may start throwing my used rolls into the washer and just not telling my wife lol

 

[dangles]

The ClariSea brand rolls are on sale at Premium Aquatics right now for 20% off. First time customers can get an additional 10% off by signing up for their marketing stuff.

I stocked up but left some for the rest of you too ;)


https://premiumaquatics.com/products/clarisea-roller-fleece-replacement-xlsk3000.html

 

[deliabiba]

I wash the fleece - the problem is that you need do make it wide and is not easy. One solution that I found was to 3d print a mesh with wide sides to compensate. Is working for the moment. One new roll last less than 2 weeks on my system

 

[dangles]

I wash the fleece - the problem is that you need do make it wide and is not easy. One solution that I found was to 3d print a mesh with wide sides to compensate. Is working for the moment. One new roll last less than 2 weeks on my system

Photo? I’m not sure what you’re talking about.

 

[deliabiba]

Hope it's helps

 

[dangles]

Regarding roll life… I had been having problems with LOW nutrients the last month or so. I removed the small bypass screw/plug below the inlet in the filter. The roll is advancing MUCH slower now. I should easily get more than a month this way. Hopefully my nutrients don’t spike now :grimacing-face:

 

[OuterReef🇦🇺]

Any updates? Ive just installed one on my WB 60.2

 

[dangles]

Any updates? Ive just installed one on my WB 60.2

I've settled on using the OEM ClariSea rolls and just washing/reusing them. I've done that maybe half a dozen times without any issues. Re-rolling them is such a pain though!

 

[OuterReef🇦🇺]

I've settled on using the OEM ClariSea rolls and just washing/reusing them. I've done that maybe half a dozen times without any issues. Re-rolling them is such a pain though!

Nice, are you just using a bleach solution to wash the roll ?

 

[dangles]

Nice, are you just using a bleach solution to wash the roll ?

Yep. Inside a washable laundry bag. Then my wife helps me re-roll it. I used to do it on my own and it was a huge pain. But I refuse to buy a new roll every month!

 

[OuterReef🇦🇺]

Yep. Inside a washable laundry bag. Then my wife helps me re-roll it. I used to do it on my own and it was a huge pain. But I refuse to buy a new roll every month!

Sounds like a good plan, have you tried the bypass ? I’ve already had to open mine as it was pulling too much phosphates out of my system. I wonder how long a roll will last for me with the bypass open

 

[dangles]

Sounds like a good plan, have you tried the bypass ? I’ve already had to open mine as it was pulling too much phosphates out of my system. I wonder how long a roll will last for me with the bypass open

Yep. It does prolong the life of your role. How much will just depend.

 

[OuterReef🇦🇺]

Yep. It does prolong the life of your role. How much will just depend.

How has it been going ? I love this filter roller but is working to good. I’ve got this idea of placing an air stone in the roller chamber so it can help break up particles so a smaller micron and also keep the fleece cleaner for longer. Would it work ?

 

[dangles]

How has it been going ? I love this filter roller but is working to good. I’ve got this idea of placing an air stone in the roller chamber so it can help break up particles so a smaller micron and also keep the fleece cleaner for longer. Would it work ?

I kinda doubt it but I have no idea to be honest. Have you completely removed the bypass screw? Or just loosened it?

You could always just feed more! Add some powdered food if you’re having trouble keeping your nutrients from bottoming. It wouldn’t help your roll life but it would help your nutrient levels if the roll is filtering too well.

 

[OuterReef🇦🇺]

I kinda doubt it but I have no idea to be honest. Have you completely removed the bypass screw? Or just loosened it?

You could always just feed more! Add some powdered food if you’re having trouble keeping your nutrients from bottoming. It wouldn’t help your roll life but it would help your nutrient levels if

True I’m just going to add phosphate. I guess it better to have good filtration and have to add nutrients then to have not enough filtration and fighter to bring it down.