DIY Diatom Filter for under $100.00

[Paul B]

I disable the thing.

 

[nvcheeko]

Can't Wait to try this, Question do you see differece with push or pull configuration,

 

[Paul B]

No, I can't see any difference but a diatom filter works by sucking water through the powder. I think it would work by pushing but that puts a lot of pressure on the filter and fittings.

 

[coreytrv]

I love this application. I'm thinking about tying it into my closed loop filter.

Concept would be to place the vessel / filter / DE module on the suction manifold, controlled with a ball valve, and attached to the gravel vac.

Then on the return manifold, use a ball value, and a hose and use that as the blaster?

Basically same concept, just using my integrated filter, right?

 

[Paul B]

Just be sure you can back flush and empty it easily because they clog rather quickly.

 

[Rocks reef]

I saw some micron cartridges that have carbon in them, would those work as well?

 

[Paul B]

I saw some micron cartridges that have carbon in them, would those work as well?

If the pores in the cartridge are small enough, like 5 microns, and providing you want to use carbon.

 

[rc1626]

I still have a Vortex D1 in working order but will also be building one of these. @Paul B can you please verify the pipe size from the canister to the pump? 1/2”? Also what size tubing you use on the suction and return side to and from the tank? Thanks so much for developing & testing the unit and posting the info. What a great thread!!!

BTW - another Long Islander here if you couldn’t tell from my avatar.

 

[Paul B]

I would have to go downstairs to look but I wrote in the parts list that it is 1/2" and I think the tubing is 5/8".

I am in Baiting Hollow near Riverhead on the north fork. Where do you live?

 

[rc1626]

I’m in Stony Brook. We take sound avenue every time we head out east along the north shore. Goes right through Baiting Hollow. Beautiful area!!!

I’m assuming the pvc parts are 1/2” and the incoming and outgoing tubing is 5/8? This is for the larger setup just to be clear. Thanks so much for the reply.

 

[Paul B]

I just checked, the PVC pipe from the canister to the pump is 1/2" for both diatom filters I built.

 

[Rocks reef]

Sir, one the smaller unit that uses the 1 micron filters that aren't pleated. Are you pulling the water through the filter or pushing it?

 

[Axelrodi202]

#paulB regarding washing the filter cartridge - would it work if I opened up the filter housing, and manually rinsed the cartridge in a bucket to wash it? Instead of backwashing. The 20" long cartridge that I use takes up to 40 minutes and a lot of water to backwash

 

[Rocks reef]

#paulB regarding washing the filter cartridge - would it work if I opened up the filter housing, and manually rinsed the cartridge in a bucket to wash it? Instead of backwashing. The 20" long cartridge that I use takes up to 40 minutes and a lot of water to backwash

You could "backwash" in a 5 gallon bucket with some bleach and let it run that way for 5-10 minutes.

 

[GARRIGA]

#paulB regarding washing the filter cartridge - would it work if I opened up the filter housing, and manually rinsed the cartridge in a bucket to wash it? Instead of backwashing. The 20" long cartridge that I use takes up to 40 minutes and a lot of water to backwash

Wouldn’t letting it sit in bleach for an extended period help later with backwashing?

 

[Paul B]

#paulB regarding washing the filter cartridge - would it work if I opened up the filter housing, and manually rinsed the cartridge in a bucket to wash it? Instead of backwashing. The 20" long cartridge that I use takes up to 40 minutes and a lot of water to backwash

Yes the thing is designed to easily remove the cartridge to clean. I use a paintbrush to clean off the cartridge. Just takes a minute

 

[Rocks reef]

I built one of these and it works good, but, I am getting a ton of microbubbles and the top of the canister has air in it. I flipped it over to purge the air and it still gets air. This in turn makes the Mag 5 pump rattle bad when the air hits the propeller.
Is any one else experiencing this? I'm thinking of switching it around so it pushes the water through rather than pulling it.

 

[Freenow54]

I installed the thing and it is working better than my wildest dreams......... Well,, maybe not my wildest dreams because they involve a bowling ball, Vintage Linda Ronstadt "record", 2 Q-Tips, a brake shoe from a 1957 Oldsmobile Starfire and a duck.

But it is working perfectly and I couldn't be happier. Well, yes I could but I can't talk about that here. :grimacing-face:

I stirred up the gravel here. The entire job was about an hour not counting going to Home Depot.

Speaking of Home Depot. When I came out of the store this guy approaches me saying "Sir...Oh Sir". So I know he is going to ask for money.

He tells me he is 58 years old and has no money. They just turned off his "Cable" and his kids are going nuts. Meanwhile the guy is dressed better than me and has about 2 pounds of gold chains around his neck one of them is big enough to secure a bicycle with.

And he has CABLE.
I told him being that it is near Christmas I will give you two bucks. He says, can I do any better?
I said listen, you really need to come up with a better line and get rid of those gold chains (or sell them and get rid of cable.

I said Take it or leave it. He said, i will shut up now. I said..Good Idea.

I see a Christmas tree in the background lol. I can help you with the record. Or I can make a CD of it if you want I would have to look to see what album I have. Where do you buy the powder I have never seen it before?

 

[Paul B]

Diatom powder is sold for swimming pool filters. Unfortunately, you have to buy 5 gallons of the stuff. But it is very cheap. :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

Amazon has it but don't buy Human grade powder. Just swimming pool.

 

[Rocks reef]

I built one of these and it works good, but, I am getting a ton of microbubbles and the top of the canister has air in it. I flipped it over to purge the air and it still gets air. This in turn makes the Mag 5 pump rattle bad when the air hits the propeller.
Is any one else experiencing this? I'm thinking of switching it around so it pushes the water through rather than pulling it.