DIY Large Roller Mat Filter for Reef tank

[ravi197699]

I love this rollermat, I installed this in my sump and it took me less tank 15 min to install, water input and let the float switch do the work, plenty of surface area for watr to drain and I like the smart design of PVC pipes that acts like baffle and spreads water evenly on the paper without any splashing. Thanks to Rich who designed this for me.

 

[Deep dive coral]

Bigger motor? I like how you have the filter covering the entire bottom, that's a cool design.

Have you thought about printing an enclosure for the motor?

I definitely could.

 

[ravi197699]

I definitely could.

motor has very minimal contact with water but it would be good idea to cover he motor from bottom up and attach with magnet

 

[Deep dive coral]

motor has very minimal contact with water but it would be good idea to cover he motor from bottom up and attach with magnet

Let me draw up a design on my 3d printer. A magnet would be tough to embed into 1/4 acrylic. Maybe a 1/4 channel on both sides and friction grip.

 

[ravi197699]

no need to embed just glue on the inside of the bottom and it will stick to the bottom of the motor and hold it in place, I will take the measurements of the motor

 

[Travi]

Doesn't have to be waterproof, but anything to reduce surface area contact with moisture will extend the life of the motor.

 

[New Jersey REEF]

@ravi197699 Love the design.
I’m getting tired of replacing filter socks every 2-3 days, looking into this and wonder if it will work for me.

My main concern is how do you deal with smell of that used material? Is there some sort of cleaning solution or maybe carbon box to keep it in?
Thanks

 

[csb123]

I wonder if installing a fan, pointing at the used dirty paper, would dry it out and reduce the rotting seaweed smell?

 

[whitelightning77]

So on these rollermats does the paper just sit flat against the bottom of the box and the box is just filled with holes so the water can drain? My question is how close to the bottom of the box does the paper have to be? Is there any bypass? Or does the weight of the wet paper push down and seal the sides?

 

[Deep dive coral]

@ravi197699 Love the design.
I’m getting tired of replacing filter socks every 2-3 days, looking into this and wonder if it will work for me.

My main concern is how do you deal with smell of that used material? Is there some sort of cleaning solution or maybe carbon box to keep it in?
Thanks

There is no smell with my design. The roll sits vertical and drys. This eliminates the smell.

 

[Deep dive coral]

I wonder if installing a fan, pointing at the used dirty paper, would dry it out and reduce the rotting seaweed smell?

No need for a fan at all. Drys pretty rapid

 

[Deep dive coral]

So on these rollermats does the paper just sit flat against the bottom of the box and the box is just filled with holes so the water can drain? My question is how close to the bottom of the box does the paper have to be? Is there any bypass? Or does the weight of the wet paper push down and seal the sides?

With my system the whole bottom is open. The paper sits on egg crate. The more water that is on it to pass through the better filtering you get with gravity. The paper is guided by 2 rollers.

 

[whitelightning77]

With my system the whole bottom is open. The paper sits on egg crate. The more water that is on it to pass through the better filtering you get with gravity. The paper is guided by 2 rollers.

Ok, but technically, the water can feather off to the side of the filter paper right? It's not 100% sealed correct?

 

[Deep dive coral]

Ok, but technically, the water can feather off to the side of the filter paper right? It's not 100% sealed correct?

It can. But not likely. I dont leave much room for water to go anywhere but through the roll.

 

[Deep dive coral]

Ok, but technically, the water can feather off to the side of the filter paper right? It's not 100% sealed correct?

The box itself is sealed. Water can only go down.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Any new updates / developments?

 

[flagg37]

The box itself is sealed. Water can only go down.

So it sounds like the tub sits above the water level of the sump. Is it noisy since the water free falls into the sump below?

 

[srit1]

It doesnt have to be fully above the sump water level. Mine is submerged ~4 inches and my drain lines are submerged ~1 inch in the box. Water can only exit down through the filter paper and as it clogs, the float valve triggers, new paper comes in and the box level drops back down a bit. If the motor or float valve were to fail (they havent in 3 years so far) water would just overflow the box into my sump and that would be loud.