DIY Sieve

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 1:52 am

Hi,
I like very much how sieve filters (ultrasieve II, EA pond sieve, extrasieve) perform.
I really wanted to have a sieve serving my new 3000 liters tank on the terraced roof (1st pic below).
However none of the existing sieve filters was adequate due to their size, the tank is around 40 cm deep. Well, maybe the compact sieve would be OK, but I don't like the idea of a pumped fed sieve. Besides, all of them are rather expensive to be installed next to my small tank.
I decided to try a DIY project. Found the producer of the original stainless steel sieve, it was possible to buy directly at a lower price. However they don't sell just one but 10 as a minimum.
A friend o mine gave me a piece of stainless steel mesh (250 microns). It lacks the special design of the laser cut original sieve, but even if the result wasn't optimum it could be allright form me.
So I decided to try, here you have some pics.
Regards,
Diego
Cordoba, Spain

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:24 am

Trying again to post pics...
3000 liters tank in the terraced roof, 5th floor of the building

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:31 am

The structure is made of plywood, fiberglassed. It has two water inlets of 5 cm diameter (for pipes coming from the bottom drain and midwater)

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:43 am

I'll try using a stainless steel mesh 250 microns, this won't allow easily the water coming through. Therefore I set up two additional plastic mesh on top of it, so the water can break and go through more easily (last pic).

In the 2nd pic you will notice the gap between the two plastic mesh and the stainless mesh, the muck and the excess of water will exit here to the discharge chanel.

Next pic, the bowed structure in place

Post by **B.Scott** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:45 am

I must admit to having a compact sieve but as you stated it is pump fed so I use it on the skimmer to the TT. Screen will work though I find it tend to clog a bit faster. Looking forward to seeing more pictures Diego!
B.Scott

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:47 am

Here you have what is expected to behave like a proper floating dam

Post by **B.Scott** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:50 am

Using a bit of polycarbonate sheet is quite clever Diego. Good Idea!

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:54 am

The floating dam in place.
Underneath the bowed screen a submersible pump (4000 liter/hour) is pumping the water to a 470 liters (1 meter width, 60 cm high) round filter with moving K1 (the black type)

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 2:57 am

Plugged...
Back view, showing the two water inlets.
It's got a polycarbonate lid, now

estanque_koi · Post by **estanque_koi** » Sat Dec 16, 2006 3:12 am

Running at last...
Not bad, but is obvious that it could work better if:
1- better screen (the original!!)
2- bigger box (horizontally) to allow longer screen
hence easier water flow through the screen
3- the floating dam should slip more gently, although
if the water level is more or less constant it doesn't
make much difference

Sure this weird piece of DIY don't perform optimally, but way
better than could be expected considering the cost.
Greetings,
Diego
Cordoba, Spain