DIY Microscreen

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:09 pm

I know some of you might have seen these but I still would like to share

I built this back in Jan '06

Size is 26cm in diameter and 30cm in height. This will go in my settlement hoping it will reduce my maintenace a lot more
Purpose of this strainer is to stop the micron waste going into prefilter. If this thing works, I will convert my prefilter to another bio unit

This unit will suit if you have a blue drum filter or even a square chamber. The unit will rotate by vortex effect and also with the aid of the backwash system So its a self cleaning unit

Materials for strainer:
1 x 8L bucket with a snap on lid, 1 x S/S 260 micron screen, silicon, expandable foam and a piece of 10cm pipe as sleve.

Materilas for Backwash unit:
20mm pipe, some elbows and a tee and a 2000Lph pump.

First I cut the lip off of the bucket. will be used later.
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/01.jpg[/img]

then I cut the rim off of the bucket to. This will be the top part of the unit. You'll see what I mean later on
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/02.jpg[/img]

This is the lid witch will have a hole a little larger than 10cm for the sleeve
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/03.jpg[/img]

The hole has been cut and the sleeve in place with silicon. The sleeve was heated up by heat gun and enlarge alittle bigger than the outside diameter of the 10cm pipe.
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/04.jpg[/img]

This shows the test fit of the screen cut to suit. Unit showing upside down.
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/06.jpg[/img]

This shows how I secured the lower part of the screen to the base of the unit without using any glue
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/05.jpg[/img]

This shows the finished product without the foam yet(right side up)
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/07.jpg[/img]

Play time....foam was applied and left for 24hrs to dry
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/08.jpg[/img]

Another day another dollar

Time to trim the foam
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/09.jpg[/img]

And the finished unit
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/10.jpg[/img]

Testing in my SC
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/11.jpg[/img]

Backwash system. I didn't get a chance to take a step by step pic but this will give you some ideas
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/screen2.jpg[/img]

Backwash system was fitted.
[img]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Koi38/screen0.jpg[/img]

This unit has been working since I place it in my SC. Its been clean twice so far. And my prefilter was converted to moving bed

Here are some small video http://koi38.zippyvideos.com/gallery.z

[img]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y199/vippy ... pbadge.jpg[/img]

macaws fly · Post by **macaws fly** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:56 pm

well i think that deserves the gold BP badge. what a great and easy to follow design.
just a couple of questions.

1. where did you purchase the SS screen?
2. is the internal pump really neccessary?

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:33 pm

1. where did you purchase the SS screen?
2. is the internal pump really neccessary?

1. Well, I google the screen for local suppliers. You might have to do the same

2. Yes, you need the pump to clean the screen or you can "T" off from your main pump. Just use a valve so you can control the flow

Btw, thanks for the gold BP Badge

Bob Hart · Post by **Bob Hart** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 7:46 pm

Jon,

That is a really good looking bit of kit and I really like the way it floats up and down the pipe.

kayoss · Post by **kayoss** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:02 pm

Jon

I like that - lots!

Did you do any research about the foam you've used, e.g. does it leach any chemicals into the water that might harm the koi? I've heard some foams contain/give off formaldehyde, but don't know if that's only during the curing process.

Would the right sized bicycle inner tube do the same job? Just might have to re-inflate it from time to time?

Excellent idea and well explained mate!

Cheers

Bob

GERRY5 · Post by **GERRY5** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:14 pm

yes absolutey excellent ....we need to know where to get this screen from though.

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:27 pm

Bob,
Yes, it has to float like you said to adjust according to height of water level. I think mine can go down to 50mm max

kayoss,
The foam was left to dry after I trimmed it. Then I applied a film layer of silicon. This will prevent any leaching chemicals, deterioration and ease of cleaning

Gerry,
I'll see if I can find the site. But not sure if they ship OS. I'll check my docket when I get home.

vippymini · Post by **vippymini** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:34 pm

Gerry go here

http://www.wovenwire.co.uk/plainweave.htm

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:51 pm

WOWWSSERS

I saw a BP Golden Badge.

Thanks a very BIG bunch guys...I do appreciate your gesture too

GERRY5 · Post by **GERRY5** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:01 pm

cheers jane will check it out

Post by **B.Scott** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:28 pm

Is this the same one that Mike Singleton made 4 years back on his Living Jewels website (before he closed it down)?

B.Scott

fatherted · Post by **fatherted** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 10:39 pm

Brilliant bit of kit Jon. Just afterI had decided a home made easy was looking good!

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:54 pm

B.Scott wrote:Is this the same one that Mike Singleton made 4 years back on his Living Jewels website (before he closed it down)?

B.Scott

Hi B.Scott,

The name doesn't ring a bell and I never got the chance to see his web site. I copied the idea from Ryan S, you may heard of him. I just made an easier and cheaper version

You must be feeling well now

Ted,

I thought about making an eazy but this one was much easier to make

Post by **B.Scott** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 7:29 pm

Well I must say it looks quite sharpe!. However after running an orginial EA Answer for three years and now using an easy knock-off I must confess I prefer the later. I have better results from the static K system than I ever got with the Answer. But what the hell, this my be just what you are looking for. If not you can always convert it later on.

B.Scott

mekoi · Post by **mekoi** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:55 am

Hi B.Scott,

So far I have no problem with the unit. I thought about the static before this but I've decided with this unit due to it was easier to make, well for me anyway

and it will save me more water than static when it comes to maintenance(we have water restriction here stage 3

) And yes this was I've been looking for