My Diy Sand Filter. I'm sick of filter socks!!!

cabinetman123 · 01/12/2016, 08:02 AM

Here's a video I made showing my sand filter setup. So far I love it!
No more filter socks for me!
http://youtu.be/WgHFLa4hxsk

Webmanny · 01/12/2016, 08:25 AM

Interesting concept. It looks like a lot is going on, but it may be simpler than it looks. Good work. I hope it works as expected.

SoloGarth · 01/12/2016, 08:34 AM

I know I'm confused!

Also I'm not sure how this will replace filter socks. One of the main benefit of filter socks being that you can remove what it captures before it starts to decay. This seems like it will become a nutrient sink (I am biased as I am not a fan of sand though).

Anyway let us know how it works going forward.

cabinetman123 · 01/12/2016, 08:40 AM

I'm going to be back flushing it at least once a week so all my nutrients will go to drain. That's about how often I had to clean my filter sock to so not much should change. The setup looks complicated but it's actually very simple.

SoloGarth · 01/12/2016, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabinetman123

I'm going to be back flushing it at least once a week so all my nutrients will go to drain. That's about how often I had to clean my filter sock to so not much should change. The setup looks complicated but it's actually very simple.

Ahhh. Yes that makes sense. I would be concerned that the sand will become clogged/solidified over time. Curious to hear how it works over the next year.

cabinetman123 · 01/12/2016, 08:45 AM

When I back flush the sand all gets mixed up.

hanzelz · 01/12/2016, 07:12 PM

I think it's awesome.
That's exactly how pool filters work here in Australia. Just bigger for a pool of course!

cabinetman123 · 01/12/2016, 09:29 PM

I couldn't be happier myself. Came home tonight to super clear water. 4 days running so far and still don't have to backflush.

South City · 01/14/2016, 02:42 PM

That was my first thought as well. It's how our pool filters work in the US too.

Great idea. I'm tagging along to see how this works long term.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hanzelz

I think it's awesome.
That's exactly how pool filters work here in Australia. Just bigger for a pool of course!

iphone · 01/14/2016, 05:57 PM

hmmm great concept,will save a bunch of dollars in the long term.

cabinetman123 · 01/14/2016, 09:19 PM

Did my first back flush on day 5. The crap that came outa the sand was unreal. Took about 5 mins to do which was nothing compared to cleaning socks. I am truly loving this setup. I've noticed to that my skimmer is pulling way less stuff since bringing this online. It's a way lighter colored as well. This setup is making keeping my tank so much easier. I truly love it!

Crusinjimbo · 01/15/2016, 07:14 AM

Does your sand filter approach the 200 microns particle rating of the socks? It's a very interesting concept. Thanks for the creative thinking. ��

jsspallina · 01/15/2016, 07:45 AM

Nice work!

Baccara · 01/15/2016, 07:58 AM

That is a really neat set up!

FullBoreReefer · 01/15/2016, 08:06 AM

Same concept as older pool sand filters.

cabinetman123 · 01/15/2016, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusinjimbo

Does your sand filter approach the 200 microns particle rating of the socks? It's a very interesting concept. Thanks for the creative thinking. ��

I'd say it must be a bit better than that cause my filter sock was a 200 micron and it didn't polish the water as good as the sand filter. I've never had such clear water With a filter sock to be honest.

miatawnt2b · 01/15/2016, 09:59 AM

How many gpm does it flow? I'm guessing you need a pretty good surface area to flow any decent amount of water. Would be nice if I had the space. I really like it!

Mtwreef · 01/15/2016, 10:07 AM

What kind of sand did u use?

cabinetman123 · 01/15/2016, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mtwreef

What kind of sand did u use?

Just regular pool filter sand

cabinetman123 · 01/15/2016, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miatawnt2b

How many gpm does it flow? I'm guessing you need a pretty good surface area to flow any decent amount of water. Would be nice if I had the space. I really like it!

Not sure really but a lot. I've got 2 dc12000 running pretty much wide open. Only a small percentage bi passes it.

cabinetman123 · 03/26/2016, 07:34 AM

Did a video last night showing how I backflush this thing. As far as I'm concerned this is the ultimate way to mechanically filter a large aquarium. I haven't had any filter socks for 2 months now and my water is clearer now than it ever has been. It's so easy to clean its almost a pleasure to do watching all that crap go to drain. Anyway here's the vid I did. Not the best but had to share.
http://youtu.be/AEku-Xnbxw8

theatrus · 03/26/2016, 11:09 AM

Looks great! Wish I went ahead and plumbed everything through to the garage, and had a larger tank

bif24701 · 03/26/2016, 07:56 PM

Looks great! I like the fact that you just made it. With out the "community approval first". We need more like you, that's the only way our hobby will evolve. Whether it works or not isn't as important as just doing it. Good on you! Also, I think it works.

Isayso · 03/26/2016, 10:39 PM

fantastic keep us posted

bif24701 · 03/27/2016, 02:05 PM

I wonder if you could do the same thing through a large reactor that pushes down through the sand rather than up through it? And you simply reverse the flow to flush it.

01/12/2016, 08:02 AM	#1
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	My Diy Sand Filter. I'm sick of filter socks!!! Here's a video I made showing my sand filter setup. So far I love it! No more filter socks for me! http://youtu.be/WgHFLa4hxsk __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

01/12/2016, 08:25 AM	#2
Webmanny Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: 33612 Posts: 2,461	Interesting concept. It looks like a lot is going on, but it may be simpler than it looks. Good work. I hope it works as expected. __________________ 32 gallon Biocube, DIY LEDs and Triton Method. My N=1 study of me, validated by me, and supported by completely anecdotal evidence, states that my advice is 100% correct, most of the time.

01/12/2016, 08:34 AM	#3
SoloGarth Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Otis, MA Posts: 1,126	I know I'm confused! Also I'm not sure how this will replace filter socks. One of the main benefit of filter socks being that you can remove what it captures before it starts to decay. This seems like it will become a nutrient sink (I am biased as I am not a fan of sand though). Anyway let us know how it works going forward. __________________ 120G Miracles Starfire SPS system Calcium Rx, Bio Pellets, Radions and Gyres My Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2549420

01/12/2016, 08:40 AM	#4
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	I'm going to be back flushing it at least once a week so all my nutrients will go to drain. That's about how often I had to clean my filter sock to so not much should change. The setup looks complicated but it's actually very simple. __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

01/12/2016, 08:45 AM	#6
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	When I back flush the sand all gets mixed up. __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

01/12/2016, 07:12 PM	#7
hanzelz Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 3	I think it's awesome. That's exactly how pool filters work here in Australia. Just bigger for a pool of course!

01/12/2016, 09:29 PM	#8
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	I couldn't be happier myself. Came home tonight to super clear water. 4 days running so far and still don't have to backflush. __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

01/14/2016, 05:57 PM	#10
iphone Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Sacramento CA Posts: 90	hmmm great concept,will save a bunch of dollars in the long term.

01/14/2016, 09:19 PM	#11
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	Did my first back flush on day 5. The crap that came outa the sand was unreal. Took about 5 mins to do which was nothing compared to cleaning socks. I am truly loving this setup. I've noticed to that my skimmer is pulling way less stuff since bringing this online. It's a way lighter colored as well. This setup is making keeping my tank so much easier. I truly love it! __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

01/15/2016, 07:14 AM	#12
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Does your sand filter approach the 200 microns particle rating of the socks? It's a very interesting concept. Thanks for the creative thinking. �� __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

01/15/2016, 07:45 AM	#13
jsspallina Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 58	Nice work!

01/15/2016, 07:58 AM	#14
Baccara Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Utah Posts: 50	That is a really neat set up!

01/15/2016, 08:06 AM	#15
FullBoreReefer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wooster, OH Posts: 1,862	Same concept as older pool sand filters. __________________ 60x36x24 mixed reef. 40b sump. Regal 250int Varios. 4xHydra26HDs+t5s. 4xMp40wes. Apex2016.

01/15/2016, 09:59 AM	#17
miatawnt2b Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,467	How many gpm does it flow? I'm guessing you need a pretty good surface area to flow any decent amount of water. Would be nice if I had the space. I really like it! __________________ Proud member of the JTCCB (jebao tuners club for cheap bastards)

01/15/2016, 10:07 AM	#18
Mtwreef Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: East Tn Posts: 65	What kind of sand did u use?

03/26/2016, 07:34 AM	#21
cabinetman123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 255	Did a video last night showing how I backflush this thing. As far as I'm concerned this is the ultimate way to mechanically filter a large aquarium. I haven't had any filter socks for 2 months now and my water is clearer now than it ever has been. It's so easy to clean its almost a pleasure to do watching all that crap go to drain. Anyway here's the vid I did. Not the best but had to share. http://youtu.be/AEku-Xnbxw8 __________________ curfent tank is a 120”x38.5”x29” 560 gallon acrylic fowlr

03/26/2016, 11:09 AM	#22
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Looks great! Wish I went ahead and plumbed everything through to the garage, and had a larger tank __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

03/26/2016, 07:56 PM	#23
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	Looks great! I like the fact that you just made it. With out the "community approval first". We need more like you, that's the only way our hobby will evolve. Whether it works or not isn't as important as just doing it. Good on you! Also, I think it works. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant

03/26/2016, 10:39 PM	#24
Isayso Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hamilton,ON.Canada Posts: 527	fantastic keep us posted __________________ lets save the reef Current Tank Info: Hardware: 125g Reef,Mak4 for return,DIY 20G sump,DIY Beckett Skimmer(AF30) driven by a Mak4,DIY S.Denitrator,DIY Calcium reactor(PM), wavemaker .MJ mods on Swirlestein,Jebao WP 20,Lighting: 60 LEDs, moon lights

03/27/2016, 02:05 PM	#25
bif24701 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Florida, FWB Posts: 3,389	I wonder if you could do the same thing through a large reactor that pushes down through the sand rather than up through it? And you simply reverse the flow to flush it. __________________ 180 Mixed Reef SRO-5000 Skimmer Neptune APEX Gold Kessil AP700/ MP60+6105 Kalk+2 part/ Cheato Fuge Current Tank Info: 180 SPS Dominant