Build a Diatom Filter for under $100.00

[mrehfeld]

What he said......I would imagine. But that housing is $55.00 for just the housing. The housing I used is only $23.00

No doubt yours is cheaper. I already had mine not being used.

 

[horseplay]

Yeah for those who already had one.

 

[Aeb1419]

ive been following this thread closely. I have a question. Do you suggest this for newer tanks?

I ask because I worry about stripping necessary nutrientents. Not sure how effective the filter is or whether its too effective and can harm newer tanks.

 

[Paul B]

A diatom filter will not strip any nutrients, it only removes particles, nothing dissolved.

 

[myrjon]

Paul can A diatom filter be connected to a manifold ? Or does it need more (heavy) flow.

 

[Paul B]

A manifold t do exactly what? Remember it is only for occasional use and you don't want to run one of these continuously. They would clog anyway.

 

[Aeb1419]

Alright im off of work for xmas week. Im seriously going to make one. Anyway you can give the final list of materials to make this? It would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Paul B]

I am building a smaller one that doesn't use powder. I should get the rest of the parts today but it will have to wait until after Christmas.
Christmas is also my birthday and my Grand Son is a couple of days later.

 

[Paul B]

I received all the parts to build the small diatom filter. This one will be rather expensive because the "frame, supports and base" will be 1/2" acrylic sheet. One square foot of the stuff is about $25.00 and each filter uses one square foot.

This one is just for me to experiment but if I ever made any more I don't think I would use acrylic just for the cost. But I like it so much better than any other material and it looks like jewelry.

 

[Paul B]

I have the half size diatom filter about half assembled and it is looking snazzy. (thats a word I haven't used since the 50s)

I am just short a 1/2" union and a few short stainless steel screws so hopefully it will be completed today. I hope to test it right away. It looks very nice so even if it doesn't work, I can still sell it as Steam Punk.

 

[Paul B]

I just finished it 5 minutes ago.

Now all I have to do is test the small one. The large one works perfectly. I have a one micron element for the small one but I am not sure how easy I can clean it. I can't seem to find a 5" pleated element in 5 microns. If I can't find one, I will just build it but for now, I am going to run the small one on y tank as a test.

Now that the prototypes are completed I can build them much faster but I have no plans to produce these things for now. I may show them to the manufacturer who builds the majano wand but I doubt they will want to make them and neither do I (for now anyway except for experimental purposes)

 

[Paul B]

 

[Paul B]

I am doing a test on my reef. So far no leaks and it seems to be working perfectly. But this model is to small for my 125 gallon tank because I only have a 250 GPH pump on it. My larger model has a 500 GPH pump on it. I think this would work best on a 75 gallon or less tank.

I stirred up my gravel here t see how long it takes to clear it and see how easy it is to clean. The things starts instantly with no problems. Just stick the inlet hose in the tank and suck a little on the other hose. Plug it in and you are good to go.

The big problem with the manufactured diatom filters was the motor, or pump was on top ad the slightest air inside the unit will stop it. That problem is eliminated here.

 

[Paul B]

Test is over. I ran it on my 125 with the gravel stirred up and in an hour the water disappeared. The cartridge used was one micron. I think it would be better if I could find a pleated cartridge that I could use with powder. The thing comes right apart for cleaning, all you have to do is loosen up the union and the entire housing comes out.

Then just twist it open and rinse the cartridge.

Something like this would be excellent for anyone to build especially if you are concerned about parasites because it will remove them especially if you use a quarantine tank (which I don't)

When I collect NSW I can just submerge these units in the tub of sea water without using the tubing because the pumps are submersible.

 

[diana a]

okay! Can you list parts after your new years celebration? Please?

 

[Paul B]

Now that I know the "Proof of Concept" and prototype works I designed a much simpler design that anyone can build quickly using the bracket that you can buy for these canisters. I will take these prototypes apart and build them using the new design.

Diana these are simple to build. I am a simple person and every time I close my eyes, I come up with an easier design.

 

[MadReefer]

I'm with Diana. For some people may seem easy but not for others

 

[Paul B]

Those old diatom bags are not easy to repair and I always felt they were a horrible design to begin with. But in the 60s thats all we had as the technology was not there yet.

Those diatom filters had a surface area of about two feed. The new design, the larger one I built has an area of I think 6' so it should be 3 times as efficient and much easier to clean. The filter cartridges can easily be replaced if need be but should last for many years with powder.

The entire unit is submersible.

I feel this design fixes the main problems of the old Diatoms. These won't rust, no seals to replace, starting is simple because that tiny bit of air left in the unit during starting goes right out. They don't over heat and won't electrocute you if they get wet.

They should be much cheaper than the original design in todays money. If a manufacturer decided to build there, they would go for the cheapest materials and you would have cheap garbage which is all that is out there now. Building these is simple but a few tools are required.

I designed a much simpler unit and if I get time will post it with materials. I want people to have these if they want without going broke because I have always felt that if it were not for Diatom Filters, I would not be in this hobby.

I also have always said that if my last diatom filter croaks, I will build a new one.

 

[Paul B]

I am going to post a parts list for the larger Diatom filter unit. Some pictures show many parts but if you only need one, get one. All of this is available in Home Depot and the PVC fittings are cheap.​

I can explain how to put it together if need be
This is the canister I used

​

Hydronix HF5-10CLBK34PR Water Filter Housing 10" RO, Whole House, Hydroponics - 3/4" Ports, Clear Body w/PR​

Brand: Hydronix
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 25 ratings




It has 3'4" ports so 1/2" X 3/4" reducers have to be used with it. I can't find a clear filter canister with 1/2" ports that doesn't have brass inserts in it so this is what I used.

This is the pump I used:

Danner Manufacturing, Inc., Supreme 500 GPH Hydro-Mag, Recirculating Water Pump with Venturi, 40125​

Visit the Danner Manufacturing, Inc. Store
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 104 ratings


$71.32$71.32

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Size: 500 GPH
https://www.njreefers.org/javascript:void(0);

• 500 GPH
  

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Aquaboon 5 Micron 10" x 2.5" Pleated Sediment Water Filter Cartridge | Universal Replacement for Any 10 inch RO Unit | Compatible with R50, 801-50, WFPFC3002, WB-50W, WHKF-WHPL, 2-Pack​

These were $13.00 for two of them.

The base is a piece of plastic outdoor molding from Home Depot. I cut it 5 1/2" X 8 1/2". You could use wood or anything else but if wood is used I would varnish it.

You need two of these 1/2" X 3/4" PVC threaded reducing bushings to go into the housing near the top.


Two of these 1/2" threaded elbows. PVC. They have threads on both ends.


You just need "one" of these 1/2"
"slip fit" Unions. They do not have threads on the ends. Home Depot about 3 bucks


You need "one" of these 1/2" Street Elbows. Home Depot, like 2 bucks. May look slightly different but this is the fitting

One 1/2" X 12" PVC threaded nipple



One 1/2" Male adapter. Picture is a 1" fitting but you need 1/2" There are no threads on the inside, it is a slip fitting



"Two" 1/2" X 2" PVC threaded nipples



One 5/8" X 1/2" 90 degree female barb fitting. PVC


One 5/8" X 1/2" straight female barb fitting. PVC. It's the same as the last picture only straight.

The only other parts is a 4" PVC pipe end cap to mount the filter and 8 3/4" #8 stainless steel, pan head sheet metal screws.

 

[Paul B]

Of course you need some hoses and matching stainless steel hose clamps. Diatom powder, not food grade as it won't work.