DIY Rotating Drum Filter
I'm very likely going to purchase one or more RDF's for my small scale aquaculture facility when I upgrade to a large building etc. Only thing is I love tinkering and building stuff myself and can't help believing I could build a low tech option for an RDF or at least try one. I've built several things myself including the following RBC (Rotating Bio Contact filter).
Please correct me if I'm wrong but I have to wonder if one could use a poly drum as a super structure for the RDF with the micro screen attached to cutouts. Then use a PVC pipe inside another PVC pipe as an axle which is complemented by a flange as in the above RBC. I've either floated the RBC in a tank with a frame that feeds the center baffles with water, which turns the RBC, or I've mounted the axle through the the tank itself with Uniseals and an end cap. Virtually no friction with the axel lubricated by water in water. Turns very smoothly with no motor needed.
Here's a pic of the center baffles being built which is simply 4 inch PVC pipe cut in half and siliconed to a plastic circle on both side. The center is pink foam board.
Kind of neat looking if I don't say so myself. I'm thinking the baffles could be altered for the RDF as in not only the water turning the RDF but bringing in the dirty water.
Anyway, with the screen and rotation out of way why can't there be a low tech way to cause the spray nozzles to clean as in a float valve -- that initiates this -- by a lower or high water level due to the screen being clogged? Or even just a timer that activates the nozzles at periodic intervals?
My system will be indoors so no need for a skimmer or concern about large debris.
Does anyone think this is doable?
Last edited by Cecil; 01-12-2012 at 09:58 PM.
The risk I took was calculated, but man am I bad at math!