Originally Posted by
kimini
Well that didn't go great...
I started getting suspicious how the filter was working after 8 weeks, as the inlet and outlet water level seemed to be getting closer and closer together. As a result, the last time the float switch triggered a wash cycle, the water didn't drop enough to release the float switch and the system just sat there with the float switch closed. The good thing is that I programmed it so it wouldn't constantly cycle if this happened; the bad thing was that the screen gradually plugged up enough to overflowed. Removing the lid showed what was going on...
So I got to spend four hours replacing the fabric, which was really weak. I now know this fabric was a poor choice so I've bought myself about 8 weeks to get the new one online. While I haven't completely written off filter fabric, Rayon/Polyester obviously isn't up to constant water immersion and being blasted with the sprayers. I could stick my finger through it anywhere and it was coming apart on its own right under each sprayer's centerline.
Looks like I'm going with stainless for the new filter, though I know that stuff has its own issues. From what I read, stainless has microscopic burrs on it such that even when sprayed, some debris remains trapped. Also, over time, calcium deposits build up on it, gradually reducing flow. Not sure whether a phosphoric acid bath can restore such a screen, but at $200-$500 for a new one, it's worth looking into.
i have been running my first DIY rdf for over 2 years and just replaced the stainless screen due to tearing. it did seem to slow a bit after 4 months, i believe this was more from bio buildup then debris clogging it. to increase the flow i just lightly sprayed the exposed screen with muriatic acid and then ran a cleaning cycle, i did this until the entire drum was cleaned. i am also running a 37 micron screen that is flowing about 9k per hour.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. - Benjamin Franklin.
you cant fix stupid no matter how hard you try.