• Amused
  • Angry
  • Annoyed
  • Awesome
  • Bemused
  • Cocky
  • Cool
  • Crazy
  • Crying
  • Depressed
  • Down
  • Drunk
  • Embarrased
  • Enraged
  • Friendly
  • Geeky
  • Godly
  • Happy
  • Hateful
  • Hungry
  • Innocent
  • Meh
  • Piratey
  • Poorly
  • Sad
  • Secret
  • Shy
  • Sneaky
  • Tired
  • Page 1 of 10 1234 ... LastLast
    Results 1 to 20 of 250

    Thread: 55 Gal Drum Sand and gravel filter/DIY

    Hybrid View

    Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
    1. #1
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598

      55 Gal Drum Sand and gravel filter/DIY

      I should first say that I didn't invent or create this filter, I just tweaked it a little. That being said, this is sort of the final evolution of the old underbed gravel filtration system, it's just easily manageable and cleanable.

      This filter works great for removing fines and unlike a bead filter has lots of bio action also. It's one drawback is it has "speed limit" of about 2000 to 2500 gph before the 22 1/2 inch diameter causes the sand layer to become a fluidized bed.
      First you have to install the drain of your choice. I like two inch shower drains because the lip on top is very thin and won't let crud build up around the edge.
      I use either the straight or the 45 deg shower drain depending on the room I have below the tank. Forget the gasket and just use sealer on both sides. The surface of a 55 gal drum isn't even or uniform enough to make the gasket useful and it will just squeeze out where it's the tightest.
      Also wipe all sealer off that squeezes out. Sealant just takes up the space between what it's sealing and any excess will probably just peel loose over time anyway when submerged oin water. I like Polyurethane sealants but use the sealant of your choice.
      Attached Images Attached Images    
      Last edited by Kent Wallace; 03-06-2006 at 12:43 PM.

    2. #2
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      Next we build the distribution ray assembly. I use a 1 1/4 by 1 1/2 inch 5 way in the center. Cut four 7 1/4 in long sections of 1 !/4 in pipe and glue them to 1 1/4 in 90's. Then bore a one inch hole near the bottom of each 90 on the same side for rotation. It doesn't matter which side just so they're all the same.
      In a flat bottomed tank any debris will settle where there is the least movement so this will help get it near the center.
      There is no reason to close the ends of the 90s. There is also no reason to use a pipe larger than 1 1/2 inch for the input because of the "speed limit".
      Attached Images Attached Images    

    3. #3
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      The diffuser plate that goes on top of the distribution ray assy needs to be very strong to support the weight of all the rock, sand and gravel. 3/8 to 1/2 inch plastic sheet is expensive so I started cutting the tops off of the barrels as large as I could and using that as the plate. It's free!
      I usually just drill a pile of 7/16 holes all over it and hole saw the center to just fit over the shoulder of the 1 1/2 on the 5 way.
      There will be a about a 3/4 inch gap all the way around the edge on the inside so carefully foam it and let it sit for a day.
      Attached Images Attached Images   

    4. #4
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      If you don't have a 5 way fitting you can get the same result using a 1 1/2 inch tee and cross and make the rays out of 1 1/2 with 1 1/2 90s.
      Attached Images Attached Images   

    5. #5
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      If you need to place the barrel on a flat surface or are using it for temporary filtration you can use a side drain. Remove one of the plugs in the plate and bore it open a little for a piece of two inch. Then come in above the plate and down through the hole to within 1/4 inch of the bottom. This works fine. Sorry I don't have a better pick of this but I'll find one.
      Attached Images Attached Images  

    6. #6
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      The air cleaning manifold is the hardest piece to make. Start with a 1 1/2 in tee and two sections of pipe capped off at the ends. The individual rays are of 1/2 in pipe. In the large EZR that William sells these are made of two inch and 3/4 inch but that isn't necessary on a filter this small.
      I drill and tap the assembly with a 1/2 inch tap in the pattern shown so one side will fit around the center pipe on the distribution ray assy.
      Next glue 1/2 inch arms capped off at the ends and drill 1/8 inch holes about 1 inch apart down the bottom of each arm. I usually drill a few at various points along the 1 1/2 inch.
      If you don't want to tap the holes you could probably glue or epoxy them in place and carefully layer the first couple of inches of rock over them. Once the rock is in they aren't going to move.
      Attached Images Attached Images      
      Last edited by Kent Wallace; 03-06-2006 at 10:47 AM.

    7. #7
      madeyna is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2005
      Location
      washington state
      Posts
      17,512
      I would really like to make this is there any chance this thred canbe resized to fit the screen?

    8. #8
      lilhelper's Avatar
      lilhelper is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2005
      Location
      Sacramento
      Posts
      4,704
      kinda got lost after the grate part.... but pickedback up on the later part when you added the gravel
      Last edited by lilhelper; 03-06-2006 at 11:08 AM. Reason: typo

    9. #9
      Mr.Bill is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Sep 2005
      Location
      Clarksburg, Maryland
      Posts
      610
      Is this output valve always necessary ? I was thinking of adding this directly out to falls.
      Thanks big time for this tutorial

    10. #10
      luke-gr's Avatar
      luke-gr is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2004
      Location
      Boone, NC Zone 6
      Posts
      11,566
      I havent even read this yet, but am tickled you posted about your filters, Kent. I remember a couple of us trying to figure out where all those pipes went last year.

      • Remove Ads
        Advertising from Google
        Promoting Koi and Pond
        keeping since 2007

         

    11. #11
      Cowiche Ponder's Avatar
      Cowiche Ponder is offline Living my life's dream
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Cowiche, WA
      Posts
      18,433
      ok dumb question..doesn't the blower mix all the different gravels and sand together? Or because of weight the sand is the lightest and stays on top 3/8 is next ....??

      I'm sending this thread to my hubby

      Can this kind of filter be made in a larger barrel/container? I would assume that a round shape is best or easiest?

    12. #12
      Leekinneykoi's Avatar
      Leekinneykoi is offline Supporting Member
      is 17 years and still working on
      the 2 week pond
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2005
      Location
      Colerain, Ohio (Belmont Co.)
      Posts
      14,442
      Kent you are the man , if anyone ever pays you to build a pond within a few hours drive of me, you yell and I will work for free to see this stuff up close, nothing like hands on for learning.
      My favorite Quotes:

      The person who makes no mistakes usually does not make anything.
      Everything starts as somebody's daydream
      Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn from no other


      Proud Annual Charter Member # 3

    13. #13
      luke-gr's Avatar
      luke-gr is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2004
      Location
      Boone, NC Zone 6
      Posts
      11,566
      Quote Originally Posted by Leekinneykoi
      Kent you are the man , if anyone ever pays you to build a pond within a few hours drive of me, you yell and I will work for free to see this stuff up close, nothing like hands on for learning.
      Ive kinda wondered the same thing, Lee. I wonder how my wife would take to the news that Im going to Las Vegas (without her) to work (for free)?

    14. #14
      Leekinneykoi's Avatar
      Leekinneykoi is offline Supporting Member
      is 17 years and still working on
      the 2 week pond
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2005
      Location
      Colerain, Ohio (Belmont Co.)
      Posts
      14,442
      Quote Originally Posted by luke-gr
      Ive kinda wondered the same thing, Lee. I wonder how my wife would take to the news that Im going to Las Vegas (without her) to work (for free)?
      I would not attempt that , you better take her and drop her at a casino with a few days worth of nickles and quarters.
      My favorite Quotes:

      The person who makes no mistakes usually does not make anything.
      Everything starts as somebody's daydream
      Experience is a dear teacher, but fools will learn from no other


      Proud Annual Charter Member # 3

    15. #15
      wechesser is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jan 2006
      Location
      Vero Beach, Florida
      Posts
      44
      Kent, when you go into production on the static chamber, are you going to make one to fit a 55 gal barrel? will you make them with various size suction pipe and balls? I need 4" pipe in a 55 gal size. Price?

      William

    16. #16
      Kent Wallace's Avatar
      Kent Wallace is offline The luckiest man in the world
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Las Vegas NV
      Posts
      4,598
      William, yes I have 18 inch ones also.
      Attached Images Attached Images  

    17. #17
      wechesser is offline Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jan 2006
      Location
      Vero Beach, Florida
      Posts
      44
      Thanks, Kent. I will PM for prices.

      William

    18. #18
      luke-gr's Avatar
      luke-gr is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2004
      Location
      Boone, NC Zone 6
      Posts
      11,566
      There is a bit more info on these filters and some other pics on another great thread of Kents. Check out pages 7-10 at https://www.koiphen.com/forums/showth...highlight=pond
      Last edited by luke-gr; 03-07-2006 at 01:23 PM.

    19. #19
      luke-gr's Avatar
      luke-gr is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Jun 2004
      Location
      Boone, NC Zone 6
      Posts
      11,566
      EDIT: Deleted post. Sorry, Im screwing up today....
      Last edited by luke-gr; 03-07-2006 at 02:23 PM.

    20. #20
      PHOTOG is offline Senior Member
      This user has no status.
       
      Feeling:
      ----
       
      Join Date
      Feb 2006
      Location
      Long Beach CA.
      Posts
      474
      Hey Kent...Can I get some info on the kind of air pump needed for this filter? I am gonna make one but havent got an air pump. How much power does the pump need? Thanks.

    Page 1 of 10 1234 ... LastLast

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •