My Birdman Sand and Gravel Clone

[Jeremydmeyer76]

Here's my version of this popular filter. I was hoping to get them running today but found out the bulkheads I was sent aren't a true 2" bulkhead. I think they maybe metric.

I may make a trip to the hardware store and use shower drains like the original design.

For media I plan to use the following:

-4" of 1.5" gravel
-4" of 1" gravel
-4" of 3/8" pea gravel
-around 100 lbs of #2 chicken grit

I've designed them to be easily separated from each other but using unions and fernco couplers.

Looking forward to seeing them run. Hopefully everything goes according to plan.

Thanks to Birdman and whoever came up with the awesome illustration.

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[Jeremydmeyer76]

Slight design change. Being these drain by gravity I need to make sure the plumbing always drains down. I added a slightly longer vertical pipe on the barrel on the left and turned both stand pipes slightly. This should allow much better flow even though it looks a little strange in the picture.

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[Jeremydmeyer76]

Running beautifully! I'm already seeing a change in my water clarity.

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[icu2]

Well done! They're great filters.

[cindy]

Bump

[BWG]

Great filter design, that was the result of several DIYers (including Bird Man, Richard Renshaw, Kent Wallace), that evolved over time.

[kdh]

So how do you clean the substrate?

[two_wheeled]

This is fantastic.
Where did you find the grate? I haven't been able to find one.

[Jeremydmeyer76]

This is fantastic.
Where did you find the grate? I haven't been able to find one.

https://spincastwildlifefeeders.com/...feeder-screen/

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[Jeremydmeyer76]

So how do you clean the substrate?

I simply put stand pipes on the outlets and run the attached blower. The blower causes the chicken grit and small gravel to agitate, the waste runs to a 4" drain on each barrel and to the back yard via drainage tile. Once the water looks clear again I turn off the blower and remove the stand pipes. Easy peasy.


http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6488bacf...606_191843.mp4

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[kdh]

I simply put stand pipes on the outlets and run the attached blower. The blower causes the chicken grit and small gravel to agitate, the waste runs to a 4" drain on each barrel and to the back yard via drainage tile. Once the water looks clear again I turn off the blower and remove the stand pipes. Easy peasy.


http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/6488bacf...606_191843.mp4

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I talked to Birdman about doing this years ago when I was at his place. He was interested but dont know if he ever did it.

[aquaholic]

So you don't need to turn water pump off during the cleaning phase? That would be a huge plus. It looks like you are pulling the dirt right through the filter via air blower instead of backwashing the dirt back the way it came?

That's a counter intuitive method but as long as it works. Any expectation of how long before the grades of gravel intermix and you have to re-bed the filter?

[Sensei B]

What do you think size pond these could handle?

[Jeremydmeyer76]

So you don't need to turn water pump off during the cleaning phase? That would be a huge plus. It looks like you are pulling the dirt right through the filter via air blower instead of backwashing the dirt back the way it came?

That's a counter intuitive method but as long as it works. Any expectation of how long before the grades of gravel intermix and you have to re-bed the filter?

I typically don't turn the pump off when flushing. I just put the stand pipes on and hit the button on my phone to turn on the blower.

I also have drains on the bottom that I sometimes use. These filters are mostly "polishing" devices. The blower doesn't really agitate the gravel much. It's mostly used to blow the fines out of the chicken grit.

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[Jeremydmeyer76]

What do you think size pond these could handle?

This isn't my only means of filtration, I built these mainly for fun and extra polishing.

If you're targeting a 2x turnover and each barrel can flow around 2000 gallons a single barrel would do a 1000gallon pond.

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[Mild Bill]

Here’s a photo of ours filtering 4000 gallon pond. Sent from an iPhone so who knows if it is the right orientation

[BWG]

Many list as more of a fines filter but they are an excellent bio converter. Looking at the substantial bio surface area that exists a significant amount of bio conversation does take place. Many of the large displays in zoos have big S&G filtration systems.

[Mild Bill]

If memory serves me right the aquarium in Gatlinburg Tennessee, uses sand and gravel filtration

[Tanyaclick]

How much did it cost to build?

[BWG]

Cost will vary due to the variety of methods and materials used. Examples: Barrels, rock grid, blower manifold and grid support, eliminate some valves. All of these can often be free or lower cost off the shelf or used repurposed items instead of special order products. Easy to itemize the individual components from phots and videos and estimate one's cost. Even using premium components still the top performance filter available for the cost.