DIY Zakki Sieve

[gmessler]

Looking over my build I'll add some items that need pointing out a bit later.

That being said....the sieve has been in place for a week now and is running perfectly.

Total cost for 1 DIY zakki sieve - $525

I should say here that this price doesn't include the cost of the wedgewire sieve itself.

I paid $200 for my wedgewire sieve so really the total cost would be $725.

I'll follow up later with pics of my filter pit.

Future items in the works are a new greenhouse and a filtration upgrade.
All DIY of course.

Thanks for watching!!

[Grumpy]

Thanks for providing this detailed DIY project. Have you determined the maximum capacity of a single unit?

[gmessler]

Thanks Grumpy,

I did another test after I fixed the leak and cut the sieve supports. It handled the 8500 gph pump with no head on it just fine.
I feel it could easily handle a 10,500 gph pump without any issues.

[*Ci*]

I am in awe of your skills and ingenuity!

[gmessler]

Thanks Ci,

How's the saying go...Necessity is the mother of all invention. lol

Actually this project was basically cost driven. I can't afford the $5000+ for a zakki sieve.
Especially since I need two.

[gmessler]

Hey there....Just wanted to give an update.
2 weeks now and still running perfectly.
Cleanout is a lot easier on this than the real zakki.
Probably because of the angled waste collection tray.

[trumpetdoug]

Now for the big test.....

I cobbled together a bunch of 4" pipe to draw from the pond and connected the output to an ES8500 pump.
At the time of the video I hadn't attached all the clamps. There were only 4 on it.
Also I didn't have a valve for the waste pipe so I just used a plug.

Was awesome to see this up and running in a test. Incredible build all the way around.

Doug - out

[trumpetdoug]

Congrats to you Greg! Seems like there is no task that will escape your talents. Hope you can show the flush cycle in a video. Guys like me and Cottagefog that have a Zakki will be very interested!

Doug - out

[gmessler]

Thanks Doug,

I'll take a video this week. It's hard to get the camera to focus right on the inside because it keeps wanting to focus on the water drops on the clear lid.

[BWG]

Just read the entire thread. All I can say is WOW!

[gmessler]

Hey BGW, Thanks. It's been a fun / challenging project.

I'm in process on the 2nd filter. This one will have a few differences.
The biggest difference is that I'm using the coupling end (bell end) of the PVC pipe.
I'm curious to see if it will cause any issues. I don't expect any.

[gmessler]

Hello,

Here's a video of the inside after two days without cleaning.
I think I'm going to need to put some diverters in to direct more of the water to the middle of the screen.

https://youtube.com/shorts/hVmKyVnyAzA

I'll post a video soon of the clean out cycle. It goes very quick.

I plumbed this with a 3 way valve on the input of the pump which is typical.
The output of the pump I chose to only put a T in place with a regular valve on the line that goes back to the sieve.

[ItolVok]

How did you decide on the specifications for your DIY zakki sieve, and have you encountered any challenges during its operation that you hadn't anticipated during the build?

[gmessler]

Hello ItolVok,

Regarding specifications, for the diameter I chose to stick with the same size as zakki. Basically because it was very easy to find 24" sch40 PVC Pipe. The height was chosen for a couple of reasons. First sized to fit in my filter pit. Second because of the length of pipe I had purchased. I would have made it even taller but the pipe I purchased limited that.

As far as operation goes I've had no issues at all. I had expected some issues as a result of the flat top but so far everything is fine. I also had concerns over using the expanded PVC sheet for the sides, but again no issues so far. I'm very pleased with the operation of my first unit. The unit has been running non stop for 5 months even through the winter. I'll be continuing work on a second unit that I started toward the end of the summer just as soon as it gets warm enough outside. On this unit I'm using the bell end of the pipe. I'm not positive it will work but I don't see any reason it wont. Also this summer I plan on building an 18" unit.

It was a fun and challenging project!

[ademink]

This is fantastic!

[gmessler]

Thanks Andrea!

[gmessler]

Morning,

Just completed the 2nd DIY zakki. I used the female end of the pipe for this one.

The first unit has been running great and no issues so far with the flat top.
I still need to put a couple of blocks in the spillway area to direct the water that falls along the sides of the wedgewire more toward the center.
The water that flows along the edge ends up in the collection area and the gradually drops through the screen as it gets deeper.
This is likely due to the side supports under the wedgewire not letting the water fall through.
Along with the blocks I'll probably cut more/bigger slots in the supports.

[gmessler]

Hello,

Well....I decided to build one more unit. This time an 18" one.

The first 24" unit has an 8500 GPH pump through a Zapp pure 20 then to my DIY shower.
The 2nd 24" unit has a 6200 GPH pump to a 250 gal tank moving bed filter. This unit has been working for about 2 weeks now.
I do have to make a change to the tank. I made the mistake of using a 2" output from the tank to my 3" manifold that feeds 3-2" tpr's
Problem is that the pump over powers the return and the tank overflows. It's 18" above pond level but that doesn't seem to be enough.
I'll be changing to a 3" return and everything should be fine. On the up side the sieve is working great!

The 3rd build will be for my waterfall circuit. It will be fed by a 6200 GPH pump as well.
I picked up an 18" pipe that was 9ft long for $50.
Unfortunately it's a water supply pipe. Meaning the wall thickness is about 1.25" making the thing very heavy.

Because I don't have a wedgewire for this unit I reached out to Alibaba to get a cost.
I gave them the dims and they gave me a price of $196.79 for a 13" x 22" sieve bend.
I'm still waiting on shipping costs.

I rough cut it down to 44". Here's a pic.

[gmessler]

I will say that having these pre filters on my system has made a BIG difference in water clarity.
Probably because I'm not loading up the filters with all that junk.
Here's a pic at night. most of the fish are on the bottom...5.5 ft deep.
Most of the "junk" you see is floaties on the top.

[cottagefog]

Looks great! Too bad there isn't a wedge wire manufacturer in the states!

For some crazy reason I would love to add LED lights in my Z filters. Brainstorm if you have time!