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Home: KOI Talk: DIY Corner:
DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank

 





 


goldminer
Koi Lover

Dec 30, 2007, 10:08 AM

Post #1 of 6 (1873 views)
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DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank Can't Post
Keeping busy keeps me from getting into mischief. Wink

Today, out in the shop, I was looking at my “surplus” extra parts storage area.
Where I keep things, left over from other DIY projects.
In that stuff was extra plastic drums, fittings, pipe of all sorts & lots of bio-house-media.
So, I decided to build a quick easy drum type wet/dry filter.

I decided to incorporate a lot of 3 inch corrugated flexible perforated plastic sewer drain pipe.
Because, I had it on hand, it is light weight & it has a LOT of surface area.
And, would prevent water channeling down the drum walls.

Below are pictures, from start to finish.
It took me about an hour.

I’m adding this here, because a little bio-filter like this.
Is well suited as a filter for a KOI FRY tank.
2 or 3 of these, draining to a separate exterior sump, adds a huge amount of bio-filter to any tank.


Corrugated flexible perforated plastic sewer drain field pipe 3 inch X 100ft roll


20 gallon plastic drum w/bulkhead fitting installed


Drain to B/H fitting


Sump area


Cut pipe to length that fits drum


Fit pipe in drum


Fill excess voids & pipe with bio-houseing-media (in ths case, monofiliment pot scrubber)


Add de-fusing trickle plate (in this case spare 5 gallon bucket lid)


Add drum lid w/bulkhead fitting.
That's it DONE.


(This post was edited by goldminer on Dec 30, 2007, 12:40 PM)


goldminer
Koi Lover

Jan 1, 2008, 6:07 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1821 views)
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Re: [goldminer] DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank [In reply to] Can't Post

I might add, if you want more of a shower effect, in this wet/dry drum bio-filter.

Don't use the diffuser trickle plate.

Instead, use a spray nozzle (like above)
Available in 3/4 to 1.5 inch size --> http://www.biofilters.com/
For $6 (free shipping)

Also, advantage of multiple corregated drain feild pipe inside drum is:
If you wish to add macro/micro trace elements to water.
Fill 1 or 2 tubes with lava, feather rock, or 3/4 minus gravel.

Nay sayers will chime in, it's an enclosed system.
Not enough "air" for those air loving bacteria.

For ample ambiant air exchange inside the drum, simply add an open 3/4 inch PVC fitting to the lid.

If you want to hot rod SUPER-CHARGE the drum with air.Tongue

Simply add a small squirrel cage fan via PVC fittings.
Squirrel cage fan will cause POSITIVE air pressure inside the drum.

Example above is a very small Papst 17 watt draw (23500u/min) computer cooling fan bought off ebay for $3.
(pic is on a stacked column, principle is the same added to drum lid)
On a drum lid w/fan, you should also install a 3/8ths or 1/2 inch open/close valve fitting, as an adjustable exterior air vent.
(ShockedcautionUnimpressed, unless you like flute whistle sounds, adjust air exit valve open until it has only a very slight hiss)




(This post was edited by goldminer on Jan 1, 2008, 6:45 AM)


mintaka
Koi Lover

Jan 3, 2008, 4:26 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1746 views)
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Re: [goldminer] DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank [In reply to] Can't Post
Thanks for this handy information Goldminer. I'm not primarily interested in breeding my fish, but was just thinking the other day that I should amybe rig up a small fry tank in the event of a spawning. Would be a shame to let some potentially good fish die for lack of facilities!

I will make a filter as close as possible to your pictures. How big a volume tank/ fish load do you recon this set-up will service successfuly ?

Thanks and all the best for the new year.


goldminer
Koi Lover

Jan 3, 2008, 5:13 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1743 views)
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Re: [mintaka] DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank [In reply to] Can't Post
This will handle 50 to 100 gallon tank with a fair sized load of baby fry.
More is BETTER, so use bigger drum, if possible.
More bio-filter = better water quaility & more happy fry.
Rule of thumb is filter size should be 15% of tank size.
Again, more is better.

As fry grow bigger, feeding rate increases.
Bigger fry & more food = more fecal/ammonia waste.

So it is better to have BIGGER filter, over long run.
To handle waste, as the load in system increases, as fry grow.

It is VERY important to have system up & running well before you put fry in.
So that filter can acquire & cycle bacteria growth in it.
(no bacteria, bio-filter does not function)

You can seed bacteria into a new system by adding 25% pond water.
Which will also reduce shock, from moving fry from one water type to another.
(intro to differing water quailty can induce shock)

Plus, place a small gold fish or 3 in tank.
To get things going & stable.
Simply net & remove goldfish, day or so before you put in Koi fry.

Happy new year to you & yours.


(This post was edited by goldminer on Jan 3, 2008, 5:36 PM)


mintaka
Koi Lover

Jan 3, 2008, 5:33 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1737 views)
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Re: [goldminer] DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank [In reply to] Can't Post
I'm planning on building a raised 200L (54gal) tank bricked up on three sides with a glass pane in front, so your design would be just perfect for fit underneath the tank, with a bottom drain dropping straight into the filter.

Thanks again for taking the time to post these nice pics.


goldminer
Koi Lover

Jan 3, 2008, 5:59 PM

Post #6 of 6 (1736 views)
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Re: [mintaka] DIY wet/dry drum filter for small fry tank [In reply to] Can't Post
Good luck,
Corrugated flexible perforated plastic sewer drain field pipe.
(either 3 or 4 inch diameter)
Can be had in 10 ft lengths, instead of 100ft rolls.
At about any big plumbing or building supply type store.
100 ft roll was about $34 (usd).
10 ft individual pipes are about $4 each.
This type pipe will cut/saw with a sharp serated kitchen knife.
Very easy to work with.

 
 
 



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