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  1. #1
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Home Brew Filters

    If you keep tilapia intensively, you need a way to remove the particulate matter. Grow beds are the best, but if you want to use a floating raft system, you need filtered water anyway.

    I start with Sterilite stacking containers from Walmart:


    I drill out large holes in the bottom of two of them, and in the sides of a 3rd one.


    I cut and glue plastic screen cloth to the bottom using hotglue.

    You'll find this in craft stores and it is used to make hand hooked rugs.

    My containers stack leaving about 4" space. If yours don't cut 4" section of PVC pipe to use as standoffs. The bottom container keeps the 2nd level out of the water, or just partially submerged. The 2nd container is filled with plastic scrubby pads for the dollar store. Pack them tightly, but don't let them crush. These will be the primary bio-filter, just like bios balls but a lot cheaper.

    The top container is filled with plastic filter beads, ones that sink.


    I put another layer of the plastic screening on top to keep the beads in place. This whole contraption goes in my sump:


    I drill a hole near the top and put in an overflow pipe for when the filter clogs up. This keeps down the splashing. When this happens you can still the top layer of beads to break up the particles to buy you another day between cleaning.

    Cleaning is simple. Remove the bead container. Run water through while stirring the beads. The dirty water can be dumped into your grow beds.

    The filtration is fantastic.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  2. #2
    Guest

    Re: Home Brew Filters

    Seems you really thought this one through to the hilt. I like it.

  3. #3
    Members
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    Feb 2009
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    MI
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    very slick where can I find plastic filter beads?

    thank you for pics too..it helps
    ""we are what we eat""

  4. #4
    Guest

    Re: Home Brew Filters

    Jeff,

    Maybe this will help make it up to you for my "BIG MOUTH"

    You asked and now I have a BEAD on you...!


    http://www.advancedaquaculture.com/aqua ... a-bead.htm

  5. #5
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    You can get them from http://www.integrated-aqua.com/Permabead.asp
    aquatic eco systems. If you don't need 55# you should consider a group buy. 55# is about a cubic foot. Way too much for some small filters.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  6. #6
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    Riverside, California
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    ok, I guess I am a little slow tonight... but talking to my son can do that...LOL
    Anyway, 2 of them you have holes on the bottom, one has holds on the sides... all 4 sides? One side, two sides??? Then you stack them... In what order, or does it matter? I am guessing the one with the holes in the sides goes in the middle?
    Just having a difficult time visualizing tonight. Sorry

    Sheryl
    in Riverside, California
    Take care and stay safe

    Sheryl and Jake SD

  7. #7
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    The bottom one has holes in the sides near the bottom. It just keeps the upper ones above the sump water level. The 2nd filter has the scrubby pads or bio balls in it. The idea of a wet-dry filter is that it needs to be wet, but not submerges. The bacteria needs lots of air to do their job. The top filter is a bead filter and removes the particulates. Particulates are bad for the bio-filter and clogs it up.

    Only the top filter needs to be periodically cleaned as it plugs up. It will start to overflow. It can be churned a little, just the top inch of beads, to extend it another day or so.

    I'll see if I can take some pictures of the entire setup.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  8. #8
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    Smithville,Ohio
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    Hi Bad Flash,
    This is a very clean design for a filter! I may have to incorporate it.

    IronFish

  9. #9
    Moderator badflash's Avatar
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    Thanks! For those that want just enough beads for a single filter, not an entire 55# bag, let me know. I have extra that I can let go for cost + shipping. In a flat rate box I can put in plenty for a single filter and then some.
    The best fertilizer is the farmer's shadow

  10. #10
    Moderator jackalope's Avatar
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    Montana, USA
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    Re: Home Brew Filters

    I like that filter, I'll have one when I really get rolling, right now, I don't have a need for it, but I'll be collecting the stuff to put one together when I need it
    I use the Linux Operating System ...... Free as in beer!
    You're never too old to learn something
    Aquaponics - food'n'fish at your doorstep

    Helena, Montana - Home of the Northernmost Monument to the Confederacy

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