DIY Large Roller Mat Filter for Reef tank

[Deep dive coral]

Thx, yes I have been wondering how to get this done myself and you have done a good job.
May have to see if I can do this.
Thx foe posting you DIY

Not hard at all just depends on your gph etc. I might start making them for people if the demand is there. Gives me so ammo with the CNC talk with my wife lol.

 

[ravi197699]

sky is the limit it can be designed based on system need,

 

[K7BMG]

sky is the limit it can be designed based on system need,

I guess my only concern would be what could leach out of the filter paper.
As this is not designed to be used as food grade materials it could have chemical additives for longevity or strength that could leach harmful contaminants.
Or maybe I am just making to much out of it?

 

[Deep dive coral]

I guess my only concern would be what could leach out of the filter paper.
As this is not designed to be used as food grade materials it could have chemical additives for longevity or strength that could leach harmful contaminants.
Or maybe I am just making to much out of it?

It's the same roll that all the big box ones are using.

 

[Deep dive coral]

In action video. Did this in manual mode just for the video. I have a optical sensor for auto mode inside the box.

 

[theatrus]

I guess my only concern would be what could leach out of the filter paper.
As this is not designed to be used as food grade materials it could have chemical additives for longevity or strength that could leach harmful contaminants.
Or maybe I am just making to much out of it?

Probably making too much of it. Its just polyester or similar fiber, not much that would need to be added for any purpose.

 

[theatrus]

Not hard at all just depends on your gph etc. I might start making them for people if the demand is there. Gives me so ammo with the CNC talk with my wife lol.

For Acrylic or other plastics, those Chinese CNC routers aren't a bad toy for the price .

 

[Deep dive coral]

For Acrylic or other plastics, those Chinese CNC routers aren't a bad toy for the price .

Just not strong enough. I'm looking at the
x-carve by inventables. It's a larger table top and promise for upgrades

 

[theatrus]

Just not strong enough. I'm looking at the
x-carve by inventables. It's a larger table top and promise for upgrades

For sheet work that gives you a lot of travel. Limited Z height pretty much limits it to sheet work, and that frame isn't very rigid. Looks like a good option though

 

[Deep dive coral]

For sheet work that gives you a lot of travel. Limited Z height pretty much limits it to sheet work, and that frame isn't very rigid. Looks like a good option though

You dont think it's very rigid? How so?

 

[theatrus]

You dont think it's very rigid? How so?

Very light weight aluminum frame, belt driven axis. This won't be a problem cutting wood and plastics (thicker may want to use multiple passes anyway). I wouldn't count on it for anything requiring more cutting force (even aluminum sheet) or dimensional accuracy below .05" or so, but thats not going to be a problem for your use case.

I'm very much into metal machining now so I just see things through a different lens, you should ignore me

 

[Deep dive coral]

Very light weight aluminum frame, belt driven axis. This won't be a problem cutting wood and plastics (thicker may want to use multiple passes anyway). I wouldn't count on it for anything requiring more cutting force (even aluminum sheet) or dimensional accuracy below .05" or so, but thats not going to be a problem for your use case.

I'm very much into metal machining now so I just see things through a different lens, you should ignore me

That's great info. Thank you. I'm looking for a table top machine that I can do aluminum as well. Maybe keep looking then

 

[Travi]

In action video. Did this in manual mode just for the video. I have a optical sensor for auto mode inside the box.

@captrichc , Do you have a link to the motor and gear you use?

 

[Deep dive coral]

@captrichc , Do you have a link to the motor and gear you use?

I 3d printed my own gears. And I got the motor on Amazon. I'll post link to motor later tonight.

 

[Deep dive coral]

Aobbmok DC Gear Motor 24V 27RPM High Torque Little Geared Motor

 

[Travi]

Aobbmok DC Gear Motor 24V 27RPM High Torque Little Geared Motor

Awesome, thanks! Do you mind sharing the stl for the gear?

I'm assuming when the optical switch closes, you just have your Apex power the motor for a set time interval or until the switch opens?

 

[Deep dive coral]

Awesome, thanks! Do you mind sharing the stl for the gear?

I'm assuming when the optical switch closes, you just have your Apex power the motor for a set time interval or until the switch opens?

Correct. Optical switch and motor connected to Apex.

 

[Deep dive coral]

Hey everyone so I finished @ravi197699 rollermatt for him and its on his monster system. Another happy hobbiest. Video in action..

 

[Travi]

Bigger motor? I like how you have the filter covering the entire bottom, that's a cool design.

Have you thought about printing an enclosure for the motor?

 

[ravi197699]

I love this rollermat, I installed this in my sump and it took me less tank 15 min to install, water input and let the float switch do the work, plenty of surface area for watr to drain and I like the smart design of PVC pipes that acts like baffle and spreads water evenly on the paper without any splashing. Thanks to Rich who designed this for me.