Power gravel/sand filter

[Bob Lauson]

I was tried of gravity fed sand sifter/vacuum that resulted in throwing away a bunch of water after cleaning the sand and filtering it. I created the powered filter shown below to allow me to clean the sand, filter the detritus and whatever else out of the water and then immediately returning the water to the tank. The pump is plugged into a remote control outlet (can be bought for under $20) so I can control the pump and hence the suction/vacuum..

 

[Diesel]

Interesting.

Post a video of how this Lauson vac works!

 

[Fin]

Yes, inquiring minds want to know more.

 

[Bob Lauson]

Had to head out of town for a couple days. Will post something next weekend if I can figure out how to post a video here.

 

[don_chuwish]

I've been tempted to use an old canister filter to do the same, especially for detritus in the sump. Water & bad stuff out, water back in.

 

[Bob Lauson]

I thought the same thing however I can select my own higher flow pump and drive either some really good suction or us the pump return for some really good flow for blowing off things. I also can easily remove the filter socket. I haven't had a canister filter in a while but when I did it was pretty low flow.

 

[Fin]

I used to try to do the same thing with an old Vortex diatom filter, using just a filter element and no diatomaceous earth . It had a pretty strong pump on it, but stopped up pretty quickly.

 

[Backreefing]

I tried the same just tonight and it sucks . The dirty water gets right threw the filter Medea and the tank looks like a hurricane went through the reef