DIY Chemical Filter

[Guest Kimo]

Ok everyone -

 

In my no-holds-barred battle with Phosphates, I picked up some ferric hydroxide so I could to give it a whirl...But to use it most effectively, you must force water through it (I have it sitting in my sump now, but that's another story...).  I don't want to drop much money on a filter just for this, so I decided to make my own.

 

I went to HD and bought:

 

8' of 2" PVC (you only need 12" or so, probably less, depends on how much media you want to run)

1 x 2" PVC Union (slip)

2 x 2" PVC cap

2 x Input/output fittings (I have 1/2" hose barbs, but I may just get some 1/4" speed fittings instead and Tee the filter off of my return).

Some Eggcrate

 

I will be posting photos of the process on here, along with a HOWTO.

 

If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to post them!  I have not started assembly but will tonight.

 

(I also want to add - I have been thinking about this for some time, but I was pushed over the edge by a post on reefcentral showing something very similar.)

 

J

[Aquariareview]

I have done this (before I went to large refugia) and it is pretty easy.

 

get some marine goop

1:drill hole in side at top of unit for input

2:drill hole in side at bottom of unit for output

3:seal bottom to a flat plate of plastic with goop this gives you a stand.

4:glue the hose barbs into the side holes, use a lot of the goop.

5: put a quick release union fitting on the top

6:fill a bag with media and drop it in the top

7: drive a small power head from your sump into the unit and drain back into sump.

Flow should not be to fast or it all comes apart and the media needs time in contact with the water.

 

If you have the space for lots of macro you wont need this unit at all. I had a version of this and I have not used it for 2 years. lots of macro makes your system a lot more forgiving and pulls all of the nutrition from the water that gives you problems.

[Lee Stearns]

Where did you find the ferric hydroxide - and what is the dosage- is that a generic of rowaphos?

Thanks

Lee

[michaelg]

Yes, rowaphos is ferric hydroxide.  It is kinda fragile, thus the reason for running it through lower flow in a media bag.  

My solution to this was to hook up the output of the calcium reactor into the bottom of an old Tap Water Purifier unit, then running a hose out the top back to the tank.  I had about 4 of them laying around.  This will also work as a second stage for a calcium reactor when filled with media.  

 

Simple, Free if you have the cartridges (you can probably find people here who have them laying around, and no worries about leaks  It also does not take up a lot of room.