DIY wet-dry Poret foam dump filter

chris_todd

chris_todd

Members
This weekend I built one of Matt Quinn's "dump filters" for my 110g peacock/hap tank, using a QuietOne 1200, less than $10 in PVC, and four layers of 2" Poret foam:

notprettybutfunctional.png


I consider this a big improvement over the previous dump filter I made for this tank, where I used a double-drilled 20 long and two sheets of Poret foam, because that monstrosity was pretty heavy, and just sat on top of the rim of the 110, making me a bit nervous (the picture shows it during a water change; you have to imagine that thing full to the overflows - probably 140 pounds or so):

olddumpfilter.png


I'll spare you the complete build write-up here, because I have a page on my website with more pics and details:
http://www.christophertodd.com/?page_id=1251

Brilliant stuff, Matt! You have a "dump filter" devotee! :jumpy:
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
...the best way to ensure that overflows don't happen is to turn off the filter during W/C... and fill the tank to the brim.

Matt
 
jonclark96

jonclark96

Past CCA President
If you look at the filter in the top picture, the return to the main tank is out of the bottom of the filter media container so there is very little build up of water and the risk of overflowing is minimal. I think that the only thing that could happen in a power outage is that the media could dry out.

I would like to set up a filter like this but most of my tanks are display tanks and the filter is a bit unsightly.
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
I've seen them made out of those plastic window planters, which would be an improvement.

Keeping a lid on it keeps the media from drying out except if it's off for a long time.

I've had a few (my own fault) mishaps. Like somehow blocking the return hole so that it overflows the top. Or knocking it into the tank. Or not cleaning one for months. But overall they're pretty awesome. I've never used Poret but that's definitely a nice touch...

Matt
 
MonteSS

MonteSS

Members
I am still confused.

If power was lost, gravity would empy the top bin into the aquarium, therefore overflowing the aquarium. 20 gallons, or whatever the top bin holds, all over the floor.

No?

....Bill
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
Bill,

As there's a hole in the bottom of the bin that allows gravity to dump the water pumped into the bin (filter) back into the tank...there should be little water in the bin (only passing through on its way back to the tank).

Chris - did you use a drip plate to spread the water that you pump into the filter? It's not necessary but I was wondering if someone has a good DIY solution that doesn't involved a drill :)

Matt
 
chris_todd

chris_todd

Members
Bill, in my design, the container over the tank is a wet-dry, so water trickles over the media and then empties out the bottom. By design, there should be no standing water at all in the media container (in practice, there is between 1/2" and 1" of standing water in the bottom.

Matt, no I used a loop of PVC with holes drilled in it to spray water over the foam. Interesting idea to use a drip plate, but this was easy enough for me, and drilling wasn't hard, you just need to clamp the PVC well so it doesn't rotate on you while you're trying to drill.
 
Spine

Spine

Members
My only knock on the dump filter is it gets in the way if you are taking pictures. If I were to design one it would be one that could be easily moved.
 
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