Glaive
08-04-2005, 09:27 PM
So today with nothing to do and an intrest in messing around I went to Home depot with the intent of making a filter that was better than the AC quick filter, yet just as easy to use.
Items and cost:
ABS:
2 foot long 2 inch abs pipe $1.39
2 inch rectorseal tom kap $2.99
2 inch end cap $2.67
PVC:
1/2 inch x 6 inch slide repair coupling $3.29
Media:
1/2 cubic foot of large lava rock $2.98
12 pack of WEB electrostatic vent filters $5.97
Tax $1.59
Total Cost $ 20.88
Cost per unit made at 8inch of abs ~$11 with plenty of spare media.
Tools needed:
Drill & 1/4 inch bit <I used a high speed steel bit>
Pipe cutter or hacksaw
Scissors
File or sand paper
Existing parts:
AC 402 powerhead and all parts, or what ever they call it now.
Step one:
Thuroughly wash all parts and media to be used, being sure to remove labels and adhessives as you go. I used dawn and rinsed extensively afterwards.
Step two:
Drill holes in endcap. I drilled enough so that the end cap would not overflow when fed by my kitchen sink. That makes 9 holes in my case.
Step three:
Cut and fit prefilter matterial. Once you are happy with the amount cut one more piece to the size of the pipemaking sure to leave four 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch flaps equidistant from each other. These flaps will be caught between the pipe and end cap to seccure the other prefilter material in place.
I used the vent filters for this step, you can substitute any material they like: filter floss and sponges come to mind.
The end cap has about 1/2 inch of gap between its end and the end of the pipe when coupled.
One cautionary note is that I am waiting to hear from this company with regards to any possible chemical treatments. I will update the thread when I get word.
Step 4:
Disassemble sliding couple, it will be three pieces total: the housing, the inner slider with o-rings and a threaded open end cap. Mark spot 1 1/4 inches down the 1/2 inch pipe of the slider and cut there. Take file and remove any burs as well as tappering the end just a little. Reassemble the sliding coupler making sure to leave the end cap off.
Step 5:
Get the tapered ugf tube adapter that came with your AC 402. Wet the coupler and the 402 adapter. While keeping the slider in place carefully work the adapter piece over it until it is flush with the outer housign of the slide repair coupler.
Step six:
Unscrew the center of the rectorseal tom kap and replace it with the slide repair coupler.
Step 7:
Cut your abs to desired length, keeping in mind that the end cap will add one inch and the adapter created above will add another 3 and 5/8 inches. Not to mention the height of the power head and it's ugf adapter.
Step 8:
Put the endcap and prefilter on the cut abs. Fill pipe with rinsed lavarock. Plug top with tomcap adapter unit.
I will post pictures when I have access to a digital camera.
Questions are as always welcome.
Side notes:
I have tested using this filter with another smaller power head I have. In it's case there were two options.
1) Drilling out the slider to fit the power heads little cone shapped cage.
2) Working a piece of 1/2 inploy into the slider and over the cone shaped cage at teh bottom of the powerhead.
I would consider using a media bag so one can break the lava rock into smaller pieces.
I would also consider going with a series of increasingly smaller foam for mechanical filtration.
Leftovers include abs pipe vent filters and tonnes of lava rock.
Hope you all enjoy
Items and cost:
ABS:
2 foot long 2 inch abs pipe $1.39
2 inch rectorseal tom kap $2.99
2 inch end cap $2.67
PVC:
1/2 inch x 6 inch slide repair coupling $3.29
Media:
1/2 cubic foot of large lava rock $2.98
12 pack of WEB electrostatic vent filters $5.97
Tax $1.59
Total Cost $ 20.88
Cost per unit made at 8inch of abs ~$11 with plenty of spare media.
Tools needed:
Drill & 1/4 inch bit <I used a high speed steel bit>
Pipe cutter or hacksaw
Scissors
File or sand paper
Existing parts:
AC 402 powerhead and all parts, or what ever they call it now.
Step one:
Thuroughly wash all parts and media to be used, being sure to remove labels and adhessives as you go. I used dawn and rinsed extensively afterwards.
Step two:
Drill holes in endcap. I drilled enough so that the end cap would not overflow when fed by my kitchen sink. That makes 9 holes in my case.
Step three:
Cut and fit prefilter matterial. Once you are happy with the amount cut one more piece to the size of the pipemaking sure to leave four 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch flaps equidistant from each other. These flaps will be caught between the pipe and end cap to seccure the other prefilter material in place.
I used the vent filters for this step, you can substitute any material they like: filter floss and sponges come to mind.
The end cap has about 1/2 inch of gap between its end and the end of the pipe when coupled.
One cautionary note is that I am waiting to hear from this company with regards to any possible chemical treatments. I will update the thread when I get word.
Step 4:
Disassemble sliding couple, it will be three pieces total: the housing, the inner slider with o-rings and a threaded open end cap. Mark spot 1 1/4 inches down the 1/2 inch pipe of the slider and cut there. Take file and remove any burs as well as tappering the end just a little. Reassemble the sliding coupler making sure to leave the end cap off.
Step 5:
Get the tapered ugf tube adapter that came with your AC 402. Wet the coupler and the 402 adapter. While keeping the slider in place carefully work the adapter piece over it until it is flush with the outer housign of the slide repair coupler.
Step six:
Unscrew the center of the rectorseal tom kap and replace it with the slide repair coupler.
Step 7:
Cut your abs to desired length, keeping in mind that the end cap will add one inch and the adapter created above will add another 3 and 5/8 inches. Not to mention the height of the power head and it's ugf adapter.
Step 8:
Put the endcap and prefilter on the cut abs. Fill pipe with rinsed lavarock. Plug top with tomcap adapter unit.
I will post pictures when I have access to a digital camera.
Questions are as always welcome.
Side notes:
I have tested using this filter with another smaller power head I have. In it's case there were two options.
1) Drilling out the slider to fit the power heads little cone shapped cage.
2) Working a piece of 1/2 inploy into the slider and over the cone shaped cage at teh bottom of the powerhead.
I would consider using a media bag so one can break the lava rock into smaller pieces.
I would also consider going with a series of increasingly smaller foam for mechanical filtration.
Leftovers include abs pipe vent filters and tonnes of lava rock.
Hope you all enjoy