DIY Roller Filter

[igorlab]

Hi to all,

I created a roller filter, partly 3d Printed, partly cutув from acrylic. Controlled by Atiny microcontroller. It has only one float switch. After the rising water level to a float switch the roller rewinding canvas for 15 seconds and goes standby for 1 hour. The gearbox is designed to be easily disconnected from a filter to replace a filtring canvas. Also, provided the button to manually rewind a canvas.

 

[glb]

I am very impressed! And love the cat

 

[Projects with Sam]

wow nice cnc work on the acrylic! I am still prototyping mine out of PVC (boards and ceiling tiles - can cut with saw and utility knife and CA glue) before going to acrylic. I use a vinyl gutter guard for the perforated sections. This is my second revision so far and its working well enough but I have ideas for a MkIII.

Its using about $5 in media a week - I am working on improving that figure.

 

[igorlab]

Mr. Tiger is the head of the QC department, controls everything)
Also tried to create a cutting machine, but realized that cutting with a stationery knife is much easier)

If someone wants to reproduce see attach.

 

[igorlab]

wow nice cnc work on the acrylic! I am still prototyping mine out of PVC (boards and ceiling tiles - can cut with saw and utility knife and CA glue) before going to acrylic. I use a vinyl gutter guard for the perforated sections. This is my second revision so far and its working well enough but I have ideas for a MkIII.
View attachment 2657506 View attachment 2657507 View attachment 2657508 View attachment 2657509 View attachment 2657529 View attachment 2657528
Its using about $5 in media a week - I am working on improving that figure.

good job! Do you use dc motor for rewinding?

 

[Projects with Sam]

great idea for making the rolls!

 

[Projects with Sam]

good job! Do you use dc motor for rewinding?

yes, a 12V just hooked to the float switch. I was going to get a timer to run it for a few seconds longer then disallow running for a time but I dont think its really needed.

I print disposable rolls that fit over the motor cylinder. I tape the fabric to the roll and it runs then I just slip it off the motor.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Mr. Tiger is the head of the QC department, controls everything)
Also tried to create a cutting machine, but realized that cutting with a stationery knife is much easier)
View attachment 2657531

View attachment 2657533
View attachment 2657535

If someone wants to reproduce see attach.

Looks similar to the bubble magus roller I'm using. Well done!!!

 

[BZOFIQ]

Great Job! I too am brainstorming something that would replace my sock tray with an automatic fleece roller.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

wow nice cnc work on the acrylic! I am still prototyping mine out of PVC (boards and ceiling tiles - can cut with saw and utility knife and CA glue) before going to acrylic. I use a vinyl gutter guard for the perforated sections. This is my second revision so far and its working well enough but I have ideas for a MkIII.
View attachment 2657506 View attachment 2657507 View attachment 2657508 View attachment 2657509 View attachment 2657529 View attachment 2657528
Its using about $5 in media a week - I am working on improving that figure.

5$ in media!!!!! A week??? What are you using, thats insane. My bubble magus uses 4" 50yd rolls for 9 bucks a roll and will go between 2-3 months.

 

[Projects with Sam]

It is less; I forgot I started with 3/4 a roll. I'm using Pellon 910 Sew-In Featherweight Interfacing 20" x 10 yd Bolt. I should probably source something else. I also need to set my float-switch higher.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

It is less; I forgot I started with 3/4 a roll. I'm using Pellon 910 Sew-In Featherweight Interfacing 20" x 10 yd Bolt. I should probably source something else. I also need to set my float-switch higher.

Yeah, you should look into coolant paper instead. Cheaper cost per foot by a long shot and is much closer to actual roller fleece. I use coolant paper instead of the branded fleece rolls in my filter roller machine as others do here as well.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Update! I started my 20yard roll on May 4th (I get 4 20yard long rolls @ 5" wide from a $20 bolt of cloth).
I have not used much of the 1st roll so far.

I've also sourced 100 yard long bolts of the filter paper we spoke of from Precision Converting. Those are $16/roll but I had $12 shipping. So, although I haven't tried their product, I have inspected it and it looks great; It will work super for my application but I'll want to buy bulk to make it comparable to my current solution. I may need to lower my float switch as I am not sure this is a strong as the fabric. I'll have to test and get back.


Where do you get your filter paper from?

 

[Projects with Sam]

How did you tap your acrylic rods? I was having a lot of trouble - wish I had a lathe.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

Update! I started my 20yard roll on May 4th (I get 4 20yard long rolls @ 5" wide from a $20 bolt of cloth).
I have not used much of the 1st roll so far.
View attachment 2669945
I've also sourced 100 yard long bolts of the filter paper we spoke of from Precision Converting. Those are $16/roll but I had $12 shipping. So, although I haven't tried their product, I have inspected it and it looks great; It will work super for my application but I'll want to buy bulk to make it comparable to my current solution. I may need to lower my float switch as I am not sure this is a strong as the fabric. I'll have to test and get back.
View attachment 2669944

Where do you get your filter paper from?

I buy from precision in bulk, usually a years supply, 6 rolls at a time. What micron rating did you go with? How wide are your rolls?

 

[Projects with Sam]

I got 100 micron (only he was able to get me) @ 5" rolls 100 or 200 yard. I dont think I have the room in my stand for 200 yards.

 

[Projects with Sam]

Yeah, you should look into coolant paper instead. Cheaper cost per foot by a long shot and is much closer to actual roller fleece. I use coolant paper instead of the branded fleece rolls in my filter roller machine as others do here as well.

So, I mentioned to Steve I'd mention his shop on R2R and he said he did business with a bunch of aquarists already. he said for the most part its great but he says he gets issues when people think his goods are direct drop-ins for manufactured filter roller filter rolls.

 

[Lbrdsoxfan]

So, I mentioned to Steve I'd mention his shop on R2R and he said he did business with a bunch of aquarists already. he said for the most part its great but he says he gets issues when people think his goods are direct drop-ins for manufactured filter roller filter rolls.

I try to explain that to folks, sometimes people are stubborn. I just point them in the right direction and its up to the individual to educate themselves and figure it out.

I've been using his stuff for a bit now and im more than happy with it compared to the exorbitant prices for replacement roller fleece which is just glorified coolant paper.