Fluval 404 / 405 DIY micron & sponge filter modification (Gunner's F404 Supercart)

[CWO4GUNNER]

Gotcha! Well knowing how much I like carbon I have considered how I would use it but dropped the idea realizing I would not want the cart to be permanently contaminated by bits of minerals that cannot be removed. In carbons case black soot.

If I were going to use a mineral or granular base media I wouldn't place it in the center of this cart hole becasue the center hole opening is for water uptake and only 3/4" in diameter and the pickup-tube that is inserted into that hole takes up about 3 of the 9 inches available. Filling the rest of the remaining 6" with media would IMO interfere with flow and possibly block the uptake tube.

What could be done if I were to use Vermiculite or Pearlite (an expanded glass mineral with carbon like properties), I would build a custom fitted rectangular cage out of plastic-canvas that would replace the rectangular sponge pre-filter inside the pre-filter slot. This way water would pass through that granular media first in the pre-filter section and then into the micron filter section of the canister.

But honestly since I plan on using the Supercart filter for supplemental polishing on a large aquarium with a primary canister or sump filtration system, Id rather use media bags and simply place granular media in 1 of 3 FX5 baskets or sump trays where I already use carbon.

 

[nc0gnet0]

I wouldn't place it in the center of this cart hole becasue the center hole opening is for water uptake and only 3/4" in diameter

Ahh I was thinking it was closer to like 2" in diameter, like a pool filter with a much higher gpm rating than your pushing with the 404 pump, which, in that case it would not interfere with flow.

This does have me thinking on another project like this using a filter, like yours designed for pools/spas, with a 3" diameter inner core.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

This does have me thinking on another project like this using a filter, like yours designed for pools/spas, with a 3" diameter inner core.

Yup that's what is great about thin membrane circumference filters and why they are used almost exclusively in all types of filtering. The larger or more surface area the less demand on the pump and more volume of filtration.

Even your lungs are thin membrane circumference filters with tiny clusters circumference filters inside of them called alveoli. If your lungs were filled with media or tissue they would be very inefficient and filtering out O2 from the dirty air we breath. And of course the larger your lungs (like an athletes) the more O2 you able to filter with each breath and your hart requires less pumping. Fill those lungs with anything like mucus and efficiency goes down and you have to breath hard and your hart becomes stressed till it finally fails.

 

[duke33]

Very interesting! Thanks for the share. I have a standby 404 I'm going to modify. Thanks again.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Very interesting! Thanks for the share. I have a standby 404 I'm going to modify. Thanks again.

There are a few easy, boring, but critical details not in the DIY thread involving making the adapter from the impeller cover which you must dedicate to the pickup tube for the canister. PM me when you "actually start" the DIY process and Ill give you the step by step.

On my other Fluval 404 I plan to take more detailed photos now that I know it truly works!

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I wanted to post the following quotes on micron cart surface area between the Magnum and the Whole-house micron cartridge otherwise know as the ECP series micron filters. I have stated before that the magnum has a surface area of about 100 square inches but this I was quoting for its basket and sponge configuration which has a flat not pleated surface. The Magnum micron with its multiple pleats has a surface area of 320 as quoted below from the manual.
"The water polishing Micron Cartridge is standard equipment for the
Magnum 350. Ideal for quick-clean duty, the reusable pleated Micron
Cartridge has 320 square inches of surface area."

The whole-house or ECP micron filter has much more surface area then the magnum micron not only becasue of its larger diameter and taller height but becasue the pleats are much deeper to center (center hole much smaller) and there are many more pleats. The ECP has 6 square feet or 864 square inches as quoted below from the manufactures data sheet.
"The new ECP cartridges contain more media surface area than most competitive cartridges. The standard 10" ECP cartridges contain six square feet of media."

So not quite as much as I originally had though but still an impressive amount when you consider the average basket filter has an SI surface area of between 35-65.

I found the 1 micron ECP which is designed to maintain high flow rates of 20 GPM even when to capacity, so Ill be getting this one for my other Supercart. http://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-ECP1-BB-water-filters.asp

 

[duke33]

There are a few easy, boring, but critical details not in the DIY thread involving making the adapter from the impeller cover which you must dedicate to the pickup tube for the canister. PM me when you "actually start" the DIY process and Ill give you the step by step.

On my other Fluval 404 I plan to take more detailed photos now that I know it truly works!

When....I tear into it I'll pm ya. I have the mod saved. Again, thanks and keep up the good work. Dummies like me appreciate these threads.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Well after just 4 weeks on the 80 tank with 9 very large Goldie's the Supercart ha performed way beyound my expectations keeping a tank with a very high bio load with water that is almost invisible.

Needing to move the canister to my new 93 acrylic tank now set up, I took the opportunity to inspect the filter and the water inside the canister was very clean and the sponge and cartridge both showed strong signs of picking up dirt inspite of the fact that it was working along side and FX5.

The sponge shows dirt and the cartridge was gray in the center. This is more dirt then I ever picked up the 404 in its original format. I am really please with the results and cant wait to modify another 404 this time with a 1 micron pleated filter I have.

 

[nc0gnet0]

I got two 404's and the dam things are always a PITA to prime...........

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

I got two 404's and the dam things are always a PITA to prime...........

Remember to fill the canister in the tub or sink to the brim where the water gushes out when you lock the lid back on. Then when you hook up your hoses which should be already primed, the filter should immediately start to flow when you turn it on without issue.

Part of the key here is that besides the full canister, the hoses already need to be primed. If the hoses are dry becasue you cleaned them then what you need to do is set them up behind your tank dry but instead of hooking them to the canister, place a 2.5 gallon bucket under the hoses open the valves and give them on quick suck and start them siphoning into the bucket. Shut them off and then plug them into the canister that is full to the brim, and again it should start pumping right-away.

Always works for me and I never get a mouth full of water. You can also use two short sections of clear python hose as extensions to keep from getting any water in your mouth. By doing this (canister brim full & hoses primed) I save myself allot of time and aggravation, as the hand pump is ineffective.

I agree that in there former configuration these filters are not worth the hassle, however this mod makes them an awesome super high capacity, high endurance micron filter well worth it like a cockroach turned into a butterfly, IMO of course.