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

Yeah I have been thinking that I will improve upon the sponge insert also by making two part front and back plastic mesh support to hold different layers of 2" thick media. This way I can place blue-bond in there as well or different sponge types. Also maybe a boxed mesh insert for holding high grade carbon not the sooty stuff. For now though Im pretty confident that the AC 70 grade sponge will do a good job pre-filtering the main stuff. Its has about the same pour size as the FX5 sponge. The AC 110 stuff has become way to porous like Swiss cheese now probubly to offset the media lift the old sponge would cause when clogged in their HOBs.

Its been 35 hours now and the prototype is still working great, great flow and the water is crystal.
 
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Its been 35 hours now and the prototype is still working great, great flow and the water is crystal.
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I have always wished (and by no means no disrepect intended) there was a better way to analyze a filters performance rather that by subjective terms such as "crystal" or "polished" etc.

Maybe a TDS reading of before and after filtration or something? something concrete that you could actually compare between x and Y filters............
 
I know where your coming from but for me as a engineer there are certain givens with respect to what really been done. Its a given for me that the cart itself is capable of filtering 30 microns, its a given that the spong filter is well seated preventing bypass on both sides top and bottom of the sponge cartridge compartment, its a given that the seals between the cart and impeller housing are reasonably tight withing 1/2 of 1% of bypass and lastly it an absolute given that "my" 404's in their stock configuration were not only significantly bypassing unfiltered water but that they were made to do so, probubly to protect against motor overheat in the event of a clog. Magnum also has a bypass system but its very easy to defeat being only one screen on top of the basket. The 404's however have bypass slots on all 4 sides of the canister, on the outflow basket coupling, on the 4 corners of each basket and along the back, and on the sponge insert frame along the front back top & bottom. Much too difficult to override and I tried believe me.

Having said all of that it is more then reasonable to have greatly improved expectations from this modified considering that it is functioning very well so far and therefore should only yield a substantial improvement. This akin to replacing a tired 4 cylinder engine with a new short-block V8 in my 92 Nissan pickup and wondering if I will need to run it on the dynamometer to determine if there is a difference in performance, and some folks do that, but not me. Because unless there is a major problem the results will be self evident, at least for me anyway. ;)

Besides Iv only just started the testing, lets give it a couple of weeks and will see how much dirt we get in the filter.
 
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I wasn't refering to you in specific, I realize you should be 98% efficient done to 30 microns. I was musing more in general to all DIY and store bought filter systems. I was to quantitativly measure performence. For instance, in your design, what impact on water quality will moving from a 30 micron to say 10 micron filter have?
 
I know what you mean I just don’t peruse it beyond knowing that the filter is catching particles as small as 30 microns in size. What is important is to be able to achieve the apex of filtering the smallest particle possible with the longest amount of endurance between servicing as possible. This means that if I can get away with using a 5 micron filter and not have to service my filter for at least 2 months, then that would be acceptable to me. Much less then that amount of endurance and I would probably have to move up to 10 microns. I want the best of both worlds when it comes to water polishing and reasonable endurance. For me the ultimate test is what I see from the side panels of the tank through the thickest section of water under bright light and be able to enjoy it without having to change carts every week, but rather every 2 months.. All the other measurable details I’m not that interested in, but I can appreciate how others might be. I like things right but I can live without perfection and in the process move on the next item on the check list.
 
Update. I had to post these pics of how crystal clear the Supercart 404 is maintaining my Feeder-Goldie test tank. I diden't even bother to clean the glass inside or out and used a flash deliberately rather then window light in order to capture reflective particles with the flash. Even from the side the tank is like a jewel, clarity I did not expect to this extent using a 30 micron filter.

So now Im ordering a 5 micron filter and will adapt my 2nd Fluval 404, but this time without the cartridge caging which I have determined I do not need, and the low profile impeller cover adapter which will allow a longer flexible tube and the use of a Blue-bond sock over the cartridge for more endurance. I may also try and finder pre-filter cartridge sponge.

I plan to inspect the filter in 2 more weeks and depending on how much dirt is getting trapped will determine whether a finer sponge is used and/or pre-filter sock over the cart.

If the Supercart 404 with its non-bypass redesign is yeilding these kind of results with a 30 micron giant cart, I can only imagine what it will look like with a 5 micron cart. Of course the challenge at that pot will be endurance but with 6X the surface are of the Magnum cart and the use of the sponge pre-filter and Blue-bond sock, I only expect great results.

 
Nice Gunner and feeder goldies are always fun , they become amazing !
 
You could try to put some purigen inside the 30 micron cart for further polishing....this might actually work better than the 5 micron cart.......be interesting too see........
 
The problem with any type of granular media is that you cannot control bypass as the water will simply flow over the top, bottom, side or gaps the way Supercart is configured.

Now if I were to build a circular basket with an inside strainer then yes you would have what amounts to a giant version of the magnum 350 basket which could then be wrapped with combination's of blue-bond and and batten quilt socks. But even so you would not achieve the positive non-bypass filter control you do with a micron cartridge and the large surface area that you get with a pleated zig-zag folded filter.

My whole purpose with this mode in utilizing a giant cart was to provide a way to easily unscrew and toss a filter over your shoulder into a vat of bleach-water and screw in a clean reuable giant cart replacement and resume polishing for another 2 months. In addition when it comes to pleated high surface area carts, the larger the pleated filter media the less load and restriction on the pump. Whereas in a stacked canister or packed canister, the more media the greater the load or resistance on the pump.

So there are allot of potential benefits to a large pleated filter, mostly in the area of stand-alone polishing on a large tank with a primary filter such as a sump. Which is why I made this thing besides being fed-up with my F404 stock performance, I needed a serious polisher for my 244 tank and I do believe I now have one LOL. IMO as fare as DIY mods go to existing filters this has to be one of the most simplest and doable mods with the greatest amount of improvement.
 
But even so you would not achieve the positive non-bypass filter control you do with a micron cartridge and the large surface area that you get with a pleated zig-zag folded filter
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I am not sure you understood me, I didn't mean to use the purigen in place of the cart, I meant to use it along with the cart. I know the carts I have have a hollow space inside them, my line of thinking was yours does too, and due to there larger size my have considerable more space then mine. My idea was to fill the inside of the cart with purigen, and then you have the best of both worlds, micron filtration with a resin that removes DOC's, and the beauty of it is you recharge purigen by placing it in bleach water, just like your going to clean the cart anyways........

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html
 
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