$12+2 hrs = 36 DIY micron bags

[FishBulb]

Hey guys,
Thought I would post this to perhaps inspire people to make there own micron filter socks. This is about $12 worth of white felt from walmart. It took me about two hours to cut, sew, and flip inside out all the bags. I have 1" drains and simply use a 1.25" coupler to secure the bags. This is so easy to do and I was able to make 36 bags in one sitting. The bags are also completely machine washable with bleach. Happy reefing!

[FishBulb]

and some pics of the drain and used bags (that I made last time).

[nanoreefbro]

Wow that's great work Fish. How well do they hold up? Have you had any problems with them splitting?

[FishBulb]

Oh they hold up great. I've used them for about 6 months now. i usually throw them out after a week but I will try to wash these. I know others use them and wash them routinely so they should hold. If not, then i'll have to double check my sewing skills. hehe
FB

[roworld]

Good job, easy diy project.

[nanoreefbro]

What carbon are you using to fill the bags??

[lucubrator]

You don't fill them with carbon generally. The idea is to pull out any detritus that makes it into the sump.

Are you hand sewing or doing it on a sewing machine?

[WanaLeime]

awesome DIY, nice FiSHBULB, thanks for sharing.....

[FishBulb]

What carbon are you using to fill the bags??

as Luc said, generally you don't fill them with anything. The idea is that you get enough bags so that you can swap them out every couple of days before they start acting as a wet dry filter. If you leave them on for too long they begin to act like bioballs, which people attribute to nitrates. So this way I can swap them out every couple of days and have plenty.

I made it with a sewing machine. Had to learn how to use it first. Funny enough, I think a sewing machine is more complicated that ANY piece of reef equipment I own. There's threads coming out of everywhere and LOTS of moving parts.

I got the idea from http://randystacye.com/diy_filter_sock.htm so I don't want to take credit for the idea. But I didn't see the need to cut mine out in the circular fashion like he does. This was much more time efficient.

[victortrav]

you gonna start selling these ???

[FishBulb]

you gonna start selling these ???

ha. The thought of course did cross my mind but it's pretty hard to come up with a price that's really worth my time and not worth you buying the real ones. If I make another run to go get more felt any time soon I may trade them for frags or something. We'll see.

[nanoreefbro]

You don't fill them with carbon generally. The idea is to pull out any detritus that makes it into the sump.

Are you hand sewing or doing it on a sewing machine?

Ooops you are right.. I was thinking about the bags that you put carbon in.. Wasnt paying attention..

[dvincent]

Any idea what micron that felt is?

[FishBulb]

hmmm, no. Not really. My guess is about 100 micron. 100 micron is actually a lot larger than most people think. I asked the original guy who made these and I'll see what he says. If he doesn't know can try to check on a scope in lab.
FB

[Wes]

FishBulb...Sweet post..Thanks for the info!!!!