How to Build a Vortex Filter

Vortex filters spin pond water and the centrifugal force pushes all the debris and detritus in the water to the sides, where it drops down to the floor of the chamber. This accumulated organic waste must be removed on a regular basis. Vortex filters are highly effective and remove over 75 percent of the organic waste that flows into them. Hobbyists will typically include these filters in a multi-chamber filter system, where they remove organic material before it reaches and smothers the biological filter.

Fish ponds require regular filtration.

Step 1

Purchase a vortex cone or filter unit from your local aquatic dealer. A 36-inch diameter cone is suitable for a pond that has up to 2, 400-gallons per hour water pass through the filter.

Step 2

Measure a distance of 32-inches from the top rim of the cone, toward its base and make a mark at this point.

Step 3

Use a Dremel tool to drill a 4-inch diameter hole over the mark you have just made. This hole is for the inlet pipe, which must always be positioned lower than the outlet pipe, but still high enough in the cone, to allow organic waste to fall down to the bottom of the cone.

Step 4

Remove any burrs on the edges with a rat-tail file. Use 80 to 100-grit sandpaper as an alternate to the file.

Step 5

Carefully push one end of a 6-inch long, 4-inch diameter PVC pipe into the hole you have just drilled, to a depth of ¼-inch.

Step 6

Run a continuous bead of PVC cement around the join and leave the cement to cure. This solvent wield will cure almost immediately, so make sure that the pipe has been pushed in to the correct depth, before applying the cement.

Step 7

Measure a distance of 16-inches from the rim on the opposite side of the cone, to where the inlet pipe enters and make a mark.

Step 8

Drill a 4-inch diameter hole over the mark you have just made. This hole is for the outlet pipe, which must always be positioned higher than the inlet pipe and exactly opposite it.

Step 9

Remove any burrs on the edges with a rat-tail file. Use 80 to 100-grit sandpaper as an alternate to the file.

Step 10

Carefully push one end of a 6-inch long, 4-inch diameter PVC pipe into the hole you have just drilled.

Step 11

Run a continuous bead of PVC cement around the join and leave the cement to cure.

Step 12

Position the vortex filter next to the biological filter box and connect the outflow pipe of the vortex filter to the inflow pipe of the biological filter, using plastic tubing. Place a clamp on both the inflow and outflow connections and tighten very well.

Step 13

Attach the tubing from the submersible pump to the inflow pipe of the vortex filter. Place a clamp on the connection and tighten very well.

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