HISTORY
The inspiration for a dynamic water filter arose as I observed the churning waves of the Pacific Ocean crash onto the California coastline. Sitting on a rocky peninsula overlooking a beach area near the Channel Islands, I could see the frothy water rise up the shore and then sink through bacteria-laden sand particles. Realizing that as the water was rising and falling over the rocks and sand, a natural method of filtering and purifying the ocean was taking place, I realized that natural filtration is dynamic; a constant cyclical motion as a driving force of creating micro-environments for biological growth as well as physical and chemical purification. I felt invigorated; since building the first wet/dry filter systems some 17 years earlier, I was now starting to think about water filtration in a new light. The filtering process created by nature was exciting and interesting to see and my thoughts turned to how this could be incorporated into my own aquarium system. After returning home I opened the doors of the filter cabinet to view the primitive static wet/dry filter, in light of the insights I had gleamed earlier I remember thinking it was an anemic life-line for cleaning the tank above. That evening, I went to work on creating a system that was an integral part of the aquarium eco-system, something that moved, churned and purified, something that was more natural, something dynamic - more like the ocean.

Based on years of keeping aquariums, building a score of filtration systems and those insightful moments with inspiration from the Pacific Ocean, Siphon Filtration Llc. was created.  Today, my filtration system is no longer hidden in the cabinet under the aquarium; it sits out in plain view, moving and purifying like the ocean – and with the plethora of species living within it, it is just as fascinating to watch as the aquarium.

Thank you for visiting this website. It is my sincere hope that you will benefit from the visit and that through learning more about dynamic filtration, our company can provide you with a filtration system that meet and exceed your requirements.

Sincerely,
 

Dr. Dean Smith
Zoologist


TECHNOLOGY
The patented Siphon Filtration System was inspired by the Pacific Ocean. The way the Siphon Filtration System works is similar to how the ocean is purified. For a fresh water system the principle is similar. The Siphon Filtration System has been designed to be a modular system, thus, there are many variations on how to configure and operate this system depending on the environment you are trying to create. The “Filtration Guide” tab above contains much information on how the Siphon Filtration System can be configured for optimal functionality.

Physical Filtration
As the discharge water or overflow from the aquarium enters the upper chamber (Siphon tank) it is first routed through a filter sock that will catch larger particles. There are 4” and 7” diameter socks with a wide variation in pore size available. Recommended pore size for this upper filter sock is 200um. A second sock can be used at the Siphon exit; this is a better position for a smaller pore sock. Additionally, sand and / or sponges can be placed in the lower chamber to physically trap particles.

Chemical Filtration
Adjacent to the filtration sock there are apertures that accept buffering chambers that can contain many different types of media. These chambers trap toxins for removal from the system. These are particularly useful for a reef system, in combination with a refugium or as stand-alone, to purify the water in the system. These buffering chambers can also house activated charcoal. The buffering chambers function by driving a given volume of water through the media as the water level rises and falls. The media is easily changed by removing the buffering tube and dumping the old media and replacing it with new media.

Protein Skimmer
There is a separate area of the Basin (lower chamber) that features a gated entry in which a protein skimmer can be placed. The gate leading to this area serves two functions, first is keeping the water level within the chamber from dropping below a minimum level, thus ensuring proper operation of the skimmer, secondly, the gate is part of the “protein preload” function within the system. The “protein preload” function of the system is rooted in the agitation and air/water mixing as the Siphon discharges into the Basin, this causes bubbles ranging from micro to macro to be formed, which in turn attract proteins and other amphipathic molecules and bring those to the surface. As the water level in the Basin rises due to the Siphon discharge flow it will reach the level of the gate leading into the Protein Skimmer, when the water starts to flow through this gate, the protein laden surface water is leading the way due to surface tension. The optional Protein Skimmer is thus able to work in an environment consisting of a higher protein density as compared to the rest of the system and is now able to remove a higher percentage of proteins as a result.

Biologic Filtration
A biologic substrate can be added in either the Siphon tank or the Basin, or both. This works particularly well in fresh water and marine systems in which fish are the main attraction. The rising and falling of the chambers provides continuum of substrates or micro-environments that aid in the proliferation of a wide range of micro-organisms, just like the ocean. Numerous species can be added to the Basin if a sand substrate is incorporated.

Refugium
A refugium can be incorporated into the Siphon Filtration System to aid reef aquariums. The refugium is particularly useful in the removal of toxins when combined with the buffering chambers.

How They are Made
Each patented Siphon Filtration System is hand crafted from the highest quality acrylic or lexan in clear or colored surfaces. In addition to building specific or custom filtration systems, Siphon Filtration Llc., can also build aquariums of any size.

Visual Aspect
There is one very important side to the Siphon Filtration process; the Visual Aspect. Due to the dynamic nature of the patented Siphon Filtration System, it can be an exciting addition to the aquarium exhibit. The Visual aspect can include the Basin and feature a sloping sand substrate that is home to a wide range of biodiversity. Species such as sea cucumbers, sand crabs and more can be as exiting to watch as the aquarium itself. In fact, the filtration system offers the possibility of being the main attraction.

How to Order
There are several standard sizes of the patented Siphon Filtration System with a selection of features that you can order based on your needs – click here to see and order our standard sizes (coming soon). In addition, Siphon Filtration will assist you in placing an order for a custom made system. Custom systems can be any size and configuration imaginable. Whether it consists of a single system, or multiple tanks, non standard shapes, extra large sizes or additional functionality, your dream system can become a reality. Click here to start a dialogue concerning a custom order. Our goal is to offer you a choice in building the system that you always wanted.