building first fluid bed

[mncrappie35]

ok here is my setup. 2" pvc female adapter, screw in pvc cap unterneith, 2" pvc coupler and 4" long piece of 2" pvc pipe. 10 to 60 gallon aqua culture air pump with aquarium air tubing. also purchased an aquarium air control kit. used the t section of the kit and drilled a hole in the side of the pvc. and used 2 of the air control valves on the two air lines coming out of the pump that goes into both sides of the plastic t section. for a filter i am using a brown paper lunch sack. I poured in the entire 2 oz jar of powder paint. when i turned on the air pump all i got was volcanos. i tried adjusting both valves. do i need to try and use a different filter material maybe a coffee filter or maybe use less paint. i did try and dip a couple of jigs and they look better just not to what i am looking for yet. any advice would be greatly appreciated. you could tell that there was air moving in the powder, just not the liquid effect yet.

[STUMP HUNTER]

Sounds like to much air. Try closing both valves and open one slowly. Be sure to mix the powder paint well. You will get a few volcano's but the top of your paint should be rolling or moving. It will just fill the paint with air so the paint is not so thick.

[Micropterus salmoides]

I use 2 1/2 " and use 2tspns of paint. Not sure what that equates to in ozs but i have at least 3/4 of a 2 oz jar of pro tec left over.
I use a micro mesh filter that I traded stuff for.
I don't the filter is your prob but If you pm me with ur email I can get you I'm contact with the person I get mine from.

Adam

[lcookie]

Can someone post a pic of a fluid bed? Is it more used for mass production or could the weekend warrior benefit from it?

[mncrappie35]

ok here is an update. I have played around with the two release valves and not getting the volcanos anymore. and i do see air moving around. paint is getting better yet on the jigs but still not getting the liquid effect that i see on tj's tackle video. i have tried the brown paper lunch bag filter and the coffee filter. maybe i'm not getting enough air with the little plastic aquarium valves and the t section, because i notice that on tj's fluid beds that he uses a brass needle valve which maybe allows more air through to the pvc. any suggestions and if i do try that brass piece what would i need to make it fit the small aquarium air hose. any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Len]

I also use the needle valve and I think it came with the brass insert that fits the aquarium hose.

[STUMP HUNTER]

The air hose will fit the brass valve. The valve is used for ice-makers just so you know what to ask for and comes with the fittings to install the hose. I drilled a hole in the PVC just a little smaller than the threads on the valve and it screwed in fine.

Have you tried using less paint in the cups.

[mncrappie35]

yea i did try and use less paint. it calmed down the volcanos and coated the jigs a little better but still not what i am looking for. Once I start working on a hobby i don't give up till i get the results i want. like the first time i took my fiance out crappie fishing, it took me all day to finally find the fish. she hooked plenty of fish and that was the day she hooked me too.

[STUMP HUNTER]

yea i did try and use less paint. it calmed down the volcanos and coated the jigs a little better but still not what i am looking for. Once I start working on a hobby i don't give up till i get the results i want. like the first time i took my fiance out crappie fishing, it took me all day to finally find the fish. she hooked plenty of fish and that was the day she hooked me too.

That is what it's all about!!!Thumbs Up