How to Build a Sand Filter for Your Re-Circulation Sluice System

A Sand Filter is a great addition for any Wash Plant Re-Circulation system. This "How To" DIY video will show you the steps necessary to construct. Listed below are supplies and resources to help you along:
Previous video: • Desert Gold Wash Plant...
1. 20 mesh screen. Could be aluminium or stainless steel. Found on eBay or hardware stores
2. 1 1/2" Schedule 40 PVC Pipe (minimum 30" length). Most hardware stores.
3. 1 1/2" Slip end cap. Most hardware stores.
4. 1 1/2" hose fitting. Most hardware or hose supply stores.
5. Electrical tie wraps (medium duty). Most hardware stores.
6. "UNISEAL" Tank Gasket pipe fitting. www.aussieglobe.com
7. 31" x 22" Nylon Brewers bags (60 mesh or 250 microns) www.amazon.com
Best of luck with you sand filter project !

[@jimwagner6260]

29 minutes for a sand filter. And I watched it all

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks for watching, Jim ! Welcome to the channel. Hope the info was helpful. 👍👍

[@paystreakprospecting]

Hey Al! Spike sent me. Glad he did.

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Rick ! Wecolme to the channel. Enjoy !!

[@chriscomma1]

Got some good ideas for my small portable system.. Thanks..

[@DaleDuffy]

Great idea for us desert folk, good video, thanks again, Allan...!

[@allansgoldmining]

Thank Dale ! Any way we can save water and stretch it further makes a big difference ! Best of luck to you !

[@wildwestadventures3583]

I love the bag idea for the gravel!!! I think I'll have the multiple bags on hand

[@allansgoldmining]

Yes, that comes in handy.

[@srip63]

Great stuff going on here

[@Newb1eYou_]

Yes New video 😁

[@GSProspecting]

that was cool fam. thank's for sharing. GOLD SQUAD OUT!!!

[@talldave1000]

Brilliant video. Thank you for sharing.

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks Dave ! Seems to be the best way to filter out suspended particles and conserve water usage. Thanks for watching ! 👍👍👍

[@thegoldbug]

Another Great video Allan. Please keep sharing your knowledge and experience. I really like how you take the time to show all the steps in your build and keep the explanation to the topic at hand. I look forward to building this sand filter and plan to build the dewatering trommel (not sure when your dewatering shaker deck will be ready).

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Michael. Thanks for your kind compliments. Much appreciated ! Glad you're enjoying the videos ! Yeah, I'm still perfecting the dewatering deck. Waiting for special parts to arrive. Hope to get it running soon. Best wishes on your trommel build, and good luck in your prospecting adventures !

[@scottcarpenter2317]

Hello Allan, that looks easier than what I suggested using the weed guard.

[@MMProspecting]

Pretty cool Allan alot of extra screening there to keep your material nice job

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks ! Glad you enjoyed the video. I'm experiencing good results using sand to clear and recirculation. Best of luck prospecting. 🤠⛏⚒👍👍👍

[@mykillprospecting]

Great idea great vid

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

New sub here from Ask Jeff Williams!! Enjoyed your video with Jeff and like how nice of a guy you seem!!

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks Chuck !! Glad to have you on board ! Thanks for watching. Will have vids coming up soon

[@FlourgoldWizards]

Just plan smart!!! Fortunately we have plenty if water around here.... Nice job Allan!!!!✅🍻✌️

[@allansgoldmining]

Yes you do ! And you're finding some nice gold too !

[@alanrobertson2510]

Great video Allan. I was wondering how I was going to make the sand filter work with my bilge pump. Thanks for the answer. This project is going to have to wait for me until they get the bridge back in. Take care.

[@allansgoldmining]

Hey Alan. let me know how it turns out. Maybe post a video ? Good luck to you. Hope they get that bridge in before the freeze !

[@alanrobertson2510]

@@allansgoldmining You know I will do a video when I make one. Thanks for showing use how to make it. They say the bridge will be in the first of September and pigs fly. Headed out in the morning to make the haul up the hill again.

[@allansgoldmining]

@@alanrobertson2510 Ha ha ! Been a while since I saw a pig fly ! Good luck to you up there Bro !!

[@gwinaz6022]

Hi Allan, Great information. Although I don't think I'll try using a sand filter, your video gave me several good ideas. First I've ordered "UNISEAL" Tank Gaskets. I've built my own seals but I believe the UNISEAL will be more reliable and stop any leaking. I'm in the desert and use a two tub recirculation with a Gold Fox Trommel and a Gold Cube. The trommel lets 5 mesh material through to the Gold Cube. I'm going to have the Gold Cube Flare feed into a bucket with drain holes drilled and lined with a 45 mesh brew bag. The bucket is in a tub that is connected to a second tub with a 2" pvc pipe. I'll then use the 60 mesh bag duct taped to the pipe outlet as a second filter. When the bags fill up I can empty them and continue on. Recirculation is from the 2nd tub. If the 45 mesh bag doesn't work out then I'll try various size classifiers to catch the larger stuff. I've been using other filters but I believe this will be a great improvement. Thanks!

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks for sharing your ideas. Sounds like it should work for you. Not sure if you've seen any of my previous wash plant videos ? I built a 60 mesh dewatering trommel to filter sediment. It worked ok for many years. However, the big problem occurs after running a cubic yard of material. The tubs fill with silt and water becomes too dirty think to allow fine gold to be captured. By developing a 200 mesh dewater shaker deck and sand filter, I can recycle water many times over, which is a huge savings. Also, there's a 400 mesh screen in front of the spout leading to sand filter. So, the sand filter is refining water with -400 mesh suspended particles. That the key. 🤠 Wish you the best in your prospecting adventures !! 👍⛏⚒🤠

[@dennishedrick5308]

@@allansgoldmining how or where did you purchase/make the 400 mesh spout filter? Thanks

[@DavidGarcia-lf1ki]

I’ve been a machinist for over 40 years there’s a trick to marking a pipe is the Angle iron and that level up to the pipe

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Dave ! My brother is a machinist, and his name is Dave also ! Thanks for the tip. I should have mentioned it in the video. Sometime I use a piece of channel iron for same. Thanks for watching and best of luck to you prospecting !! 🤠⛏⚒👍

[@Newb1eYou_]

Finally i can build it now

[@allansgoldmining]

Go for it !!

[@Newb1eYou_]

@@allansgoldmining thank you

[@adamsomodi3957]

I'm a big Alan fan! Is there a fan club?

[@allansgoldmining]

Appreciate your interests ! Thanks ! Have you subscribed ? That's the fan club. 👍👍👍

[@Famo59]

Yeah you gonna get DUSTY..!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge .. Glad you are doing well Allan. Cheers Famo59 👍🍺🤓⛏

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks mate !! Glad you enjoyed the video ! I thought Jeff Williams would get a chuckle out of it. 🤠

[@tucabrasil]

Seus videos saomuito bom ...um SUPER Like. 👍

[@pnwprospecting]

For that to work down at Cape Disappointment or Long Beach I would have to use 300 mesh screen I do a double tub system siphoning water from one side to the other this would work great on larger sand though!

[@allansgoldmining]

Yes. Water flows through a 400 mesh screen prior to entering the sand filter on my unit.

[@purpherder]

All prospectors should dress the part, lol. Instant subscribe.

[@allansgoldmining]

Yeah, right ?? My buddy Jeff Williams dresses the part too. Lol. Thanks for the Subscribe, and hope you enjoy the channel !! Best of luck to you !! 🤠⛏⚒👍

[@thepaulexperience2429]

love it

[@allansgoldmining]

Thank you ! 👍

[@patrickjobling8676]

As always al ..a real treat .. and yes ya gunna gitt wett. .😂🤣😂😎

[@allansgoldmining]

Ha ha !! Thanks Rick ! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@CandSMINING]

Excellent video Allan. Good step by step instruction.✅ Looks like time to go to the lithium ion battery for that drill.🤔🤣 NOt a big deal, but black tie wraps will hold up better than the white. They are weatherproof. I didn't hear what a approximate cost might be. Thanks for sharing your information on this great item.😎👍👍👌👌⛏⛏

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Chuck! Yeah, that's my cheap $20 drill from Harbor Freight. Lol !! Doesn't have much torque. Mostly use it for the Spin It Off. Cost about $70 to make. Yes, black tie wraps are weather proof, however, I figured they are buried most of the time. Thanks for watching ! 🤠

[@joesinakandid528]

@@allansgoldmining Black wire ties have UV Protection in the plastic and so "weatherproof" really means not effected by UV rays from sunlight.

[@glennnilson498]

That’s great I hope I can get the instructions please

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Glenn. I don't really have plans. It's kinda a DIY. Go with your imagination to suit your situation. Hope my videos can help give you ideas. Thanks for watching !!

[@stager33]

To mark a straight line on a tube use a piece of 1” angle iron Works well

[@allansgoldmining]

Yep, that works too. I use channel iron as well. Thanks !

[@miltondamiao6540]

Muito bom. Nice.

[@IanKelly-Strife1817]

Hi Allan, great idea! How would you use a tailings bucket with it?

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Ian. Watch my latest video Virgin Wash Processing. I demonstrate the sand filter in action. The dewatering trommel removes solids to 60 mesh. The solids flow into a collection tub. Thanks for watching !

[@JCombe]

Great job. Do you have info on the other bin you had in the previous video? Love the simplicity in design. For those not in the desert, can use sandblasting aggregate

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks Jason ! Glad you liked the video. Sand blasting aggregate might be too fine ? But can't hurt to try. It's the same size bin as in previous video. Bought them at Lowe's for $10 each. So, now I have two. LOL !!

[@JCombe]

Allan's Gold Mining I was hoping to see how the prefilter was built, that was on the side of the bin under the shaker deck that fed into the sand filter bin. Your work is refreshing and prompts lots of ideas. Thank you.

[@stager33]

Try silicon spray it’s fast works well

[@barryfields2964]

I noticed the bag didn’t go right up to the edge of the container very well. Are you not concerned about mud just going around the bags and getting into your 1/4” rock?

[@allansgoldmining]

It appears that way in the video, but it's covering the corners. If I rotate the bag 90 degrees it would do better, provided the bag is closed tight. Thanks !

[@alicegriffin402]

You don't need to put the whole pipe through the seal! Just put it on the correct end, in the correct direction, and pass the pipe through the outside hole , and snug the seal on as before!

[@allansgoldmining]

The flange rim on both sides of the seal prevent you from doing that. It's an extremely tight fit, and you would risk destroying the plastic tub orifice.

[@Theazfarmer]

Out showing us how to use it

[@robhendricks5347]

Chamfer the end of the pipe with a file to make it easier to start into the gasket.

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks for watching. Actually it is. Just can't see it well on video.

[@bjvoorhies]

It looks like the corners are open. Can you really fill them tight with some more smoothing out?

[@allansgoldmining]

It looks that way in the video, but it's on the edges. Most of the draw will be in the center. If some trickles around the corner, not a big deal. It will eventually fill with silt and seal. Thanks !

[@jamesweaver1109]

Sorry Alan, I'm a bit confused. The muddy water should hit/run through the 1/4" gravel 1st, then the 1/8", and last the 1/16"; correct?

[@allansgoldmining]

Good question James. In a gravity filter system the layers you mentioned are correct. However, this sand filter example uses suction. In other words, the water is being pulled through the system. The principle here permits the dirty water to disseminate evenly over the 1/16 sand first, where most of the capture occurs. This also creates a special layer called a Schmutzdecke, which over time increases efficiency. I forgot to mention this in the video. Anyway, the 1/8" and 1/4" helps distributes the flow evenly, before it reaches the intake pipe at the bottom. If you had the layers reversed, the suction would cause the dirty water to develope channels flowing directly into the intake pipe, thus bypassing most of the sand, and losing efficiency in the process. I know this sounds strange and goes against common logic, however, it's the physics involved.

[@donlightbody8270]

or just put the tube up high and the sand will fall out before reaching it. I have no problem with sand that way.

[@allansgoldmining]

My pressurized sand filter on the Gold Rattler operates that way.

[@stephenlang419]

would it easyer just get a pool filter ?

[@allansgoldmining]

If you want to spend that kind of money, sure. But you'll need three of them...

[@wildwestadventures3583]

I'll be using a gas powered 5hp pump so should I make my tubs and pvc pipe larger than what you're using?

[@allansgoldmining]

My pump runs 2000 gph. Sounds like you'll need larger tubs and more sand.

[@wildwestadventures3583]

@@allansgoldmining thanks Alan!

[@MohammedNovalija]

If my filter bucket was smaller and my water pump was smaller , how would I know if I have enough 1/2 inch holes to run my setup ?

[@allansgoldmining]

Good question. I didn't do an exact calculation, however, I considered the pipe diameter, and volume of water through it (gallons/min). Then determined how many 1/2" holes were needed to accomplish this. For good measure, I doubled the amount of holes, just in case a few get clogged. More holes, the better. 👍

[@MohammedNovalija]

@@allansgoldmining Double the amount of holes for good measure sounds good. What do you think of having the sand filter inside the main recycling tub ? I'm not working a desert , but am having water issues caused by plant matter.

[@allansgoldmining]

Very interesting idea. If you're not dealing with excess clay and silt, I guess you could try it. Probably easy enough the skim out vegetation with a pool net or something ? Generally, I prefer to use the primary tub for settling heavy particulate matter, and the 2nd for filtration. However, the new wash plant has twin passive sand filters with 1/4" sand the 2nd tub with twin 1/8" sand filters. Thanks for your thoughts. 👍

[@MohammedNovalija]

@@allansgoldmining A lot of the plant matter that I come across is waterlogged wood tissue - it doesn't float so skimming is not an option , but it does sink down and is drawn to the inlet of my bilge pump and clogs it - size varies from quarter inch down to 30 mesh

[@wildwestadventures3583]

I'm watching the part where you use the petroleum jelly on the seal and I'm thinking aren't you introducing oil into your water, thus that could cause some gold to float?

[@allansgoldmining]

The petroleum jelly stays trapped in the seal. Any excess on the pipe can easily be wiped away. I've had no issues with, however, I do use Jet Dry anyway. You could use dish soap as an alternative. Thanks for watching ! Good luck on your build !

[@MohammedNovalija]

Don't the mesh bag material get clogged up with fine particles and stop water from flowing through ?

[@allansgoldmining]

Not really, because the water is screened down to 400 mesh (34 microns) prior to entering the filter. So the accumulation occurs between sand particles.

[@MohammedNovalija]

@@allansgoldmining Have you actually run the bag method?

[@allansgoldmining]

@@MohammedNovalija will be posting a video of it soon. Yes, it works.

[@f.k.burnham8491]

If I might suggest: No Petroleum Jelly. it contaminates the water if you are recirculating it, which can cause your gold to "float" . A better way is simply use "Personal water soluble " lubricant. Also put the seal on the pipe first and just slide it in. If you have any concerns about leakage, a good glop of aquarium grade RTV works great. (Clean the box where the seal is to go first with a bit of denatured alcohol to remove any mold release.)

[@allansgoldmining]

Thanks for the suggestions. There's not enough petroleum jelly to make a difference. The soap and jet dry in the system will solve that. I invite you watch my previous video, you'll see all the fine gold the plant recovered. You can't place the seal on pipe first. It expands too much and will damage the tub or seal. Already tried it. I know, thought the same too. Lol !

[@rogermowery3048]

@@allansgoldmining sure it fits. You just need a bigger hammer! LOL

[@joesinakandid528]

@@allansgoldmining Allan, I respectfully disagree with the Vaseline use, with spray silicone being a much better way to go on that seal. Follow the installation with a Dawn Soap treatment followed up with thorough, multiple flushes using hot water.

[@jamesweaver1109]

Alan What version of a 12vdc pump can be coupled to this type of sand filter and draw/suck through the filter medium?

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi James. Most 12v pumps are submersible. 2500 gph should do well. In my situation, I was using a 1.5" gas powered pump. Worked great.

[@jamesweaver1109]

Alan, sorry for continuing to bug you. I really like your sand filter design. I'm a very slow learner and want to make sure I use this filter in the most efficient/effective way. I currently use a recirculating sluice to work in the desert. I am just not able to grasp the best placement of this sand filter for optimum filtration. When you talk about the pump pulling through the sand filter, how can this be done. Can you please draw me a diagram of the preferred water flow through this filter and the pump location. Thank you for your time and knowledge

[@allansgoldmining]

@James Weaver okay, I'm assuming your using a traditional 30 gallon tub with a 5 gallon bucket to capture tailings, and a submersible pump ?

[@jamesweaver1109]

@Allan's Gold Mining Yes, Sir. That's about right.

[@jamesweaver1109]

@@allansgoldmining Yes, this is about what I am using with my recirculating sluice.

[@smellyjomelly3573]

How many gph would a pump need to be to run a 10x36 sluice?

[@allansgoldmining]

It all depends on your riffle system and slope angle. It's also critical how the slurry enters the sluice. I'm currently running 2000 gph on a Picklepuss sluice mat at 10 degrees, with a fluid height of 1/4 inch. Material flows down the sluice at a rate of 1 ft/sec.

[@smellyjomelly3573]

@@allansgoldmining What are the dimensions of your sluice? Thank you.

[@allansgoldmining]

@@smellyjomelly3573 my sluice is 42 inches length, and 10 inches width. 10 inch slickplate, and 32 inches of matting. Thanks !

[@MohammedNovalija]

@@allansgoldmining 10 degrees sounds like twice the rule of thumb of slope 1 in 12. What do you think of the Rule - The least amount of slope as possible that will do the job ?

[@allansgoldmining]

Good question Mohammed ! It is just that, a rule of thumb. Every sluice riffle system is different, and doesn't exactly comply with the rule. Factors include riffle type, fluid height and velocity, type of material, and volume. On my riffle system, we determined that a 12 degree slope (2.5 /1), water height entering the riffles of 1/4", and a flow rate of 1 ft./sec was optimal. My new trailer mounted plant uses the same set up. 👍

[@smokinvr4]

How much water are you pushing through it and how many yards per hour before you need to clean it?

[@allansgoldmining]

That all depends on the clay/silt content of your material. The ground I'm working is heavy clay. Have to clean every couple yards. Enough to last me the day. Thanks for watching. See my latest videos on my channel called the Gold Rattler. A lot more refined process. 👍👍👍

[@smokinvr4]

I have a hard rock plant we need to recirculate running 1-2 tons per hr, moderate silt n slimes, it would be nice to have a filtration option on it but it really needs to support 3000gph and running for an 8 hr shift. However i have a fairly large settling basin.

[@allansgoldmining]

@@smokinvr4 I would consider installing a dewatering shaker deck to separate to -100 microns, then sand filters. Consider building a filter X3 the size compared to this one. This will give you more capacity for your volume.

[@smokinvr4]

@@allansgoldmining we use a sand screw that handles the sands and larger particles, a dewatering screen is a thought also. But good call on the filter thats what I was thinking and its easy enough to make

[@smokinvr4]

And we do have an 8ft wide open top cone bottom tank for ‘settling’ out then exits into another tank which is where the return pump sits as of now

[@jayjenkins6021]

I'm a newb... what is the point of the sand filter? What are you trying to accomplish. It would make far more sense if I knew it's purpose..

[@allansgoldmining]

A sand filter is a cost effective application to remove suspended particles from a solution to maintain lubricious quality and conservation. This increases the longevity of a solution quality in a closed loop recirculation system. Please check out my channel for a multitude of videos demonstrating this application for gold mining wash plants in arid climates. Especially watch my Gold Rattler videos. Best of luck to you prospecting. 🤠⛏️⚒️👍

[@michaeldonovan6076]

Do you have a contact details for this tromel cube set up,,be nice to see if i can get this set up appreciate those contacts thanks so much.❤

[@allansgoldmining]

Are you referring to a Gold Cube ? If so, there are several dealers who sell them. Do a Google search for Gold Cube. Best of luck to you.

[@onemansthought]

I see no links for the items needed.....

[@allansgoldmining]

Everything can be found in a major hardware store. I show the Uniseal ad in video. Did you miss it ? You can buy them on Amazon or eBay. Thanks for watching

[@TheDuhh41]

Doesn't a water filtration system work by filtering the larger particles FIRST, then gradually smaller particles as the flow goes through the system? For example, gravel on top to remove leaves and bark, pebbles to remove smaller particles, then sand to remove the fines. Yours is constructed in reverse, or so it seems to me. Everything gets filtered by the first layer of fine sand, making the lower layers redundant. You might argue that the lower level of coarse sand enables higher flow rates through the pipe, but the flow rate is the same at the lowest level and the upper (fine) level, regardless of their location in the strata.

[@allansgoldmining]

Thank you for your comment. I understand your thinking and I somewhat agree. However, if you study sand filters for swimming pools, I have it correct. The key is pump location and flow direction. In this scenario, the pump is sucking through the filter. If the pump flow was reversed, forcing water through a filter, the coarse sand would be at the head and fine at the rear. Currently, I'm designing a new sand filter system for the trailer mounted wash plant. The first two stages are passive, and the third aggressive. Therefore, the large sand (1/4") will be at the head, medium sand (1/8") in the middle, and fine sand (1/16") at the end, closest to the pump.

[@dantristan832]

Shhhhyyeeyitt, don’t play. This man knows what he’s talking about. Good contraptions, I Love your design, I wonder if you might be a plumber too. I’m a plumber, I use straight pipes with P traps and magnets for the iron. But gold sticks to iron. So the separations of metals is where I’m seeing the fun in it turn into a job.

[@jamesweaver1109]

Sorry Alan, I'm confused. The muddy water hits/flows through the 1/4" gravel 1st, then the 1/8", and lastly passes through the 1/16"; Correct?

[@jonw3411]

my god this guy looks like benny hill on the benny hill show

[@allansgoldmining]

Hahaha ! That was my college nickname....

[@jameswest4819]

Kind of reminds me of a western Benny Hill.

[@edwinbickel]

Allan, great job! Do you have an email address?

[@allansgoldmining]

Hi Edwin. Thanks for asking. Email: [e-mail]

[@DocJones7961]

Just built one for myself. So far so good! Just need to add the filter media. May need to get a stronger bilge for mine though. Using a 1200GPH bilge at the moment and it seems like it may only barely work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGK7qJmHpZiBo7M

[@allansgoldmining]

Thank you for sharing Doc. Looks like it should work. Depends on sluice size how much water volume you may need. Check out my latest videos on the wash plant. I've come up with an alternative idea for sump pumps, which I'm currently using. Best of luck to you !! 👍👍👍

[@benreece7640]

12:26: That's what she said

[@GamingKeenBeaner]

You should really wear a good mask while kicking up all that dust. After all, you might catch covid

[@allansgoldmining]

Ha ha ! Right ?? I wore an N95 mask while traveling to and from Nome, AK and still caught the virus. Ugh !! 😮

[@GamingKeenBeaner]

@@allansgoldmining Well it is a PANdemic. So maybe its all the panning?

[@mountainchild9322]

TOO MANY COMMERCIALS AND BAD SLAPSTICK COMMENTS GET TO THE YELLOW

[@allansgoldmining]

You've been hiding in the mountains too long. Get real !

[@mountainchild9322]

@@allansgoldmining very real out here, Please don't get upset if people don't get the Slap Stick Comedy and Commercials