Automatic Litterbox Central

storm0075 wrote:THe only problem I have noticed is that I must not have put it all back together quite right because it is a little wobbly.

Make sure you have the filter pressed down all the way, otherwise the dome won't sit evenly.

I've been making my own CatIt filters since the three-packs are expensive and don't last very long. They're a little tricky to make because the manufactured filters have the filter media glued onto the cartridges. I use a nylon mesh that presses the media onto the cartridge when it's crammed into the slot and that works as well as the glue. I can make about a hundred replacement filters for $20 which is a lot cheaper than three for $8.

One problem with the CatIt is that the water level under the dome (not in the bowl) determines how much water is added to the system. If the filter gets clogged, the bowl will fill up while the pump will keep on sucking the water out from under the dome. The dome sees the water level dropping down there and adds more water. Eventually the system gets overfull and starts to leak.

I'm guessing that's why the regular CatIt filters don't do a very good job. The thin filter media keeps passing water even after it's saturated with gunk. I'm using 200 micron filter media which does an excellent job of keeping the water clean, but it doesn't pass much water when it's clogged. The next one I make, I'll punch some holes in it so some water will keep on flowing through it even after it gets clogged.

I've used a Drinkwell for several years now. Hard water is terrible on them. We have a water softener in the new house and it makes a world of difference. I actually thought the fountain was dead because of hard water deposits and then I ran straight vinegar through it and it cleaned up like new. Also from time to time if you run some hot bleach water for 30 mins or so will work wonders. I rinse mine completely every three days and disassemble and clean about once per month. The cleaning kit that is out now is a great help in cleaning. It's basically three different size bottle brushes, but well worth purchasing.

I have no idea what filter size and all that I am using but it works I have been making my own and thanks fot the tips on that. As for it being wobbly I think it is the little plastic piece that covers the cord. I had taken that off to readjust the cord and it has never sat the same since then. I need to take the time to tinker with it.

As for buying the Catit and paying shipping, I don't know how much online shopping you do but I ordered mine from petsmart and after I spent $50 the shipping was free. SO that would be a CatIt and some litter or food and you reached the limit. I don't know if they are still having that promotion but it is worth a shot. The CatIt is $30 something so that is most of your costs right there.

Good Luck with your decision whatever you choose!

storm0075 wrote:I have no idea what filter size and all that I am using but it works I have been making my own and thanks fot the tips on that.

How do you make your own CatIt filters?

Just incase anyone else comes across this... the day I took down the Fresh Flow and put the dogs normal bowl back, he stopped doing that hack hack haaaaaaccccckkkk thing and hasn't done it since except if he guzzles water too fast. I don't know if he was allergic to something or what, but it cleared up as soon as I went back to a normal bowl

Dawn

You might want to try running the Fresh Flow without the filter to see if that was causing it. Just change the water every day like a regular bowl.

I bought some filter kit that was supposed to be used for a whisper system, it came with the filters and the charcoal. It was onsale for like 4 bucks and it was originally 10 bucks. They are thick filter pouches that I cut up and put the charcoal in it like a little pouch. It works great and the filter material is very thick so it filters the water pretty well. I think it was a set of 10 so when I cut it up I get 4-5 out of one of those pouches. I am trying to think of a way to seal it up though just so I feel better. I haven't had any charcoal come out of it yet, but I don't want to take any chances. What kind of glue do you think would be best for that?

Where are you putting these pouches in the CatIt? It appeared to me that the filters need to be in a plastic frame to make sure the water is passing through them instead of around them.

It may be possible to put cleaned activated charcoal pellets around the pump instead of in the filter since water doesn't have to pass through them to for them to work (although it helps).

I kept the orginal filter and cleaned it all out. I have been placing it in front of that. I have not noticed that the water is flowing around instead of through, but I will keep an eye on it now.

The pouches must be pretty thin. The filter frame is a very tight fit in the slot it goes into. I bet you could carefully cut out the "compartments" in the filter that normally hold the charcoal and put any kind of filter in it.

It would be best to fill the pouch up with charcoal pellets like the original filters have. These are solid chunks of charcoal instead of the crushed charcoal dust most aquarium stores sell. They won't leak charcoal dust (if you rinse them first) and I think they last longer. Some aquarium stores only carry the charcoal dust but you can buy a big carton of charcoal pellets from online aquarium stores.

Since you don't need a filter to keep charcoal pellets from turning the water gray, in theory you could put the pellets anywhere in the water circulation that the cat can't get to. I'm thinking about putting a few tablespoons of rinsed pellets around the pump under the dome and putting two layers of media into the filter -- a nylon layer that would get larger stuff like cat hair and could easily be rinsed and reused followed by a 200 micron layer like I'm using now.

Mine must be haywire cause it isn't a tight fit until I put the pouches in. I am using the charcoal pellets and they have stayed in place so far. I just don't like the idea of one or two getting free and ending up in the bowl. Whatever filter type I use is pretty thick. I will look it up when I get home tonight and post it. Think of a brillo pad and it is about 3/4 the size of that and similar texture. Once both sides are together. It does catch all of the cat hair and yucky gunk in the filter. Speaking of I will probably have to change it out tonight when I get home. lol I have noticed that the thicker filters last longer so I can use one for 3-4 weeks before it starts to get yucky. I know there are some out there that would change it weekly. I do wash my system weekly, but I only change out the filter every few weeks. I just looked it up online to see what I catually bought. Here is a link.

http://www.tetra-fish.com/catalog/product.aspx?id=57

I thought the kit had 10 in there but it was only 8. I will still get alot of mileage out of 8 so I am not complaining. It does not say on the website what type of filter material it is but like I said I will look when I get home tonight and post something then. When I put the new pouch in I will take a few pictures and post them on here to show you what it looks like if you would like.

I don't see how the Whisper filter cartridges could fill up all the filter space in the CatIt. You must be doing some clever trick with the original filter frames. When I wrap a strip of filter media around an original filter frame, I can just barely fit the thing in, but the media I'm using is more like a fabric than a compressible pad. Oh, that's what the aquarium people call this stuff: "filter media". They have their own language.

The media on the Whisper filters look much more permeable than the 200 micron stuff I'm using.

There's no way a charcoal pellet could get into the bowl. If they get loose, the water flow should suck them under the dome and they can't pass through the pump.

Oh, that's what the aquarium people call this stuff: "filter media". They have their own language.

they sure do I have an avid fish geek here (and while I also have a koi pond) when he talks fish stuff, I get dizzy with all his little fishisms

I asked a guy in one aquarium store where the activated carbon was. The guy told me they didn't sell it. What???

Oh, but they did sell "activated charcoal". Gosh I wonder if that stuff will work instead.

I was amazed to find people are more stuck up about terminology than lumber yard salesmen or computer store people.

Sorry it took so long to post these. I just haven't had the time to change everything out lately. Here are some pics of the filter I made. Please feel free to critique it. I am always happy to find a better way.





I am just learning how to post pics on here so I apologize for how stupid they look.