Fluid bed

[walleyetracker85]

Hey guys I ordered a 2 inch fluid bed off of eBay yesterday. Is that gonna be big enough? Or should I send it back when I get it, and get the 3 inch version? Tia

[Kasilofchrisn]

Considering how cheap and easy they are to make well...
I would keep the 2".
I do most of my big saltwater slab jigs in a 2".
After seeing how its made you can easily make a 3" If you wanted to later.
Most likely for under $10 not including the pump with parts from any hardware store.
Your pump should run either one so you should be fine there.
I have 4 or 5- 2"  fluid beds and I made some of them with a 2"x3" adapter so they can do either size.
I often run several at a time.
One with plain white for a basecoat,one with the primary color,and another with the uv blast topcoat.

[Fatman]

Your fine with a 2" but they are cheap to make - I have a step by step on another site if you want it.  I've made a change to mine in what nozzle I put in it on recommendations of others. 

I run a Tetra Whisper 60 and I run 3 - 2" beds on it and have plenty of power for more.  What ever brand you get make sure it has dual air nozzels.  I got some membrane material from a guy on another board and it works good but I've tried to match it at McMaster-Carr and no match it costs too much to keep sending it back. 

TJ's tackle sells the hard membrane and you could send him a pic of your cup to make sure you get the right one or send a pic of your base and buy the cups from him - nice guy to deal with http://www.tjstackle.com/

[walleyetracker85]

Thanks for the reply. Tjs is who I ordered it from! I'm hoping it's here today or tomorrow

[Fatman]

You're all set and he carries extra cups.  You'll have to get yourself a splitter if you want to run more than one bed at a time though.  Don't know what strength air pump he uses

[walleyetracker85]

Hey guys I got the fluid bed today. Put it all together, and I don't think it's working right! I put it on high and turned the valve all the way open! I feel no air coming in to the base. Should I be able to? Thanks for all the help guys

[Cannibul]

Did ya put paint in it?  Doesn't take a lot of air flow to make them work.

[walleyetracker85]

No I didn't put any paint in it yet! I will try that

[walleyetracker85]

Thanks for the help cannibul! I put paint in it, and it works! Do I need to clean cups between changing colors?

[Fatman]

If you got it from TJ others I've talked to don't take it out, but you have to have extra cups in order to do it. 

Right from TJ's site "To change colors in the powder cup, simply dump the paint out of the cup back into the jar and wipe or vacuum out the rest."

Have fun with it!!!!!!!!

[Kasilofchrisn]

Making Fluid bed cups is really simple and easy.
First buy some PVC and some Knock out test caps of the correct size from the hardware store. The test caps are in the same aisle as the PVC and cost ~35 cents each.
Cut your PVC to your preferred length and clean up the cut end. Insert the test cap and knock out the center with a hammer and discard.
Remove the remaining ring. Place your membrane over the end and reinsert the ring from the test cap. Viola a new fluid bed cup for cheap.
Buy extra test caps to cover your fluid bed cups when leaving paint in them.
For membrane material you can use vacuum cleaner bag material,Tyvek(housewrap or USPS envelopes)label side up,Brown bag material,printer paper of different weights, etc.
I learned this from a TU member and have been doing it this way for years.
I also bought some Fluidizing plate on EBAY and made some cup with it using a hole saw in a drill press without the centering bit then hot glued them in.
But the other method works great and is much easier for most people.

[Fatman]

Yeah but $5 for the cup, cover and hard filter material already put together isn't bad.  If you make your own beds and I also got plans from a member on TU you play with filter membranes. 

I was lucky I got some from another member on another board but gave up on McMaster Carr as it was costing me more to keep sending it back because it wasn't the right stuff

 

[Kasilofchrisn]

I needed some 12" tall cups for my longer saltwater jigs. Making my own insured it would work with my pumps and all.
I did buy some fluidizing plate on EBAY awhile back and his price was very reasonable for an 8" x 8" sheet.

[Fatman]

Did a search for it on ebay and got powder hoppers - you have a sellers name??  and does it list the micron setting on it??

Thanks!!

[Kasilofchrisn]

Did a search for it on ebay and got powder hoppers - you have a sellers name??  and does it list the micron setting on it??

Thanks!!

Sorry no.
It was a year or two ago and I no longer have a name or the microns.
I checked my email and my EBAY but after 90 days ebay apparently doesnt list the product with your feedback so I am not sure who it was.