Cetus or Aqua art? (The sieve question)

[Will]

I know that both products are effective. I am trying to decide on one right now, possibly total of 3 in the near future. I know there are many important features of each, not the least of which being price.

Anyone here know of a good place to find a side by side comparison? As in, max flow rate, cleaning method, price, footprint, etc. I know we have advocates of both on this forum, so this is also a poll, of sorts. Please share with me your thoughts and experience.:hmmm:

[Birdman]

I use and sell the Cetus Sieve. I have two of them going on my system and have installed several for others. These are really nice, one piece, molded. The Ultra sieve is several pieces welded together, a chance for coming apart in my thinking. Plus even though it advertises a greater flow rate with multiple inlets, the wedge wire screen is still the same size. I'll stick with the Cetus Sieve.

[koikeepr]

The Cetus and the Aqua III are the two that are compared toe to toe. When I did my research on both, here's what I found:

Cetus:

4700 gph max flow rate
37.2 inch height x 22 inch width
4 inch inlet (many folks complain about the quality of the boot) if gravity fed; 2 inch on the pump fed one


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EJZd65oehc

Ultra forte sieve:
Comes in three sizes: Compact (Small), Midi and Large (III).

Compact: (I would not personally consider this one and it's design is totally different)
# Max flow: 4000gph
# Sieve dimension: 9.45"W x 15.75"L curved
# Overall dimension: 19.7"D x 13"W x 22"H
# Weight: 20lb

Midi:
# Max flow: 3600gph
# Inlet: 4"
# Outlet: 2" MPT (can be modified larger)
# Sieve dimension: 9.45"W x 15.75"L curved
# Overall dimension: 21.75" Deep x 10.375" Wide x 28.75" Tall
# Weight: 28.7lb

# Max flow: 7900gph
# Inlet: Dual 4"
# Outlet: 2" MPT (can be modified larger)
# Waste outlet: 3" Knife-gate valve
# Sieve dimension: 13.75"W x 18.5"L curved
# Overall dimension: 25.6" Deep x 14.6" Wide x 39.2" Tall
# Weight: 65lb


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12j2DnrINZA

I wanted the Cetus initially, but could not handle the footprint of it. It's just darn big! I was planning on plumbing my two 3" bottom drains and my skimmer into the Large Aqua Forte, which can totally handle that flow--as you can see the flow it can take is much greater than that of the Cetus. However, in the end, it was Birdman who told me that what was the point of hooking up the skimmer to it since that water was already "skimmed anyway." Great point, so because of that I was able to buy the Midi size instead of the large, and I saved money and got an even smaller footprint. I just tee in the skimmer line behind the sieve. I think I paid like $700 bucks for the midi, and when compared to the cetus' $1100 price, I was coming out ahead. Of course, the reverse is true if you buy the Large Ultra Sieve III, which is more expensive than the cetus. However, the large cetus can handle the flow of two BD's, where the cetus can only handle the flow of one. So in that case, you have to buy two cetus'.

It is welded together unlike the cetus, but I respectfully disagree with Steve in that it has potential for coming apart. I truly don't see any way of this happening. It is very well made. As Steve says, the screens are identical 300 micron curved sieves. For me, it was purely and simply the size that made me go with the Aqua Forte sieve, because I had very little room and certainly no space for something as big as the cetus. I do think, however, the cetus is a great product and if you've got the space for it--go for it.

The only person I know who has both sieves running side by side is WeWilly. Perhaps he can chime in and tell you his thoughts. I think he also got a Ultra III in one area of his filter house because he could not fit in the cetus' size.

[WeWilly]

I have the Cetus and AquaForte UltraSieve III. The reason for the AquaForte UltraSieve III is that I had no room for two Cetus sieves.
I do have a Cetus on my skimmer line. Now that I have both which is best? They both do the same thing. If I had room in my filter house for two Cetus I think I would still go for the AquaForte UltraSieve III.
I've never heard of one failing because of welds. Don't forget that the EA sieve was welded too. Welding issue sounds like a sales pitch.

[Will]

I can see that we have strong proponents of both systems. Also, someone who runs both side by side, and likes both. Sounds like both are very good systems, just different on price, footprint. Footprint means nothing to me, I could work in whatever I had to. Price vs. flow might be a consideration.

I've heard, I think from Steve, of running the sieve with the waste drain always open, causing a constant flow. This interests me greatly, as I could direct waste to feed a bog garden. Already have a 12' X12' liner with some holes in it. Already have my skimmer float switch to top off pond, and I'm waiting on the McArthur PF-200 filter for my tap water. Have to beef up my little 1/8 HP pump. I can't yet, but I intend to double my pond capacity (at least), so I'd like to install the sieve(s) now to accomodate at least 6000 gph. Got to get a pump now that can drive that, too. Or twin pumps to do this.

Now I just have to figure out how to really beef up my biofilter.

I would think that the skimmer line should run through the sieve too, because my skimmer is definitely not 300 micron.

[koikeepr]

Both are very good products, yes. It's all about what you're trying to achieve with flow and how fat your wallet is to accommodate said flow.

Are you planning a 3" BD or 4"? You could do two 3" drains and the skimmer or one 4" drain and a skimmer through the Ultima III. Can't do that through the Cetus due to flow restriction. You should be able to tie in two 3" drains to the Cetus, but not the skimmer, too.

[koikeepr]

I have the Cetus and AquaForte UltraSieve III. The reason for the AquaForte UltraSieve III is that I had no room for two Cetus sieves.
I do have a Cetus on my skimmer line. Now that I have both which is best? They both do the same thing. If I had room in my filter house for two Cetus I think I would still go for the AquaForte UltraSieve III.
I've never heard of one failing because of welds. Don't forget that the EA sieve was welded too. Welding issue sounds like a sales pitch.

Bill, can you elaborate on why you would go for the UltraSieve instead of the Cetus if you bought again? I'm interested in your reasons on this as you're the only person I know that has both sitting side by side.

[WeWilly]

As I said space and a $400 savings.

[koikeepr]

Gotcha, cheaper to get one ultrasieve than two cetus' to do the job.

[Will]

I've got one 4" BD and one 3" skimmer now, will be two of each when I expend. Thinking I need to keep the BD and skimmer circuit separated. WeWilly, have you got a price list available? Can't locally find 3" and 4" gate valves, sieves, and I think you've got better pump prices. I know I've asked for quotes in other venues, but I am ready tro pull the trigger on this part of the project. Thanks.

[koikeepr]

If you go to your local plumbing supply store (not HD or Lowes), they can order them. The most important thing to take note of with gate valves is to ensure they have stainless steel blades and NOT the plastic ones--as the plastic ones will warp over time and leak. Valterra is the brand you want to be looking for. Ball valves are longer lasting and more leak resistant than a gate valve, but of course a 3 and 4" one is very big and takes up a lot of space. So, it's a trade-off.

I'm sure WeWilly and Birdman will also be able to give you prices as a comparison point. Both these guys will also have better prices on pumps as well, since they can go below the manufacturers price that can be advertised online. Plus both Steve and Bill will support your pump and other equipment if it fails very quickly versus some unnamed person on the internet. It's very important to be connected to strong vendors when you've got living creatures at stake. I've seen Steve overnight people a spare pump if their's had a problem. That's what I call service in a pinch.

[Peppy]

I got my Valterra on amazon.com