Whats the best sluice to buy?
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ChrisinCO
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Around $100, my answer would be an Angus Mackirk sluice. They work really well in low water situations are extremely light and are super easy to clean out. There are many other lightweight drop riffle type sluices out there but the only one I have experience with is the AM. Love mine when the water is low. The grey color and dimples at the top are great for sampling an area as well.
emptyhole
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I run a le trap sluice when there is not enough flow for my bazooka gold trap.I have heard good things about angus mackirk but I have been so happy with my le trap that I can't see any reason to change.
ChrisinCO
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Excellent suggestion emptyhole. The LeTrap sluices are really good as well. As far as electric pumps go...12v I am assuming
Check on Amazon they have some killer deals on 12v bilge pumps. $50 for 3700gph/60gpm pumps from Seaflo. The smaller pumps are even less than that.
Check on Amazon they have some killer deals on 12v bilge pumps. $50 for 3700gph/60gpm pumps from Seaflo. The smaller pumps are even less than that.
KevinInColorado
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I strongly agree with Chris, the AM sluices are compact, durable, easy to set up and work great!
As for little electric pumps, you can also find good deals at Harbor Freight (look online for coupons (20% off!) before you go).
As for little electric pumps, you can also find good deals at Harbor Freight (look online for coupons (20% off!) before you go).
goldenIrishman
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And here's another vote on the Le' Trap. Can be had for just under $100 if you shop around a bit and they work great.
When it comes to 12 volt pumps, the best deals I've found can be had on WalMarts web site. For a Le' Trap I'd suggest at least a 2800 gph Johnson or Rule bilge pump. Both are very reliable and will move a lot of water. They have a good head height (lifting the water without loss of flow) Add some 1 1/8 hose a couple of PVC fittings and you're ready to go. I'd also suggest getting as high a capacity pump as you can afford. You can always throttle it back with a simple valve to get the flow you need for your setup. With a smaller pump you can't increase the flow.
Since I'm in the desert, if I want to sluice (which I prefer) I have to use a recirculating system. I've spent the last few years trying many different pumps and sluice combinations and I currently am using a Le' Trap with a homemade header box. Even though I use two pumps, one for the box and one for the spray bars, I feel I could use a little more flow. I'll be upgrading the main box to a Johnson 4000 gph and moving the current 1500 gph up to the spray bars. This will allow me to run the sluice at a much flatter angle and still have it clear the lighter materials.
Here's a shot of my current setup. It's light, portable and works great. The stand breaks down for transport and is still very stable.
EDIT: From start to finish, clean out take me 2-1/2 minutes from start to being back to ready to run more materials through it.
When it comes to 12 volt pumps, the best deals I've found can be had on WalMarts web site. For a Le' Trap I'd suggest at least a 2800 gph Johnson or Rule bilge pump. Both are very reliable and will move a lot of water. They have a good head height (lifting the water without loss of flow) Add some 1 1/8 hose a couple of PVC fittings and you're ready to go. I'd also suggest getting as high a capacity pump as you can afford. You can always throttle it back with a simple valve to get the flow you need for your setup. With a smaller pump you can't increase the flow.
Since I'm in the desert, if I want to sluice (which I prefer) I have to use a recirculating system. I've spent the last few years trying many different pumps and sluice combinations and I currently am using a Le' Trap with a homemade header box. Even though I use two pumps, one for the box and one for the spray bars, I feel I could use a little more flow. I'll be upgrading the main box to a Johnson 4000 gph and moving the current 1500 gph up to the spray bars. This will allow me to run the sluice at a much flatter angle and still have it clear the lighter materials.
Here's a shot of my current setup. It's light, portable and works great. The stand breaks down for transport and is still very stable.
EDIT: From start to finish, clean out take me 2-1/2 minutes from start to being back to ready to run more materials through it.
Last edited:
goldenIrishman
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There are a bunch of us on T-Net that run recirc systems. Feel free to ask for design ideas as we've gone through most of them. Some great and others not so great. 
Goldwasher
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I don't like anything less than 40gpm through a ten inch box. That's actual measured flow not pump rating. With bilge pumps head pressure drops out put dramatically. GoldenIrishman curious have you measured your output at the tail. I'm curious as to what your actually getting.
I have recently been working on a 4"×36 inch concentrator sample run sluice.To run large batches of cons and samples that I bring home from dry areas. I'm using an old above ground pool pump. I don't know the flow rating. I'm not home right now visiting family for the holidays. I'll post some pics when I get home.
I have recently been working on a 4"×36 inch concentrator sample run sluice.To run large batches of cons and samples that I bring home from dry areas. I'm using an old above ground pool pump. I don't know the flow rating. I'm not home right now visiting family for the holidays. I'll post some pics when I get home.
PurpleGold
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Have you thought about getting a Bazooka Gold Trap? The Mini is only $100. I'm looking forward to running more material from not having to classify. I just ordered the 30" Sniper BGT for about $160.
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