Could you list what parts you used? I was at lowes today and was looking in the pvc parts for something I could put together. A 4'' canister and caps w/ hose threads. I didn't find any thing at all like it. Lucky (or unlucky) you! I found a picture. It looks like it was taken with an old Barbie camera, so apologies for the quality. You can barely see the gray colored thread adaptor at the right side. You can see the kitty litter I used, charcoal, and Scotch brite pad I cut down to keep the filter innerds from flowing out into the hose. If you have trouble finding the thread adaptors to go from hose threads to the pipe thread, ask a clerk. I had to ask everywhere I went looking for them. It looks like I did not use any PVC pipe at all but only used pipe fittings. This experiment was from June of 2003 so I've forgotten a lot since then. If you want to get an idea of a ratio of charcoal to kitty litter (zeolite), crack open a filter from one of those water filters you put into the container in your fridge (like a Pur). I was surprised to find only a few specks of black charcoal inside. Most of it is zeolite. Still luckier YOU! I just went out and searched the archives of my garage and found the filter. Here's a modern picture. As you can see I did use 2-inch PVC pipe in the middle. This picture shows the threaded parts much better. It has to come apart somewhere to fill, or refill, with the filter medium. The gray nipple on the left side is straight pipe threads, not hose threads. The female hose fits on the male pipe threads okay (not great), but at the other end I wanted a better solution. It is a real pipe to hose connector. If I had it to do over again I would use 3-inch pipe for more filter volume and less water speed through the filter medium.

Newgen: I posted a comparison of the two mixes you are asking about (OP) in the forum where you copied that info from. Do a search for C4F in that forum, that's my username there. Do not use any CHC from other vendors until you've tried the Crystal Company version. I've used the CHC mix and it has been working beautifully for me. The ingredients are much easier to get (you just make a phone call and they mail the CHC to you). Epsom Salt and a little peat/bagged Acid soil/plain MG mix. When I first started using the CHC mix I thought "no way" this is holding too much water. With the gritty mix it was "no way, this isn't holding ANY water". But both have performed top notch so far in hot and cold weather here in Central SJ Valley, CA. Much, much better than a bagged mix, esp after the bagged mix compacts. I keep several citrus in bagged mixes to unscientifically compare results and remind me of the challenge of using those mixes. I tried to drown the tree in the fresh CHC mix by over-watering and it showed no symptoms. Ditto for the fresh gritty mix. In case you're not aware of the history, Millet and several other of the key folks in that forum were regular members and respected contributors in this forum several years back. I don't know the exact cause of the "relocation" but it wouldn't surprise me if was partially over this topic, strong opinions, and the forum police... (typo, policies). That's pure speculation.

US Bank is a business bank, it's not a good bank for individual customers. In a past job, I worked with them daily from a business standpoint and they were great. However, at the same time I had my own personal accounts there and they regularly messed things up. I moved to another bank for personal stuff and have not looked back. I was living in the Twin Cities during the business relationship period and, since they are based there, I mistakenly assumed that, at worst, I could walk into branches and resolve problems. Heck, we walked across the street to our business rep and resolved things all the time. However, adapting that assumption to the retail side was a big mistake on my part.

Agree with numbersjunkie. What you get from ikea varies by the competence of the individuals involved, but mostly it's geared to just stock cabinets, without any thought of customizing pieces to make a better fit for your space. They're more geared to making sure your measurements are accurate and that you order all the right bits and pieces than to coming up with a fab unique design. You'd be better off asking the kitchens forum first. Lots of ikea kitchens over there.