fish tank filter design
User ReviewedHow to Make Your Own Underwater Aquarium Filter Three Methods:Making a Sponge FilterMaking a Capsule FilterMaking a Bottle FilterCommunity Q&A Filters can be expensive. Sometimes, it is hard to find the right type of filter, especially if you have a large tank, or fragile fish (such as bettas). Because of this, many aquarium hobbyists choose to make their own filters. This article will show you how to make a few different ones. Choose a plastic tube large enough to fit the intake valve on your powerhead. The tube does not need to be very long, since the powerhead will be going under water. Plan on getting something at least twice the height of your sponge. When choosing a powerhead, get something that will pumps twice as much water per hour as what's in your tank. Sponge filters are ideal for delicate tanks. Choose a filter sponge and cut it down to fit your tank. What brand you use does not matter, but it needs to be the type of sponge used in aquarium filters.
They are better at housing the good bacteria, which help clean your tank. Sponge filters are ideal for shrimp and betta tanks.
custom fish tank stands brisbaneThey are bio efficient, but don't create a lot of suction or water movement. Measure the height of the sponge, and make a mark on the plastic tube. The mark needs to be the same height as the sponge.[4] You will be making air holes in the tube below this mark. These holes will be inside the sponge. Punch holes into the tube below the mark. You can use a heated nail and hammer to punch the holes, or an electric drill. Plan on making 8 to 10 holes per inch (2.54 centimeters) of plastic tubing. Plug the bottom of the tube. Make sure that you are plugging the end with all the holes in it. The tube will be going into the sponge, but the bottom still needs to be plugged up. You can use a pvc end cap that fits your tube, or even a piece of styrofoam.
Poke a hole in the sponge with your finger, then slide the tube in. Attach the plastic tube to the intake valve on your powerhead. Cut a piece of airline tubing and plug it into the outtake valve of the air pump. The airline tubing doesn't have to be very long. About 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) will be enough.[7] The clean water will flow out of this tube. Place the filter into the fish tank. Find a small, cylindrical capsule. Clean the capsule using hot water.not Cut a notch into the bottom end a plastic tube. Find a ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) wide plastic tube. Cut it down to 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) long. Cut a notch into the bottom of the plastic tube. You can also cut the bottom of the tube at an angle. This will help the water flow better. You can find plastic tubes at fish tank and pet stores. You may also find them in home improvement stores. Cut a hole in the capsule's lid. Put the lid onto the capsule and slide the tube all the way down into the capsule.
Poke holes into the capsule lid using a heated nail and hammer or electric drill. Drill a small hole into the side of the tube. Keep the tube inside the capsule/lid. Measure ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) up from the seam, where the tube meets the lid. Make a small mark. Then, make a hole right on the mark. You can use a heated nail and hammer or an electric drill to do this. The hole should be large enough for a piece of airline tubing to fit through snugly. Make the hole just a little smaller than the airline tubing. This will give you a tight fit. Push the airline tubing into the small hole. Lift the lid out of the way. Fill the capsule with your filter media. Close the lid tightly, and place the capsule at the bottom of your fish tank. Attach the other end of the airline tubing to the air pump. Depending on how deep your tank is, and how far away your air pump is, you may need to cut the airline tubing down. Measure the tubing first and trim it down if needed.
Plug it into your air pump once it is the right length. Your filter is now ready to use. Choose a water bottle that fits the powerhead. The neck of the bottle should fit right over the intake valve of the powerhead. Remember to choose the right powerhead for your tank; it should pump twice as much water as what's in your tank per hour. The more powerful your powerhead is, the larger bottle you will need. Bottle filters are great for large tanks. Cut a large notch into the bottom of the bottle. Fill the bottle a third of the way with filter floss. Add some activated charcoal, or any other filter media. About 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) should be enough.[9] The charcoal will filter out bacteria and toxins. Fill the rest of the bottle with more filter floss. Consider wrapping the bottom of the bottle with some fine mesh material. This is not necessary for all tanks, but if you have shrimp, small fish, or delicate fish, this would be a very good idea. Simply wrap some mesh over the hole, and secure it with string.
Women's hose are great for this. Stick the intake valve of the powerhead into the mouth of the bottle. Fit a piece of airline tubing onto the output nozzle of the powerhead. Place the filter in your tank. Show more unanswered questions Initially, the filter will only pick up pieces of debris and feces in your tank. But as time progresses, bacteria beneficial to your tank will accumulate in the sponge material, allowing the filter to perform biological filtration of your water as well. If you have an adjustable power pump or powerhead, make sure that the output power is set at a desirable level for your type of fish tank. You can bury half of your filter in your tank's gravel to keep it secure, or have it stand upright. Make sure your powerhead or pump is size-appropriate for your fish tank. It should pump at least twice as much water as what's in your tank. Regularly check your filter to make sure that it is still working. A malfunctioning pump is hazardous for your fish as well as you.