How To You can make your own underwater aquarium filters.
It's possible that filters can be expensive.It can be difficult to find the right type of filter if you have a large tank of fish.Many aquarium enthusiasts make their own filters.You will be shown how to make a few different ones.
Step 1: Pick a plastic tube large enough to fit the intake valve on your powerhead.
Since the powerhead will be going under water, the tube doesn't need to be very long.Get something that is at least twice the height of your sponge.A powerhead that pumps twice as much water per hour as what's in your tank is a good choice.Sponge filters can be used for delicate tanks.
Step 2: Cut the filter sponge to fit your tank.
The type of sponge used in aquarium filters is what matters.A triangle or cylinder is the easiest shape to work with.The corner of your fish tank is the easiest place to fit a triangle.A cylinder may look better.Make sure the shape you choose is wider than the plastic tube.Pet stores and fish tank stores have filter sponges.Get a sponge that has larger pores.The goodbacteria help clean your tank.Shrimp and betta tanks can be filled with sponge filters.They are bio efficient, but don't create a lot of movement.
Step 3: Make a mark on the plastic tube by measuring the height of the sponge.
The mark should be the same height as the sponge.You will be making air holes in the tube.The holes are inside the sponge.
Step 4: The tube is below the mark.
An electric drill or a heated nail and hammer can be used to punch holes.The plan is to make 8 to 10 holes per inch.
Step 5: The tube needs to be plugged in.
Make sure that all the holes are plugged in.The tube will go into the sponge, but the bottom needs to be plugged up.There is a piece of styrofoam that you can use as an end cap.
Step 6: Go to the hole with your finger and slide the tube in.
It should be pushed all the way down to the bottom of the sponge.The sponge should cover the holes in the tube.
Step 7: Attach the plastic tube to the powerhead.
The water will go through the sponge when the powerhead sucks it in.The mess in your aquarium will be caught in the sponge.
Step 8: Plug the piece of airline tubing into the outtake valve of the air pump.
The tubing doesn't have to be very long.3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) will suffice.The water will leave this tube.
Step 9: Put the filter in the fish tank.
Attach your air pump to the wall of your tank with the help of suction cups.The water will come out if you angle the output tube.
Step 10: There is a small, cylindrical capsule.
Film canisters, prescription containers, and empty fish food containers are perfect for this.The filters are good for small tanks.
Step 11: The capsule needs to be cleaned using hot water.
You will kill your fish if you use soaps or chemicals.You can clean a film canister with water and a few drops of a tap water conditioner.Make sure the conditioner says it will remove heavy metals.Heavy metals can be found in film canisters.
Step 12: A plastic tube has a notch in it.
There is a 12 inch plastic tube.It should be 6 inches long.The plastic tube has a notch in it.The bottom of the tube can be cut at an angle.The water will flow better.There are plastic tubes at fish tank and pet stores.They can be found in home improvement stores.
Step 13: The capsule has a hole in it.
The hole should be a little smaller than the tube.Once you put the tube in, you get a snug fit.The hole can be cut in the middle of the lid or close to the edge.
Step 14: The tube should be slid all the way down into the capsule.
The bottom of the tube should be hitting the capsule.If you cut the hole close to the lid, angle the tube so that the notch is facing the center, not the side of the capsule.
Step 15: Use a heated nail and hammer or electric drill to poke holes in the capsule lid.
The flat area around the tube should still be visible if you look at your lid.There are small holes to fill this area.The bubbles will come out here.
Step 16: There is a small hole on the side of the tube.
The tube should be inside the capsule.Take 12 inch up from the seam, where the tube meets the lid.A small mark is made.Make a hole on the mark.You can use an electric drill or a heated nail and hammer.A piece of airline tubing should fit through the large hole.The hole should be a little smaller than the airline tubing.This will give you a snug fit.
Step 17: Push the tubing into the hole.
Continue feeding it until it is halfway down the capsule.The bottom of the capsule should not be touched.
Step 18: The lid needs to be lifted out of the way.
The plastic tube should not be pulled out.Put it against the bottom of the capsule.The capsule will be filled with filter media.The filter media will get stuck if you pull the tube away now.
Step 19: The capsule should be filled with your filter media.
You can use any media in the filters.It is a cheap alternative to activated charcoal.It works well for removing infections.You can check out your local fish tank store.
Step 20: The capsule should be placed at the bottom of your fish tank.
The plastic tube and capsule will be wet.The airline tubing will leave the water and go to the air pump.
Step 21: Attach the other end of the 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.If necessary, trim the tubing down.Plug it into your air pump when it's the right length.The filter is ready to use.It's time to position.
Step 22: There is a water bottle that fits the powerhead.
The bottle should fit over the powerhead's intake valve.The powerhead you choose should pump twice as much water as what's in your tank per hour.The bigger the bottle, the more powerful your powerhead is.Large tanks can use bottle filters.
Step 23: Cut a hole in the bottle.
If you leave part of the base, your intake media will fall out.The water will come and go here.
Step 24: The bottle should be filled a third of the way.
filter floss can be found in your pet store or fish tank store.The floss should be put into the bottle so that it is dense.The floss catches debris.
Step 25: Add activated charcoal or any other filter media.
It should be 2 inches.The charcoal will remove toxins.
Step 26: The rest of the bottle should be filled with more floss.
Pack the filter media in a way that it is snug.The will help remove the biggest pieces of debris.
Step 27: Wrap the bottom of the bottle with mesh.
If you have shrimp, small fish or delicate fish, this would be a good idea.Wrap some mesh around the hole and secure it with string.Women's hose is great for this.
Step 28: Put the intake valve of the powerhead in the bottle.
The dirty water will be sucked into the bottle by the intake valve.All of the dirt will be cleared by the filter media inside.
Step 29: Attach a piece of tubing to the powerhead.
A 3 inch piece is enough.The water will come out of this tube.
Step 30: The filter should be in your tank.
Attach the powerhead to the wall of your tank with suction cups.The tubing should be pointed towards the water.