Bishop169

I've been searching the net for a good home built canister filter

I would like to have a filter out of the way and under the tank....

I did a quick ms paint for my plan just to get your advice..

I plan to get a piece of PVC pipe that my friend can thread so I can screw caps on either end.

On one end I plan to put an intake then a round loose sponge to catch larger media then a good amount of PVC rings another sponge to keep them in place

then I was thinking of adding charcoal or just plain gravel but I'm not sure which one would be better

yet another sponge to keep them in place then some filter floss. a sponge

at the other end attach a submersible pump that can move 200 GPH to an out take tube back to the tank.


Has anyone ever tried this before?

Can anyone see a flaw in my plan?

Attached Images

filter plan.bmp (439.4 KB, 228 views)

Cody

im not really sure but possibly 200gph might not be enough power to get the water back up the tube? i could be wrong

outlaw

I was just at one of my LFS's with my daughter and they had a 1000GPH pump. I didn't see the price on it and I'm sure it wouldn't be that with all the filter media and tubing in place but would still be sufficient. The 700GPH was like $120. Good Luck. Might look into something like this for the tank I might get. Cool idea.

Not to take from your idea, but what about something like this?


The Odyssea "Built-In" tanks have a setup similar to that. I am not to familiar on the canister other then they have the trays. You could even run a hose back up to the top so you don't have to have a hole at the very bottom of the filter. Just a thought.

outlaw

Guessing you either built it or decided not to do it?

≈ D ≈

Not so much as seeing a flaw but just personal preferance in that I wouln't use charcoal. I'd also recommend putting your media (PVC rings and gravel) in some cheap stockings ... yep I did say that

Other than that the idea is pretty sound

Bishop169

Haven't had the time to start yet.

I have an HOB filter now that does the job just thinking about stream lining

outlaw

Harleyman- Sorry, Carbon

Bishop- I hear you on the time. Other then the pump, I don't think the supplies needed for this are that expensive. From what I've seen anways.

≈ D ≈

No need to apologise. Carbon, charcoal - same thing to me

drumbum540

I am also in the process of building a canister filter for fun, because I have all the stuff like a power head and clear tubes. It is quite redneck but I don't care. I am making mine with a 150 gph power head, a costco cashew container, and like 3/8 inch tube. the toughest thing that I have come to would be sealing the lid to the container without it being permanent. Ill post again whenever I figure anything out. Or if you have any Ideas for me please let me know. but I am trying to do this without spending more than 10 dollars and so far I have succeeded.

susitna-flower

I came across a pond filter at drsfoster smith, that I have always though would be a great addition to a tank filter system. Check it out at.

www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=5163+5168+5332&pcatid=5332

It has everything your idea has except I think it would hold more media.

There are three models from 12-1/2" to 22" high with diamater of 15". The smallest is $65.99 largest $89.99 with. I think the biggest drawback would be the cost of filter material. I guess lots of sponges, floss and less bio-rings/balls.......

Tavel

put the pump on top to reduce the head weight on the pump. ALSO: If you keep the loop closed, it'll basically be an active siphon. The pump will only work to circulate water and it won't do any "lifting" to speak of. (only downside is no aeration).

drumbum540: You can probably get away with lightly machining the ends of the PVC to a thinner diameter. and with a PVC end-cap, use a couple of o-rings to seal it. The only other thing I could think of is using an actual threaded end cap, but that might leak without some kind of sealant (thus making it semi-permanent).

Bishop169

plumbers tape is your friend and will seal the threads only issue is you have to clean old stuff off and apply it again everytime you take the lid off

Narcicius

Wow this is on a different level than I'm used to, hope it works out, Good luck.

susitna-flower

Did you ever build this filter?

outlaw

Are you building this for a smaller tank? that seems kinda low, but if you are doing it just to do it... post the pics when you do!

Bishop169

Actually me and my buddy built one of these for his small tank I should have grabbed some pics I guess its working ok give it a few weeks we will know for sure

as for adding air to the water with this set up we added a buble wand

drumbum540

Yes I dd build it. it is for a 20 gallon tank but I decided just to make it into a small refugium I m yet to get all the algae and stuff for the refugium. I willtry and post pictures when im finished!

drumbum540

Actually I did build it but my brother took the tubes off of it to siphon the diesel out of his tank to test his gauges. so I don't have it anymore.