Is This Diy Filter Possible?

I have an idea to make a siphon fed filter. Is it possible am I thinking about this wrongly? If so what would you change?

 

You’d have to use a pump, not a syphon, it wouldn’t be able to get back up.

 

So I can have it siphonable just with a pump, would you put the pump in the box?

 

I am about to do a diy filter and need a cheap pump for my 15g, any suggestions?

 

Here's a terrific video that shows how to make a simple sponge and stone filter using easily found items.

As for an air pump, I don't know what choices you have in Guatemale, but in the US, Tetra Whisper, Penn Plax, and Aquaneat are some easy to find brands. I myself am using some off-brand Chinese pumps that don't even have the company name on them. They're larger ones with 4 outlets apiece, and I have multiple tanks going on each one.

 

Thanks but, I was thinking a submersible pump here are my drawings skills. The pump will go in the box

 

I would google aquarium sump filters.
Basically a smaller aquarium with a pump and media in it. But tonsoptions for what to fill it with. Some even put plants or filter feeding shrimps in them!

Yes, the siphon would pull water, the pump would put it back into the tank.

Any way you build it, make sure the pump is AFTER the filter media. If its before, the gunk will either clog or burn it up.

 

So the pump is above the media you are saying? How many GPH would y’all recommend?

 

The pump is above or right after the media is done cleaning the water.

GPH is dependent on a whole lot, but how big is the tank? And what type of fish?

 

Oh, I’m sorry, it is a 15 gallon with guppies, bettas and shrimp

 

Ok. Probably an 800gph would be good....... just kidding LOL

Seriously, I would do 30 or 50gph just so the betta and guppies don't have too much water flow. Maybe 60, but no more.

Also, any plants in the tank?

 

Tons of plants, hronwort and sunset

 

Ok. Probably a slower flow, closer to 30ish than 60.

Why are you wanting to make this? Looking for more filtration, or just experimenting? If we know your end goal, we can be more specific...

Experimenting is fun, I do it all the time!

 

I want to experiment and get rid
Of my old, loud filter

 

I want to experiment and get rid
Of my old, loud filter

 

Ok. Old one is a hang on back?

Probably a dump is overkill for your tank, so is a canister filter.

A new hang on back like an Aquaclear, or a bigger Penguin filter, might be the best.

 

Yeah but this is cheaper, yes HOB

 

Yeah. I think if you are talking about a sump design (unsealed "tank" under the main tank) it could be cheaper. A canister (sealed box or tube) would be more but might also work.

The big issue is that the pump alone might cost $10-30 depending on size, brand etc. As opposed to a small Penguin that might be $20 to $50 full retail.

I got my Penguin 350 on sale for less than $40 and it is massive overkill for that tank. (Its at least half as wide as your tank is long! )

 

It is hard to find them under 80gph. Would this be too much?

 

It is hard to find them under 80gph. Would this be too much?

 

It should be ok.

Just test it to be sure that it doesn't push the fish into a corner or something. But it sounds ok

 

I have a new tank!

It’s a 75 gallon with pool filtration sand substrate, narrow leaf java fern, and a DIY filter of lava rock, sponge, and air tubing. See pics.

My question has to do with the filter. I’ve never done a do-it-yourself one before but there are so many examples out there and it is so much more cost-effective. I had originally bought a HOB Marineland but it made the tank stick out too far from the wall and I didn’t like it. This one is a 2L Coke bottle filled with lava rock and a sponge at the bottom as mechanical filtration. The sponge is pretty small. Do you think this will be good enough for a 75 gallon? I kind of like the way this filter looks but I am wondering if maybe I should just go with a canister or sump to hide everything below the tank instead.

The water has also taken all week to get this clear and still has a ways to go I think. I’m not sure if it has to do with the lava rock or the sand substrate or just bacterial bloom? I rinsed out the lava rock and sand substrate really well.

I set it up 7 days ago and I put some API Quickstart along with leaving some food in there to decay to speed up the cycle process. My water parameters have been good for the last few days with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5.0ppm nitrates, pH at about 7.4. Water temp about 78°F. I have 2 small pictus catfish that I want to move into here from a 13g, but I just want to wait another few days to make sure parameters stay consistent.

Suggestions?

 

You know I really think for a 75 you need a lot more then that to help keep it clean. But then again if you way under stock, then you might be able to get by with it.
But I am puzzled about your water parameter readings, in only seven days your showing 5.0 nitrates.....???
Usually this only happens after a tank as successfully gone through it entire cycle period which can vary from a few weeks to a couple of months. The only way to get a quick cycle is to use already seeded bacteria media. (Was the lava rock already seeded?)

Did you really sake that 2nd bottle hard and long enough before doing the nitrate test?

 

I assumed that the API Quickstart had something to do with nitrates? Yes, I shook the bottle and the tube after for the recommended time. I also tested my other tanks that I have at the same time, which have been established for awhile and the water parameters for those are always consistent. Nitrates are usually 30.0ppm and that’s what I got today. But those are 13 gallons which are a bit overstocked and I do weekly water changes of 50%.

The API Quickstart claims that you can add fish immediately. I didn’t do that of course because I did want to give it some time to cycle and grow BB. That’s also why I am still going to wait at least another week before adding fish and I will keep checking the parameters.

As for the filter, it seems to me that the lava rock provides way more surface area than what came in the marine land filter, but really I have no way to measure that.

 

I have something similar in my 25 and it works great. Most people are uncomfortable with diy but they work so well, are fun to make, and are cheap. In all my tanks now. My tank cycled in a week. I also added floss to mine for polishing and so I could see when to clean it out. The bacteria colonizing the lava pebbles even started reducing my nitrates. I think yours looks big enough. You can increase flow with a power head but probably not needed. This is my 25 gallon one- carbon filter pad, lava, activated Carbon, floss from old pillow and an uplift tube from an old ugf. I like your bottle method too.

 

I really like the layered look of yours. I will try to add some type of floss to mine for water polishing to try to clear it up some.

Any recommendations on making the air pump more quiet?

 

I really like the layered look of yours. I will try to add some type of floss to mine for water polishing to try to clear it up some.

Any recommendations on making the air pump more quiet?

Are you specifically asking about the pump itself or the noise the bubbles make as they exit your filter?

 

I really like the layered look of yours. I will try to add some type of floss to mine for water polishing to try to clear it up some.

Any recommendations on making the air pump more quiet?

I love these little ones because they are so quiet and small..
Otherwise try putting it on top of a sponge or something- if it’s the air bulb sound you can add an air stone.

 

Oh no! I did a 50-60% water change on one of my 13g and forgot to add water conditione/dechlorinator! I was tipped off by my pictus catfish heavy breathing and odd behavior. I added a 2-3x dose but is it too late? It was about 4 hours ago that I did the water change. Should I move fish to the 75g? How long does the beneficial bacteria last in tap water that hasn’t been conditioned? I’m not sure how much chlorine or chloramine is in the water in this area, central valley California. Not sure what to do. The fish are breathing heavily/rapidly and lying on substrate floor (usually they are in their hides).

 

As for the noise, it’s the air pump that is loud. It’s a blue tetra whisper. Bubbles aren’t too noisy.

 

Oh no! I did a 50-60% water change on one of my 13g and forgot to add water conditione/dechlorinator! I was tipped off by my pictus catfish heavy breathing and odd behavior. I added a 2-3x dose but is it too late? It was about 4 hours ago that I did the water change. Should I move fish to the 75g? How long does the beneficial bacteria last in tap water that hasn’t been conditioned? I’m not sure how much chlorine or chloramine is in the water in this area, central valley California. Not sure what to do. The fish are breathing heavily/rapidly and lying on substrate floor (usually they are in their hides).

Oh no- your bacteria will probably be ok but your fish seem pretty stressed out. I hope they recover

 

Just a suggestion......
When comes to large tanks or having a lot of tanks, I understand why people use something like the .
But when it comes to smaller tanks, like my 29 gallon or 10 gallon I use .
I bought mine at Walmart.
After doing a water change, while refilling the jugs with tap water I add the water conditioner.
That way the water in the jugs is ready to go for the next water change, and the water has time to age a little.
If I forgot to add the conditioner to one of the jugs, at least the other jugs will have the conditioner.
This way I don't shock my fish as bad with several gallons of unconditioned water.

I know its more work then using water straight form the tap and then adding conditioner after the tank is full.
It just gives me more peace of mind, because the water is already conditioned before it goes into the tank.