Rate/optimize my DIY jar sponge filter

[Joey4151]

Hey everyone I just built a tiny jar sponge filter out of an old spice shaker for a small 1-2 gallon rescue/quarantine tank and wanted to see if you guys think this will work or can find ways to make it work better. Pictures included.

I’m going to describe it from the bottom up:

1) I put rocks to weight it down.
2) Drill 2 rows of holes near the bottom half with a 13/64 drill bit.
3) Pack it with sponge
4) Then on top of the sponge, I laid the Air stone attached to an airline Tubing.
5) Then use the holes that are already drilled for the escape hole of the filter.

So I have a few questions:

A) Should I make more holes near the bottom? Also, bigger size holes or smaller size holes?

B) Should the air stone be at the top or the bottom of this type of filter?

C) Should I drill more holes at the top for the bubbles to escape? Does more holes make for faster water flow into the filter?

Hope to hear from you soon.

 

[jpaquatics]

Love the build! Very creative! With normal sponge filters the air comes from the bottom to lift the water up and out of the top, so I’m guessing you should probably have the air stone at the bottom. For the holes, just run it for a few days and see how they work, if it runs fine, then you should be all set. Post a video once you test it out!

 

[Joey4151]

Hey thanks for responding. One of my guppies gave birth to 170 frys and I am currently using the filter in a grow out tank.

As of current, I’m using it without the shaker top lid because I wanted to add a spider plant on top to soak up extra nutrients. In addition, I left the air stone on top of the sponge. It is definitely working because the bottom of the grow out tank was full of poop and I can see the small particles being sucked up into the filter and it’s clean now.

Also, I tested the filter just like it is in my original post and it worked out beautifully with the air stone on top and on bottom. However, having the air stone slightly above the holes on the bottom seemed to worked better for me.

Here is a link to the video of the filter in action.

DIY filter link

 

[jpaquatics]

Looks like it’s working great! Hopefully others can use this idea to create something similar.