DIY canister filter for nano

[blasterx]

That looks great, I had first thought about a canister like that but I wasn't sure if it would leak, I guess not!

[partypalooza5]

Yea the "lock'n'lock" ones have a clamp on lid and a gasket. Making them water and pressure tight .

I just stick some filter floss in there and some mini bio balls and it keeps the water crystal clear.

[blasterx]

The price of the pump looks to be about $20 plus shipping. Some vinyl tubing, fittings, gaskets, the lock'n'lock, I bet I can get this done for <$50

[partypalooza5]

Yea most of the stuff I used on mine was junk I had laying around. The pump I actually used in my PC water cooling system for a week or two O_o.

Good luck!

[blasterx]

I have the pump from an old water cooling rig I thought about using for this BUT I wonder if it would be safe for the critters as it pumped coolant for several years and I don't know what kind of residue might be leftover and what effects it could have on the biology. I guess I could hook it up and let it run for awhile pulling a diluted bleach mixture for a few days

[partypalooza5]

I don't know it may be worth 20 bucks to play it safe. The pump was too big for my PC so it was only used for testing with distilled water. I got lucky I guess .

[ohio reefer]

what about using a large PVC pipe. you could seal the end and the other end could be threaded. ugly....yes. but it would tolerate the pressure and fulfill your needs with the rubble/bio-balls.

HTH
Mark

[blasterx]

Good point, I thought doing this way might be easier should I have to clean it but PVC would work, I could place it in the cabinet under the tank so the ugly factor would be a non-issue.

But this brings up a good point, rubble vs. bio balls.
I seem to remember reading about a lot of peoples dislike for bio balls and just assumed they must be "bad".

Whats your take?

[ohio reefer]

i personally used both. the live rubble (if gotten from a reputable supplier) would be quicker (to help with biological filtration) bu the bio balls will not exude the ammonia like rubble will/might.

the one thing with using Pvc is that it will be pitch black so the rubble algea will most likely die. so might thoughts personally would be the bio-balls.


you could do something like this:

input from tank

___________________

sponge/floss

---egg crate------

bio-balls

---egg crate----

spacers
______________

output to tank

this could be done like an in-line thing. does this make sense?

HTH

Mark

[darkmule27]

I'm currently working on a very similar project...from what I've read, your design is good except the inlet and outlet should be on opposite ends (usually inlet on the bottom). Also, lock'n'locks are magical and wonderful...avoid normal rubbermaid type containers because they break down in the presence of water over time. Here are some links I've been looking at...when I get my hands on a water pump, I'll be posting a build on mine (I have a couple little changes I've made).

Petfrd.com - Resource Library - How to DIY a Canister Filter

DIY canister filter - DIY Aquarium Projects - Aquatic Plant Central

DIY cannister filter for nano. - Reef Sanctuary