DIY cannister filter

[mr funktastic]

this is such a practicle idea for a small tank. i think up to 30 gal would be most effective. after re looking at his design with the powerhead in the container i realised it would be alot easier for the pump to only have to push the water up rather than down and then up aswell. i think i am going to use the Hydor Pico 500 Pump for cost reasons and it seems to be about the GPH i was looking for aswell. i think this should easily work for my 20 gal. i am going to use a 1 gal jug. same style as he used. then all i need to do is drill a few holes and silicone in a few fittings. i am hoping to get this done in the next few weeks if i get the money for the pump.

[Bigougit]

good luck, I'll probably start looking for a container, but I'm in the last stages of my malawi tank and won't be able to set up another tank for a few months. I like the container he used, but I could get some little clamps for a gladware container or something like that. Since you're using a 1 gal jug for a 20g tank I'll try to find something thats at least 2-3 gallons. I'd like to know if you found it easy or not and whether you thought it was worth it when you get it all done.

[czcz]

You gotta slap on an inline heater and reactor too. Or maybe use the return flow to replace the mist powerhead (blowing over an airstone for example) . I was under the impression the Hydor Pico would be a decent low gph/cheap pump for this kind of project.

[mr funktastic]

i was thinking about cutting a hole in the top and siliconing a heater into the cannister. that way all the water would flow by it and get heated. i would just leave the top out so i can adjust the heat. i want to build this specifically to use an inline co2 diffuser actually. i hate the clutter i have in my tank now with from HOB and my diffuser. i bought a pico powerhead but i dont know how good it will be for what i want to do. how much flow/gph pump would u suggest getting to filter a 20 gal?

[czcz]

Yeah, I have the Pico too. I remember the description saying it could be used for pond pumps and can handle some head height, so I think its usable here. (The headheight won't be inportant with your planned setup but the point is it can move some water against such a thing.) Worth a shot right?

I'd shoot for around 150gph. I generally like current and would be happy with more. Frankly I'd probably take whatever a quiet, affordable pump gave me.

If you want to get a little different, you could use a pump outboard. The MagDrives are said to be able to do this but some report leaking. You could then set it u like a closed loop system -- SW folk are big on this -- with an inline media compartment (your canister plan). I think this type of setup has lots of potential in the planted tank, but I also think you'd have a great setup using the plants as biofilters and just focussing on water movement, getting stuff out of the tank, and mechanical media if wanted..

[RandyStacyE]

Here is a DIY Canister Filter page:

http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm

[Bigougit]

I've actualy seen a few other people make these DIY canister filters and i'm really ancious to get started on the project, but I've ran into trouble with one of my 55g tanks. It isn't sitting level, I think its because the stand isn't heavy enough for carpet (its the iron stands) but I'd love to try making a larger one

[tropicalfish]

For the input-output issue, If your canister will be air and water tight, I guess you could have water siphon down, and the pump, pump it back into the tank. If the pump speed is higher than the siphon speed, it will just Suck harder on the siphon tube, resulting in higher input rate.

[Bigougit]

I saw a DIY canister filter that used 2 jars, 1 for filtration and 1 for a heater and it ran off 1 pump so I'd Imagine that as long as either the intake or the outtake hose was attached to the pump and everything was sealed with silicon besides the lid (which needs to be air tight) then there wont be any problems

[mr funktastic]

i got a new and better pump and i will be looking at getting the container tomorrow. i hope to have it made in a few days. will post pics as i go along if i make it and prices.