DIY cannister filter

[mr funktastic]

i was thinking about making my own cannister filter. i was going to get a powerhead(rated at a decently high level) and run a hose off the output and out of the tank. then get a sealable containter(like a 2 gal container) and drill a hole into the bottom side and attach a fitting for the hose. stack all the media i want into the container then put the out put hose coming out of the top of it with another fitting and run it back into the tank. this would be for a smaller tank like 10-20 gal. and as long as the pump i get has a decent GPH rate i cant se why it wouldnt work. whenever u want to clean it just pop the sealable top and clean the media thenj put it back n and prime the system. maybe 30 bucks for the powerhead and fittings and hose and container. sound logical or am i missing something?

[MSU Fan]

I think you are on to something here...but I see some issues - how do you balance the input and output rates? If the intake rate is higher than the outtake, won't the container burst or leak? and if the output is higher than the input, then the potential is to run that powerhead/pump dry?

[Jchillin]

Sounds a lot like what czcz has running on one of his tanks. Maybe you can inquire about it?

[mr funktastic]

the input and out put rate should be the same. how can it suck in more water than it is pushing out? and i dont see how it could possible push out more water than it has sucked in. i think the only major flaw i can see is that the powerhead wont be capable of pushing water all the way down and still have enough pressure to push it back up from the cannister. u may need an external water pump to give enough pressure. lets just say i useTHIS pump on a 20 gal tank. it should provide enough push to pump the water through. even if i loose lets say 25GPH from restriction of media and what not i am still running roughly 150 gal per hour or lets say low end about 125/hour giving my tank a 6 times turn around. sounds pretty good to me. maybe cz will post in this thread. if he doesnt then i will pm him.

[Finatic]

Sounds like the same type of setup someone was using on a Remote DSB in a 5 gal bucket. I will try to find that link from ReefCentral.

[BillD]

The powerhead is really no different than a canister filter in terms of the motor. 2 gallons would be awfully large for a 10 gal tank. try and find a square pail, as it is easier to put a fitting into it. Bulkhead fittings are not cheap, however.

[mr funktastic]

i can get the fitting for relativly cheap. my dad works with people who work with who wirk with those fittings lol. so i can get them. ok 2 gal for a 20 gal tank and then a small 1 gal sealable jug for a 10 gal tank. u can get small rubbermaid loctite containers for faily cheap and then the only modification u would need to do was the 2 fittings. i think i am going to give this a try once i get some extra cash. i will post pics if i do it.

[Bigougit]

I've never tried this, but here's an older article on making your own canister filter. It looks pretty cool, could you do this for bigger tanks too?

http://www.petfrd.com/forum/articles...ticle&artid=87

I have a 20g that I want to make a planted tank so a DIY canister would be GREAT for my budget lol Hope this helps

[mr funktastic]

that is very similiar to what i was thinking but i would have the pump mounted inside the aquarium and hooked up to the intake hose. i was thinking that exact container but larger. people can now get a visual of what i was thinking though so thank you Bigougit. i guees it does work lol. u could make as large of one as u would like to as long as u have a pump that is capable to move the amout of water needed. i mainly want to do this so i can make an inline reactor for my 20 gal. this way the only stuff in the tank would be the small powerhead and my heater. possibly not even a heater if i get an inline one. i hat the splashing that is made by HOB filters aswell as the intake tubes. i really really want to try this now.

[Bigougit]

Me too, ever since I read about sumps and all of that I haven't looked at plastic containers the same lol It just seems weird that no one else is doing this if its that easy, maybe for larger fish tanks finding the right container and pump can become a problem (like 100+ tanks). I'm glad I could help, I found it looking through other sites DIY articles.