Super Easy Overhead Filter

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C

Cashlaw

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 17, 2009
64
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West Coast
I wanted to try making an overhead filter for an old 50 Long tank I'm setting up . . . it turned out to be really easy. Couldn't be happier with how it turned out.

Parts

24" plastic flower planter
24" plastic base for the planter
A few feet of 5/8" clear vinyl tubing
Pre-cycled pond filter sponges (from another tank)
A zip tie

Dremeled some holes in the bottom of the planter, a hole for the tubing to enter on the side, filled with cycled sponges and zip-tied everything to the plastic brace on the aquarium's top . . . done! The pump is a Rio 1700, 600-something GPH.

It seems to work really well, and it cost less than $20.

OverheadFilterSmall.jpg


OverheadFilterDiagram.jpg
 
Sweet, I like the double-hitter.

I had heard about these but never seen pictures of one . . . props to whoever invented these. If the pump fails, no spills. If the tub overflows, the water goes right back to the tank. One tub holds a ton of media . . . and depending on how you drill the outlet holes, the water return acts like a light spray bar for the tank. And it's cheap and easy to make.
 
The only downside is that it is noticeable, but it actually looks pretty good.
 
.. and now i'm off to do the exact same thing.. maybe use something different than the planter.. i'll go rummage through the basement...:D
 
That would be pretty cool . . . with lights and filtration on the top of the tank in the canopy, the stand could be anything . . . no more trying to fit a sump or canisters under a tank, getting water rot inside the stand, etc.

I really like this little thing I built . . . it's the DIY replacement for a gigantic DIY sump, and so far, working just as well. A little more effective for mechanical filtration, with the pump inside the tank vacuuming up debris.
 
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