$10 DIY Bio-Filter

[Dan F]

I put this together for under $10.00. I started with a $7.99 litter box. The 1 1/4" PVC intake is drilled with LOTS of 1/16" holes. I wrapped the intake with nylon window screen. I also layered plastic hardware cloth and nylon window screen over the intake. After situating it in the sump and attaching it to my pump intake I filled the box with 60 lbs. of natural aquarium gravel.

I am thinking about adding a layer of filter floss or sponge to act as a prefilter, the cat box rim (not shown) would work perfect to hold the filter media in place.

 

[Dr Joe]

Good job.

One Question... Why aquarium gravel? Scrubbies have more surface area by far. Just curious.

One statement... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38425

Thanks for sharing.

Dr Joe

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[Wolf3101]

Nice job...Like Joe, I have to question your choice of bio-media however. Scrubies are a great low cost alternitive to gravel with a LOT less weight.

The pre-filter idea seems to be a good one although I would think that cleaning it might be a problem without dumping half of it back in the sump.

 

[portabuddy]

yah the gravle is a verry poor bio material. lava rocks are the second best rocky material you can use that is low cost. but pot scrubbers are byfar the best. better then bio-balls

 

[Dan F]

It was free! I have buckets of the stuff in my barn (it USED TO be cheap).

Anyone ever tried "Hydroton". It is an expanded clay hydroponics growing medium. It claims to be Ph neutral. It is relatively cheap and lightweight, too.

I was thinking about the prefilter and cleaning it, could be a mess.

 

[Dr Joe]

Bump!

How's this working?

 

[QueenRayKeeper]

that looks pretty cool...and simple......but I'm wondering also---how is it going for you??