DIY Canister Filter

[scratanut]

This is a plan for external filter, the canister part will be a 5gal paint bucket or an air tight container, powered by a 1500/2000lph pump. It uses nylon scrubs, foam/ filter wool for mechanical filtration and bioballs, ceramic rings for bio. The mechanical and bio filtratin part is separated by acrilic divider that has vents at the bottom for water passage. Which of the either biological materials lasts longer? I should have ceramic rings or bioballs or both? Comments and suggestions for improvement invited.

 

[Dr Joe]

By your diagram your using the scrubbies as a course filter, kind of a waste of space, better to put the floss first as a pre-filter?

Unless you buy the paint bucket new, I've had problems re-sealing them if they weren't carefully opened to start with. I found that a screw top container works well. Larger pool & restaurant supply places may be able to give you one.

Dr Joe

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[Volenti]

Just a note, the container either needs to be pretty strong/stiff or braced from the inside or the pressure (or rather vacume) from the pump can suck the sides in.

 

[Dakota76]

ive done this already and the problem i had was more water in then out
dont know why
anyhow you will need a bucket with a screw top
im sure it will work that way
im just waiting on the container so i can verify

 

[rob0521]

One thing to remember.... You will need different gph pumps, the outlet one being more powerful as it has to blow the water up. Just making sure you already thought of this before going out and buying two of the same size pumps.

 

[Dakota76]

One thing to remember.... You will need different gph pumps, the outlet one being more powerful as it has to blow the water up. Just making sure you already thought of this before going out and buying two of the same size pumps.

2 pumps????
i think thats a bad idea
im using 1 pump in an airtight container
you add some water in the container like half way
seal it and hook it all up to the tank and turn on the pump
as it pumps water out of the container into the tank
it draws water out of the tank into the container
hence a canister filter
canister filters only have 1 pump

 

[AiR foRc3 wUnZ]

How come it has to be air tight?

 

[rallysman]

How come it has to be air tight?

So water doesn't leak out/let air in.

Air won't pump (through a water pump). If you get a big air pocked you're SOL.

 

[scratanut]

ive done this already and the problem i had was more water in then out
dont know why
anyhow you will need a bucket with a screw top
im sure it will work that way
im just waiting on the container so i can verify

1-If we employ a powerhead of 2500+lph then can we solve this?
2-can you give details and pics, plan of your project.
3-does it cause any problem when more water in then out?
4-If I use some kind of screwable clamps, on push container, with rubber lining at the lid groove?
5-If I place the filter 60-80cm below, then the inflow decreases and outflow increases, can it be done this way?

 

[scratanut]

And one more thing, am gonna use a controller valve, to control water flow at the inlet.