DIY Canister Filter

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
You will need some taps otherwise you will get a siphon occuring. ie otherwise you cant open the filter unless you take all the hoses out.

Have you considered keeping the filter above tank water level? Put the pump (or powerhead) in the tank and pump water up to the filter. You wouldnt need it to be sealed then or have to worry about flow rates and pump sizes or leaks. Easier to open and access so easier maintenance too. I would recommend coarse media prior to fine floss though. Coarse media first allows more pre-filtering as you dont want big particles blocking your fine media and clogging water flow.
 
I made something like this last night. But I used one pump. I used an around 200gph rio 600 pump, a gatorade bottle, a scrubbie(not in it yet), and some gravel. I put the pump in my tank and it pumps water into the bottle, the cap to be more specific. Then It goes thru the media, and out another hole in the cap. When its completely finished, Ill post pix in this thread if you want. Or if you dont want just tell me.
 
I've made several. I put them directly into the tank. Split the container in half. Using a 20 gal tote, put bunches of holes in one side. Put a divider with holes in the center and tons of pot scrubbers on the other side with the pump. The pump is plumbed directly through the side. Water flows like magic and no issues with water quality or clairty. This is for an indoor pond. Not sure how you'd like the look of a bucket in a tank. lol.
 
necrocanis;1175282; said:
I've made several. I put them directly into the tank. Split the container in half. Using a 20 gal tote, put bunches of holes in one side. Put a divider with holes in the center and tons of pot scrubbers on the other side with the pump. The pump is plumbed directly through the side. Water flows like magic and no issues with water quality or clairty. This is for an indoor pond. Not sure how you'd like the look of a bucket in a tank. lol.
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Buddy thats what I dont want, large stupid looking filter sitting at some corner of the tank, will spoil the whole show, anyway it could be a great filetr for a pond. If I had one I would have surely employed this plan in it.
 
A couple of quick notes...Powerheads are notoriously poor preformers when faced with any sort of head pressure. ballancing any dual pump set up is a mess even with control valves and you'll need something a lot stronger than standard 5 gallon buckets. The material they are made out of breaks down with time...especially when exposed to sunlight.
 
My powerhead is at tank level and pumps down. Its great.
 
A syphon hose at tank level will pump down.....The problem will be with the return pump.
 
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