DYI canister filter concern

[ZippyTheSnake]

Saw a video of a DYI canister filter with the pump inside so i decided to copy it. So far its working great for the past 3 days. No issue at all. Last time i had it running it ran perfect for a week and then it started to leak and then it was a mess all over my floor(I sleep in the attic) so water is a big issue for me. I cant afford a chance or my parents will kill me. My thought on the the last leak was that water was being sucked in too fast or not pushed out quick enough and it created too much pressure inside the 5 gallon bucket and it made leaks. Any tips on how i can avoid any problem? Should i just take it down? What i did to fix my last leak was add 2 valves(1 for the intake hose and one for the outake) and right now im not even using the valves. Both are fully open so i fill maybe last time something else when run? Any input is appreciated

 

[M@T!@$]

Saw a video of a DYI canister filter with the pump inside so i decided to copy it. So far its working great for the past 3 days. No issue at all. Last time i had it running it ran perfect for a week and then it started to leak and then it was a mess all over my floor(I sleep in the attic) so water is a big issue for me. I cant afford a chance or my parents will kill me. My thought on the the last leak was that water was being sucked in too fast or not pushed out quick enough and it created too much pressure inside the 5 gallon bucket and it made leaks. Any tips on how i can avoid any problem? Should i just take it down? What i did to fix my last leak was add 2 valves(1 for the intake hose and one for the outake) and right now im not even using the valves. Both are fully open so i fill maybe last time something else when run? Any input is appreciated

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Put the canister in a clear tote.. If it leaks it won't create a mess on the floor

 

[ZippyTheSnake]

Put the canister in a clear tote.. If it leaks it won't create a mess on the floor

Simple and good idea i will do that. But i would still like to know if there anything i can do to avoid that

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

I am not a big fan of the five gallon bucket canister for just the issue you're having. I really don't think they can be that reliable. The large plastic tote is probably your best bet.

What size tank are you trying to filter?

I think you could easily replace the five gallon canister with one or two SunSun 304B's. You can find those on Amazon for $75-90.

 

[xraycer]

You will want to safeguard against a major disaster by greatly shortening that intake tube. If a major leak occurs with that canister, it is better to have 10%-15% of that tank water on the floor than 50%+. I wouldn't trust that 5 gal bucket in the attic, its just not what its designed for

 

[ZippyTheSnake]

Thanks for the input guys i think i might just take it apart even tho im so happy with it. Gonna look into a sunsun

 

[xraycer]

Thanks for the input guys i think i might just take it apart even tho im so happy with it. Gonna look into a sunsun

Good call.
Sunsun 304B are solid canisters, don't let the price fool you. I've been running 3 units for over 3 years now.

 

[duanes]

Putting the canister under pressure is always a recipe for disaster in my book, and also makes it a pain in the arse to clean, because it needs to be totally assembled and shut down to do it.
You could just as easily use the same contraption as a sump. Having it open so you can see whats going on inside, and when something needs cleaning, you just reach inside and remove media, while its still running, squeeze it out and put it back.
Putting a filter under pressure does not make it do the job any better, just makes everything more complicated, and easier to screw up.