So, I know that most of the largest canister filters are essentially 5 gallon buckets with 1000 GPH pumps attached to drag the water through. Also a lot of people like sumps for the added area and for the added volume of water. So heres my suggestion and question what would a sump offer over a 55 gallon bucket that i turn into a BMF, big mother, canister filter?
Making a Monster Canister Filter
- Thread starter Yulli
- Start date
The sump will most definitely be far easier to maintain. Also, what you are talking about has been achieved by use of pool sand filters. The difference with those is that they can be backwashed for easy maintenance.
I think I would give up the hobby of fish keeping before I attempted to clean a 55 gallon canister.
I think I would give up the hobby of fish keeping before I attempted to clean a 55 gallon canister.
^what he said. With a 55 gallon canister you would have an immense amount of media but a relatively low surface area. You would need to clean it once a month and it would be a nightmare of epic proportions moving that much media. Not to mention every time you clean it risking losing your cycle.
If you decide to try it anyway 5 gallon buckets will collapse and break in a couple months. Fairly certain a 55 gallon drum would collapse in as well.
If you want a big diy canister start off with a pool or spa filter. Look on Craigslist. My area has 6 haywards for sale cheap right now.
If you want something less extreme and more manageable grab a odyssea cfs14i. Build a cage inside it and run custom media.
If you decide to try it anyway 5 gallon buckets will collapse and break in a couple months. Fairly certain a 55 gallon drum would collapse in as well.
If you want a big diy canister start off with a pool or spa filter. Look on Craigslist. My area has 6 haywards for sale cheap right now.
If you want something less extreme and more manageable grab a odyssea cfs14i. Build a cage inside it and run custom media.
