DIY Canister filter build

so i finally go around to a project that i have been wanting to do for a while. building a canister filter from scratch.

alot of the stuff i alrady had lying around my garage so it wouldnt cost me much to do and is a great learning curve. i decided to make it out of Ø120mm PCV piping with a submersible pump. the filter itself stands 600mm high so in all i have around 6litres of filter area (excluding the space the pump takes up).

it will be layered with filter floss at the bottom, sponge,ceramic rings then sponge again( hoping the sponge will hold the ceramic rings in place.

still need to put everything together but have run it to test for leaks. seem to be getting between 1200-1800 lph.

will post more pictures soon once ive painted it and set it up.

 

I am researching to build one of my own. How about some more info, please, Tronix?

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How will the water run through? Pipe going all to the bottom? For mine I run water in the top and out of a pipe at the bottom.

 

i have the inlet pipe running through to the bottom, with the pump at the top. i did it this way so any solids that go into the filter settle towards the bottom instead of being pulled through the filter, making it easier to clean. i then have , from bottom to top, filter floss, a sponge, ceramic rings then another sponge. the sponges help keep the ceramic rings in place as well as filter pretty well.

the piping used is a 25mm flexible hose and i think the pump was a 1200l/h pump but i cant remember exactly. the pvc piping is 110mm dia with the screw on piece at the bottom for access for cleaning.

any other information you'd like to know just ask and i will try to answer them. i can try take some more photos tonight. my phones camera is just busted at the moment.

 

Cool stuff. The filter I have now works but could me more efficient if I knew of this method

 

realised that alot of this info was posted in the origional post. my bad. but let me know what questions you have and i'll answer them

 

i wouldnt say there is a right or wrong way to do it. both work. just made sense to do it that way at the time.

 

It's main issue that high up and loses flow, however many of my goldfish died (13 of 16) from internal infection of sorts so my bioload is low so I can afford that. Next time round I'll use the aquaponic growbeds as filtration.

What's this filter gonna be used on?

 

it all depends on where you have it standing. my tank is not high off the ground so dont have much flow loss. it in theoty should make a difference with flow rate whether you put it a the top or at the bottom as the force of the water falling into your filter should equalize and try to level the water with out the force of the pump. will depend on flow restrictions through your filter media.

the filter is being used on a 4 foot tank with a green terror and a gibaceps pleco. so probably not to much work for the filter but i also have two sponge filters and a hob filter running on the same tank so wasnt to much of a risk for me.

i have dabbled in aquaphonics in the past as well. does work really well you just need a good fish to plant ratio for it to be efficient. to many plants and they dont get enough nutrients and die. not enough plants and the fish tend to not do so well.

 

The tub is on the ground and the bottom of the canister is about 15cm above it. That is some stock that will grow as far as I know, although not bad with that filter.

Mines currently not working since my dad overdid the control system and it went wrong somewhere. Worked well before though

For my 4ft I just got an AC110 and called it a day.

 

i see. would make sense that it would affect your flow rate then.

when you say control system are we talking raspberry pi type controls or timers. know its off topic but im curious as im keen to try set something up oneday with a raspberry pi.

 

Arduino actually. The electrode level control isn't working due to loose wiring somewhere

 

Hi interested in doing this on my wives tank .
What did you seal the inspection cap with a oring or a flat washer ?
With regards to media i was thinking of using filter floss then ceramic rings filterpad some bioballs ,filter pad then some bone charcoal .
She has some plants . Moonlight tetras some algae eaters cant remember their names and some loaches .
Would this be sufficient for the bioload ?

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Hi @eco - tech .
for the seal i used a thin piece of rubber i had lying around. cut it into a disk to fit in the cap. has not leaked yet so seems to be doing a good job.

as for the media, the ceramic rings i put between the pads so that they will be held in place easily but if yours are in a bag it shoudlnt be a problem. ive never used charcoal on my tanks so i could not advise on using it but im sure it will work fine. other than that you should be good to go. whether or not it will handle the bioload depends on stocking levels, water volume and the amount of media used. if it'll be a similar size to the one i made i rate it should be good enough. i had malawis and a gibaceps pleco in a 4ft running on the filter and it seemed to do a great job.

as an added thing but not necessary, add an air stone to your tank to keep your oxygen levels up. this will help your bacteria stay healthy.

if there is anything else you'd like to know you shout and i'll try answer it as best i can