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DIY CANISTER FILTER Download warning for DL


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36 replies to this topic

#21 Blakey

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Posted 17 January 2008 - 08:53 PM

mmm i would do it... but it isnt a display tank so heaters dont bother me but i will have a play around when i am making it

#22 Jezza

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 06:46 PM

you know, you could also make a mini version to use as an internal filter...

Hey fella's, what do you estimate the final cost would be for them? i know PVC fittings aint cheap and there is the cost of the pump...i'm just wondering if its worth doing as you can get cheap cannisters that work well and last a long time. im not trying to discourage anyone, just thinking realisticaly...

#23 bentaz1

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 07:23 PM

sure you could just buy one, but wheres the fun in that?
if your not in the shed makin stuff you have to talk to your family lol!

#24 seriavo

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 09:03 PM

Betaz has hit the nail on the head.............heheh

it prob cost me around a decent canister filter but prob 3 times the filter area

#25 Blakey

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Posted 18 January 2008 - 09:28 PM

my dad can get all the parts cost price through his business so should cost under $100

#26 Jezza

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Posted 19 January 2008 - 06:06 AM

lol - yeah that is true - it is more fun and satisfying to build it yourself
$100, thats not bad

#27 Warby

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Posted 24 January 2009 - 01:28 PM

Hey I just came across this and I'm curious how your filter design worked out if you ended up doing it blakey?

#28 ibm450

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Posted 14 February 2010 - 08:49 PM

intersting, are there any pic's to go along with this DYI filter. any one tried a DYI algae scrubber?


#29 gilz

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Posted 20 October 2010 - 07:21 PM

not sure ill get a reply off this given how long it has been inactive but ill try anyway

i'm planning on making one of these filters
i have a 150 litre tank so in theory i would use a 450 litre odd pump
but i'm thinking given how much it has to pump through and how far it has to pump
this will equate to far less than that

any suggestion as to what size pump i would use??


#30 Kieran

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Posted 20 October 2010 - 08:10 PM

How high will you be pumping? I'd look at an eheim compact 1000 or similar. I'd guestimate that'd give you about 400L/hr after pumping up through media?

Also, if you oversize your pipes you will have fewer problems with friction. Try 1" PVC or larger and the water will flow faster.

#31 Skuts

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Posted 20 October 2010 - 08:12 PM

i would use something like a 800-1000lph pump it soon dies in the back side once you get a head of water and some filter media through, just my opinion though

#32 gilz

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Posted 20 October 2010 - 08:46 PM

ok great
i thought as much
i have a 1000l an hour filter i won't be using soon
i might try running it off that to start with and see how it goes.
can always invest in a more powerful one later on if i need too
thanks

#33 gilz

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Posted 21 October 2010 - 09:00 PM

does anyone have any thoughts on whether a filter like this could actually rival something like an aqua one 1200
or the equivalent with eheim, fluval etc
i made one today
it has at least 4 chambers for different media
is tight down the sides so water will be forced through the media
and holds 12 litres of water when full


i was trying to think of some drawbacks when compared to a proper canister filter
but assuming i use high quality media and determine the optimal pump size to get a good flow rate through the filter and back into the tank
i couldn't think of anything that this filter won't be able to do that the real ones can

any thoughts??

hopefully if something is pointed out i may be able to work out how to fix it

because it cost me like $60 to make. which is loose change compared to some of the filters out there

and the best thing about it is that i could have easily made it twice the size
and theres no real limit as to how much water you can pump through it
you can add a second pump a third pump
you could have 5 outlets drilled into the base
thicker pipe
more chambers

endless possibilities as far as i can tell

correct me if i'm wrong about any of this



#34 Skuts

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Posted 22 October 2010 - 04:50 PM

Post a pic for us


#35 Riggers

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Posted 06 May 2011 - 10:21 PM

This may sound like stating the obvious but for all the trouble why not just run a sump under, next to, behind your tank and you could put as much media as you can fit in there? As well as being able to put heaters etc simply and easily inside..When I say sump I mean think outside the box, what's wrong with a couple of 60lt plastic containers, that's 120lt of media capacity!! Is the attraction having an enclosed unit as opposed to an open sump? If so what about a sump with a lid? What are your thoughts?

Nick smile.gif

#36 dazzabozza

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Posted 06 May 2011 - 11:58 PM

Hey Nick

A sump is only as good as the return that feeds it. You either have to drill a drain or build a siphon overflow which can take a bit to master.

The pro of the canisters is they're a sealed, pressured system where the siphon is a lot less likely to fail. Also quieter, less issues of increased evap and noise.

It all comes down to the system you want that suits your setup. I've had good results running sump trickles in the past, extra aeration and large media are great plusses, but it's unlikely I would do it again in my house unless it's semi-enclosed. Was too noisy and I started getting mould issues.

Daz

#37 Riggers

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Posted 07 May 2011 - 08:02 AM

Cheers Daz

It's always good to hear what other people are doing and how they are running there setups smile.gif
If I ever invent the next best thing in canisters I'll be sure to let you know smile.gif

Nick smile.gif




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