Reafer
21-06-2009, 21:13
HI guys i resently got a 4ft tank but didnt have the proper filtration needed and didnt have the cash to buy one. This is my DIY filter build for under R200 and a few hours of work. This is for anyone else that may be in the same seat as me.You will need to adjust the measurements to suit your tank and all parts were bought at builders express
This is my filter , still needs painting and the hood i built last week still needs painting
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/IMG_7598.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/IMG_7601.jpg
it still needs to be finnished , painted and excess silicon taked off and the outlet pipe made longer
As you can see my filter is not a true canister filter because the top end is not sealed , i use gravity to help me out. I tried to find a good water tight containter but the all leaked
I use a powerhead rated at 1000l/h that sits in my tank connected to a hose and to elbows to make a U shape as it comes out the tank, this then connects to the inlet at the base of the filter.
This is were gravity comes in , i made my pipe 200mm( i made it to much i didnt know how much the water lvl would rise) higher than the outlet . the water fills up to about 50mm above the outlet and gravity takes over and u get a good steady flow out the outlet
Parts
20mm clear thinwall hose(inlet) (builders express R14 per m)
25mm clear thinwall hose(outlet)(builders express R16 per m)
2x20mm plastic elbows with hose ends on both sides (R2 each)
1 x 20mm plastic elbow with 3/4" thread and hose connector (R2 )
1 x 25mm plastic straightline hose connector(R3)
1m 110mm pvc downpiping (R29 per m)
5mm piece of glass, for your baseplate (bummed from local glass shop ask for an offcut)
1 x packet cable ties (R10)
1 x powerhead (had it already)
1 x tube silicon (R34)
Total cost R112
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/filter.jpg
Intructions
1.wash all the piping and connectors well before use u dont know were they have been
2.get your pvc pipe and make sure the base flat (if not take a piece of sand paper on a flat sureface and sand the pipe flat)
3.take a 20mm hole saw and put a hole 30mm from the base
4.take a 25mm hole saw and put a hole 20mm above the lvl of the glass of your tank
5.silicon the 20mm plastic elbow with 3/4" thread and hose connector in the 20mm hole by the base
6.silicon the 25mm plastic straightline hose connector in the 25mm hole
7. silicon the pvc pipe on to the glass base plate and let dry for 2 days
8. fill up and test for leaks
9.paint
10. add filter media
11. connect the powerheead to the inlet
12. connect your 25mm hose
13.cable tie all connections
14. turn on
15.have a beer and admire your work
I hope this makes sence to ppl. it was really easy to put together and it works really well and for me half the fun is building the stuff
This is my filter , still needs painting and the hood i built last week still needs painting
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/IMG_7598.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/IMG_7601.jpg
it still needs to be finnished , painted and excess silicon taked off and the outlet pipe made longer
As you can see my filter is not a true canister filter because the top end is not sealed , i use gravity to help me out. I tried to find a good water tight containter but the all leaked
I use a powerhead rated at 1000l/h that sits in my tank connected to a hose and to elbows to make a U shape as it comes out the tank, this then connects to the inlet at the base of the filter.
This is were gravity comes in , i made my pipe 200mm( i made it to much i didnt know how much the water lvl would rise) higher than the outlet . the water fills up to about 50mm above the outlet and gravity takes over and u get a good steady flow out the outlet
Parts
20mm clear thinwall hose(inlet) (builders express R14 per m)
25mm clear thinwall hose(outlet)(builders express R16 per m)
2x20mm plastic elbows with hose ends on both sides (R2 each)
1 x 20mm plastic elbow with 3/4" thread and hose connector (R2 )
1 x 25mm plastic straightline hose connector(R3)
1m 110mm pvc downpiping (R29 per m)
5mm piece of glass, for your baseplate (bummed from local glass shop ask for an offcut)
1 x packet cable ties (R10)
1 x powerhead (had it already)
1 x tube silicon (R34)
Total cost R112
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b365/Soma6969/filter.jpg
Intructions
1.wash all the piping and connectors well before use u dont know were they have been
2.get your pvc pipe and make sure the base flat (if not take a piece of sand paper on a flat sureface and sand the pipe flat)
3.take a 20mm hole saw and put a hole 30mm from the base
4.take a 25mm hole saw and put a hole 20mm above the lvl of the glass of your tank
5.silicon the 20mm plastic elbow with 3/4" thread and hose connector in the 20mm hole by the base
6.silicon the 25mm plastic straightline hose connector in the 25mm hole
7. silicon the pvc pipe on to the glass base plate and let dry for 2 days
8. fill up and test for leaks
9.paint
10. add filter media
11. connect the powerheead to the inlet
12. connect your 25mm hose
13.cable tie all connections
14. turn on
15.have a beer and admire your work
I hope this makes sence to ppl. it was really easy to put together and it works really well and for me half the fun is building the stuff