new Idea for a external filter

Ok I have been looking at ideas for a filter that is not inside the tank because that takes up to much space....
So I have decided to try and build a filter that will be mounted on the top of the tank in side the lid...
what I needed.....
1. 1m trunking (100mmx100mm) can get it at any hardware store
2. Glass gut to size. PG glass
3. Fittings for the pips and pumps - LFS
4. Pumps and pipes - LFS
5. Silicone (Marine) - Hardware Store

so I have started putting it all together and this is what I have so far....




The hole is were the water will return to the tank..


and the lid.... the pipe fitting is were the ware will be pumped into the filter.


Let me know what you guys think. :smile1:

 

Looking good dude.

What filter media are you going to use?

 

I have a camber for Lava Rock and one for Bioballs and then one for filter floss not sure yet if this will be right so all comments are welcome...

it is for a 1.2 meter tank

 

havin a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what i'm seeing, but i must say, however its gonna look and work in the end, it looks decently built, nice work there

 

That's a really good idea, and should be cheap in the end too.
It might be easier and more sturdy if you used PVC as a divider rather than glass though.
And you could actually make a bit of a waterfall effect into the tank at the end of your filter by just drilling some holes in the bottom.

 

how do the compartments work? over under or what?

 

It's looking good.
A lot of the tanks out of the East are using this concept.
Just make sure that you don't upset the surface too much if you want a planted tank.

 

Very good idea

 

Looking good - saw an external top filter at a LFS +- R 500 with media and powerhead - same concept that you are working on. I think that anything that allows you to move the filter media out-side of the water column must work better ... keep going at keep the pics coming.

BTW I would not have done the glass / silicone thing - would have done perspex or some other plastic and the weld it together with some methylene chloride - yes it is flammable and a bit poisonous but bond will out live the glue on the glass / plastic.

Did you clean the glass and plastic with acetone before assembly?

 

@ ferryman - IT has the same setup as a sump, over under over
@F-Fish I did not clean it with anything other than water and salt

the compartments are spaced 30cm apart so that I can have sufficient filter material
in each compartment

 

OK - just keep an eye on leaks / pull away ... also check that you have ample space for the water to follow the under & over flow. Making it to restrictive increase maintenance and reduces flow volume over time. Since it is glass you will not be able to dremel a larger whole of required. I think Theo used large combs as an screen for an overflow. One could do that to separate media and only have the glass dividers cover say 2/5'th of the channel hight. But give it a bash .. the nice thing is you can pull the glass out and make adjustments - if it was welded - different story.

 

The nice thing about the trunking it seals very well so the glass should not put loos but I will keep an eye on it.
I have tested the filter and it works really great but I have not tested it with filter media in yet that is going to have to wait a while till I get the tank done then I will see what and where I have to modify

 

Hectic Gareth!! This is a good idea! I've been toying with the idea of a drip filter for quite some time now. This would be ideal. Like Gus says though, make sure that if the tank is planted, and you intend on putting in Co2, there is not too much surface agitation.

Brilliant dude. Keep us posted.