DIY Canister...

[phonemaster]

Anyone ever try building one of these.... maybe out of acrylic?

Seems like the hardest part would be making a top that keeps a watertight seal.

[Jak Crow]

Not much point when you can get a good canister filter for $50 now, and you'd probably end up spending more on materials to build one.

[phonemaster]

I guess the point would be that you could build one to your specifications, maybe larger or smaller or more trays, etc. depending upon what you wanted. Like lets say you wanted to build a canister filter that was the size of a 5 gallon bucket. I havent seen anything like that on the market.

[Alex]

Here is a small DIY canister filter project(not mine). http://www.aquaticsbykr.com/DIYCanisterFilter.htm

Alex

[mogurnda]

Seems like the hardest part would be making a top that keeps a watertight seal.
Using a large diameter (3-4") threaded PVC end cap/male adaptor makes a nice, removable, sealable top. Then drill and add fittings as desired.

[beviking]

Originally posted by phonemaster
I guess the point would be that you could build one to your specifications, maybe larger or smaller or more trays, etc. depending upon what you wanted. Like lets say you wanted to build a canister filter that was the size of a 5 gallon bucket. I havent seen anything like that on the market.

I had that idea after seeing an old Eheim stored in the attic at work. It looked like a 5 gal bucket (literally!) with a bunch of thumb screw type latches to hold the top on. Hose in at the top and bottom and pump on top. Finding the round trays that went inside might be tricky, but anything is possible with the internet!

[caffeine]

I was going to attempt to build my own, similar to the one on the link posted above, but really it's hard to beat the prices on many of the canister filters already available. After parts and pump and stuff you're usually better off just buying one. Unless of course you were trying to make a huge 5 gallon one.