Is it possible to make your own canister filter out of PVC pipe (using a powerhead to move the water)? Thanks!
DIY Canister Filter
- Thread starter dismantle me
- Start date
Anything's possible with PVC and duct tape!
Seriously though, I think that the general consensus is that a DIY canister these days isn't really worth the hassle unless you're going to make something that fits special needs. I spent about 20 or 30 bucks in parts for a DIY filter and ended up throwing it away and buying a Rena Filstar XP2. I regret spending the 20-30 bucks, but I don't regret throwing it away. That's me, though.
Sam
Seriously though, I think that the general consensus is that a DIY canister these days isn't really worth the hassle unless you're going to make something that fits special needs. I spent about 20 or 30 bucks in parts for a DIY filter and ended up throwing it away and buying a Rena Filstar XP2. I regret spending the 20-30 bucks, but I don't regret throwing it away. That's me, though.
Sam
there are a few threads about attempts at diy canister filters and the results some good some not so good.
Im going to buy a powerhead anyways so i guess its worth a shot. I mean the most expensive part is going to be the powerhead.
My reason for throwing mine out was the lack of quick-disconnects, the lack of easy to clean/fill media baskets, and the ability to self-prime. Thats a few. Adding a quick-disconnect feature could be pretty easy, and that would give it the ability to self-prime. If you do decide to build a filter, I strongly suggest you do this. Otherwise, you'd end up either having to empty the hoses before cleaning the filter or end up with water siphoning out of the tank and onto your floor.
http://www.aquaticsbykr.com/DIYCanisterFilter.htm - This is the plan that I used. This dude swears by his.
sam
http://www.aquaticsbykr.com/DIYCanisterFilter.htm - This is the plan that I used. This dude swears by his.
sam
I probably spent well over $100 making the ultimate canister filter out of pvc. I used it for about 2 months, then I retired it because I just didn't trust it. Also it was bulky and ugly. I also ended up buying another rena filstar canister to replace it diy canister. I still have a crap load of extra pvc, elbows, valves, headaches, pvc cement, pvc primer, ect. left over from the experiment. That old junk is just wasting a bunch a precious space in my home now.
So, I shouldnt waste my time or money on a diy canister? Should I just look around for a used fluval or rena filstar?
Not meaning to promote other websites.....but www.cichlidforum.com has a real good thread on this. Just look in the diy area.
Try this one out, (yupp its in swedish but if you test babelfish it may make sense)http://www.zoopet.com/akvarium/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20217&SearchTerms=biltema
I have made a DIY canister filter. This is what my setup looks like, some what. I moved the clear one to the right, added a tee with a ball valve for air release, and made a 3 foot c02 reactor. They work great. I spent about 150 dollars total on it and I do not think it would have been as good as buying a ehiem or any other canister filter. I have two holes drilled in the back right of my tank with 3/4 inch bulkheads in it. On the input I have a rather large custom sponge filter, on the output I made something kind of like a spray bar. I am thinking about making a surface skimmer and adding it to my sponge filter. I am running a mag drive 5, 500 gph. It does not put that much flow into my tank because of the reactor I have but I ordered another mag drive 5 and I plan on hooking it up to the reactor by itself and the other to the cannisters. I really like doing diy projects rather than buying something that is usally over priced. Just about everything with my tank is diy.
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