DIY filter?

[patoloco]

My 250 gl tank has a DIY filter.

NORMAL FUNCTIONING:
When the pump is running, water is moved to the tank in the low diameter tubing, and spreaded in the bottom by the holed tube. This system elevates poop and many debris up into the water and then are drawn by the overflow on the left side of the tank. Water passes thru filtration system and goes to the sump.

POWER/PUMP FAILURE:
Pump stops, some water comes down from the overflow and is stored in the sump until power comes back. The one way check valve closes and water in the low diameter tube doesn't come down.

WATER CHANGE TIME:
Pump is turned off. Ball valve is opened and (by syphon force) water is drawn from the tank to the drain. When desired level is reached (25, 15% etc...) ball valve is closed. Sump is filled with new water and pump is powered on again.

 

[chefkeith]

Like I said, DIY is great if you can build something that is better than what is at the LFS, such as a wet/dry filter. The pvc pipe filled with bio-balls filter idea just didn't do much for me. The drawbacks of pvc is that you can't see if it is filled with water or air-locked, and if it is dirty.

 

[adzigogov2001]

Here is what I made

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71704

 

[born2lovefish]

Thanks. I have heard about using a 5 gallon bucket, but someone told me the lid does not stay on. Bakery buckets have very tight lids. They get frosting in them. Anyone every tried the bucket way?>

 

[Disgruntldtoad]

I tried a paint bucket

I tried a paint bucket and although it did work, it didnt look happy (the lid was bulging and little water leaks here and there around the seal.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Here is how I made my filters. Tha Bait Shack <--- click this (scroll down to post 10 through 13) I have a sump with an off line wet/dry. It filters three stacked twenty gallon tanks and a ten gallon isolation tank.

 

[loaches r cool]

Disgruntled, welcome to AC as I see your fairly new here. And BTW, just curious if you realized this thread has been dead for 9 months? No problem though, but usually when a thread is old we should start a new discussion about it. Often time when the thread is revived people start answering things from posts not realizing they arent asking them now, but a long time ago - and in some cases the poeple with questions are no longer following the thread or havent even been on AC since.

 

[born2lovefish]

Thanks for all the replies. I have about $50 in this filter I decided to make. I still have to buy some tubing and pipe to plumb it, which should be about another $20.

 

[ani-mal-lvr]

Kewl!!! I am alwayz lookin for ideas.