DIY Lava rock nitrate filter???

MoparORnoCAR

MoparORnoCAR

It's our struggles that define us.
Dec 8, 2005
188
0
0
LaCrosse, WI
I bought a used 55 gallon tank and it included a home made "nitrate filter" made of a soda bottle filled with lava rock and a powerhead on top. Would anyone be able to explain exactly what this does and what maintenance it might require?? if nothing else, my fish LOVE to swim in the current that the powerhead sends out! :)

Thanks.
 
That's different..."Nitrate Filter" instead of Bio-filter. Someone felt the need or desire to make another bio-filter, not hard to do. You could use any type of material (floss, sponge, legos, army men) though the more surface area the better. The water is filtered and then circulated over the media.
Did they keep high waste producing fish (plecos, oscars)? It's unlikely you'll need it unless you intend on doing the same. It won't hurt anything, just another thing to clean. For the amount of space it takes up and having to clean it VS. the benefits in an average tank...I'd ditch it. Keep the power head going for extra current if you'd like...er...if the fish like.:)
 
beviking said:
That's different..."Nitrate Filter" instead of Bio-filter. Someone felt the need or desire to make another bio-filter, not hard to do. You could use any type of material (floss, sponge, legos, army men) though the more surface area the better. The water is filtered and then circulated over the media.
Did they keep high waste producing fish (plecos, oscars)? It's unlikely you'll need it unless you intend on doing the same. It won't hurt anything, just another thing to clean. For the amount of space it takes up and having to clean it VS. the benefits in an average tank...I'd ditch it. Keep the power head going for extra current if you'd like...er...if the fish like.:)
Click to expand...

Bingo, He did have an Oscar in the tank.

as far as cleaning it, what would I do? rinse the lava rocks off???

The fish do seem to really enjoy swimming in the current and I have it set in the back corner blowing towards the heater so it helps spread the warm water....it seems I could do with out it, but it doesnt seem to hurt anything.
 
Yep, treat it just like you would any filter media with beneficial bacteria on it. Rinse it in some tank water. After a while, some of the dead biofilm may plug up the pores and it will take a more vigorous shaking/rinsing to clean. You won't get it all out and hopefully too much won't accumulate and add to your waste already produced by the fish.
Just how big of a soda bottle is it?
 
Its one of the large "personal" sized soda bottle...bigger than a pint but not as big as a two liter.

the powerhead has a draw hose that goes to the bottom of the bottle and the intake vents are cut into the top so it draws in the water through the top bringing it down through all the rocks and gets picked up to the powerhead.
 
nitrate filter

In response to your filter. The filter you have is just another bio filter. It will not remove any nitrate. I sugest water changes to remove nitrate. The reason your filter does not remove nitrate is that nitrate are only removed by bacteria without oxygen. Since there is plenty of oxygen in your tank the bacteria will only break down ammonia and nitrites. Anyone interested in making a nitrate filter contact me at james_fink@yahoo.com and put nitrate filter in the heading. This diy filter will only work if you have a canister filter.
 
:duh: Yeah, he's correct. I was thinking Nitrite and typing nitrate. My bad! All else I said still holds true ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom