Im making a DIY Undergravel Filter for a 55g Tank

[MySpace Mike]

Right now I'm doing a DYI Undergravel Filter for the 55g made from a plastic table from walmart, they come with 3/4" tubing for legs, so i can use the leg tubing for the uplift tubes on it, and im installing the carbon releases into the tubes, and covering the uplift tubes with rubber cufflings from home depot to seal the tops of them above the carbon. For the undergravel bed im using the table tops made from plastic with holes drilled into it, and the gravel bed over the table top of it. I think it should be good for an undergravel filter.


This is my first ever DIY

 

[MySpace Mike]

Here are 2 pics of the finished undergravel filter. Not bad for my first DIY project. Now im waiting on the aquarium sealant to dry, which wont be until tomorrow then i can set it in the 55g tank, and reset my 55g tank back up.

 

[rwilliams254]

Cool.


Out of curiosity, why didn't you just buy a kit? They're not expensive.

 

[MySpace Mike]

Undergravel Filter kit for a 55g tank here in Denver Colorado is around $50, which I dont have. So I made this one total cost of $2 for the aquarium sealant, i had the materials on hand in the house sitting around. Plus it gave me something to do.

 

[rwilliams254]

Ahhh...materials around the house... now I see.

 

[MySpace Mike]

Yeah, had them just taking up space in the storage room, so i figured i would use them for something, and then it hit me to make a undergravel filter for my 55g tank.

 

[jm1212]

very interesting. keep up posted on how it turns out.

 

[Nolapete]

That's pretty cool.

 

[RedScare]

It will have better flow if you make the holes that will be at the front of the tank bigger than the ones in the rear of the tank. The flow is strongest near the powerhead/air stones and that will more evenly distribute the current.

 

[MySpace Mike]

Good to know, thanks for that redscare. Ill be sure to drill the holes in the front of it a little bigger in the morning, then tomorrow night "whoa nelly" im going to drain the 55g, and install it to see how it works, i got a guy who said he'll sell me an actual undergravel filter for a 55g for $15, ill probably buy it, but i want to see if my project works, ya know. ill let you know how it does once i install it and refill the tank.