Homemade aquarium filter. Do-it-yourself filtration of water in an aquarium. Homemade aquarium filter

external and internal.

Internal filters
External filters

How necessary is water filtration in an aquarium? This question often arises among beginning aquarists.
Do I need to filter and which filter to choose?

In most cases, aquarium filtration is necessary, especially for those who have recently started getting into aquarium keeping.

There are 2 types of aquarium filters: these are external and internal.

Internal filters are immersed directly into the aquarium and attached to the machines with suction cups.
External filters located outside the aquarium. Water is drawn through a tube immersed in the aquarium. Water flows back through the same tube.

Of course, an external filter is better:

1. the filter does not take up space in the aquarium, which means the underwater world looks more aesthetically pleasing,
2. The external one, containing various filter media, purifies water better than its internal counterpart.

When I started my aquarium, I initially used an internal filter, because... I already had it.
I don’t have a lot of fish: 13 neon fish, 2 speckled catfish, a female guppy and a dozen of her fry. All these living creatures live in a 75 liter aquarium.

You can, of course, buy a filter, but you can also make it yourself!
desire to do external homemade filter did not leave me.
The desire turned out to be stronger

Let's look at the general diagram of my homemade filter.

The filter has the shape of a cylinder located vertically. At the top there is an electric pump that circulates water in our system.
Water from the aquarium enters the lower part of the filter, and, passing through the filter elements, rises to the top, and then through the pump and tube back into the aquarium.
Foam rubber and a ceramic biofilter are used as the filtering part (this filler is sold in any pet store).

While buying building materials and all sorts of things for the house, I at the same time selected parts for the future filter.

What is needed to make an external filter for an aquarium?

As you can see in the picture it is:

• 2 pieces of plastic sewer pipe, which fits into each other (there is a rubber cuff inside). One pipe is possible, but longer (up to 60 ms);
• 2 end caps per pipe (bottom and top);
• fitting (according to the diameter of the outlet from the pump);
• tap on the outlet pipe;
• to release remaining air from the filter;
• nuts;
• water pump,
• for sealing threaded connections and a set of wrenches.

The heart of the external filter was the pump from the previous submersible filter.

At the bottom of the pipe we make a hole of such a diameter that the fitting can be screwed in tightly. First, we wrap the thread of the fitting tightly to seal the connection. Tighten the nut from the inside. In the photo, the nut is also coated with silicone - this is not necessary, I removed the silicone from all the nuts, because... water did not pass under the fittings.

To ensure that the inlet hole was always free, I cut out a kind of cap from a plastic bottle, in which I drilled holes. On top of it I made a grid from a CD disk (also with holes). Water will flow freely through these holes.

You can make a lot more holes than shown in my photo. The next time I clean the filter (as the water pressure becomes weaker), I will drill more.

1 - mesh cap at the bottom of the filter,
2 And 3 - the same thing, but already assembled,
4 - place a layer of foam rubber on top of the mesh.

We pour a ceramic biofilter on top of the foam rubber as shown in the diagram above. Another layer and again ceramic filler.

Photo of the top part - the filter cover.

The pump is held in place by being connected to the outlet fitting with a piece of reinforced hose.

The picture shows an external homemade filter for an aquarium already in operation.

Filter height 42 cm, diameter - 10 cm.

A- In the upper part there is a fitting with a tap (water outlet into the aquarium), and a hole for the pump wire outlet.
B- All threaded connections must be wrapped with sealing material to avoid leaks.
C- The wire outlet is also sealed. Stainless steel plates are twisted together from above and from the inside, and a rubber tube is compressed between them and placed on the wire. When twisted, it spreads out in all directions and hermetically closes the hole. I installed a switch where the wire broke.
D- I reliably soldered the joint of the 2 pipes and the bottom plug together with an electric burner. After filling with water, the seam leaked here and there. I additionally soldered these places.

To collect water from the aquarium, I used a glass tube, the one in my hand. The second tube - through it water enters the aquarium.

I fixed the first one on the back wall with a suction cup, the bottom edge rested on the ground, the second one I simply hung on the wall, immersing it a little in water.

Thus, the space in the aquarium is not occupied by any filters, and the glass tubes are, one might say, not visible at all!

The filter has been repeatedly tested for leakage. The leaks were fixed approximately 6 times. Now the filter is in front of the bedside table with the aquarium - I’m still watching to see if it leaks. Then I’ll hide it behind the cabinet and it won’t be visible at all.

Goal achieved!

The first filter cleaning is planned in a month or a month and a half.
Perhaps I’ll also install a filter element on the inlet tube for rough cleaning, so that the filter itself can be washed less often.

the cost of an external filter in a pet store is from 1,500 rubles. The homemade one cost me 500 rubles. taking into account the fact that there was a pump (only parts were purchased).

External filter characteristics:

dimensions : height 42 cm, pipe diameter 10 cm.
filter volume: 3 liters
approximate flow rate: 5 liters per minute.

That. the filter is capable of passing through the entire volume of my aquarium in 15-20 minutes. The filter does not create a strong current - fish and plants feel comfortable.

If you have questions about the manufacture or design of the filter, please ask. If you have any ideas or additions, write to us and we’ll discuss them!

The water in the aquarium needs constant filtration. Depending on the volume of the tank, an external or internal filter is selected. For aquariums from 100 liters, an external device is suitable, which does not take up space and does not spoil the appearance of the reservoir. To save on purchases, you can make an external filter for an aquarium yourself.

The cleaner is created from scrap materials that are sold in hardware stores. One device is used in containers up to 500 liters. For a larger aquarium, two units are needed. Before manufacturing, it is worth understanding the principle.

How does it work

Homemade external aquarium filters provide biological filtration. Cleansing takes place according to the following scheme:

1. Water is pumped through a tube using a pump.
2. In the device, liquid passes through filter parts. Bacteria convert ammonium into nitrates.
3. Clean water returns through the outlet tube.

After starting, the filter works like a mechanical one, after 2-4 weeks the number of beneficial bacteria inside the filler increases, and natural cleaning of the aquarium environment occurs.

Necessary materials

To construct an external filter, you will need:

1. base (bottle or canister);
2. material for filter cassettes (plastic pots);
3. hoses or flexible pipes;
4. electric pump;
5. fitting;
6. padding polyester or cotton wool;
7. foam sponge.

For an aquarium with a volume of 100 liters, a plastic bottle is suitable, for spacious vessels - a canister or a plumbing pipe with plugs. The material for filter cassettes can also be a kitchen mesh, a vegetable drawer or a container of suitable diameter. New components are purchased, since the old ones contain toxins accumulated during operation. Materials must be non-toxic. Metal elements without lubrication and protected from direct contact with water are suitable. It is better to choose hoses that are durable and without kinks.

The following devices will be useful:

1. silicone sealant for aquarium;
2. spanners;
3. drill;
4. bolts.

Various filter materials are suitable:

1. bioballs;
2. biofilm;
3. Activated carbon;
4. peat;
5. filter wool;
6. zeolite;
7. ceramic rings.

Instructions

You can construct an external filter with your own hands in five steps:

1. Make a hole at the bottom of the canister into which the fitting is inserted. Make two holes on top of the base of the purifier for the outlet hose and the wire from the pump. Using a fitting, secure the pump to the inside of the cover.
2. Coat all joints with aquarium silicone.
3. Make filter cassettes. To do this, holes are made in a previously shortened garden pot. The diameter of the cassettes should be slightly smaller than the canister. A layer of foam rubber is laid at the bottom. The second container contains a padding polyester. The third is filled with filter material, for example, carbon. Combining several types of media will provide more effective filtration.
4. Secure the inlet and outlet hoses using sealant. Carefully measure the length of the hoses. If the tubes are too long, water purification will occur more slowly, and if the hose is not long enough, it will be impossible to install the unit correctly. The sealant dries for at least 24 hours; equipment cannot be tested ahead of schedule due to the risk of leaks.
5. Before putting it into the aquarium, the filter is checked for leaks. The base is filled with settled water. If no leaks are detected within 24 hours, use equipment to maintain cleanliness in the aquarium.

Other models

In addition to external filters, there are other filters for aquariums.

Airlift

Such devices purify water using air. They are gradually losing their popularity due to low efficiency. Inexpensive, they can be made at home. You can make an air filter from a plastic tube. At the upper end there is a square that supplies water. A hose is inserted at the bottom of the tube, on which a sponge is placed.

Mounted

For a small aquarium, you can make a hanging filter with your own hands. A glass or plastic container in which partitions are made is suitable for manufacturing. The first compartment contains padding polyester, the remaining compartments are filled with filter media. Water is supplied by a compressor.

Carbonic

Purifies water chemically, destroying foreign odors and cloudiness. Along the way, useful substances disappear, so constant use is undesirable. This type of device is made independently from metal mesh. Two cylinders of different diameters are made, and plugs are attached to the bottom. The smaller cylinder is placed inside the larger one, the structure is fixed with a self-tapping screw. Coarse coal is poured in, and a padding polyester prefilter is placed on top.

How to care

It is necessary to carefully monitor the operation of the equipment: filtration occurs without interruptions and leaks. As pollution occurs, the power decreases and the water pressure weakens. Filter sponges are periodically checked and replaced with new ones when worn out.

Cleaning

The filter device must be washed with water taken from the aquarium to prevent disturbance of the bacterial environment. The filler is washed with extreme care. Thorough rinsing is detrimental to beneficial bacteria.

A complete flush is carried out every six months.

Differences between internal and external

1. accommodation;
2. permissible volume of filtered water;
3. filtration quality;
4. ability to select filter fillers;
5. price.

External cleaners are more complex in structure, and the price of some models is comparable to the cost of a large aquarium. The quality of filtering of external models is much higher.

Common mistakes

1. When assembling the external filter, the component elements are not properly sealed, which increases the likelihood of a leak. Do not skimp on the sealant when gluing.
2. Neglecting to check leaks or not taking enough time to identify defects can lead to leaks. The adhesive curing time and conditions must also be fully observed.
3. Lack of pump power will not provide the necessary filtration of spacious containers. For an aquarium with a volume of 100 liters, a pump with a capacity of 500 l/h or more is suitable.

If you have doubts about your skills, it is better to buy a ready-made external filter. Poorly made equipment will cause a lot of problems for the aquarist and the fish.

Both professional aquarists and ordinary owners of home aquariums are aware of the importance of cleaning water in an aquarium. For this purpose, special devices have been developed that can be easily found on sale, but their cost, alas, can be too high. Therefore, we invite you to take the opportunity to make your own filter for a vessel with fish. Today we will talk about the external mechanism.

First, let's figure out what an external cleaner is and how it works. Essentially it is a container with a cleaning system built inside.

This model is optimal for the most common size aquariums - small or medium.

Unlike the internal analogue, the external structure is mounted outside the fish dwelling. The device is usually hidden in a cabinet under a vessel, and two tubes are lowered into the water to pump out dirty water and return clean water. Thus, the external device significantly saves useful space inside the vessel and does not spoil the aesthetic appearance of the contents.

Another advantage of the external device is that it is a significantly improved mechanism; it purifies the water as well as possible for the fish to live comfortably.

As for the principle of operation, the external filter simultaneously performs several important tasks - automatic, biological and chemical treatment of water, as well as drawing in various harmful substances.

The water from the tank flows through the intake tube into the filter apparatus. Next, the liquid goes through several stages of purification and is pumped back into the container with aquatic vertebrates.

Depending on the specific model, water may flow from top to bottom or vice versa.

Did you know? We are used to thinking of soil as something dirty, but did you know thatit is the largest water purifier on the planet. ANDIt is the soil that purifies tens of thousands of cubic kilometers of water from year to year. If we draw an analogy with modern filters, the soil has three filtration mechanisms: physical, chemical and biological. First of all, soil particles retain toxic elements. Secondly, due to the negative charge the soil« extracts» positively charged calcium and magnesium ions from water. And finally, microorganisms living in the soil break down elements that pollute water.

In order for the filter system to function without interruption, it must be systematically cleaned, as well as preventive measures must be observed. In the absence of at least minimal care, the device will soon begin to work worse.
The smaller the area of ​​the device and the larger the volume of liquid, the more often the filter should be cleaned. In addition, you can determine the regularity of cleaning your device requires by observing the operation of the filter. If the mechanism begins to function weaker, then it’s time to wash it.

Smaller filters may require weekly cleaning. For large canisters, one cleaning every 2 months may be sufficient.

In order not to destroy accumulations of valuable bacteria, the device is washed with water at room temperature and not done too diligently.
The device should not be washed in the following three cases:

1. if you change the water in a vessel;
2. add new inhabitants;
3. introduce new food.

Another important point is that you should not change the washcloths in the device too often. Wait until the washcloth begins to lose its shape and filtering ability.

Important!Remember that the lack of proper care of the filter apparatus threatens to disrupt the established balance in the fish refuge.

DIY external filter

Let's look at one of the options for manufacturing an external cleaner. Everything you need for this model can easily be found on sale, and the assembly and installation work itself is simple enough that even a beginner can handle it.

Required materials and tools

To assemble the device, you need to equip yourself with some materials and tools. So, you will need:

• two interconnected plastic pipes with a rubber cuff inside;
• two plugs for the ends of the pipe;
• fitting;
• faucet;
• electric pump;
• nuts;
• FUM tape;
• wrenches included in the set.

Selection of filter media

As for filter media, various options are acceptable. A variety of padding polyester and foam materials are used. These are inexpensive and quite accessible elements. They take any form and act as both biological and mechanical cleaners. There is enough space in the pores for beneficial bacteria to settle.

1. - cheap material, suitable for use several times. It is easy to wash, tightly fills the entire space, and protects the device from leaks. Ideal as the last layer of mechanical filtration.
   
2. . They are used to evenly distribute liquids, which will ensure the supply of oxygen to valuable bacteria.
   
3. - plastic filler. Bioballs roll in water currents and promote uniform washing of all cleaning materials. Plus, it is an excellent substrate for the settlement of bacteria.
   
4. . Convenient to use in the form of balls with a diameter of up to 14 mm. Due to a special baking technique, pores are formed in the balls, into which valuable bacteria that process nitrates and nitrites live. The quality of such glass is noticeably higher than that of other natural filtration materials.
   
5. . They are used to settle bacteria in small pores.
   
6. - an affordable, but at the same time very effective sorbent that actively absorbs ammonium from water. Helps quickly get rid of nitrates in the aquarium.
   
7. . There is still debate about the need to use this filler. Only carbon with small granules is suitable for use in aquariums, and the number of pores is important, because the quality of absorption depends on it. How good the coal is can also be determined by the presence of dust and characteristic shine. Before placing coal in the cleaner, it must be thoroughly washed. It is permissible to use this material only in a newly launched fish house.
   
8. - another biological filler. It won’t cost you much, but it will effectively cope with a number of tasks - it will reduce the growth of fungi, lower the pH level, and have a beneficial effect on the condition of aquatic vertebrates.
   

All of the materials listed can be found in any pet supply department.

Important! The filter media must be regularly washed to remove clogged mucus. Also, particles of silt will stagnate in the pores of the fillers. It is very important that they do not penetrate inside the filter mechanism and interfere with its operation.

Project development

The design diagram looks like this:

• the cleaner has a cylindrical shape, the device will be located vertically;
• an electric pump is responsible for the movement of liquid, which must be mounted in the upper part of the device;
• water passes from the bottom of the device through the fillers, and then flows back into the vessel.

Step-by-step instructions for making a filter

Finally, let's proceed to the actual manufacture of the filter mechanism.

The water in the aquarium must be constantly filtered. This is known to all owners of home decorative fish. Pet stores have a fairly large selection of aquarium filters of various designs. However, such a device can be made independently from available material.

Some aquarists believe that you should not save on the fish themselves and their food, but you can find a replacement for expensive aquarium equipment. It is quite possible to make some supplies and accessories, including a water purifier, with your own hands. Of course, for this you need to know the basic principles of aqua filtration, as well as have some home craftsman skills.

How to make an internal filter yourself?

What is necessary?

Materials for the simplest interior are freely available in regular hardware stores. The only exception, perhaps, is a compact electric pump. However, you can also buy it at a construction hypermarket or electrical goods store.

So, for work you will need:

• a plastic container with a tight lid (a container for storing bulk products is suitable);

• thick porous material or sponge;

• sealed water pump with a fitting for attaching to the container lid;

• ceramic granules or rings for biological filtration (for fine cleaning, you can use plain cotton wool as a filter element);

• 2-3 suction cups, adhesive resin.

Operating procedure

• Then a sponge for coarse cleaning is placed tightly into the container, and material for fine cleaning (cotton wool or biofilter elements) is placed on top.

• A hole is cut in the container lid to the diameter of the pump fitting.

• The fitting is inserted into the hole and sealed around the circumference with resin or silicone.

• The pump itself is screwed onto it, which creates compression inside the container.

• 2 or 3 household suction cups are attached to the upper part of the wide side of the container.

In principle, the internal filter is ready. The suction cups will securely hold the homemade device on the wall of the container.

This filter can also be placed directly on the ground. The latter will act as an additional level of filtration.

If you attach a plastic nozzle with a long tube going out to the outlet of the pump, then simultaneously with water purification it will be purified.

DIY external aquarium filter

What can it be made from?

Making such a device at home will take more time.

• You can use a round tall plastic canister as a body.

• If there is none, then a piece of large-diameter plastic garden pipe will do. True, the top and bottom covers will have to be cut and attached yourself.

Progress

First stage

• A hole is cut in the bottom of the canister, into which a metal or plastic fitting with a one-way inlet valve is screwed tightly.

• There are 2 holes in the cover: for attaching the water outlet valve and the electric pump.

• The pump itself is attached to the inside of the cover through a fitting.

Second phase

Now you need to make cassettes, or cartridges, with filter elements. They can be made from plastic flower pots by cutting off the wide top part evenly.

The diameter of such homemade cassettes should be slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the canister.

Holes are burned in the bottom of each cassette to allow water to pass through.

The first cartridge, where the sponge is placed, is inserted into the canister so that its bottom is slightly higher than the adapter with the inlet valve.

Next, a second cartridge is installed, where the filter material can be fiber, padding polyester or cotton wool. The cassette with the filtering biomaterial is installed on top so that it is lower than the pump attached to the lid of the canister.

If the external filter housing is made independently, then its bottom and lid are sealed with silicone or resin.

Third stage

Tubes or hoses are connected to the inlet and outlet adapters with valves. Their length is adjustable depending on the depth of the aquarium and the distance to the filter.

The external aquarium water purifier is ready.

As in the first case, a working pump creates pressure, under the influence of which water is first sucked into the canister, goes through all stages of filtration and then flows back into the aquarium.

Before starting use, it is necessary to check the canister for leaks within 24 hours by filling it with water.

The main element of the purifiers is the pump. When choosing it, you should take into account the volume of the aquarium. For example: for a 70-liter aquarium, a pump with a capacity of 300 liters per hour is suitable, and for a 200-liter aquarium - 1000 liters per hour.

Instead of a conclusion

You can make it at home. However, this is a more difficult task that real craftsmen can do.

Quite a large number of aquarium owners prefer not to spend money on expensive equipment. Water filters, carefully made with your own hands, work no worse than expensive branded devices. And the technology and frequency of their maintenance are the same as in the models sold. In addition, a self-made device has a slightly different moral value. Is not it?

Video on how to properly make an external aquarium filter:

Experience in maintaining a fairly capacious aquarium shows that internal filters do a poor job of purifying water. And periodically changing most of the water is too much stress for the inhabitants of the aquarium. Therefore, it is better to use an external filter.

External biofiltration is the most effective way to keep the inside of an aquarium clean. This method of water purification provides conditions environment, characteristic of natural freshwater bodies of water.Modern external filters allow you to refresh about a third of the aquarium's volume per week. This is quite consistentconditions of a natural flowing reservoir with low current.

Factory external filters are very expensive. Therefore, it makes sense to assemble this useful device with your own hands. The design of the brand filter was taken as a basis Eheim.

Accessories

To assemble the filter we take the following components:

Pump (fountain pump) RESUN: 30 W, 2000 l/h, water rise level - 2 m.

Sewer PVC coupling with a diameter of 200 mm with two plugs.

PVC pipe with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 4 m.

Filter fillers.

A flask from a household filter.

Taps, angles, bends.

We use these fittings.

The filter will be on the floor. Therefore, a pump was selected that provided a water lift of 2 m.

Filter assembly process

Drill holes in both plugs. We install the fittings using rubber gaskets and silicone sealant.

Since the plugs with seals fit into the coupling too tightly, we cut off a little of the edge of the coupling. Now, if necessary, the structure can be disassembled without any problems by first removing the sealing rubber band. At the bottom of the coupling we make a seat for the inlet fitting.

Subsequently, we will install the cut edge of the coupling inside; it will hold the mesh.

Cut out a suitable mesh from a plastic vegetable box. We install it in the lower plug above the level of the fitting.

Now we install the assembled lower plug into the coupling. Coat the entire area with silicone. After installation, coat all joints again with sealant.

We drill a hole in the cover for the network cable and air vent. The pump turned out to be securely fastened with a power cord and a piece of hose.

We seal the power cable using a fitting similar to those used in street lighting. We install a switch in the wire gap.

To secure the flask, place a bracket under the inlet pipe. The flask will be used as part of the pre-filter. As a result, we will not have to rinse the canister monthly - it will be enough to do it once every six months.

We take a PVC sewer pipe with a diameter of 32 mm and drill many holes in it. We also use a foam sponge for the filter.

Now you need to sequentially fill the filter with fillers.

1 layer. It is convenient to use coarse foam rubber as a material for coarse filtration. In the absence of one, a material similar to a lump of fishing line was used.

2nd layer. Pour in ceramic rings. They will branch the flow of water, evenly distributing its current over the cross-sectional area.

3 layer. We lay fine-mesh foam rubber. In this case, padding polyester was used.

4 layer. We pour in special “bio-balls”. This is a habitat for bacteria (nitrifiers, heterotrophs, etc.). This layer is the most voluminous; it should be approximately 4/5 of the total capacity of the biofilter. Crushed expanded clay, which has a porous structure, can be used as a filler.

5 layer. This is an optional layer. The FLUVAL substrate used looks like ceramic rings, but has a porous structure.

6 layer. In the last layer in front of the outlet (in front of the pump) we place a padding polyester. It will protect the rotor from dirt.

That's it, all that remains is to assemble the entire structure together. Due to the too tight fixation of the rubber seal, the top cover was not installed completely - if you close it all the way, then it will be difficult to open.

Filter operation

When it gets dirty, you need to clean it There is a pre-filter(about once a month). We open the main canister and rinse it every six months. Only ceramics and foam rubber should be washed with aquarium water. Substraterinse as necessary.

At first, the filter will only work as a mechanical one, since bacteria have not yet colonized it. As you work, the filter will gradually fill with dirt, which is a breeding ground for bacteria. They will populate the container, process organic residues into nitrates and thereby perform biological self-cleaning of the filter.

In about 2-4 weeks, beneficial bacteria will completely populate the substrate. Then there are 2 options: either the filter will successfully clean itself, or the contamination will increase. Here you need to focus on performance: if it drops below 30% of the maximum level, the canister needs to be cleaned. If productivity begins to increase (recover), it means that the self-cleaning process prevails over contamination.

There should be no grease on metal parts - oil is poisonous to the inhabitants of the aquarium. It is better to use plastic components.

It is better to replace the hoses with corrugated ones. The lid must be secured with pins so that it does not rip out in the event of a power outage.