DIY canister with HD buckets?

captmicha

captmicha

Members
I kept being told that these always fail sooner or later, even with the screw on lids, so I’ve never done one.

Then a few people told me to put the pump on the output, not the input, and that’ll reduce pressure and keep it from leaking.

Any thoughts?

I really, really don’t want a bunch of water on the floor. But ready made filter prices these days make multiple tank keeping expensive.
 
FishEggs

FishEggs

Well-Known Member
I've tried it with the pump on the return side and I couldn't get the lid to stop leaking.
It's risky enough with regular manufactured canister filters I wasn't gonna keep trying with 220 gallons at stake.
 
captmicha

captmicha

Members
FishEggs said:
I've tried it with the pump on the return side and I couldn't get the lid to stop leaking.
It's risky enough with regular manufactured canister filters I wasn't gonna keep trying with 220 gallons at stake.
Click to expand...
I’d really like to know how people are getting these to work!

I’m going to look for something with a clamp or a house water system filter canister.
 
Jeff721

Jeff721

Members
I am working on something right now. I will keep this thread posted. This concept will use a 5 gallon (filter) and 2 gallon (prefilter) bucket stack and working more like a closed sump. HD, Dollar Store, and a specialized pump. You’ll need a tank inlet/outlet with a siphon-break at a depth that would only allow +/-5 gallons to drain in the event of a pump failure. Divide the fluid capacity (gallons) of the tank by the height to determine gallons/inch, then you’ll know the relative depth for the siphon break.

When I am done, the design will be scalable and you would choose a pump to fit your flow needs. Mine will be set up with an 1100gph unit and an air pump. The way that I will set it up, there will be more capacity and hopefully better filtration that an FX6. The sacrifice will be ease of use. Off-the-shelf solutions are specifically manufactured to balance consumer experience with functionality. My design is more of a balance of being cheap and functional. Won’t be a pain, but every step to make it easier adds a cost.

Like I said, I will post more as I go. I think I have all of the materials I need now, save for media.
 
JLW

JLW

CCA Members
A SunSun or similar brand filter can be had on Amazon for under $100, depending on size and model. I'm not endorsing them, and they're not really great filters, but they're going to be at least as good as a bucket, with better media flow through. By the time you buy a bucket, get the good sealing lid, get it properly sealed and plumbed, get media, and get a pump, you're going to spend more than one of those. And the SunSun isn't going to fail right away. :)

Honestly, if I was going to DIY an inexpensive filter set up, I would get a cheap glass drill bit, put a bulkhead in the tank, and use a small tank as a "sump" with a bunch of mattenfilter or something in it. Heck, take your bucket, drill it full of holes, and fill it with media. Then stick it into the tank, put the pump outside, and use it as a giant media tower in your sump filter. Drilling glass is /really/ not hard, and you can do it with a stupid cheap drill bit (like $5). Sure, you'll only get a couple uses out of it, but how many of these are you making? :) And, a /good/ glass cutting bit isn't that much, either. ( https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diamond-coated-glass-drill-bits.html )
 
Jeff721

Jeff721

Members
Josh, I largely agree. For someone with the access and tools, a sump is the king of filtration.
$14 buckets
$15 air pump
$5 airstone and check valve
>$15 in plumbing (I had it all, but recognize not everyone does.)
$7 bulkhead
$30 Danner 900gph pump from a previous auction
$20 misc.

Admittedly, I am in at about the level of a SunSun. Worst of all, it’s mostly plastic. What I spent was considerably less based on what I had. If you haven’t got tools and advanced knowledge or ability to follow instructions, then you’re best going store bought.

If however, you are still curious, I jammed together some plumbing parts and filmed the near finished concept.


Video Link to YouTube
 
JLW

JLW

CCA Members
Jeff721 said:
Josh, I largely agree. For someone with the access and tools, a sump is the king of filtration.
$14 buckets
$15 air pump
$5 airstone and check valve
>$15 in plumbing (I had it all, but recognize not everyone does.)
$7 bulkhead
$30 Danner 900gph pump from a previous auction
$20 misc.

Admittedly, I am in at about the level of a SunSun. Worst of all, it’s mostly plastic. What I spent was considerably less based on what I had. If you haven’t got tools and advanced knowledge or ability to follow instructions, then you’re best going store bought.

If however, you are still curious, I jammed together some plumbing parts and filmed the near finished concept.


Video Link to YouTube
Click to expand...
JEFF! Good to "see" you around. It's been a long time, bud.

Your filter contraption looks incredibly scary to me -- I don't know that I would feel comfortable with that anywhere but my basement fishroom. LOL. And I think you went over the cost of a comparable SunSun. Heck, this one even has UV:

Again, I am not endorsing or recommending Sunsun - and they're pretty low down on my list of choice canisters (though not the absolute bottom)... but, still -- for ease of putting together and piece of mind, vs "I Joeyed it," I'm going with one! LOL
 
dogofwar

dogofwar

CCA Members
The absolute easiest DIY filter is a dump filter (basically a sump on top of the tank).

Find a plastic bin. Drill 2-3 holes in it - one for water input and the others for water to "dump" back into the tank via gravity. Fill the bin with bio balls, lava rock, or scrubbies or whatever. Put a piece of plastic with little holes in it over top of the bio media (to distribute the water pumped from the tank over the bio balls). Add a piece of filter fluff on top if you want mechanical filtration.

Find a way to secure the bin on top of the tank (I use 1" wood strips). Run a pump or powerhead from the tank through one of holes in the bin (I like to use PVC and a fitting screwed into the bottom of the bin, but you can use a piece of flexible tubing over the outlet of the pump/powerhead).

Turn the pump on and you've got a filter with massive bio capacity...basically for the price of a bin and a powerhead.

"But Matt, plastic bins are ugly," you might say. So find a nicer looking bin. And/or add Pothos or other plants to it to hide it.

You could also do basically the same thing with a bucket on top of your tank :)
 
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