What can be cooked from squid: quick and tasty

Novice amateur aquarists, as a rule, buy small aquariums and very quickly become convinced that they do not grow well in such aquariums, adult fish feel uncomfortable, and the water height is low for plants. Such aquariums have to be changed to other, more voluminous ones. In large aquariums, the population grows evenly, and more and more often it is necessary to clean the aquarium of accumulating dirt.

As a rule, various mud scoops are used to maintain the cleanliness of the aquarium, regularly remove dirt from the bottom with a hose, and also use special filters... By using filter you can cleanse the water in the aquarium from dirt particles (turbidity,) and at the same time saturate the water with oxygen, which is necessary for the respiration of fish and other aquatic inhabitants.

As needed, activated carbon is placed in the filters, which absorbs dissolved harmful substances from the water, peat to acidify the water, and various pharmaceuticals that can have a beneficial effect on the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Filter designs

Functionally, filters are divided into internal and external.
The designs of the internal filters are ordinary. They are usually small in size and low in performance. They function with a microcompressor that supplies air through a tube. Air bubbles rising in the tube capture water and raise it above the water level in the aquarium. The generated water flow passes through the filter material and thus the aquarium is cleared of dirt. Such filters, in accordance with the mechanism of operation, are called airlift.

External Filters most often used for large aquariums. They are driven by an electric pump that drives the aquarium water through the filter material in the filter housing. These filters are complex, relatively large, and can be installed next to the aquarium or hung on the wall.

The performance of the filters, in other words the volume of water that passes through in a certain stage of time, depends on the volume of air transmitted by the compressor, as well as the size of the filter. Internal Filters put on the ground (day), wall and under the soil of the aquarium. When feeding the inhabitants of the aquarium, it is better not to supply air, so that the food does not get into the filter and does not decompose inside it. The filter must be frequently cleaned of dirt so that harmful bacteria do not grow in it.

In the form of a filtering material, fine or coarse quartz river sand (pre-washed and boiled), as well as synthetic fabric and threads (nylon, nylon, and others) are used. Also, waterproof foam rubber is used as a filtering material, in large pores of which dirt accumulates well.

Aquarists can be offered several options for very simple, but very effective internal airlift filters, which are used to purify water in aquariums with a volume of up to 100 liters. They can be easily done do it yourself from scrap materials.

A box with a tight-fitting lid can be used as a filter housing. To do this, you need to find a ready-made box (made of plastic). You can use a cut plastic bottle or glue it with organic glass.
In order to be able to observe the accumulation of dirt in the filter and to timely clean the filter material from it, it is better that the filter housing or cover is made of transparent material. A plastic tube with a diameter of 15-20 mm and a length of 150-200 mm is tightly inserted or glued into the housing cover. The air atomizer should be used with a ceramic commercially available one. A number of holes of such a diameter are made in the side wall of the case so that snails or fry cannot get through them into the inside of the filter. The filter housing is not filled too tightly with the filter material. It should be noted that the efficiency of the filter largely depends on the operation of the atomizer, since the smaller the size of the air bubbles, the larger their total surface, which is in contact with water, in other words, the water is much better saturated with atmospheric oxygen, therefore, the water flow through the filter material increases. ...

Another internal filter can be do it yourself... A standard glass jar with a capacity of 0.4 to 1 liter is used as the filter housing. Its body is closed with a regular polyethylene lid, in which holes are made for the supply of aquarium water, as well as a hole for installing a tube. A partition is made of a similar cover (filter material is settled between the partition cover).

It does not require a lot of time for assembly and the next filter. Its body is an earthen bowl, in which an ordinary funnel is installed on the filtering material. To prevent the funnel from going deep into the filter material, lining is placed under its edges. The filter is made two-layer of quartz sand and nylon threads. Sand should be used medium-grained with a grain size of 1.5 - 2 mm. The air atomizer, as in the manufacture of other models, should be used ready-made, purchased in the store.

DIY aquarium filter., 3.6 out of 5 based on 33 ratings

external and internal.

Internal Filters
External Filters

How much filtration is needed in the aquarium? This question is often asked by novice aquarists.
Do I need to filter and which filter should I choose?

In most cases, filtering the aquarium is necessary, especially for those new to the aquarium hobby.

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

Internal Filters immersed directly into the aquarium and attached to the machines with suction cups.
External Filters located outside the aquarium. Water intake is carried out through a tube immersed in the aquarium. Through the same tube, water flows back.

An external filter is definitely better:

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

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

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

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

The filter is in the form of a vertical cylinder. At the top 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 upward, and then through the pump and tube - back to the aquarium.
Foam rubber and a ceramic biofilter are used as a filtering part (this filler is sold in any pet store).

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

What do you need 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 one into the other (inside the rubber cuffs). 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);
faucet on the outlet pipe;
to release the remaining air from the filter;
nuts;
pump for pumping water,
for sealing threaded connections and a set of wrenches.

The heart of the external filter is a pump from the old immersion filter.

In the lower part of the pipe, we make a hole of such a diameter that the fitting can be screwed in tightly. We pre-wrap the thread of the union tightly to seal the connection. We twist it with a 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, tk. water did not pass under the fittings.

So that the inlet is always free, I cut out plastic bottle, a kind of cap, 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. At the next cleaning of the filter, (as the water pressure will be weaker), I will drill more.

1 - mesh cap at the bottom of the filter,
2 and 3 -the same thing, but already in the collection,
4 - on top of the mesh we put a layer of foam rubber.

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 upper part - filter cover.

The pump is held due to the fact that the outputs are connected to the outlet fitting with a piece of reinforced hose.

The picture shows an external homemade aquarium filter already in use.

Filter height 42 cm, diameter 10 cm.

A- In the upper part there is a fitting with a tap (water outlet to the aquarium), a hole for the pump wire output.
B- Everything threaded connections it is necessary to wrap with a sealant to avoid leaks.
C- The wire outlet is also sealed. From above and from the inside, plates of of stainless steel, and between them a rubber tube is compressed and put on the wire. When twisted, it spreads out in all directions and hermetically closes the hole. At the point where the wire was broken, I put a switch.
D- I securely soldered the joint of 2 pipes and the bottom plug with an electric burner. After filling with water, here and there the seam leaked. I additionally re-soldered these places.

For the intake and water from the aquarium, I used a glass tube, the one in my hand. The second tube - through which water enters the aquarium.

The first one I fixed on the back wall with a suction cup, the lower edge rested against the ground, the second one I simply hung on the wall, dipping it a little into the water.

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

The filter has been repeatedly tested for leakage. The leaks were repaired about 6 times. Now the filter is in front of the bedside table with the aquarium - until I watch it flow. Then I will hide it behind the curbstone and it will not be visible at all.

The goal is achieved!

The first cleaning of the filter is planned in a month and a half.
Perhaps I will also put a filter element for coarse cleaning on the inlet pipe, so that the filter itself is washed less often.

the cost of an external filter in a pet store - from 1500 rubles. Self-made - it cost me 500 rubles. taking into account the fact that the pump was (only parts were bought).

External filter characteristics:

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

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

If you have any questions about the manufacture or design of the filter - ask. If you have ideas and additions - write, we will discuss!

Mechanical water filtration is the simplest and most effective method keeping the aquarium clean. It is enough to install such a device and connect it to the mains so that the water in the aquarium is always fresh and transparent.

There are different configurations of equipment for cleaning aquarium water, but the principle of operation of all aquarium filters is the same: an electric pump pumps water from the tank through a porous filter filler, in which the waste products of fish and other inhabitants of the decorative reservoir are retained.

Experienced aquarists most often use outdoor multi-stage filter systems. Unlike internal filters, they do not take up space in the aquarium and are highly efficient.

Water intake in such a system is carried out through a thin PVC hose immersed in the aquarium, through a similar tube the purified water is returned to the aquarium. There is nothing complicated in the device of such a filtration and aeration system, so if you wish, you can do it yourself.

Homemade aquarium filter will be in no way inferior to store counterparts, and subject to regular maintenance - cleaning and replacing filter elements - it will effectively cope with its functions.

What is required to create the simplest filtration and aeration system for an aquarium?

Understanding the principle of operation of the filter unit, you can assemble a productive external filter for a standard aquarium with a volume of 100-200 liters from various materials at hand, as well as from inexpensive components that can be bought on any construction market.

To create the simplest filtration and aeration system for an aquarium, you will need the following materials and tools:

drill and drills of various diameters;
jigsaw or hacksaw;
sandpaper;
pump (an old pump from a submersible filter will do);
sewer PVC pipe 110 mm (docking sleeve);
plugs with a diameter of 110 mm - 4 pieces;
cable glands pg-7 - 2 pieces;
cable glands pg-16 - 2 pieces;
Mayevsky crane (device for bleeding air from the filter housing);
ball valve for regulating the outlet water pressure;
transparent silicone hose with a diameter of 8-10 mm;
filter media - highly porous ceramic rings;
foam rubber;
liquid silicone for sealing joints.

They are used as a means biological treatment.

Filter elements for filter

Ceramics (special clay) has a porous structure, and a special shape significantly increases the area work surface on which beneficial bacteria develop.

In the process of their vital activity, they convert the ammonium secreted by the fish into nitrates, which are consumed by the plants living in the aquarium.

Ceramic rings must be rinsed periodically (once a month), and as they become heavily soiled (if rinsing does not help), they should be renewed.

Instructions - how to make the simplest filtration and aeration system for an aquarium

From the elements listed above, you can independently assemble a full-fledged filter for an aquarium using the tools at hand.

Filter assembly and installation

The procedure is as follows:

5 holes must be drilled in one of the plugs, which will serve as the upper filter cover, to accommodate cable glands and a Mayevsky crane. The holes should be 1 mm smaller than the thread diameter of the bushings and the valve.
4 inputs and a tap are carefully screwed into the finished holes. All seams are coated with silicone for better sealing. Since the body is made of soft PVC, there is no need to apply much force when tightening the parts.
The silicone hose must be tightly fitted onto the pump outlet and led out through one of the large inlets. Insert a wire from the pump into the small input.
In the second large inlet, you need to insert a hose for water intake.
For two plugs with a diameter of 110 mm, the flange must be cut off so that they fit inside the pipe. In each resulting circle, you need to drill one big hole for the intake tube (the diameter of the hole corresponds to the diameter of the tube), as well as 2-3 dozen small holes for water circulation in the filter.
Next, we make the bottom filter cover. To do this, we place a ring in a whole plug (which remained when the previous step was completed), on it we install a prepared circle with an opening for the water supply hose.
It remains only to assemble the filter. To do this, a layer of foam rubber is laid on the lower mesh (filter mechanical cleaning), a layer of ceramic filler is poured onto it, then a layer of foam rubber is again laid down and the filler is poured again.

VIDEO INSTRUCTION

Aquarium water filtration system ready! It remains to install the pump, pour water into the filter, close the top cover and place two hoses (intake and clean water supply hose) into the aquarium.

Before starting operation, carefully inspect all connections for leaks. If leaks are found, drain the water from the filter and coat the problem areas with silicone sealant.

Many people think that aquarium fish are the most unpretentious pets. In reality, things are different.

In order for the representatives of the underwater world to feel comfortable, not to get sick or die prematurely, it is required to supply the aquarium with a number of additional devices, one of which is an external filter.

Purpose of an external filter

The aquarium filter is a must-have for modern home fish habitats. Life in an aquarium without a filter is possible, unless there is a large number of living plants in it.

The main tasks of the filter are mechanical water purification, removal of waste products of the inhabitants of the aquarium, as well as the movement of water masses and their saturation with oxygen. On condition correct selection and the installation of the device, the lower and upper layers of the water will constantly move, which contributes to the improvement of gas exchange between the aquarium water and the surrounding air.

At the same time, the upper layer of water emits carbon dioxide and goes down - this contributes to the fact that the fish will not accumulate on the surface of the water, but will be distributed more or less evenly throughout its volume.

Aquarium filters can be both internal and external. The latter, due to the possibility of increasing their volume, are often more powerful and can be installed on aquariums of impressive size. Among aquarists, this model of a filtering device is often referred to as a bucket.

The indisputable advantages of an external filter over its counterpart with an internal installation are:

higher quality of filtration;
ease of cleaning and maintenance;
the possibility of providing for several stages of purification (mechanical, biological), as well as the possibility of softening water by means of additional additives.

Among the disadvantages of the devices under consideration, one can note the high cost and the need for space for its installation.

Purchased outdoor filters

If you decide that you definitely need an external filter, you will definitely think about which one is better in your particular case. First of all, it should be borne in mind that a large number of companies are engaged in the production of equipment for aquariums. The most reliable manufacturing firms in this market segment are deservedly considered:

Eheim;
Tetra;
Jebo;
Aquael;

Tetra

External water filter High Quality will delight its customer not only with the quality of its functions, but also with a long trouble-free service life. You do not have to constantly be in search of spare parts for such a device or face leaks.

Each specific modification of the external filter has its own specifications, including, it is indicated for the aquarium of what volume the device is intended.

Important! The power of the filter, as well as the amount of water pumped through it, can be indicated for an empty device. When loading its canister with filtering materials, these indicators will decrease. Clogging of fillers and hoses also contributes to their reduction during operation.

Based on the foregoing, the choice of a device for filtering water should be made with a certain margin. For example, on an aquarium with a volume of 200 liters, it is advisable to install a filter designed not for 150-200 liters, but for 200-350.

In addition, when choosing an aquarium external filter, you should pay attention to the possibility of purchasing spare parts for a specific model, as well as to the availability warranty obligations and service from the seller and / or manufacturer. It is not advisable to acquire unknown brands that have multiplied on modern market... Of course, they will attract you at a modest price, but these savings are highly questionable and may soon result in additional financial costs.

For those who want not to overpay for the brand of one of the above companies, we can only recommend the Chinese manufacturer Atman, which has been producing equipment for aquarists for quite a long time and has proven itself well both in the market of its native country and abroad. This is one of optimal options for the price and quality.

Homemade aquarium filter

Those lovers of aquarium fish who want to save as much as possible on an external filter, and also have hands growing "from where they need it", can be offered to make a canister filter for an aquarium on their own. This will require:

two plastic pipes with a rubber cuff inside, butted together;
a pair of plugs for pipe ends;
fitting;
small faucet;
electric pump;
nuts;
FUM tape;
spanners;
plastic bottle;
unnecessary CD-ROM;
rubber hose.

In addition, filtering materials are required to fill the filter, which can be purchased at almost any self-respecting pet store, such as:

filter wool;
ceramic rings;
bioballs;
sintered glass;

ceramic tubes;
zeolite;
Activated carbon;
peat.

The very process of making an external filter for an aquarium with your own hands can be described in the form of the following algorithm.

At the bottom and top of the pipes holes should be made into which the fittings will be screwed. The threads of the latter should first be wrapped with sealant tape. Inside the pipes, the fittings must be fixed with nuts.
So that the inlet (in the lower part of the pipe) for the water supply, organized at this stage, is always free, you can make a cap with small holes for it(from a plastic bottle), on top of which to fix a kind of mesh with holes (from a CD).
The selected fillers must be placed on the mesh(each with 2 layers), alternating them with each other.
To fix the pump, use a piece of hose by attaching it to the fitting at the outlet of the filter.
The water intake pipe must be fixed to the back of the aquarium. so that its end rested against the bottom. This can be done with a suction cup. It is enough to hang the water return tube on the edge of the aquarium, slightly submerging it in water.

Every aquarium should have a filtration system that will purify the water, keeping fish and plants healthy. As you know, the waste that the inhabitants of the reservoir leave behind, as well as the remnants of food, suspended particles of soil, are very harmful to fish. Food that is not eaten is oxidized to toxic ammonia. In order for the water to go through all the cleaning steps in a timely manner, it is better to make an external filter for the aquarium with your own hands. It will prevent the appearance of harmful substances that can poison living beings.

How do I design an external filter?

Before making an aquarium filter with your own hands, you should understand how the filtration system works. Biological filtration in an aquarium is the process by which ammonium is converted to nitrite, then to nitrate. Biofiltration is carried out thanks to beneficial microorganisms that live in the aquatic environment. This process depends on the amount of oxygen absorbed, therefore it is important to maintain a constant supply of aeration in the tank using a filter and compressor.

See how a homemade external filter made from plastic bottles works.

To make an external biological filter with your own hands, you should prepare the following materials:

0.5 l plastic bottle for mineral water;
A plastic tube with the diameter of the neck of this bottle;
Sintepon;
Compressor and hose to it;
Aquarium pebbles up to 5 mm in diameter.

The plastic bottle must be divided into 2 parts so that fragments of different sizes are obtained from it. You should get a cup with a neck and a big bottom. The bowl should be directed with the neck side up and firmly seated in the bottom. In the outer circle of the bowl, you need to make several openings through which water can enter the filter. The recommended diameter of the openings is 3-4 mm, their arrangement is in 2 rows, with 4-6 holes in each.

Next, the tube should be inserted into the neck of the bowl so that it fits tightly into it. After the procedure, you should not notice any gaps or holes between the tube and the neck. The length of the tube itself is selected taking into account the protrusion above the structure by 2-3 cm. Moreover, it should not touch the bottom of the bottle. If the step is not performed correctly, water will not be able to flow into the mechanism.

Take gravel and sprinkle it on top of the bowl with a layer of 6 cm, and cover it with a piece of padding polyester. Install the hose from the aerator in the tube, and fix it. When the mechanism is ready, it needs to be placed in the aquarium. Then the compressor must be turned on in order for the filter to begin its work. Useful microorganisms will appear in the operating equipment, which will process ammonia into nitrates, which forms a useful microbiological environment in the water.

How does a handcrafted external filter work?

A home-made external filter is designed on the basis of aero-lifting: air bubbles that come from the compressor rise to the tube from which they come up and lower the water flow from the filter along with them. Clean and oxygenated water enters the upper section of the glass and passes through the gravel. Then the water enters the bowl through the hole, goes down the tube, and enters the tank. The synthetic winterizer here functions as a mechanical filter. This material prevents the process of siltation of the gravel substrate.

External filters chemically and mechanically purify water. It is better to install such structures in a large aquarium with a volume of 200-400 liters. Larger aquariums with a capacity of 500-1000 liters will require several of these devices. Branded external water purification systems are expensive, so it's best to make them yourself. Materials are inexpensive and affordable for everyone.

Another way to make an external filter

For the next external filter, you need to prepare the following parts:

Plastic container with a tight-fitting lid (you can take a box for storing cereals);
Sponge or thick porous material;
Sealed water pump and fitting for attachment to the container lid;
Biological filtration material (medical wool, ceramic granules);
Multiple suction cups, resin adhesive texture.

See how to make an external filter yourself.

Filter making instructions:

You need to take a thin file and make cuts around the entire perimeter of the lower compartment of the plastic container. The incisions will allow water to pass through.
In that Plastic container put a sponge, on it - cotton wool or other element for biofiltration.
Make holes on the cover of the container that will match the diameter of the pump nozzle.
Insert the nipple into the hole you made and secure it with resin or aquarium silicone.
A pump should be screwed onto the fitting, which can create pressure inside the container.
On the wider side of the container, attach several household suction cups.
The internal filtration system can be considered complete. The suction cups will be able to hold the device on the wall of the aquarium.

Such a homemade filter can be mounted not on the wall, but placed on the ground of the tank. The soil will also act as a biological filter. A nozzle made of plastic in the form of a long tube extending outward can be attached to the outlet of the sediment. Then, after cleaning, the water will be saturated with oxygen.

Instead of a small plastic container, you can use plastic canister or a canister made of stainless, non-toxic metal. This design is suitable for large aquariums; large cassettes and cartridges with filtration elements can be placed in it. Service homemade filters need at the same frequency as branded.

If the filter leaks, then check all of its elements:

The clamps of the mechanism are tightly closed. You may have inadvertently secured the parts with glue or resin. You can solve the problem by re-fastening the clamps.
The sponge or suction cup may become dirty in the filter while it is running. Slime and debris can be cleaned off with water. Check the construction for cleanliness monthly.
Damage to the plastic container, which will have to be replaced by redoing the filter itself.

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

Some aquarists believe that it is not worth skimping on the fish and food for them, but replacements for expensive aquarium equipment can be found. Some accessories and accessories, including a water purifier, are quite capable of making with your own hands. Of course, for this you need to know the basic principles of filtering aqua, as well as have some skills of a home craftsman.

How to make an internal filter yourself?

What is necessary?

Materials for the simplest internal aquarium filter are readily available at regular hardware stores. The only exception is the compact electric pump. However, you can also buy it in a construction hypermarket or in an electrical 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 attachment to the container lid;

ceramic granules or rings for biological filtration (for fine cleaning, plain cotton wool can be used as a filtering element);

2-3 suction cups, adhesive resin.

Operating procedure

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

A hole is cut in the container lid along the diameter of the pump connection.

The nipple 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.

At the top of the wide side of the container, 2 or 3 household suction cups are attached.

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

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

If a plastic nozzle with a long tube extending outward is attached to the pump outlet, then simultaneously with water purification, its aeration will occur.

DIY external aquarium filter

What can be made of?

Making such a device at home will take more time.

A round, tall plastic canister can be used as a body.

If not, then a piece of plastic garden pipe will do. large diameter... True, the top and bottom covers will have to be cut and fastened independently.

Progress

First step

A hole is cut at the bottom of the canister, where a metal or plastic fitting with a one-way inlet valve is tightly screwed on.

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

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

Second phase

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

The diameter of such self-made cassettes should be slightly less than the inner diameter of the canister.

In the bottom of each cassette, holes are burned to let water 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 filtering material can be fiber, synthetic winterizer or cotton wool. The cassette with the filtering biomaterial is installed from above so that it is below the pump attached to the canister lid.

If the body of the external filter is made by yourself, then its bottom and cover are sealed with silicone or resin.

Stage Three

Tubing or hoses are attached 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 the stages of filtration and then flows back into the aquarium. Before starting operation, it is necessary to check the canister for leaks within 24 hours by filling it with water.

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

Instead of a conclusion

At home, you can make a bottom filter or, as it is also called, a false one. However, this is more difficult task, which is within the power of real craftsmen.

Quite a large number of aquarium owners prefer not to spend money on expensive equipment. Aquafilters, carefully made by hand, work no worse than expensive branded devices. And the technology and frequency of their maintenance is the same as in the sold models. 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:

If you have ever thought about buying an aquarium and fish, and did not buy all of this because of the price, then you got into a huge percentage of people who think this idea is a very expensive pleasure. Indeed, just buying a fish and putting it in a jar does not mean becoming an aquarist. Real fans of this business make almost all the equipment themselves, select beautiful landscapes for the bottom and buy only fish. A homemade external filter is a popular topic of discussion on aquarium forums where aquarists exchange experiences. We will also try to make the purifier ourselves. Let's consider two options at once.

How to make a glass external filter for your aquarium yourself?

To build an external filter, you will have to work with your own hands, but you cannot do without the help of specialists for some parts of the aquarium. It is about order glass structure with partitions under the filter steps. We will put the filling in small containers, and the design of the case depends on their size. Such housings will be produced where custom-made aquariums are made.

So, in the photo we see four compartments. The first three are for filter fillers, the last one will be preliminary before the water enters the aquarium, where we will install a water heater and saturate the water with oxygen.
This is how those containers look like.
For our homemade external filter for an aquarium, fillers of different fractions are needed, many can actually be prepared with our own hands. Our goal is something like expanded clay and fine fractions of various rocks, like granite and silicon. The largest particles will filter out such ceramic rings. Well, the last stage of cleaning will be either a filler from a ready-made filter, or clean coarse sand.
We fill our containers with all this and send them to the compartments of the glass case.
From the old filter, we take the detail of connecting it to the pipe. All containers are put in their places, in the last compartment a heater and aerator are already installed.
Next, we make a small stand so that the filter is slightly above the level of the aquarium.
And here is the result of the work. The entire system is installed behind the aquarium and its inhabitants are provided with the necessary conditions for keeping.

DIY external vertical filter for aquarium

From plastic pipe and accessories for plumbing works we can make a filter based on a purifier for tap drinking water.

So, we get a pump, a plastic pipe and a plug where we will install the mechanism.
By heating, we will make the plastic pipe a little softer and we will be able to fit the plug back to back. In the future, silicone or assembly glue will provide tightness.
Now we install the pump. We make holes for fasteners, then we additionally fix a plastic gasket for installing the pump itself. Using plastic pipes and accessories, we will connect the pump to the cleaning system.
Now regarding the cleaning system itself for our homemade external aquarium filter. The photo shows that each section is made of the same pipe, but somewhat narrower. We just cut out some of the thickness and grab the pipe with staples. Next, we take plastic mesh and fix the position with silicone.
We install our containers in a flask made of a plastic pipe and a pump on top.
Putting together a household water filter.
How our purifier will work: water first enters the home-made part, then goes to the household filter and is finally purified there.
This DIY external aquarium filter has a technical air outlet so that water flows evenly.

DIY aquarium filter. How to assemble a filter for an aquarium: diagrams, tips

Before you start a fish, you need to take care of the presence of not only a suitable aquarium, soil, vegetation, some decorative elements, but also a filter. You must understand that this is not only a water purifier, but also an item that is extremely necessary for the life of your domestic aquatic inhabitants. And if you do not have the opportunity to purchase this or that model in the store, you can consider how to make a do-it-yourself filter for an aquarium.

The importance of an aquarium filter

No matter how clean water you pour into the aquarium, it will become dirty over time. This is due to the appearance in it of dead particles of algae, waste and other small particles of debris. In order to get rid of all this and keep the aquatic environment clean, it is necessary to install a water filter in the aquarium.

This mechanism has the following functions:

cleans water from inorganic particles;
removes all kinds of solutes from the water (for example, tablets or other medications after treating the inhabitants of the aquarium);
fills the water with oxygen, without which no fish can survive;
creates water circulation.

Undoubtedly, no fish and other aquatic animals can enter any aquarium without a pre-installed filter. But, considering all of the above, it is still worth remembering that if you know how to install a filter in an aquarium and have already decided which model to buy, it still will not create natural running water for you. After all, each filter pumps the same liquid.

How do filters differ from each other?

Before installing a filter in an aquarium, you need to decide on its type, installation location and functionality. Indeed, in every specialty store you will encounter great choice of these devices. All of them differ from each other in design features and scope.

Some, however, do not want to face such a choice and prefer to make a filter for an aquarium with their own hands, simply by examining all the features of purchased designs and finding out which model is suitable for a particular situation.

Types of filters for aquarium

According to the principle of operation, modern aquarium filters of the following types are distinguished:

Mechanical ones are able to clean the water in the aquarium from turbidity and floating particles that were raised from the bottom by the movement of the fish and the compressor. You cannot do without installing such a device. After all, dirt in the aquarium gradually accumulates and, as a result, decomposes, making the water cloudy. Such a filter must be rinsed as it gets dirty. The first sign of clogging will be a reduced flow of water through the device.
Chemical filters to a greater extent purify the aquarium water from organic matter. They remove phosphates and nitrates. These filters need to be changed periodically for excellent results.
Absorption-chemical filters help purify water from waste products of fish and other "animals" in the aquarium. As a rule, such a device includes a constantly circulating pump, a special sponge and a substrate (usually gravel) located directly next to it. It can be installed both inside and outside the aquarium. It should be noted that the main component of each biological filter is nitrifying bacteria, the vital activity of which must be supported without fail. This means that such an external aquarium filter only needs to be rinsed under running water. And in no case should it be dried.

Filter types depending on their placement

Each filter for the aquarium, the photos of which show not only them appearance, but also the methods of fastening, can be installed in different ways. Accordingly, according to their location, the following types of these devices are distinguished:

The aquarium bottom filter is located almost at the bottom of the tank. It has a large number of holes from which air is supplied. Such filters help to clear the water from small blockages. Manufacturers recommend that they be installed immediately before the fish are colonized. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to place and fix this type of filter in the aquarium.
The internal filter is installed inside the aquarium (hence its name). Typically, it consists of a sponge or activated carbon and a pumping device. These filters clog up very quickly. This must be constantly monitored, as the throughput of such a device decreases.
Outdoor aquarium filters are very similar to indoor filters. The only difference is their location.

How to make an aquarium filter yourself?

A good filter device will never be cheap. What to do? How to save money? In this case, we advise you to make the simplest filter for your aquarium with your own hands. To make it, you will need: a sponge (you choose its size depending on the capacity of the aquarium), a spray bottle, a suction cup, a rubber tube, two 20 ml syringes, a small compressor.

Take one syringe. In one part of it, into which the medicine should be typed, make holes with a heated awl. You need to connect the second syringe to the first. This can be done using a solder. To do this, hold the widest ends on the hot plate for a while, quickly connect them and hold for 5-7 seconds. Cut off from both ends the part where the needle is to be inserted. You should now have a long plastic tube.

Take a sponge, make a not wide, but deep cut in one of its sides, insert a part of the syringe with holes into it. Insert a rubber tube into the resulting "pipe", connect it to the compressor. Attach a suction cup to one side of the syringe. On it, your filter will be attached to the wall of the aquarium.

Can I make my own aquarium filter application?

No filter can fully purify the water in an aquarium without a pump. The simplest such device can also be made by hand. To do this, you need to have on hand: a nozzle, a union, a pump core and a tee.

The nozzle can be replaced with a simple pipe. It must be inserted into one of the holes in the tee. After that, take a threaded tap, screw the fitting onto it, and pull the hose from above. On the opposite side, you need to carefully attach a small hose, which will later serve to drain the water. A siphon is put on the end of this hose. It will help protect the pump itself from soil getting into it, which can cause serious damage to the device.

How to properly install the filter in the aquarium yourself?

So, you bought or made a DIY aquarium filter. Now what? How do I install it? What rules need to be followed?

First of all, everyone should understand that a filter should never be installed in an empty aquarium. The container must be at least half filled with water. It is also worth noting that before assembling the filter for the aquarium, all parts of this device must be thoroughly dried. And only after that start installing it. The filter is usually attached to the wall with suction cups at a distance of 3 cm from the surface and in such a way that it does not touch the bottom. To begin with, it must be immersed in water in the off state.

The tube that draws in air must be led out. It is very convenient if a mount is provided for this tube. In a fixed state, it will not move and fall into the water.

If you understood how to install the filter in the aquarium, and did it correctly, then only now you can plug it into the outlet. If the filter began to circulate and saturate the water with oxygen, then you should have no doubt that you did something wrong.

How do I clean the filter myself?

In order to clean the aquarium filter, you must first unplug it. Outside, the device is washed from mucus and dirt, the sponges are thoroughly "washed" in running water. If you have a chemical filter, then its filler must be replaced without fail. In the case of purchasing a biological filter, it is worth remembering that it will be more convenient to have several of these devices at once. This makes it easier to clean each one in turn.