Diy Aquarium Filter.

[plecostomus-mad]

i was having a think earlier about making a filter for my 4ft 50g.

i have a fluval u4 and fluval plus 2 at current.

my idea was to connect a hose on both of the filter outlets and having them go to a 3.8ft long x 7 inch wide long tray just under the hood,at the back, just out of view. the tray would have holes in the bottom so the water could be released back in the tank and filter medium would be placed at the bottom..

i would have to work out hole the diameter so that the water being pumped in actually siphons at a similar rate( slightly slower? ) keeping the water level just above the hose inlets thus making no noise as it enters.

the aim is to add to my current filtration and add a waterfall effect at the rear length of my tank.

this is just an idea at the moment but any ideas at all whether or not this will actually work as a '' helpful '' extra filter? i think the flow rate of both filters will be sufficient?and having a mass filter surface of 3.8 ft x 7 inches AND the actual filters with filter medium themselves must be good right?

i was also thinking of putting a filter either end of the tank instead of just at one end. this would improve the filtration of the water i suspect?

any comments, good or bad are appreciated

mark

 

[OldMan47]

I would think that your approach would give you a nice volume for a wet/dry setup. I would be careful to try just putting a hose onto the filters and verifying that each can actually lift your water as high as it would take before committing to going that way. Some of our filters are great at circulating water but don't have the ability to lift the water very high. If you brought in the pumped water at one end, you could arrange the filtration along the length of the filter and still have a nice large area for your waterfall effect at the other end.

 

[bitteraspects]

Most internal filters are rated to operate at 0 pump head. by using them to pump water vertically to a try above the tank you will be putting additional stress on the impeller. This can lead to premature break down of your equipment.
While an OHF can be a very effective method of filtration, it may not be the best idea to use your internal filters for this purpose. Check the manufacturers specs to see of your filters are rated to operate against head pressure.

 

[dgwebster]

at around £13 for a simple pump to lift the water, thats what I would go for and it will also give you a return pump if you decide to go down the sump route one day.

 

[plecostomus-mad]

at around £13 for a simple pump to lift the water, thats what I would go for and it will also give you a return pump if you decide to go down the sump route one day.

hmm....just might do that.