Diy Sponge Filter

[Floyds mum]

Im trying to make a sponge filter, i have the air pump, airline and air stone. I tried to make one today but the flat part of the airstone was showing and the stream of bubbles was really strong, way to strong for my betta.
Anyone have any tips on making one/making it easier to assemble?

 

[Tolak]

While this is technically more of a box filter it accomplishes the same thing; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=85297

For less air flow get a gang valve & bleed off the excess air. You don't want to choke off the air supply, this can lead to excessive back pressure, shortening the life of the pump.

 

[Floyds mum]

While this is technically more of a box filter it accomplishes the same thing; [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=85297"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=85297[/URL]

For less air flow get a gang valve & bleed off the excess air. You don't want to choke off the air supply, this can lead to excessive back pressure, shortening the life of the pump.

Firstly: i cant see how that idea would work?
Secondly: whats a gang valve?

 

[Tolak]

As the air bubbles move up the clear tube they move water with them. This water must be replaces somehow, it flows in through the surface surrounding the lift tube. I have a buddy that runs dozens of these, larger, using a margarine container.

A gang valve http/www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/48.jpg has an input from the pump, and allows you to split up the air flow. In your case a 2 gang valve would work fine, one going to the filter, the other opened up to bleed off some air.

 

[Floyds mum]

As the air bubbles move up the clear tube they move water with them. This water must be replaces somehow, it flows in through the surface surrounding the lift tube. I have a buddy that runs dozens of these, larger, using a margarine container.

A gang valve [URL="http/www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/48.jpg"]http/www.arcatapet.com/fullsize/48.jpg[/URL] has an input from the pump, and allows you to split up the air flow. In your case a 2 gang valve would work fine, one going to the filter, the other opened up to bleed off some air.

Ok i take it the plastic tube would have holes in as well as the food container?

 

[Tolak]

The notches in the second picture provide channels for water, you could drill holes as well, as long as they are below the media surface. Holes in the outside of the container can be done as well, this will provide flow in addition to the route through the surface.

I have a similar idea running in a 150 gallon tub, gallon bucket full of gravel, pvc tube with holes drilled, pond pump instead of air driven. It's an outdoor summer setup.

I also have pics of home made sponge filters, I could post these if you would like.

 

[Floyds mum]

The notches in the second picture provide channels for water, you could drill holes as well, as long as they are below the media surface. Holes in the outside of the container can be done as well, this will provide flow in addition to the route through the surface.

I have a similar idea running in a 150 gallon tub, gallon bucket full of gravel, pvc tube with holes drilled, pond pump instead of air driven. It's an outdoor summer setup.

I also have pics of home made sponge filters, I could post these if you would like.

OOOH yes please to the pics (might provide further insight lol)
Ok still sounds abit confusing to me will try it and see how it turns out, will probably try a gang valve to.
The media is the gravel?

 

[Tolak]

Yes, the media is the gravel, as long as there is surface area, water flow, and the media is fish safe you have a bio filter. Increase the flow you get better mechanical filtration as well.

Just to let you know, I am a DIY freak, if I can make it better or cheaper I will. I will not hesitate to modify nearly anything to improve performance, this includes things like furnaces, dryers, and other household items. Building & modifying filters is a piece of cake. Some day I will figure out how to make aquarium heaters cheaper.

OK, this is the finished product, been making & using these for years.

Here's a pic with the sponge slid up, you can see the holes drilled for water flow, pop can tossed in for an idea of size;

I get the sponge larger from a local shop and cut it down;

There is some gravel in the bottom of the pvc tube, sponge tends to float. You want to use open cell sponge, this allows water to flow through, unlike something like a car wash sponge, which is closed cell. The car wash sponge holds water nicely, open cell sponge will let it flow right out. In this application you want water flow. Cheap cushion foam is usually open cell as well, it's a common WalMart item.

You can make these as large or small as you want, mine are made with 1/2" pvc. You could easily go with a smaller sponge & tubing if needed, or larger if you felt like it. I make these for about half the cheapest price I can find them for online.

 

[Floyds mum]

Yes, the media is the gravel, as long as there is surface area, water flow, and the media is fish safe you have a bio filter. Increase the flow you get better mechanical filtration as well.

Just to let you know, I am a DIY freak, if I can make it better or cheaper I will. I will not hesitate to modify nearly anything to improve performance, this includes things like furnaces, dryers, and other household items. Building & modifying filters is a piece of cake. Some day I will figure out how to make aquarium heaters cheaper.

OK, this is the finished product, been making & using these for years.

Here's a pic with the sponge slid up, you can see the holes drilled for water flow, pop can tossed in for an idea of size;

I get the sponge larger from a local shop and cut it down;

There is some gravel in the bottom of the pvc tube, sponge tends to float. You want to use open cell sponge, this allows water to flow through, unlike something like a car wash sponge, which is closed cell. The car wash sponge holds water nicely, open cell sponge will let it flow right out. In this application you want water flow. Cheap cushion foam is usually open cell as well, it's a common WalMart item.

You can make these as large or small as you want, mine are made with 1/2" pvc. You could easily go with a smaller sponge & tubing if needed, or larger if you felt like it. I make these for about half the cheapest price I can find them for online.

huh so i take it with urs u took a tube, put an end on it and put some gravel in, to just above where the holes stop, added another hole for the airline and put the sponge on?
I have proper aquarium sponge, the tank im thinking of using it for will be 29L, but ill probably put it in my 64L to get "matured slightly", what size is the tank u have the filter in, the one in the pic?

 

[razer121]

to bring this back up, how the hell do you start teh filter?? i really have never understood these kinds of diys.....

 

[Tolak]

Plug the air line into an air supply, an air pump. As the air bubbles out of the top it moves water along with it. The water must be replaced, and can't go down the narrow tube so it goes through the sponge via the holes drilled in the tube beneath the sponge.