Anyone ever try using a pond filter for their aquarium? I have a 125 gal tank and was wondering if a pond filter would work as well as a canister filter. They seem to be priced a bit less and woudl seem to have better flow rates and efficiencies.
Thanks in advance.
Pond filters for aquarium
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Guest_vmahaffe_*
, Mar 20 2007 09:45 PM
11 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_dmarkley_*
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Posted 21 March 2007 - 11:36 AM
Anyone ever try using a pond filter for their aquarium? I have a 125 gal tank and was wondering if a pond filter would work as well as a canister filter. They seem to be priced a bit less and woudl seem to have better flow rates and efficiencies.
Thanks in advance.
I see no real reason why you could not. But its certainly going to be noisy if my pond filter is any example. When its outside, its not a big deal. Inside it would drive me crazy.
#3
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 21 March 2007 - 08:14 PM
Not sure what kind of filter you are talking about... I am running a pond type pump to circulate water to three aquariums (two are about 2 feet above the pum, one is on the level above that, maybe 6 feet off the ground). But I am not using any real filter on that, just the cage to keep stuff out of the pump, and lots of plants in the various tanks.
Anyone ever try using a pond filter for their aquarium? I have a 125 gal tank and was wondering if a pond filter would work as well as a canister filter. They seem to be priced a bit less and woudl seem to have better flow rates and efficiencies.
Thanks in advance.
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#4
Guest_Skipjack_*
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#5
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 21 March 2007 - 08:51 PM
Or even cheaper, the 5 gallon bucket.
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#6
Guest_vmahaffe_*
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Posted 21 March 2007 - 09:02 PM
5b_2.jpg 6.22KB
0 downloadsLike this. It seems to have biological and mechanical. I have 3 Emperor 400's, but with the live plants, I seem to have a lot of debris build up. Kind of a pain to take them off to clean them out.
#7
Guest_ashtonmj_*
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Posted 22 March 2007 - 09:18 AM
How do you prevent the 5 gallon bucket from overflowing? I'm assuming that gravity enough that when paired up with a propre prump you have a continuous flow without the worry of the top bursting or at least leaking? Any specs on the system?
#8
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 22 March 2007 - 09:35 AM
the homemade bucket filters ive seen drain through a bulkhead fitting near the bottom, so its really a trickle filter. The bucket lid therefore does NOT need to seal tight. the bulkhead fitting is the only place you gotta watch for leaks. use a fat soft rubber washer, silicone, shoe-goo or whatever so the flat part of the fitting can seal against the curved bucket. hmmm.. are there bulkhead fittings made to fit on curved surfaces ?? any opinions on the best glue that adheres to a polyethylene bucket ??
How do you prevent the 5 gallon bucket from overflowing? I'm assuming that gravity enough that when paired up with a propre prump you have a continuous flow without the worry of the top bursting or at least leaking? Any specs on the system?
#9
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 22 March 2007 - 11:48 AM
The lid to the bucket is not tight fitting, and is really there only to hold the spraybar that disperses the water on the media. The bucket contains lava rock from Home Depot, and floss for mechanical filtration. Actually the polyester floss is from a craft store, pillow stuffing, cheaper, and as effective.
The bulkhead is at the bottom of the bucket, and provides for the water return. The bulkhead is simply a threaded 3/4 barb fitting with a metal washer, then a rubber washer, inserted into the hole drilled in the bucket. On the inside is another rubber washer, metal washer, and appropriate female pvc fitting. I bought rubber gasket material from the hardware store, and made my own washers. When tightened up the bucket flexes enough to become flat in the compressed area. No leaks.
Depending on the size of the pump, the bulkhead can be larger, or extras can be added.
As cheap as this filter is, it is amazingly effective. Beats cannisters hands down, because it is basically a wet/dry without a sump.
The drawback is that it is mounted above the tank. Does not bother me as all my tanks are basement tanks, and down there anything goes. Function over form. I do not think I would get away with it in my living room.
The bulkhead is at the bottom of the bucket, and provides for the water return. The bulkhead is simply a threaded 3/4 barb fitting with a metal washer, then a rubber washer, inserted into the hole drilled in the bucket. On the inside is another rubber washer, metal washer, and appropriate female pvc fitting. I bought rubber gasket material from the hardware store, and made my own washers. When tightened up the bucket flexes enough to become flat in the compressed area. No leaks.
Depending on the size of the pump, the bulkhead can be larger, or extras can be added.
As cheap as this filter is, it is amazingly effective. Beats cannisters hands down, because it is basically a wet/dry without a sump.
The drawback is that it is mounted above the tank. Does not bother me as all my tanks are basement tanks, and down there anything goes. Function over form. I do not think I would get away with it in my living room.
#10
Guest_scottefontay_*
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 08:28 AM
in teh 5 gallon bucket, if the pump dies or the power goes out does the bucket empty out and overflow a tank?
#11
Guest_Skipjack_*
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 03:04 PM
in teh 5 gallon bucket, if the pump dies or the power goes out does the bucket empty out and overflow a tank?
Not at all, there is very little water in the bucket, as it drains into the tank continuously.
#12
Guest_scottefontay_*
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Posted 28 March 2007 - 04:06 PM
Okay, so the bucket is not full, the water just trickles over the growth/filter media and drains out the bottom. One thing that could be added to that is to put the drain up off of the bottom 3 or 4 inches to catch and collect some additional sediment. Nice job and way to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid)
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