A necessary accessory for the aquarium is a filter. The filter purifies water from small and medium fractions of fish waste. In pet stores, two types of filters are sold, internal and external. The advantage of the external one is that it does not take up space in the aquarium, it is easier to clean, it is almost silent and most importantly it has different filter elements and greater productivity, as a result of which it cleans water much better. But also at a price it is more expensive than domestic. Make an external filter do it yourself decided by the author homemade.
Tools and materials
Sewer pipes with cuffs and plugs;
Water pump;
Glass tubes;
Hose;
Union;
Mayevsky crane;
Faucet;
Nuts
Sealant or fum tape;
Plastic bottle;
CD
Drill;
Burner;
Glue;
Knife;
The keys.
The filter circuit is simple. Dirty water from the aquarium flows by gravity to the bottom of the filter. Having passed through the filter system, the water is purified and pumped into the aquarium with pomp.
First, the author drills a hole in the bottom of the pipe. The diameter of the hole should equal the diameter of the fitting. Screws the fitting into the hole, after wrapping the fum tape on the outside of the fitting. After wrapping the fum tape on the fitting from the inside, clamp it with a nut. It covers the lower part with a plug and solders it with a pipe burner.
In order to prevent a foreign object from falling into the lower hole, the author closed it with a cap. I cut off the bottom of a plastic bottle and made many small holes in it. On the side I made a cut for the fitting. I also drilled holes in the CD. I connected the bottle and the disc with glue. I inserted them at the bottom. Foam rubber placed on top of the disk (over time, bacteria that will feed on the particles remaining in the filter should settle in it). A ceramic biofilter was poured onto the foam rubber (available at a pet store). Makes another layer of foam + ceramic filler.
The author makes three holes in the top cap. First, the Mayevsky crane is mounted in the plug.Since the system has a closed circuit, air will flow out through it when the system is filled with water. A fitting is mounted in the second hole onto which the tap of the outlet pipe is screwed. All connections are sealed with fum tape. In the third hole, the author passes the wire from the pump. Previously, metal strips and a rubber gasket between them are dressed on the wire from below and above. Twisting the plates together prevents flow through the wire.
Connects the pump to the top fitting with a reinforced hose. Since the hose is durable, the author does not make additional fastenings for the pump.
From above on the crane and from below on the union puts on a transparent hose. Then the author connects the hoses to glass tubes. Tubes lowered into the aquarium. The inlet tube is placed at the bottom of the aquarium, resting against the ground, and the outlet falls slightly below the water mirror.
According to the author, the filter performance is five liters per minute, i.e. water from a four hundred liter aquarium will pass through the filter in eighty minutes. For aquariums over four hundred liters, another water purification system is more appropriate.