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Thread: Super cheap DIY canister filter

  1. #1
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    Super cheap DIY canister filter

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    I play around this lock n lock canister jar to make a super cheap canister filter. I cannot guarantee that this would work for extended time before it fails (leak), but initial testing proves it does not leak even at 3 feet worth of water pressure. Just to be safe side, it is good to run this one at tank level.

    I reckon you can do it for less than $20.
    The downside is, you dont have a pump placed in the canister. All the water source have to be pumped from main tank. A pump inside the canister would cause in great risk of leaking due to extra hole for power line not properly secured by just using silicone or glue gun.

    The pictures explains it all

    Lock n lock canister jar, 4L size


    Plumbing components


    Some of the equipments (most homes usually have them)




    Top side secured




    Bottom part secured




    Done


    Testing
    Last edited by medicineman; 16th Jan 2009 at 22:52.

  2. #2
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    An old hobbyist ever told on this before. Is nice to see it appear here letting everyone know with the actual thing make. You can use round one also, it'll look like classic Eheim. LOL. Just install a small pump and it works like wonder.

    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! TIME TO LAY BACK AND RELAX!
    A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step

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    Quote Originally Posted by blue33 View Post
    An old hobbyist ever told on this before. Is nice to see it appear here letting everyone know with the actual thing make. You can use round one also, it'll look like classic Eheim. LOL. Just install a small pump and it works like wonder.
    You can make your own line of cannister filter leow! Blue33 Cannister! Wa ha ha ha ha ha ha

    Medicine man bro... Looks really good! Can't wait to see more pics!

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    I think i can open a shop, so many thing to offer, you can be my assistant. LOL

    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! TIME TO LAY BACK AND RELAX!
    A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step

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    Quote Originally Posted by blue33 View Post
    I think i can open a shop, so many thing to offer, you can be my assistant. LOL
    Can can... Heh heh...

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    With such ideas popping up, I'm gonna hang around here more often

    Medicineman,
    Which is the intended intake and output? If the intake is at the lid, maintenance will be so much easier because the debris and mulm will be trapped within the first layer of filter media. These can be cleaned or replaced without disrupting the bacterial colonies in the lower media layers.

    Where is the pump located? If a submersible pump is used to feed water into the filter, there will be active pressure build-up once the clogged media layer reduces the flow to the outlet. If pump is located after the outlet, sucking instead of pumping more water in, then passive pressure is relatively harmless. Your pump will also run cleaner.

    Just to nickpick a bit... a round lid will always have better peripheral seal than square or rectangular lids.

    Over all, nicely done!
    I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
    Ronnie Lee

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    I have just tested it using bucket, some hose and a powerhead to feed the canister.

    Turns out the stock canister cap is not as strong as I have tested conventionally, without proper sealing and water input of course. At just 20-30cm below the bucket (translates to 60cm of water pressure or so), the cap begins to leak. Sure the plumbing does not fail meanwhile as these are designed to handle much higher pressure.

    Sadly, I must say this one does not work as well as it looks. You just need to keep it level with the main tank, and it should be safe. I ran it for 15 minutes and nothing leaks.

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    Retrofit the PVC parts into a cylindrical container with tight snap-on lid and see if you get better results. I'm quite sure you will. Only point to note is sealing the fittings to a not-so-flat surface.
    I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
    Ronnie Lee

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    Quote Originally Posted by medicineman View Post
    I have just tested it using bucket, some hose and a powerhead to feed the canister.

    Turns out the stock canister cap is not as strong as I have tested conventionally, without proper sealing and water input of course. At just 20-30cm below the bucket (translates to 60cm of water pressure or so), the cap begins to leak. Sure the plumbing does not fail meanwhile as these are designed to handle much higher pressure.

    Sadly, I must say this one does not work as well as it looks. You just need to keep it level with the main tank, and it should be safe. I ran it for 15 minutes and nothing leaks.
    Yup, try the same way before with 800 l/h power head and it leak
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  10. #10
    Hi,
    I built such a Lock & Lock external canister filter in the past myself. It was working well most of the time. But the lid is not supposed to be tight under such conditions. The pump built up quite a lot of pressure and the lid was sucked inwards (a kind of partial vacuum). I I had a 600l/h pump running in a 1l box. From time to time air accumulated inside the filter and when it happened, it exploded. It was quite a mess with a 600l/h pump pumping water onto your carpet.

    Now I stick to Eheim external filters. They last for ever and I'm sure that nothing can happen at all.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert View Post
    It was quite a mess with a 600l/h pump pumping water onto your carpet.
    Lucky I haven't reach to that stage yet . My power head it pumping the water in instead of sucking it out. There when I saw leaking and stop the project.

    I guess the container was not designed to handle pressure.
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

  12. #12
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    There is those metal clip one with thicker plastic, lock n lock plastic is abit too soft for such use.

    MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!! TIME TO LAY BACK AND RELAX!
    A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Begins With A Single Step

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    Well an interesting DIY project...

    The way I see this can serve not beyond a 2ft tank.

    If it goes beyond the cost of materials will be high and not worth the effort... As a new eheim filter cost about $200 plus for a decent model.
    VIPER

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    Quote Originally Posted by Viper007 View Post
    Well an interesting DIY project...

    The way I see this can serve not beyond a 2ft tank.

    If it goes beyond the cost of materials will be high and not worth the effort... As a new eheim filter cost about $200 plus for a decent model.

    Its the fun of discovery my friend!
    If Christopher Columbus thinks like apathetic Singaporeans, then there may not be an America today!!!

    Dun crucify me hor! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

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    Quote Originally Posted by craftsman View Post
    Its the fun of discovery my friend!
    If Christopher Columbus thinks like apathetic Singaporeans, then there may not be an America today!!!

    Dun crucify me hor! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
    I know what you mean... but the purpose of DIY is to low cost isn't it??
    VIPER

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    Quote Originally Posted by Viper007 View Post
    If it goes beyond the cost of materials will be high and not worth the effort... As a new eheim filter cost about $200 plus for a decent model.
    depending on model, 2211, 2213 brand new is less than $90
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Quote Originally Posted by Viper007 View Post
    I know what you mean... but the purpose of DIY is to low cost isn't it??
    Because of hobby
    -Robert
    Aquascaping is a marriage between Art and Farming
    My Blog: http://aquatic-art.blogspot.com/

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    Quote Originally Posted by Shadow View Post
    Because of hobby
    Thanks Shadow!!
    There you go Viper... Nuff said...

    Wah.. very power here... got Shadow & Viper.... ummmm.......
    Last edited by craftsman; 17th Jan 2009 at 15:00.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Viper007 View Post
    I know what you mean... but the purpose of DIY is to low cost isn't it??
    Viper,
    Money is something but it isn't everything. I believe the main addiction to DIY-ing is the satisfaction of grabbing a wild thought from the air, putting it to paper, screwing up along the way, to actualizing what you envisioned (or thought you saw). It is also the simultaneous combustion of enthusiasm and creativity.... that imaginary flashing lightbulb that goes off everytime there's a brillant idea! Even when the idea is not your own, it's knowing you've done it for much less (that's where the money bit comes in) and functioning to your requirement or space restrictions.

    Failed DIY projects doesn't mean one has failed but rather, we found another way that didn't work and the next time, we are wiser. My motto is "better to have tried and failed, than not having tried at all" and often, the components we used in failed projects are hardly scraped but recycled, somehow, into the next.

    I'd like to quote part of posting I made in a parrot forum, when I DIY'ed a nesting box for cockatoo...
    For losing hair between designs... priceless
    Cutting myself while cutting alum... priceless
    Finding my access doors won't open... pricelss
    Getting the measurement not quite right... priceless
    Fighting with the d@mn alum sheet to stay down... priceless
    Having contact glue on fingers while answering HP... priceless
    For everything else, there's always VISA !
    I'm back & keeping 'em fingers wet,
    Ronnie Lee

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    Quote Originally Posted by craftsman View Post
    Thanks Shadow!!
    There you go Viper... Nuff said...

    Wah.. very power here... got Shadow & Viper.... ummmm.......
    Quote Originally Posted by RonWill View Post
    Viper,
    Money is something but it isn't everything.
    Yes yes craftsman

    RonWill of cos money isn't everything..... but saving money is a beauty!

    okokok I surrender!!!
    VIPER

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