self made internal filter

[rareluohan]

Is there a way to connect the output of of under water filter to a container filled with wool foam filter to trapped all the dirt inside? Then every month just throw away all the dirty wool. I am ok to buy a pre filter but need to be able to connect properly to the under water pump. Pls advice.

[paradox]

If i'm not wrong, you can simply connect it this way:

Under water pump -> container (must be air tight) -> tank.

However, a prefilter would be better as it would be hard to find that of a container with all the needed connections already.
Another way which is not advisable is to just use a pail with the wool inside.
Hose from tank --> Pail. Underwater Pump IN Pail --> Tank.
The problem with this is that you have to ensure that the pump pumps out water the same rate as the water entering the pail. And if your pump fails, you will have a flood. So prefilter will be an easier suggestion.

However, the wool also generates BB, so it's advisable to change the wool so regularly unless you have another source for BB to cultivate on.

[rareluohan]

Thanks Bro for the advice. Can i ask, what type of piping can be use for pumping water into the pre filter? I saw in seaview got some impressive design pre filter, can I buy those?

[wongce]

Sorry to say that i doubt it can be done... the so-called air tight container might not be able to take the pressure and burst/leak....if it burst middle of the night or when no one is at home.. then you can say say bye bye to your live-stocks... as your pump continue to pump water from the tank to the container outside the tank.... potential flooding or..."PONDING'' in your house....

It is easier and safer to invest on a simple HOF or OHF (for budget conscious hobbyist) or a canister filter (for hobbyist with a little bit more cash to spend). Btw, the filter wool can be wash and contains a lot of BB(beneficial bacteria). Normally we will not throw them away every wash....

[rareluohan]

If I buy a pre filter, but put it inside the tank with the under water pump connected, will it work? Cos I do not want cannister with the messy piping and they may leak.

[VSGenesis]

DIY filtration anyone?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJBm89MuzU

[paradox]

If I buy a pre filter, but put it inside the tank with the under water pump connected, will it work? Cos I do not want cannister with the messy piping and they may leak.

Yes this will work. But i dont know what the flowrate will end up being. This is what I did when my external canister pump failed. I simply connected a submerged water pump from the tank to the canister, meaning the canister was exactly like a pre-filter, and it served me well for 6 months.