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ok i tend to think sometimes a little differently from others... i was wondering if there is any way to make a cheap canister filter out of say a 3 gallon bucket. just looking to see if anyone has suggestions, or maybe im just full of .... im not sure

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Hi,
Check out:

http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9612/msg00308.html
or
http://www.fishforums.com/forum/diy-do-yourself/5349-diy-canister-filter.html
or
http://www.circlecityaqclub.org/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=840

These are but three of several that I turned up.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

ok i know i just posted but i was in the kitchen and i had an idea... use a 3 gallon bucket and a collender as a tray for the carbon and silicon it in place. then get some bio balls for the bottom part. then cut a hole at the bottom and put some tubing to a pump for the return

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thank you frank as usual... ill keep my eye out for more

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Your idea sounds like a wet/dry filter. You could do your idea, or you could use a spare tank, some plexi, some silicone and some skills to make yourself a nice sump type wet/dry filter.

This has a few benefits. There are a lot more choices for you to choose from in the way of media, placement, sizing of media, ease of cleaning (your idea sounds tough to clean, at least the bottom part with it b eing sealed off) and better visibility for problems. Also a bigger sump adds to the volume of the tank, thus increasing stability and stocking options for the tank.

They're fairly easy, cool to look at and better

i've been on the hunt for this myself... just go to google or yahoo and search for DIY caniters or filter or any combination. Theres many ideas (not really plans) on building your own.

Theres also one or two on making your own inline heater.

These are on my project list as well

Fish tanks are an expensive addiction

ok well i was looking around today. things i found 3 round trays with screen bottoms. they slide right into a 3.5 gallon bucket. i figured that you could stack the 3, top one being a foam prefilter, 2nd carbon, 3rd bio media. and make sure to put a spacer in the bottom to make room for a pump to return the water... the only thing is what kinda pump should i use for a 29 gal tank, using this 3 gallon bucket setup.

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Hi,
Remember that in general a filter should turn the tank over
about 4 times an hour, and choose a pump that will move
that kind of water.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

so for a 29 gallon; a pump in the 120 gph will work right... or should i get a stronger one to compensate for the return line being lower than the tank

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Hi,
120-130 would be fine I think. If you go too high then
the currents could present a problem to plants and to the
fish. Too low, and of course the filter effiency is shot.
I remember seeing, somewhere a chart of the various pumps
and the head pressure. You want to find something that
will pump about 120G/hour into a 4-5 foot head (rise) in
tubing.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

yeah 120 is what i figured. i wasnt sure about the head-pressure.

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ok i forgot on the last post, i was looking for some tubing for the intake and return. what would be a good size? (thickness)

*click *flash *click "whered he go???"

Hi,
I dont have a canister filter. However, I would go to
an LFS and look at the canister filters that they have
for sale and find one that would be right for your tank.
I would then use the same diameter hose as that one did.

Just because it is a DIY project, does not mean that you
have to "reinvent the wheel," use what they use.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

For tubing you could go to the hardware store where there is a wide selection. Also it can be a pain to match fittings to tubing bought at the LFS. For a 29 gallon tank I would use 1/2 to 5/8 I.D. tubing. The smaller the tubing the harder the pump has to work, with bigger tubing the water will flow with less presure. Have fun. Please keep us posted.