While making a sand filter for an aquarium can involve specific designs utilizing sand and gravel layers for filtration, the provided reference describes how to construct a different type of simple filter – specifically, a power filter or surface skimmer – using a common household item like a water bottle.
DIY Aquarium Filter Types
Aquarium filters come in various forms, utilizing different media and mechanisms to clean the water:
- Sand Filters: Often used in larger or pond systems, these filters push water through a bed of sand, which traps particles. Biological filtration also occurs on the sand's surface.
- Power Filters: These hang on the back of the tank and pull water through various media (mechanical, chemical, biological) before returning it to the tank.
- Sponge Filters: Air-driven filters that pull water through a sponge, providing mechanical and biological filtration.
- Canister Filters: External, sealed filters offering multi-stage filtration for larger tanks.
- Undergravel Filters: Pull water down through the gravel bed, which acts as filter media.
The reference provided focuses on a method to create a filter similar in function to a basic power filter or a surface skimmer using readily available materials.
Making a Simple Filter from a Water Bottle
According to the provided reference, you can create a simple filter attachment for an existing intake using a water bottle and filter floss. This method results in either a basic power filter or can be modified into a surface skimmer.
Materials Needed
- A clean plastic water bottle
- Aquarium intake tube (part of a powerhead or filter system)
- Filter floss (aquarium filter media)
- Scissors or a craft knife
Step-by-Step Guide for a Power Filter Attachment
This method turns the water bottle into a chamber that holds filter media, attaching directly to an intake.
- Prepare the Bottle: Cut off the bottom of the water bottle. This creates an open end that will fit over the intake.
- Attach to Intake: Attach the cut bottle to the intake. The open end should fit snugly over the intake tube. Most water bottles will fit over the intake.
- Add Filter Media: Place some filter floss inside the bottle chamber. The filter floss will trap debris as water is pulled through.
- Complete the Filter: With the bottle attached to the intake and media inside, now you have a power filter. When the intake pump is running, water will be pulled into the bottle, through the floss, and back into the tank (depending on the intake system setup).
Converting to a Surface Skimmer
The same water bottle filter setup can be easily converted into a surface skimmer to remove debris and protein film from the water surface.
- Orient the Filter: Turn it upside down... relative to how it was positioned as a power filter.
- Create Surface Skimming Slits: ...cut some slits in the top (which was the bottom of the bottle). These slits will allow water from the surface to enter the filter chamber.
- Position at Surface: ...and have it at the surface of your aquarium and you now have a surface skimmer! Position the modified bottle near the water line so the surface water is drawn through the slits and into the filter media.
This method provides a basic, homemade solution for improving water clarity using materials that might otherwise be discarded. While not a traditional sand filter, it offers mechanical filtration using filter floss.
