Decided to make my own filter canister for my pond and eliminate the two canisters filters im using. I figured I post a thread about it in case anybody else wants to try it.
Supplies:
5 gallon bucket with lid.
1 bulk head adaptor.
2 pvc elbows
Small piece of light diffuser or some kind of grated plastic material.
1 piece of pvc about 4ft.
Pond pump
Filter media.
First take your 5 gallon bucket and cut a hole the size of the bulk head fitting towards the bottom of the bucket. Then screw your bulk head into the bucket nice and tight.
Then attach a pic elbow joint and run a piece of pvc from it to a couple inches from the top of the bucket.
Then cut a hole in the lid off your bucket big enough to fit your pvc thru. Cut a piece of pvc that runs from the bottom of the bucket about a an inch or two out the top. I also added an elbow joint on the end that's in the bottom of the bucket so the water will get better coverage thru out the media. Not sure that's necessary but figured I'd include it.
You want to have a couple of inches of no substrate and just water at the bottom of the bucket. For this your going to need some grated material that water can pass thru. A light diffuser from the hardware store will work or even a plastic strainer. I used the front piece off of an old box fan because I'm a cheapskate. I cut a few inches and a half pvc pieces to support it off the bottom. You'll need to cut holes also for around your piping too.
Now it's time to add a few layers of your media. You can use whatever you like. I went with lava rock, then scrubbing sponges, then filter cotton, (Tip: go to Walmart and buy a $6 dollar body pillow and cut it open for the fiber instead of spending an arm and leg at the pet shop for a small bag) then some activated charcoal.
Now that you're filter media is in you can test the pump out. You'll probably want to run it a few minutes to make sure It's draining correctly before putting the lid on.
That's it, super easy! The supplies for this cost me about $17 it's been running a few days and for a small pond with a couple turtles and a lot of fish, it doesn't get much better than this
Supplies:
5 gallon bucket with lid.
1 bulk head adaptor.
2 pvc elbows
Small piece of light diffuser or some kind of grated plastic material.
1 piece of pvc about 4ft.
Pond pump
Filter media.
First take your 5 gallon bucket and cut a hole the size of the bulk head fitting towards the bottom of the bucket. Then screw your bulk head into the bucket nice and tight.
Then attach a pic elbow joint and run a piece of pvc from it to a couple inches from the top of the bucket.
Then cut a hole in the lid off your bucket big enough to fit your pvc thru. Cut a piece of pvc that runs from the bottom of the bucket about a an inch or two out the top. I also added an elbow joint on the end that's in the bottom of the bucket so the water will get better coverage thru out the media. Not sure that's necessary but figured I'd include it.
You want to have a couple of inches of no substrate and just water at the bottom of the bucket. For this your going to need some grated material that water can pass thru. A light diffuser from the hardware store will work or even a plastic strainer. I used the front piece off of an old box fan because I'm a cheapskate. I cut a few inches and a half pvc pieces to support it off the bottom. You'll need to cut holes also for around your piping too.
Now it's time to add a few layers of your media. You can use whatever you like. I went with lava rock, then scrubbing sponges, then filter cotton, (Tip: go to Walmart and buy a $6 dollar body pillow and cut it open for the fiber instead of spending an arm and leg at the pet shop for a small bag) then some activated charcoal.
Now that you're filter media is in you can test the pump out. You'll probably want to run it a few minutes to make sure It's draining correctly before putting the lid on.
That's it, super easy! The supplies for this cost me about $17 it's been running a few days and for a small pond with a couple turtles and a lot of fish, it doesn't get much better than this