Need some input before I start building my DIY Filter

[Clint]

No i buy dollar store laundry bags and buy lava rock at lowes .They sell mesh bags there 3 for a dollar and I fill them with the lava rock so they are easier to manage if I have to do anything with the filter .Just pull each bag out .Easier to clean or replace lava rock if I have too .

Good idea

 

[Clint]

This guy has some really neat ideas and he show step by step in this video how to make one yourself and how it is supposed to work. Worth watching because even if you don't use his plans you will learn a few things about how they are supposed to work in general:

He has his filling from the top. Isnt it best to fill from the bottom?

 

[DrCase]

That down flow filter looks like it would work until it filled with muck
Then you would have to pull it apart to clean it

 

[Marshall]

He has his filling from the top. Isnt it best to fill from the bottom?

Yes you would want a bottom fill ideally but that is why I said I didn't build this particular filter and you might not build his design either but, I like some of the tricks he uses during construction. Any knowledge is good knowledge when applied in due course and time

 

[Clint]

Ok, Started building. Pictures will come later. For filter media i got:
Filter Pad
Lava Rock
Pee Gravel


Barrell will fill from the bottom. The bottom 6 inches will be nothing but the water so it can swirl. My thought on media placement from the bottom up is: Filter pad, Lava rock, filter pad, pee gravel to top it off. Lava rock and pea gravel will be in laundry bags for easy removal if needed.

Any suggestions?

Others i have seen have lava rock first on the bottom but i am concerned that will clog up too fast. And if i think about my aquarium canister filter and it has Filter pad on the bottom that water goes thru first.




Basing my design some what like this minus airstone,air pump inlet

 

[mgmine]

I wouldn't bother with pea gravel or the second level on filter media.

 

[Clint]

I wouldn't bother with pea gravel or the second level on filter media.

So just filter pad then lava rock on top of that and call it a day?

 

[Meyer Jordan]

I wouldn't bother with pea gravel or the second level on filter media.

Lava rock is all that you need.

 

[mgmine]

So just filter pad then lava rock on top of that and call it a day?

Yes the filter pad will be your mechanical filter and the lava rock your bio.

 

[fish pond Den]

By the way, if you ever want or need to build a really good DIY UV filter let me know because I built the one in my pond and it works much better than the one I had bought that was a uv with a pump all in one unit. I have pictures and schematics with step by step instructions for it. My water has remained almost crystal clear after building and installing the custom filter about 8 months ago.
View attachment 84780

 

[fish pond Den]

Hello I'm new at this but do you still build filters for people.

 

[Clint]

I built my filter!!!

I have lava rocks in the filter..Forgot to get a picture of that.

 

[fish pond Den]

By the way, if you ever want or need to build a really good DIY UV filter let me know because I built the one in my pond and it works much better than the one I had bought that was a uv with a pump all in one unit. I have pictures and schematics with step by step instructions for it. My water has remained almost crystal clear after building and installing the custom filter about 8 months ago.
View attachment 84780

By the way, if you ever want or need to build a really good DIY UV filter let me know because I built the one in my pond and it works much better than the one I had bought that was a uv with a pump all in one unit. I have pictures and schematics with step by step instructions for it. My water has remained almost crystal clear after building and installing the custom filter about 8 months ago.
View attachment 84780

 

[fish pond Den]

Do you still build filters

 

[Riftlake]

Here is a simple to build DIY filter that looks pretty effective:

He has a link to his website with more in depth build instructions.