Before you start fish, you need to take care of the presence of not only an aquarium, soil, vegetation, some decorative elements suitable for them, but also a filter. You should understand that this is not only a water purifier, but also an item that is extremely necessary for the life of your home water inhabitants. And if you do not have the opportunity to purchase one or another model in the store, you can consider how to make a filter for the aquarium with your own hands.
The importance of an aquarium filter
No matter how clean you fill the aquarium, it will become dirty over time. This is due to the appearance in it of dead particles of algae, waste and other small particles of garbage. In order to get rid of all this and maintain cleanliness in the aquatic environment, it is necessary to install a water filter in the aquarium.
This mechanism has the following functions:
- purifies water from inorganic particles;
- removes all kinds of dissolved substances from the water (for example, tablets or other medicines after treatment of the inhabitants of the aquarium);
- fills water with oxygen, without which no fish can survive;
- creates water circulation.
Undoubtedly, fish and other aquatic animals cannot be launched into any aquarium without a filter pre-installed in it. But, considering all the above, it’s worth remembering, if you know how to install a filter in the aquarium and you have already decided which model to buy, it still won’t create natural running water for you. After all, each filter pumps the same fluid.
How do filters differ from each other?
Before installing the filter in the aquarium, you need to determine its appearance, installation location and functionality. Indeed, in every specialized store you will come across a large selection of these devices. All of them differ in design features and scope.
Some do not want to face such a choice and prefer to make a filter for the aquarium with their own hands, simply by studying all the features of purchased designs and finding out which model is suitable in this or that situation.
Aquarium Filter Types
According to the principle of operation, modern aquarium filters of the following types are distinguished:
- Mechanical can clean the water in the aquarium of turbidity and floating particles that were raised from the bottom by the movement of fish and a compressor. Without installing such a device can not do. After all, the dirt in the aquarium gradually accumulates and, as a result, decomposes, making the water cloudy. Such a filter must be washed as it becomes dirty. The first sign of clogging will be considered a reduced flow of water passing through this device.
- Chemical filters to a greater extent purify aquarium water from organic substances. They remove phosphates and nitrates. For an excellent result, such filters must be periodically changed.
- Absorption-chemical filters contribute to the purification of water from waste products of fish and other "animals" of the aquarium. As a rule, such a device includes a constantly circulating pump, a special sponge and a substrate (usually gravel) located directly next to it. It can be installed both inside and outside the aquarium. It is worth noting that the main component of each biological filter is nitrifying bacteria, the vital activity of which must be maintained without fail. This means that such an external filter for the aquarium should be washed only under running water. And in no case can it be dried.
Filter types depending on their placement
Each filter for an aquarium, photos of which demonstrate not only their appearance, but also the mounting methods, can be installed in different ways. According to this, the following types of device data are distinguished according to their location:
- The bottom filter for the aquarium is located almost at the bottom of the tank. It has a large number of holes from which air is supplied. Such filters help cleanse water from small clogs. Producers recommend installing them immediately before populating the fish. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to place and fix this type of filter in the aquarium.
- An internal filter is installed inside the aquarium (hence its name). As a rule, it consists of a sponge or activated carbon and a pumping device. Such filters clog up very quickly. This must be constantly monitored, since the throughput of such a device is reduced.
- Outdoor filters for the aquarium are very similar to internal ones. Their only difference is their location.
How to make an aquarium filter yourself?
A good filtering device will never be cheap. What to do? How to save? In this case, we recommend making the simplest filter for your aquarium with your own hands. To make it, you will need: a sponge (you choose its size depending on the capacity of the aquarium), a spray bottle, a suction cup, a rubber tube, two 20 ml syringes, a small compressor.
Take one syringe. In one part of it, in which the medicine should be collected, make holes with a heated awl. You need to connect the second syringe to the first. This can be done by soldering. To do this, hold the widest ends a little on the hot plate, quickly connect them and hold for 5-7 seconds. Cut off at both ends the part into which the needle is to be inserted. You should get a long plastic pipe.
Take a sponge, make in one of its sides not a wide but deep cut, insert a part of the syringe with holes into it. Insert the rubber tube into the resulting “pipe”, connect it to the compressor. Attach a suction cup to one side of the syringe. It will attach your filter to the wall of the aquarium.
Is it possible to make sediment for an aquarium filter myself?
No filter can fully purify water in an aquarium without a pump. The simplest such device can also be made by yourself. To do this, you must have at hand: nozzle, fitting, pump core and tee.
The nozzle can be replaced with a simple pipe. It must be inserted into one of the holes of the tee. After that, take a threaded tap, screw a fitting on it, and pull the hose from above. On the opposite side, you need to carefully attach a small hose, which later serves to drain the water. A siphon is put on the end of this hose. It will help protect the pump itself from soil getting into it, which can cause serious damage to the device.
How to install the filter yourself in the aquarium?
So, you bought or made a filter for the aquarium with your own hands. Now what? How to install it? What rules should be followed?
First of all, everyone should understand that in no case should a filter be installed in an empty aquarium. At least half the capacity must be filled with water. It is also worth noting that before assembling the filter for the aquarium, all parts of this device must be thoroughly dried. And only after that already start installing it. The filter, as a rule, is attached to the wall with the help of suction cups at a distance of 3 cm from the surface and so that it does not touch the bottom. First, it must be immersed in water off.
A tube that draws in air must be brought out. It is very convenient if a mount is provided for this tube. In a fixed state, it will not move and fall into the water.
If you understand how to install the filter in the aquarium, and did it right, then only now it can be plugged into a power outlet. If the filter began to circulate and saturate the water with oxygen, then you should have no doubt that you did something wrong.
How to clean the filter yourself?
In order to clean the aquarium filter, you must first disconnect it from the network. Outside, the device is washed from mucus and dirt, thoroughly “stretch” the sponge in running water. If you have a chemical filter, then its filler must be replaced without fail. In the case of the acquisition of a biological filter, it is worth remembering that it will be more convenient to have several of these devices at once. This makes it easy to clean each of them in turn.
And finally ...
It is imperative to monitor the operation of your filter system. She must always work at full strength. If, for example, the bottom filter for the aquarium does not work at full strength, then this is the first sign that this device needs to be washed and cleaned.
Remember! Improving aquarium filter care skills only comes with time. In this case, you only need attention and care for your pets.