How to Build DIY Aquarium Filter To Clean Fish Waste:

Big fish poops too much which is toxic to tank inhabitants. Filters are not usually designed to fix this issue. Many filters are useful in cleaning your aquarium water but some of them are very efficient in cleaning waste. In this tutorial I am showing you the steps to make your DIY fish waste filter at home using a plastic container. An air pump will run this fish waste filter. Connect an air stone to the pump to lower the bubbling sound. The impeller inside the fish poop filter makes a cyclone effect & collects waste that is accumulated in the bottom of the filter.

When fish waste is collected at the bottom of a fish poop filter, biological filtration converts harmful compounds released from fish waste into less harmful. Clean water will escape the filter. I have installed a fish waste filter in my goldfish aquarium because goldfish are very messy & make heaps of poop. I am using an air pump for running this filter. Fish waste filters require regular maintenance. Wash the fish waste accumulated inside the filter & rinse turbo suction filter before using it again.

Air is required to run a DIY aquarium fish waste filter, & it is built-up of a closed container that does not allow air to enter or leave. This filter can be used for biological filtration as well. It traps fish poop easily. It is equipped with a turbo suction mechanism that makes a water cyclone inside the filter that sucks fish waste towards itself.


How to Build DIY Aquarium Filter To Clean Fish Waste:


DIY Aquarium Filter To Clean Fish Waste


Choose a container:


Container for fish poop filter
Container for fish poop filter

Use a container big enough for your aquarium. Small containers will need frequent maintenance. Test your container if it is air tight by filling it with water. Close the lid of the container & lock it. Then invert the container to see if water is leaking through it. If it is leaking then buy another good quality air tight container & repeat the same test.


Mark inlet & outlet connections:


Mark inlet & outlet connections
Mark inlet & outlet connections

Mark the intake & outtake connections using a marker on the container lid. DIY aquarium fish poop filters will suck dirty water from the bottom via a cyclone effect generated by the impeller. Water will leave the filter from the top.


Drill a hole for both impeller & intake valve:


Drill a hole for both impeller & inlet valve

Drill an outtake hole in the container lid for impeller. Make a narrow hole for intake for robust suction. Smooth the edges using sand paper.


Test if the impeller is spinning:


Test if the impeller is spinning
Test if the impeller is spinning

It is time to test your incomplete project. Test the spinning of the impeller by attaching one end of the tube to an air pump & use the end for spinning the filter impeller.

 

Attach impeller & intake valve:


Attach the impeller & inlet valve
Attach the impeller & inlet valve

Attach the impeller & intake valve. The passing air through the impeller will make a cyclone & create a stronger suction that will attract fish poop towards itself. Hence it will accumulate fish waste & let clean water to flow out of the filter.


Drill a hole for air tube in the lid:


Drill a hole for air tube & attach bubbler
Drill a hole for air tube & attach bubbler

I am using an air bubbler but air stone would work as well. Drill a hole for the tube in the filter top. Use the air bubbler for spinning the impeller which will operate the fish poop filter. This filter will oxygenate water using air bubbles.


Test filter in water:


Test fish waste filter in aquarium water
Test fish waste filter in aquarium water

Time to test the filter in aquarium water to see if air bubbles can drive the fan. My test results are fine.


Drill holes in the tray for legs:


Drill 4 holes in the tray for legs
Drill 4 holes in the tray for legs

Filter tray inside the DIY aquarium fish poop filter can do mechanical & biological filtration. Foam will trap the poop. Drill 4 holes in the tray & attach 4 legs. Put this tray inside the filter.

 

Apply glue to seal connections:


Apply glue for sealing connections
Apply glue for sealing connections

It is time to glue everything to make it air tight. Add glue to every attachment to make it leak free. Wait for the glue to completely seal connections & then test your filter for leaks.


Add strainer & mechanical filter media:


Add fine foam for stopping fish poop
Add strainer & fine foam for stopping fish poop

A layer of foam is used for collecting fish waste. A strainer can be used for stopping the waste in the bottom of the filter.


Rinse filter media:


Rinse fish poop filter
Rinse fish poop filter

Wash your DIY turbo suction filter before putting it in your fish tank. Tap water consists of chlorine which can wipe out good bacteria in your filter. Use aquarium water for rinsing your filter.


Attach suction cups:


Attach suction cups to air tube
Attach suction cups to air tube

Use suction cups to attach the air tube to the tank wall. Air tube will look neat when attached to the aquarium glass.


Add biological filter media:


Add ceramic rings on top of foam
Add ceramic rings on top of foam

Use ceramic noodles as a biological filtration media. Use Aquapro booster balls for adding beneficial bacteria. Also, if you have cycled biological media from another aquarium then use it instead because it will hold lots of useful bacteria.

Water must flow through the mechanical filter media before it reaches the bio media. Foam will stop fish waste which would otherwise clog the bio media pores. 

 

Conclusion:

DIY aquarium fish poop filter is a very handy device for cleaning fish waste. It creates a cyclone effect using an air pump. It does not need that much power but sucks heaps of fish poop. If your fish poops too much then use this turbo suction filter in their tank.

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