DIY Overhead Filter

Fish pollute the water in their aquarium by continually releasing metabolic waste products into it. Beneficial bacteria which coat filter material in the biological filter compartment, convert this toxic waste into harmless substances. Aquarists can also include chemical filter material, such as activated carbon, and mechanical filter material, such as filter floss, in a filter. An overhead filter is positioned above an aquarium and the filtered water flows down into the tank and oxygenates the water in the process.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium, 24-inches long by 8-inches wide by 10-inches high, with top braces
  • Rectangular plastic box, with lid, 8-inches long by 4-inches wide by 5-inches high
  • 0.5-inch diameter plastic pipe, 2.5-inches long
  • 1-inch diameter plastic pipe, 6.5-inches long
  • 0.5-inch diameter plastic tubing, 14-inches long
  • Small tube of 100 percent non-toxic silicone sealant
  • Marker pen
  • Sharp blade
  • Shallow dish
  • Bio balls
  • Activated carbon in nylon pouch
  • Filter floss
  • Submersible pump
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Hold the 0.5-inch diameter pipe against one side of the plastic box, 0.5-inches below the rim and mark the position with a marker pen.

    • 2

      Cut out this 0.5-inch diameter hole with a sharp blade.

    • 3

      Turn the box over and hold the 1-inch diameter pipe against the bottom of the box, on the opposite end to where you have cut the first hole. Mark the position of the pipe with a marker.

    • 4

      Use a sharp blade to cut out this 1-inch diameter hole.

    • 5

      Push the 6.5-inch diameter pipe into the bottom of the plastic box. Ensure that 3.5-inches stick up in the box. Use a tablespoon of 100 percent silicone sealer to secure the pipe in position.

    • 6

      Push the 2.5-inch long pipe into the side of the plastic box. Ensure that 1.5-inches are inside the box. Use a tablespoon of 100 percent silicone sealer to secure the pipe in position. Leave the sealer to cure for 24-hours.

    • 7

      Fill a shallow dish with boiling water and place one end of the 0.5-inch diameter tubing into the boiling water for 30 seconds.

    • 8

      Push this end over the 0.5-inch diameter pipe in the side of the plastic box.

    • 9

      Place the plastic box onto the horizontal glass braces on the aquarium rim. Ensure that the vertical, 1-inch diameter pipe is just above the aquarium water surface and that the open end is not obstructed by the top of a heater or any other item.

    • 10

      Place bio balls onto the bottom of the plastic box, one layer thick.

    • 11

      Rinse the pouch of activated carbon under running water and lay it on top of the bio balls. Place a thick layer of filter floss over the nylon pouch. Cover the entire area of the box with the floss. Ensure that the opening of the 1-inch diameter pipe is not obscured by filter floss.

    • 12

      Use the sharp blade to cut two approximately 1-inch diameter holes in the lid. Place the lid onto the plastic box.

    • 13

      Attach the free end of the 0.5-inch diameter to the exhaust nipple of the submersible pump and place the pump onto the gravel in the aquarium.

    • 14

      Turn on the pump.