How to DIY Activated Carbon Filter

Fish and marine animals pollute aquarium water with their metabolic waste. An activated carbon filter removes toxic organic molecules from the water, by physically trapping them within the many channels and pores within each piece of activated carbon. Aquarium water is typically pumped over a mechanical filter medium, such as filter wool, before reaching the activated carbon to remove large pieces of detritus than would clog the pores in the carbon. Although many activated carbon filters are available commercially, you can make your own activated carbon filter.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium, 55-gallons
  • Aquarium sump
  • Aquarium sump, 8-gallons
  • GenX-1500 volute submersible pump
  • 1-gallon plastic bottle
  • 1-inch barbed fitting
  • Small tube, 100 percent non-toxic silicone sealer
  • 4-inch long, 1.5-inch diameter plastic tubing
  • Kettle
  • Small bowel
  • Knife
  • Marker Pen
  • Nylon filter bag
  • Activated carbon, 0.5 pounds
  • 1 large hand full filter wool
  • Work surface
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut off the top of a one-gallon plastic water bottle at the shoulder section and discard the neck part of the bottle.

    • 2

      Push the 1-inch barbed fitting into the exhaust nozzle of the GenX -1500 volute submersible pump.

    • 3

      Place both the GenX-1500 volute submersible pump and the plastic bottle on a dust free work surface, so that the barbed fitting on the GenX-1500 pump is making contact with the bottle. Make a mark on the bottle, where the barbed fitting touches it.

    • 4

      Cut a 1-inch diameter hole in the bottle at the spot where the barbed fitting touched the bottle.

    • 5

      Half fill the small bowel with boiling water. Place one end of the 4-inch long plastic tube into the boiling water for up to thirty seconds. Remove and push over the free end of the 1-inch barbet fitting that is now attached to the GenX-15000 pump.

    • 6

      Push the free end of the 4-inch long plastic tubing through the hole that you have just cut in the bottle.

    • 7

      Apply a tsp. of non-toxic silicone sealer to the area. Spread the silicone around the area where the barbed fitting enters the bottle, to ensure a seal. Allow the combined bottle and pump unit to can cure for at least 24 hours.

    • 8

      Push a large handful of filter wool into the bottom of the bottle and pack it fairly tightly.

    • 9

      Place one-tenth of a pound of activated carbon into the nylon filter bag and secure the neck of the stocking with the attached string. Rinse the nylon bag with the activated carbon under running tap water. Rinse until the water that runs out of the nylon bag is clear.

    • 10

      Place the nylon bag containing the activated carbon onto the filter floss in the plastic bottle. Pack the nylon bag down fairly tightly.

    • 11

      Place the bottle, with its attached pump into the sump of the aquarium. Ensure that the open top of the bottle is just above the water level of the water in the sump. The sump is a remotely placed reservoir that is normally positioned below the aquarium and is connected to the aquarium via pipes.

    • 12

      Plug the GenX-1500 submersible pump into an outlet and switch on.