How to Install a Fish Filter & Pump

Filters are essential in fish tanks to maintain proper chemical balance and healthy aquarium inhabitants. Not only do they keep the water clean, but they remove harmful chemicals that may be potentially fatal to your fish. Oxygenation of the water is also important, providing life-giving oxygen to the fish by means of an air pump. There is a common type of pump, which uses an air stone, and a common type of filter, which sucks water up through a strainer and filters it back into the tank via a ramp. Both of which are simple to install.

Things You'll Need

  • Hanging filter
  • Filter cartridge
  • Cup
  • External air pump
  • Rubber hose
  • Air stone
Show More

Instructions

  1. Installing the Air Pump

    • 1

      Place the external air pump outside of your fish tank.

    • 2

      Attach one end of the rubber hose to the output of the air pump. This is where the air is expelled from the pump.

    • 3

      Attach the other end of the rubber hose to the air stone and place it in the water.

    • 4

      Turn on the air pump. The air stone in the tank should begin to release bubbles, oxygenating the water.

    Installing the Filter

    • 5

      Hang the filter on the lip of the tank so that the ramp is pointing down towards the water and the suction tube is at least 4 inches below the water's surface.

    • 6

      Rinse the filter cartridge(s) under the faucet with cold water to eliminate excess carbon dust.

    • 7

      Using the cup, fill the filter's chamber with water from your tank. This is called priming the filter.

    • 8

      Place the filter cartridge(s) into the chamber. There should be two slots on either end to guide it in securely.

    • 9

      Turn the filter on. Water should begin moving up the suction tube, through the filter, and back out into the tank via the ramp.