How to Build a Canister Filter

Aquariums can be expensive to maintain, so building some of the necessary equipment yourself can save you money. One piece of machinery that is very easy to make yourself is a canister filter. This is a filter that takes water out of your tank, cleans it by filtering the water through media and pumping the clean water back into the tank. It requires just few simple items and the construction can be performed in little time.

Things You'll Need

  • L-joint
  • Container with lid
  • Marker
  • Pump
  • Tubing
  • Power drill
  • Scissors
  • Plug casing
  • Silicone sealant
  • Media
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Trace the opening on the horizontal of the L-joint, an connector pipe with a right-angle bend in it, as close to the bottom of the container as possible with a marker. This pipe will be inserted through the hole and connect the water tubing into the filter.

    • 2

      Draw a line around the outlet of the pump, directly above the connector pipe tracing. Make sure that the line is as close to the top of the container as possible. The pump will be in the canister and should be positioned with the power cord upwards and the plastic bracket on the side should be opening horizontally.

    • 3

      Cut the plug off of the power cord of the pump and mark a hole on the lid of the container wide enough to let the cord slip through. Make another hole next to the power cord hole to accommodate the output tubing.

    • 4

      Drill into each of the traced areas with a power drill. Make the drilled hole a bit smaller than the tracing. This will ensure a tight fit of each component in its hole.

    • 5

      Slide the L-joint into the bottom hole of the container. If you can't get it in, even with some pressure, file the edges of the hole down with a round file until the right size is achieved. Don't over file the hole or water will leak out. The pieces should fit in very snugly.

    • 6

      Slide the pump's power cord into its hole from the inside of the lid.

    • 7

      Connect a tube to the pump output. The output is on the top of the pump, next to power cord. The tube will connect through the second hole in the lid, next to the power cord's hole. Place the lid on the container.

    • 8

      Attach another tube to the vertical arm of the L-joint. This will be the inlet tube and will bring the water down from the tank into the pump via gravity. The tube is held in place by the bracket of the pump sticking out above the L-joint.

    • 9

      Seal each hole with silicone. Apply the silicone around the piece in each hole, making sure the silicone is touching the container, as well as the part in the hole. Let the silicone dry before using the pump.

    • 10

      Fill the canister with the appropriate filter media and plug the tubes into the fish tank's draining system. Turn on the pump once water has started entering the canister.