How to Make an Aquarium Filter Cartridge

Clean your aquarium effectively and save money by making your own filter cartridges. Aquarium filter cartridges are used in filter systems that hang on the side of your fish tank to remove impurities from the water. They come in disposable plastic frames with padding that houses activated charcoal, which does the filtering. When crafting your own filter, purchase the charcoal and padding separately at most pet stores that sell aquarium equipment.

Things You'll Need

  • Old aquarium filter cartridge
  • Utility knife
  • Polyester fiber matting
  • Hot glue gun with glue sticks
  • 2 tablespoons activated charcoal
  • 2 rubber bands
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the old, dirty filter cartridge from the tank's filtering system. You want to keep the plastic frame intact, but remove the old padding and charcoal. Cut into the four inside corners of the filter with a utility knife.

    • 2

      Pull out the old padding and charcoal over a trash can to prevent spilling the charcoal on the floor. Cut out any pieces of leftover padding.

    • 3

      Measure your plastic frame and cut out two pieces of polyester fiber matting using the same measurements. Hot-glue three edges on one of the polyester fiber matting pieces. Stack the other polyester fiber matting on top and press down to create a pocket.

    • 4

      Pour in approximately 2 tablespoons of activated charcoal into the pocket. Add more if necessary to form an even layer of charcoal approximately 1/8-inch thick inside the filter.

    • 5

      Glue the inside of the opening of the pocket and press to adhere. Place the new padding with charcoal on top of the old plastic frame of your last filter. Wrap two rubber bands around them to secure.