DIY Filteration System for Breeding Aquarium

 DIY Filteration System for Breeding Aquarium

In a breeding tank there is need of such filtration which is not only capable to cope with debris efficiently but also safe for fries. Mostly hobbyists install internal power filter in breeding aquariums which can suck the fries and can be the cause or casualty. I’ve planned to make a DIY internal power sponge filtration system to breed Angel fish in aquarium having size of 24”x12”x18”. I used very common things to make this DIY filtration system. Let’s explore in this article how I made it step by step.

Things we need for this DIY project:

1 Empty Silicon Tube

2 Piece of sponge

3. Two ¾” PVC Elbows

4. ¾”PVC pipe

5. Power head to operate the filter

6. A Scissor with long pointed cutting edges

How to make:

Step 1:

Make holes in the empty silicon tube with the help of drilling machine. You can also use hot nail like things to make hole in the Silicon tube. Power head create a suction force in the tube. These holes will suck the water from tank. Debris are also attracted through the suction power of the power head.

Step 2:

Cut the nozzle from the upper side of silicon tube and prepare the hole of such a size in which the lower inflow part of power head fits properly. Keep a lot of patience while doing holes and cutting the nozzle.

Step 3:

Remove the lower inner part of silicon tube. By removing this part you can put some bio-wheels in the tube for permanent biological filtration which can be good place for beneficial bacteria to colonize them. These balls will useful to protect the beneficial bacteria when the sponge will be cleaned/washed.

Step 4:

Take the piece of sponge about 1” longer and about 2” thicker than silicon tube. It is sufficient to hide the silicon tube. Shape it round from outside with scissor…..

…..and by marking the silicon tube’s outer dia, cut the sponge from inner side and make a hole like shape by emptying it from inside. The hole must be of silicon tube’s outer diameter. It should deep enough to conceal the whole silicon tube in it.

Step 5:

Remember don’t cut the lower part of the sponge. It should remain closed as shown in the picture above because the silicon tube is already open from below if you cut the sponge from below then the fry will be suck by the filter from below.

This is the ready piece of sponge after the complete cutting and trimming.

Step 6:

Now put the bio-wheels in the silicon tube and insert it into the holed sponge carefully. Keep the nozzle part upside.

Step 7:

This is how it looks when inserted completely in the sponge. Look carefully the gap between the inner diameter of sponge and outer diameter of tube.

Step 8:

Fill this gap with a thin piece of sponge. If you leave it open then fry will be suck through this gap.

Step 9:

Now, make the Z shape from PVC pipe with the help of elbows as shown in the picture. This will slow down the flow of filter which is less desired by newly hatched fry. Attach this Z shape formation with the outflow part of powerhead.

Step 10:

Now, take the PVC pipe long enough according to the length of aquarium’s length. It should  remain inside the tank. Make holes in it to convert it in spray bar. I used my spare spray bar of canister filter. to close the one end I use anti-itch medicine (50ml) bottle’s inner cap so that flow can be disperse over the surface of the water through the holes we make to create spray bar. Attach two suction clips to spray bar for its firm placement.

Step 11:

Attach the spray bar with Z shaped formation as shown in the picture.

Step 12:

Remove the filter bottle which contains sponge and Insert the power head’s inflow part in the upper part of silicon tube which is already inserted into sponge.

How it works:

This is the final DIY product ready for use in breeding aquarium. After installation of this DIY internal power sponge filter when it turned on, power head pump creates a vacuum inside the silicon tube. As a result water is sucked towards the silicon tube. But, as silicon tube is covered with sponge, impure water must pass through the sponge which acts as filter media. Only water passes through and impurities are trapped in the sponge. As a result water travels through the silicon tube and pumped out through the output nozzle by the power head towards the spray bar. After reaching in the spray bar water sprayed out through the holes on the surface of aquarium water. This Z shaped pipe converts the very strong flow of water into a gentle shower like spray. Which results a peaceful circulation of water in aquarium. It makes the parents and fries comfortable to reside in such tank. This is the whole working mechanism of this DIY filtration system.

Following picture have been taken after the installation of DIY power head sponge filter

This filtration also provides the full oxygenated water in the aquarium.

Conclusion:

Keeping fish in aquarium is an science and breeding them in aquarium is an art. Breeding can be done successfully by providing the right conditions and environment in the tank for the breeding pair. Always try to make your pet distressed. If you care them correctly thus they reward you back with their responsive gesture. So. Always take care your fish and your aquarium by right way.

Happy Fish Keeping.