How to Make an Aquarium Top Filter at Home

You may be looking for ways to save money and maintain your fish tank. Here are some tips to make an aquarium top filter at your home. These filters, also known as overhead sump filters, offer powerful biological and mechanical filtration. This article will show you how to make one. Find the right container. Make sure it won’t bow over time, and it should fit on top of your tank. You will also need the necessary plumbing supplies.

Air pump, silicone, and pipe are the basic materials you’ll need. You’ll also need a sponge, air stone, and PVC pipe. Once you have all the necessary supplies, you will need to attach them. Attach the air pump to the pipe once it is secured. Next, attach the sponge to the pipe. You can even glue two sponges together using a pipe or a soldering iron.

You will need a sponge to filter the water. A sponge with larger pores is better – they can hold good bacteria that cleans the water. Place the sponge on top your fish tank with the rim guard covering the opening. The sponge should be filled with aquarium water and any debris. There should be plenty of space between the sponge and glass. Add a mineral supplement to the water and fresh tap water.

You will need an aquarium glass and a PVC pipe to make your own top filter. You can either attach the two together or separately. First, make a hole in the PVC pipe for the air stone. Then, cut a piece of pvc pipe to the required length. Next, attach the PVC pipe to the air pump with an elbow coupling. Finally, silicone glue can be used as a waterproof sealant.

Biological filtration is the most important component of a top filter. This process converts toxic fish excrement into harmless Nitrates. It also helps keep the water clean by maintaining high levels of beneficial bacteria. Ceramic media like Aqua One Ceramic Noodles and Premium Sub Ceramic Substrate make biological filtration easier. These are highly porous, and can be used in fresh or salt water.

Another important part of a top filter is the sponge. The sponge acts as a mechanical barrier, trapping larger debris while preventing fish waste, plant debris, and other materials from getting into the filter. The sponge can also be used as a natural biological filter. It has a large surface area and a constant flow of water that provides biological filtration. It can instantly double your aquarium’s biological filtration capacity.

The powerhead can be fixed to the aquarium wall with suction cups. It should be angled towards the surface of the water. To filter dirty water, you can also use a small cylindrical container. You can also make a simple filter with a small cylindrical capsule if you have a smaller aquarium. However, if you have a larger aquarium, you may want to invest in a dedicated filter for it.