1	Do It Yourself Filtering By Chuck Hawks A presentation for The Angelfish Society – October 2006
2	DYI FILTERING
3	Basic Overview Basic understanding of the proper conditions for “good” bacteria propogation and holding are essential to construct and modify filters. Here are 2 but there are many resources, the understanding of aquarium bacteria expands constantly, it’s a subject unto itself. The Nitrogen Cycle - Article at The Age of Aquariums - Tropical Fish The Skeptical Aquarist
4	Some Key Points to Remember BACTERIA REQUIRE PLENTIFUL OXYGEN TO CONVERT AMMONIA TO LESS HARMFUL PRODUCTS THAT WE CAN MORE EFFECTIVELY REMOVE WITH WATER CHANGES. BACTERIA REQUIRE A STABLE SURFACE TO PROPOGATE AND THEY ARE NOT GREAT SCAVENGERS OF OXYGEN. THEY NEED YOU TO BRING THE OXYGEN TO THEM TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE. SPONGES AND FLOSS GREATLY IMPROVE THE SURFACE AREA TO WHICH BACTERIA CAN ATTACH BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THEY NOT BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS THAT RESTRICT THE FLOW OF NUTRIENTS (AMMONIA AND NITRITE), OXYGEN AND WATER THAT THEY NEED TO PROSPER. THE SKEPTICAL AQUARIST ARTICLE SHOWS SOME INTERESTING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PH AND AMMONIA TOXICITY, PH AND BACTERIA HEALTH, TEMPERATURE AND AMMONIA TOXICITY AND TEMPERATURE AND BACTERIA HEALTH. I URGE YOU TO BECOME WELL AQUAINTED WITH THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND CONSIDER THEM WHEN DESIGNING FILTERS, CYCLING TANKS, PLACING HEATERS, SETTING OUTLET DIFFUSERS, ETC.
5	Materials You can make a filter any way that supplies oxygenated water flow to a surface that can hold bacteria. The largest concern for DIY filters is using materials that are not impregnated with anti-bacteriological agents (primarily sponges and adhesives) and do not decompose rapidly (like cotton).
6	Used Aquarium Parts Used parts, frequently purchased very inexpensively or free, provide parts and shortcuts. Powerheads provide flow to construct spongetype or trickle type filters. Pond and fountain pumps can be used to move water to filter units or return it from sumps. Undergravel grids can be used for holding filter media or creating barriers and waterfalls/diffusers.
7	Sponge Filters Use air to pull water through the media Provide large media surface for bacteria Oxygenate water as a byproduct Best Biological Filter
8	Basic Tools Brass or Copper pipe sections, sharpened Serrated Bread Knife Drill + 3/16 Bit Aquarium Silicone (non-toxic)
9	Sponge Construction Heavy Base, ceramic tile ~20 cents each Non Floating PVC, $2.00-$3.00/6 feet Airline Tube (airstone optional) Media, Sponge non-treated open-cell
10	SPONGE FILTER FROM SIMILAR PARTS
11	HOB Filters
12	HOB modifications Intake Sponge Coverings Round hole “drilled” with sharpened copper pipe
13	HOB mods con’t Backup Bacteria Holding Sponge pad inserted in front of filter cartridge --à
14	HOB mods con’t Cartridge Modification Penguin 160 cartridge frame w/filter pad (WalMart nylon batting material) covered w/cut piece of needlepoint grid, top and bottom held with lighting grid edging
15	Wet/Dry Filter
16	It’s All in What You See Plastic Donut Box and Small Pump from Discount Bin
17	Becomes a Wet/Dry Filter
18	Box Filter
19	Coke Bottle and PVC
20	Becomes a Box Filter!
21	The End