DIY PVC Sponge Filter

[MKD]

Hi Guys,

I just did and replaced couple sponge filters using PVC. thank you to John Nicholson.

here is my parts
1x 3/4" 90 degree elbow
1x 1" slip cap
1x 1" 90 degree slip reducer to 3/4"
1x piece 1" PVC
1x piece 3/4" PVC
1x sponge filter
1x air stone


Step 1 - Cut each side less than half (try to give it a good space for other cut in between later step) 1" PVC
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YfWc0zyHTm0/VJc9F1jFZFI/AAAAAAAAIgw/a2e503jazmQ/w1118-h629-no/20141206_105319.jpg



Step 2 - Cut the other side (less than half way)

this how it looks when both sides cut.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWM4INUltBg/VJc9FzXR4qI/AAAAAAAAIgw/nqAIMvqmWnc/w1118-h629-no/20141206_105415.jpg



Step 3 - Cut another similar to step 1 between first cuts
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-T7NkEkGjV0c/VJc9F6PQJ-I/AAAAAAAAIgw/B850ABsAS7A/w385-h684-no/20141206_105502.jpg


they look like this when it's done
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-smpUXC4QLRY/VJc9F4SP_zI/AAAAAAAAIgw/DwxmUt7tcNs/w385-h684-no/20141206_104823.jpg

[MKD]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-f_Zfvb87zh4/VJc5JR5zUkI/AAAAAAAAIfo/8yhrY-Wtt5E/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180523.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1Z9ep8R80A4/VJc5JePStrI/AAAAAAAAIhA/3oqxclJge3M/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180630.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hNSX6aDI5LY/VJc5JdrwfiI/AAAAAAAAIfo/dpRawDLe9Ng/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180826.jpg

[MKD]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bS5EvrW3m3k/VJc5Jal2jfI/AAAAAAAAIfo/NciSCbhvtWg/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180853.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oRhwO9bXRCg/VJc5JQXgNhI/AAAAAAAAIfo/iPRqxj5r-MA/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180938.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gl4K1EFrngU/VJc5JSFYngI/AAAAAAAAIfo/2aR0vRpIJPA/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180958.jpg

[brady]

Been making mine like that for years. I believe they are more efficient then the ones that come as a kit and sure a hell of a lot less expensive. The only difference in mine is rather then a 90 elbow at the top of the lift tube I drill a angled 5/16 hole for the air tubing. Slide in the tubing and push down to the bottom and that tubing will never come out unless you pull it out.
Jay

[MKD]

Great input Jay
Merry Christmas

[blueluv]

Hello Tony

If you don't mind me asking. What was the total cost of these diy sponge filter ? I'm Also curious on how they look in your aquarium. Do they prevent you having a hood on your aquarium?

Thank you

[rickztahone]

Looking good Tony. You could probably make like 5 for the price of buying one.

[blueluv]

I would like to give these a try , if they're not too hard to make.

[MKD]

Thank you Rick and Christopher.

It's very easy to make. You can use drill if you want instead of saw. I used saw because it right there and faster than drill. It's simply and last forever.

here is my parts
1x 3/4" 90 degree elbow - $0.79
1x 1" slip cap - $0.89
1x 1" 90 degree slip reducer to 3/4" - $1.30
1x piece 1" PVC - $2.00 - 3.00 for 8 ft
1x piece 3/4" PVC - $2.00 - 3.00 for 8 ft
1x sponge filter - $2.00 - 4.00
1x air stone - $1.00


PS: it looks like John s tanks. it's not show tank, just for grow out only. You can raise it up to avoid food got suck in stay under sponge.

[mlov1022]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bS5EvrW3m3k/VJc5Jal2jfI/AAAAAAAAIfo/NciSCbhvtWg/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180853.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oRhwO9bXRCg/VJc5JQXgNhI/AAAAAAAAIfo/iPRqxj5r-MA/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180938.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gl4K1EFrngU/VJc5JSFYngI/AAAAAAAAIfo/2aR0vRpIJPA/w1118-h629-no/20141217_180958.jpgHow do these look in service, in the tank?

[trungnguyen]

Very nice Tony.

Trung

[John_Nicholson]

Very nice. You did a great job.

-john

[MKD]

Thank you Trung and John.



How do these look in service, in the tank?
Front what i read, it should be better, last long time and easy fix. Very much you'll only replace sponge.

[farebox]

One question, how does this go into the tank? Any pic's in operation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bornlooser]

Looks like a pre-filter.....else where does the airline fit in?

[MKD]

Here is how it looks like. set as high as you can so food won't stay/trap underneath sponge and discus able to pick up food without laying flat down :) . Air stone goes inside vertical pvc piece.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jM_UF_CmnuE/VJu_T5LuYPI/AAAAAAAAIhk/SEmxGijifVc/w1118-h629-no/20141224_233337.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSTiI-XxbeI/VJu_SxDF2_I/AAAAAAAAIhY/P9ilCvaR8Sg/w1118-h629-no/20141224_233350.jpg