Saturday, 15 October 2016

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DIY - Nano canister filter

By  25 comments

With the impossibility of finding a small canister filter on the market, I decided to make one by myself in DIY version.
All needed parts are from Ebay and cost me about $25 total. Most expencive part was Eheim throttle valve which is needed for flow reduction.
Needed parts:

For filter chasing i have used Lock&Lock 350ml storage container. Very solid build and thick wall:

First step - drilling:

This is 12mm to 9mm 1/4BSP thread air pneumatic elbow quick fitting:


Same for the lid:


I have used  DC12V 3m 240L/H ultra quiet brushless motor submersible pump:

 
It is attached to the lid by 10x10 M4 DD type rubber anti vibration mount:




To keep filter material above the intake i have used guard metal mesh for PC computer fan 60mm diameter  AVOID this part, it is not stainless steel - it rust!!! It is better to use some coarse filter material such as ceramic rings as a bottom layer.



Finished product:


I am running this filter on my 1 gallon nano. With reduced flow to 1/3 it doing great job:




25 comments :

  1. Unknown20 December 2016 at 15:21

    do you have links to what u used?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bolbi Aqua20 December 2016 at 17:34

    Container: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lock-Lock-Round-350ml-74-x-110mm-Food-Container-Camping-Hiking-Survival-/321573073661?hash=item4adf3fb2fd:g:YlgAAOSw1XdUWNh0

    Anti vibration mount: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2pcs-New-10-10-M4-M4-DD-Type-Rubber-Anti-Vibration-Mount-silentblock-Base-Block-/111584021747?hash=item19faed0cf3:g:KbwAAOSw0e9UxuvP

    Elbow quick fitting: http://www.ebay.com/itm/12mm-to-9mm-1-4BSP-Thread-Air-Pneumatic-Elbow-Quick-Fitting-Coupler-2-Pcs-/291564198341?hash=item43e29499c5:g:TsoAAOSwGYVXAT8P

    Power adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-12V-1A-AC-100-240V-Converter-Adapter-Charger-Power-Supply-EU-Plug-New-F7S-/221925484400?hash=item33abca2770:g:2ykAAOSwAYtWMNYC

    Pump: http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC12V-3m-240L-H-Ultra-Quiet-Brushless-Motor-Submersible-Pool-Water-Pump-Solar-W-/282264268675?hash=item41b842ef83:g:zaQAAOSwo4pYMnEi

    Plug jack adapter: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pcs-Male-Female-2-1x5-5mm-DC-Power-Plug-Jack-Adapter-Connector-Home-Security-Q-/201610214205?hash=item2ef0e7bb3d:g:llsAAOSwxH1UADwe

    Wire guard: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Metal-Wire-Finger-Guard-60mm-CPU-Fan-DC-Fan-Grill-Guard-Protector-for-PC-Silvery-/300701749088?hash=item4603388f60:g:afsAAOxyjNlRy5aq

    Eheim valve: http://www.ebay.com/itm/EHEIM-4003512-9mm-SINGLE-TAP-CONNECTOR-AQUARIUM-FILTER-/172230915792?hash=item2819c336d0:m:m52rWIP3ZeD5THZOq852oZg

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bolbi Aqua20 December 2016 at 17:37

    For drilling the holes in the container you need 12mm borer.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vipin Janardhan20 February 2018 at 12:43

    Hi, Have you used some kind of resin or glue for fixing the elbows to container?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bolbi Aqua20 February 2018 at 12:58

    Hello, I have used only Thread seal tape. The elbow is fixed by its thread.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Vipin Janardhan20 February 2018 at 13:07

    hey thanks for quick reply!
    Do you mean white teflon tape? I also see you have used some kind of black washer in between. I have ordered most of the parts. Thanks for the idea!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Bolbi Aqua20 February 2018 at 13:10

    Yes, teflon tape. There is rubber ring, but it is not needed.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Vipin Janardhan20 February 2018 at 13:14

    Ok great!
    So is this filter still in use? Looks quite efficient, a miniature eheim classic...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bolbi Aqua20 February 2018 at 13:17

    It is, still works great! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. jgebhard16 January 2019 at 02:27

    Did you silicone the mounts to the lid?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Bolbi Aqua17 January 2019 at 20:20

    No silicone, it is universal glue. Silicone is not good for gluing plastic.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous13 August 2019 at 10:35

    Hi, is the water pump still working good? I'm looking for a pump who can work outside the water as well, just like your pump..

    ReplyDelete
  13. Bolbi Aqua13 August 2019 at 12:03

    Hi, it still working! Quite surprisingly for such a cheap pump. :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous21 November 2019 at 18:04

    Do you have a youtube video to see it in action pls ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bolbi Aqua22 November 2019 at 15:37

      Hi, sorry I don't have a video. At the moment it is not in use.
      Maybe later when setup a new scape.

      Delete
  15. RockySmith28 December 2019 at 06:27

    Great information, i have benefited from here, thanks

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mathías Pereyra17 March 2020 at 02:27

    Dear, which is the size for de pump/pneumatic elbow conection?
    Regards!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bolbi Aqua17 March 2020 at 13:54

      Hi, I have used 12mm to 9mm 1/4bsp elbow: https://www.ebay.com/p/1444365762?iid=291564198341
      On the pump outlet you should put piece of 9/12 hose and then it fits perfectly.

      Delete
    2. Bolbi Aqua17 March 2020 at 13:57

      I meant inlet.

      Delete
  17. Unknown18 March 2020 at 13:13

    Thanks a lot! Bolbi, yesterday i bought the elbows!

    ReplyDelete
  18. rodrigolivbr19 April 2020 at 23:50

    This is brilliant! The only think I would try is to fine a way to use a smaller hose. Do you think the lid would leak with more powerful pump?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bolbi Aqua1 May 2020 at 15:53

      Hi, I don't know. This was made as small canister filter and this pump is to strong for my needs. I wish I could find smaller one.

      Delete
  19. Jaya Prentice18 December 2020 at 06:05

    Really Good tips and advises you have just shared. Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a piece of nice information. Looking forward for more views and ideas, Keep up the good work! Aquarium filter

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous13 July 2023 at 00:53

    How are you running a submersible pump dry without damaging it? I thought they needed to be submerged

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bolbi Aqua24 July 2023 at 10:14

      This pump doesn't need to be completely submerged in water. It has a suction side that getting water all the time. The problem ocures when the water supply to the pump is interrupted and the pump runs without water - that doesn't happen here.

      Delete