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How to Make a Homemade Aquarium Sump Filter

Aquarium sump filters are more thorough than the typical filter used to remove dirt and grime from the water. Sump filters not only remove unwanted particles and waste, they help maintain a healthy chemical and pH balance in the water. This reduces the number of water changes needed to keep a healthy environment for your fish. Making and setting up your own aquarium sump filter is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project.

Things You'll Need

Empty aquarium (at least 10 gallons)
Plastic aquarium dividers (2)
Aquarium rocks
Porous rocks
Charcoal rocks
Underwater aquarium heater
Water pumps (2)
PVC pipes (2)
PVC plumbing kit

Instructions

- 1
  Create three equal sections in an empty aquarium with plastic dividers. Insert the dividers into the tank so that they are perpendicular with the front and back of the aquarium. The dividers should extend the entire length of the tank from front to back. They should not reach the top of the tank and should leave enough room for the water to flow over to the next section.
- 2
  Fill an end division of the aquarium with 2 to 3 inches of porous aquarium rocks. These can be found at most fish or pet supply stores.
- 3
  Pour a layer 2 to 3 inches deep of charcoal rocks in the middle division of the aquarium. These can also be found at most fish or pet supply stores.
- 4
  Place an underwater heater with a pump to fit PVC piping in the remaining, empty division. A PVC plumbing kit can also be used to create an adapter between a regular heater that fits aquarium tubing and a PVC pipe. This can be found at a fish supply or pet store. Slip the PVC pipe onto the connection of the heater or kit adapter, depending on which you are using. Place the remaining end of the PVC pipe not attached to the heater pump into the main tank that will be cleansed by this filter system.
- 5
  Place a water pump in any location of the aquarium that this filter system will be cleaning.
- 6
  Connect the remaining piece of PVC pipe to the end of the water pump. Slide the PVC pipe over the connection at the end of the water pump or to a PVC adapter.
- 7
  Place the remaining end of the PVC pipe connected to the water pump into the section of the filter aquarium containing the porous rocks. The pump in the main aquarium will pull water from that aquarium and place it in the first section of the filter tank. The water will travel through the sections of the filter tank, be cleansed, then return to the main aquarium.

Animals & Science