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How to Make a Foam Aquarium Filter

An aquarium is an enclosed biosphere containing living creatures and foods that create bacteria and wastes. Without an effective filtration system, toxins would soon overwhelm the system and poison its occupants. Overfeeding and excessive plant growth can further stress the aquatic environment. A filtration strategy to remove wastes and impurities is a vital step toward preserving the health of fish and other marine creatures. A simple foam filter mounted in-line with a standard aquarium powerhead pump will remove most mechanical wastes from the water. Along with regularly scheduled partial water changes and treatment of dissolved biological wastes, a life-supporting habitat can be maintained.

Things You'll Need

Aquarium pump powerhead
6-by-6-inch block of aquarium filter foam
Sharp serrated knife or fine-tooth hacksaw blade
1/2-inch wooden dowel or scrap Styrofoam plastic plug
1/2-inch ID (inside diameter) PVC pipe
Power drill and 1/16-inch drill bit
1/2-inch plastic aquarium tubing

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the block of 6-by-6-inch aquarium filter foam diagonally from corner to corner -- with a sharp serrated knife or a fine-tooth hacksaw blade -- to form two equal size, triangular-shaped pieces.
- 2
  Cut an 8-inch length of 1/2-inch ID PVC pipe, such as used for electrical conduits.
- 3
  Plug one end of the PVC pipe with a plug cut from a 1/2-inch wooden dowel or a scrap piece of Styrofoam plastic.
- 4
  Measure and mark 5 inches up from the plugged end of the PVC pipe. Drill four rows of eight evenly spaced 1/16-inch holes in the pipe, extending from the 5-inch mark to the plugged end of the pipe.
- 5
  Make a small hole centered in the top end of one of the foam triangles. Insert the plugged end of the PVC pipe into the hole, and push it firmly all the way through to the bottom of the foam triangle.
- 6
  Cut a 1-inch long piece of 1/2-inch aquarium tubing, and press-fit it onto the exposed end of the PVC pipe. Press fit the barbed inlet fitting of the aquarium pump powerhead onto the other end of the 1/2-inch aquarium tubing.
- 7
  Cut a 6-inch length of 1/2-inch aquarium tubing, and press-fit it onto the barbed outlet fitting of the aquarium pump powerhead.
- 8
  Submerge the powerhead/filter unit, and position its triangular shape in a corner of the aquarium. Bend the 6-inch length of aquarium tubing upward, so it will discharge filtered water toward the top of the tank for better oxygenation.
- 9
  Plug in the pump powerhead to begin filtering water.

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