I've watched several YouTube videos on how to make a canister filter using lava rock and a 5gal bucket. I am too cheap to buy the water pump and vacum seal lid, so I decided to make a giant bio filter, like a sponge, using 2lb plastic coffee can, lava rock, PVC and a bulkhead.
The coffee can is 9" tall. I drilled three rings of diameter holes close to the bottom for water intake. I then drilled 4 heightwise lines of holes in a 7" section of PVC. I cut a hole in the lid and installed a bulkhead with rubber washers on both sides. I put the drilled pipe into the bulkhead pointing down and ran airline through it. I then rinsed and filled the can with lava rock and forced the drilled pipe to the bottom of the can-Not an exact fit. I then snapped on the lid and put a 5" piece of PVC pipe in the top of the bulkhead pointing up. I sank it in a stock tank and turned on the air. So far it seems to be working fine and the water readings are demonstrating biological filtration as the numbers are coming into line. I did cheat and used Stability for 5 days.
Opinions please
The coffee can is 9" tall. I drilled three rings of diameter holes close to the bottom for water intake. I then drilled 4 heightwise lines of holes in a 7" section of PVC. I cut a hole in the lid and installed a bulkhead with rubber washers on both sides. I put the drilled pipe into the bulkhead pointing down and ran airline through it. I then rinsed and filled the can with lava rock and forced the drilled pipe to the bottom of the can-Not an exact fit. I then snapped on the lid and put a 5" piece of PVC pipe in the top of the bulkhead pointing up. I sank it in a stock tank and turned on the air. So far it seems to be working fine and the water readings are demonstrating biological filtration as the numbers are coming into line. I did cheat and used Stability for 5 days.
Opinions please