How to make a bottom filter?

The bottom filter has both its fans and those who are extremely skeptical of it. However, for a fairly modest amount, you can make a combined biological and mechanical filter for an aquarium of almost any size with your own hands.

Step #1. Produce dimensions

It is necessary to make measurements of your tank, we are interested in height, width and length.

Step #2. Consider design

Consider the design of the future circuit. It should cover the entire perimeter of the bottom, and also contain several tubes inside the circuit. The distance between the horizontal tubes must be at least 1–2 cm so that soil particles can penetrate between them. Two more tubes with a height less than the water level will be vertically attached to the contour. In a large aquarium, there may be more vertical tubes. Count the total length.

Step #3. Purchase of materials and tools

Purchase 1 or 1.5 cm PVC tubing and T-piece corner connectors from your local hardware or hardware store. It is recommended to purchase a PVC pipe cutter if you do not have one.

Step number 4. Cutting and joining tubes

When all materials are purchased, carefully divide the tube into the necessary parts and assemble them into a single structure using connectors.

Step number 5. Making holes in tubes

In the finished structure, holes should be made at intervals of 5 cm, through which water will penetrate inside. The holes should not be large, with a diameter of 3-4 mm.

Step number 6. Combination of design with an aquarium

Place the structure in the tank, make sure that the vertical tubes do not stick out of the aquarium, they must be below the water level in the filled aquarium.

Step number 7. Installation of pebbles-sprayers

Inside each vertical tube, place the spray from the aerator, the spray should fit freely inside.

Step number 8. Connection

You can include a structure. The bubbles emerging from the atomizer create water movement in the tubes, water is sucked in through small holes in the horizontal tubes under the ground, while the substrate itself begins to act as a filter material. A constant flow of water contributes to the development of a colony of beneficial bacteria on the ground that decomposes the waste products of fish, and the roots of plants begin to absorb nitrogen-containing compounds more efficiently.