Owners of aquariums, and especially beginners, always face the problem of filtering water, because the aquarium is like an ordinary organism, if life is left to chance, then the aquarium will die. And in order to prevent this, it is necessary to install a filtration system. The simplest, but not always the most reliable, is the airlift filter for the aquarium. You can build it without difficulty with your own hands.
Structure and principle of operation
Although the name of this filter may seem unfamiliar to an inexperienced person, many are familiar with it. Typically, such a filtration system is a sponge and plastic pipes attached to it for air circulation. The principle of the air filter is quite simple - pipes for supplying and pumping air are connected to the compressor, which, in addition to air, draws water into them as well. Subsequently, the water is filtered through a sponge and poured back into the aquarium, and dirt and harmful bacteria remain in the sponge. Such filters are not only cheap, but also easy to manufacture and install.
If used correctly and cleaned in a timely manner, they will become good defenders of your aquarium.
Not so long ago, new generation airlift filters appeared in specialized stores, they have a different structure, but work in the same way. The filter is a small plastic container, in it various filtration materials are arranged in several layers. Most often, these containers are made of angular type, which saves space as much as possible, which means it is suitable for small aquariums.The principle of operation is the same, but the presence of several filtration materials allows the air-lift filter to work as a full-fledged biological one.
In addition, this system allows not only to purify water, but also to saturate it with air, which eliminates the need for an additional compressor with oxygen.
Advantages and disadvantages
Airlift filter is a very good means to clean the aquarium, if you do not take into account such minor disadvantages as:
- fragility;
- not suitable for very large aquariums, as it will not be able to provide complete filtration;
- may not cope with excessive pollution.
However, the air-lift filter has the following advantages:
- it is almost silent, if you do not take into account any insignificant sounds of air bubbles;
- if the sponge adheres well to the holes of the tubes, the filter will be completely safe for small fish, shrimp, and so on;
- the filter saves a lot of space;
- with the right approach and hard work, you can make a design that will look good in the interior of the aquarium.
DIY making
To make you need The following items and tools:
- air compressor for the aquarium;
- plastic bottle;
- sponge or foam;
- spray hose;
- scissors or knife.
For the design of the filter, it is necessary to make a chamber of non-toxic and inert material, a regular plastic bottle is also good. It must be cut into two halves, in the upper half to make many small holes. Then it is necessary to lay the filter material, shove the top of the bottle into the bottom. Insert a spray hose attached to the compressor through the neck.
The only drawback of such a filter is not aesthetics, the filter will look ugly in the aquarium, you can pick up a green bottle and mask it with vegetation.
The design may be different, it all depends on the required size, functionality and performance. In some cases, filter material is used without a basic structure. To make such a filter, you need to prepare the following:
- air compressor;
- angle of 90 degrees;
- sponge or other filter material;
- lead tube;
- a lifting tube with a diameter several times larger than the inlet;
- Suction cup compatible with one of the tubes.
Production is as follows:
- in the lower part of the lifting tube, you need to make a hole with the diameter of the supply tube and insert it;
- a sponge is fixed to the pickup tube;
- on the upper part of the lifting tube you need to connect a square, it will direct the rising water in the right direction;
- Using a suction cup, everything needs to be attached to the wall of the aquarium;
- the sponge should not touch the ground.
In the upper part, any filter can be decorated with aquarium soil. Beneficial bacteria that feed on substances harmful to fish and plants will eventually settle on the edges of its grains of sand. So you can maintain full balance in your tank.
Keeping track of your home aquarium is not an easy task. When you start fish or shellfish in your apartment, you need to understand that they require constant care. You need to regularly monitor the cleanliness in the aquarium, this can be helped by an air-lift filter, which you can easily make with your own hands. With a responsible approach to this matter, you will get the perfect aquarium with a beautiful design that will fit into your interior.
See the following video for an overview of airlift filters.
