homemade filter

[silversides]

I made a filter using a mag-7 pump and a whole house filter from the hardware store. I mounted all of the parts on a wood base. The filter has a built in bypass so I can use the system to just circulate if I want. I have been using it for 3 weeks now and everything in my 125g tank is doing fine. Whats good is I can swith it to my other tank in a few seconds if there is a problem. Is there any problems that may come up that I'm missing.

 

[mr . salty]

How is it set up in regards to cleaning? Do you have enough Live rock to do the bio filteration in the tank? Are there any metal, or more specificaly COPPER parts inside? How many gph does it filter?

 

[silversides]

I conected the pump to the filter using tubbing so I can remove the bottom with out taking anything else apart. I have 40lbs LR and 80lbs LS and it has handled the bio filtration. I found no metal parts only PVC. The mag 7 puts out 700gph at 0' and 500 at 3'. The flow remains pretty constant with a little drop in the filter mode. I usualy run it in the bypass mode for circulation and put it in filter mode for spot cleanups. I also run a protein skimmer. I used over the side suction and return lines so it's easy to use it on another tank as needed. I got the idea looking at the rainbow lifegard filter system. Right now I have about 50 crabs (red/blue), 9 fish, 3 stars, cucumber, horseshoe crab, and it looks great so far. The set up is 3.5 months old.

 

[mr . salty]

The flow seems a little low,but if your rock is doing the bio part it should be fine. GOOD JOB. keep us informed as to it's progress. STEVE