How to Make Your Own Underwater Aquarium Filter

Co-authored by Marshall Stephens

Last Updated: December 24, 2022 Approved

Filters can be expensive. Sometimes, it is hard to find the right type of filter, especially if you have a large tank, or fragile fish (such as bettas). Because of this, many aquarium hobbyists choose to make their own filters. This article will show you how to make a few different ones.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Sponge Filter

Download Article

1
Choose a plastic tube large enough to fit the intake valve on your powerhead. The tube does not need to be very long, since the powerhead will be going under water. Plan on getting something at least twice the height of your sponge.
- When choosing a powerhead, get something that will pumps twice as much water per hour as what's in your tank.
- Sponge filters are ideal for delicate tanks.
2
Choose a filter sponge and cut it down to fit your tank. What brand you use does not matter, but it needs to be the type of sponge used in aquarium filters. The easiest shapes to work with are a triangle or a cylinder. A triangle would fit the easiest in the corner of your fish tank. A cylinder may look neater, however. Whatever shape you choose, make sure that it is wider than your plastic tube.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- You can find filter sponges in pet stores and fish tank stores.
- Consider getting a sponge with larger pores. They are better at housing the good bacteria, which help clean your tank.
- Sponge filters are ideal for shrimp and betta tanks. They are bio efficient, but don't create a lot of suction or water movement.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
The mark needs to be the same height as the sponge. You will be making air holes in the tube below this mark. These holes will be inside the sponge.
You can use a heated nail and hammer to punch the holes, or an electric drill. Plan on making 8 to 10 holes per inch (2.54 centimeters) of plastic tubing.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Make sure that you are plugging the end with all the holes in it. The tube will be going into the sponge, but the bottom still needs to be plugged up. You can use a PVC end cap that fits your tube, or even a piece of styrofoam.
Push it all the way down to the bottom of the sponge. All of the holes in the tube should now be covered by the sponge.
The powerhead will suck the water in, causing it to go through the sponge. All the mess in your aquarium will get caught in the sponge.
The airline tubing doesn't have to be very long, it just needs to fit the aquarium. About 3 to 4 inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) will be enough.^{[4]
X
Research source} The clean water will flow out of this tube.
If your air pump came with suction cups, use those to attach it to the wall of your tank. Angle the output tube so that the water will come out near the surface.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Capsule Filter

Download Article

Film canisters, prescription containers, and empty fish food containers are perfect for this. These filters are great for small tanks.
Do not use any soaps or chemicals, or you will kill your fish. If you are using a film canister, clean it with water and a few drops of a tap water conditioner. Make sure that the conditioner says that it will remove heavy metals. This is because film canisters usually contain traces of heavy metals.
3
Cut a notch into the bottom end of a plastic tube. Find a ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) wide plastic tube. Cut it down to 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) long. Cut a notch into the bottom of the plastic tube. You can also cut the bottom of the tube at an angle. This will help the water flow better.
- You can find plastic tubes at fish tanks and pet stores. You may also find them in home improvement stores.
The hole should be just a little smaller than your ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) tube. This is so that you get a snug fit, once you put the tube in. You can cut the hole right in the middle of the lid, or close to the edge.
The notched/angled bottom of the tube should be hitting the bottom of the capsule. If you cut the hole close to the edge of the lid, angle the tube so that the notch is facing the center, not the side of the capsule.
If you take a look at your lid, there should still be some flat area left around the tube. Fill this area with small holes. This is where the bubbles will come out of.
7
Drill a small hole into the side of the tube. Keep the tube inside the capsule/lid. Measure ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) up from the seam, where the tube meets the lid. Make a small mark. Then, make a hole right on the mark. You can use a heated nail and hammer or an electric drill to do this. The hole should be large enough for a piece of airline tubing to fit through snugly.
- Make the hole just a little smaller than the airline tubing. This will give you a tight fit.
Keep feeding it down the bigger tube, until it is about halfway down the capsule. It should not touch the bottom of the capsule.
Do not pull the plastic tube out. Keep it pressed firmly against the bottom of your capsule. You will be filling the capsule with filter media next. If you pull the tube away now, the filter media will get stuck under it.
You can use zeolite, or any other media used in aquarium filters. Activated charcoal is a great, cheap alternative. It works well for removing bacteria. Check your local pet store or fish tank store.
The plastic tube and capsule will both be under water. The airline tubing will go out of the water, and to the air pump.
Depending on how deep your tank is, and how far away your air pump is, you may need to cut the airline tubing down. Measure the tubing first and trim it down if needed. Plug it into your air pump once it is the right length. Your filter is now ready to use. Position the

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Bottle Filter

Download Article

1
Choose a water bottle that fits the powerhead. The neck of the bottle should fit right over the intake valve of the powerhead. Remember to choose the right powerhead for your tank; it should pump twice as much water as what's in your tank per hour.
- The more powerful your powerhead is, the larger bottle you will need.
- Bottle filters are great for large tanks.
Cut about two-thirds of the bottom corner out, but leave part of the base intake, or your filter media will fall out. This is where the water will come in and out of.
You can find filter floss in your pet store or in a fish tank store. Try to pack the floss into the bottle, so that it is dense. The filter floss will catch debris.
About 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) should be enough.^{[5]
X
Research source} The charcoal will filter out bacteria and toxins.
Remember to pack the filter media somewhat, so that it is snug. The will help filter out the biggest pieces of debris.
This is not necessary for all tanks, but if you have shrimp, small fish, or delicate fish, this would be a very good idea. Simply wrap some mesh over the hole, and secure it with string. Women's hose are great for this.^{[6]
X
Research source}
The intake valve will suck the dirty water into the bottle. The filter media inside will clear all of the dirt out.
A 3 inch (7.62 centimeters) long piece will be enough. The clean water will come out of this tube.
If the powerhead has suction cups, use them to attach it to the wall of your tank. Angle the airline tubing towards the surface of the water.

Video

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I put filter floss into the bottle filter?

Community Answer

Roll the filter floss to the size/thinness you need, then use a solvent and liquid to make the floss slippery enough to get inside the bottle filter.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7
Question

Can I use something else instead of a mesh?

anime obsessing bleach

Community Answer

You can use old pantyhose.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 16
Question

I installed an ultraviolet chamber in a 40 gallon tank with amazing results! Soon turned into fuzzy overgrowth of rusty colored mess throughout the tank -- are they related? Is it bacteria or algae? Do I need a test?

Titans - Gaming and more

Community Answer

It's probably bacteria, test if you are concerned, but it's probably nothing. Monitor it for about a week and if any problems come up have a test.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 5

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Initially, the filter will only pick up pieces of debris and feces in your tank. But as time progresses, bacteria beneficial to your tank will accumulate in the sponge material, allowing the filter to perform biological filtration of your water as well.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
You can bury half of your filter in your tank's gravel to keep it secure, or have it stand upright.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
If you have an adjustable power pump or powerhead, make sure that the output power is set at a desirable level for your type of fish tank.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 2

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Regularly check your filter to make sure that it is still working. A malfunctioning pump is hazardous for your fish as well as you.

Thanks
Helpful 23 Not Helpful 12
Never use soap or chemicals to clean anything you'll be putting inside your fish tank. Even the slightest residue will kill your fish. Use hot water only, and aquarium water conditioner if needed.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0