The biofilter of an aquarium – the conversion of ammonia to nitrites and then to nitrates. This process takes place with the participation of the living in the fish tank beneficial bacteria, and is dependent on oxygen uptake. It is necessary to maintain in the aquarium continuous flow of water rich in oxygen, which is achieved by using a filter.

Buy filter for aquarium in the store, but if the price seems excessive, it is possible to make at home. The efficiency will depend on how carefully you treat it.

How to make a filter for the aquarium alone



To make a homemade filter for aquarium, you will need a bottle of sparkling water with a capacity of about a pint, plastic tube the same diameter as the inner diameter of a bottleneck, a piece of batting, a small pebble fraction is not more than five millimeters, compressor with hose.

The bottle should be carefully cut into two parts. One of them must be greater than the other to get the small bowl with spout and a large bottom. The bowl neck is directed upwards and with force pushed into the bottom, so she sat tight there. On the outer circumference of the bowl is necessary to make some holes through which water will flow into the filter. It is better to make holes with a diameter of 3-4 mm, to arrange them in two rows, 4-6 holes in a row. The tube inserted into the neck of the bowl so that it went with little effort. Between the pipe and the neck of the gaps should not be. The length of the tubing should be chosen in such a way that she acted a little over design. In the bottom of the bottle it should not stretch so that the water came to her freely.

On top of the bowl a six-centimeter-layer of backfill with gravel and cover it with a layer of batting. In the tube, install a hose aerator lock. When the whole structure is placed in the aquarium, vkluchaetsia that the filter started to work. The filter is running will appear beneficial bacteria, so the ammonia in the aquarium will decompose the nitrates.

The principle of operation of a homemade filter



Design a homemade filter based on the airlift technique. From the compressor, air bubbles are fed into the tube, and from there go up and thus pulling water out of the filter. Fresh water enriched with oxygen gets to the top of the glass and passes through the layer of gravel. Then it goes through the holes made in the bowl goes down and the tube falls away to the aquarium. Polyester performs the role of a mechanical filter it is necessary to prevent siltation of gravel in there.