can you build a canister filter?

[Collin1104]

this might be the dumbest thing ever but my dad sells pool products and stuff and there are all these pumps in my garage.. like ones the size of an ordinary canister filter youd see in the store.. i think the reason their soo small is cus they pump the water through a system which is lead to the big pool pump but could i just do that? i dont see why it wouldnt work as long as i put some filter media in there and maybe some carbon and what else would i need in there???

[cabrego]

It would proabably be more trouble than it's worth, because of the issues you would have with making the right type of canister to work with your pump. You should, use those pumps as returns for a sump system.

[Collin1104]

whoa.. that sounds like more trouble lol... did i mention im just testing it out for a 30 galllon?? lol i have like a billion HOB filters but the flow just sucks when it comes to those... anyways i dont really know what im talking about but in my marine science class at school, my teacher opened a canister, so i saw how it was set up lol so i think ill just use these little pump things that really look just like a canister with the little pump and the bucket like middle piece where all the crap goes.. idk ill try it tomorrow maybe, i should probably ask my dad first lol thanks for the suggestion though!

[hpt84]

It can be done. I have seem 2 ways that work. One person use a glass container. Here is the thread. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
A more common option is using a air tight plastic container.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
Whichever option you choose, make sure you are placing the pump so that it pump the water out of the canister into the tank instead of pumping water from tank into canister. I hope you understand that. Reason is if you pump into canister there will be pressure for the canister to expanse, which could cause a leak. If you pump water out of canister, there would be inward pressure which will keep canister tight.

[Collin1104]

wow! i really like the glass one! i know i can make that, the only thing i need is a jar lol.. thank you that helped me out a lot.. soo would i just put the filter media in there and some carbon??