Difficulty
Easy
Steps
5
Time Required
25 - 35 minutes
Sections
1
- Biological Media
- 5 steps
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0
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Introduction
Often, commercially produced aquarium filters come with cheap sponges which are meant to act as this medium. Unfortunately, these sponges can deteriorate quickly and replacement sponges must be purchased. However instead of purchasing a new sponge medium, one can simply produce their own long lasting and effective media with a little bit of effort. This guide will go over creating, preparing, and using your own aquarium filter media made from PVC pipe.
Never replace more than 25% of your filter media at once.
What you need
Step 1
Rub the PVC pipe with Sandpaper
- Get a PVC pipe with a small diameter; less than 5 cm is ideal.
- Rub the outer surface of the PVC pipe with 120 grit sandpaper to create a rough surface.
- You will want the surface to go from feeling smooth, to feeling grainy. The goal is to create as much surface area as possible for good bacteria to colonize.
Get a PVC pipe with a small diameter; less than 5 cm is ideal.
Rub the outer surface of the PVC pipe with 120 grit sandpaper to create a rough surface.
You will want the surface to go from feeling smooth, to feeling grainy. The goal is to create as much surface area as possible for good bacteria to colonize.
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Step 2
Cut the PVC Pipe into Small Pieces
- Use any cutting tool like utility scissors to safely cut the PVC pipe into several small pieces.
- Ideally you will want enough pieces to fill approximately 25% of your aquarium filter’s canister.
- Put all of the small cut pieces into a container that can hold water.
Use any cutting tool like utility scissors to safely cut the PVC pipe into several small pieces.
Ideally you will want enough pieces to fill approximately 25% of your aquarium filter’s canister.
Put all of the small cut pieces into a container that can hold water.
Step 3
Fill the Container with Water
- Thoroughly rinse the pipe pieces to remove any powdered PVC.
- Do a final rinse with conditioned tap water, or any chlorine-free water you have available.
Thoroughly rinse the pipe pieces to remove any powdered PVC.
Do a final rinse with conditioned tap water, or any chlorine-free water you have available.
Step 4
Remove Existing Aquarium Filter Medium
- Unplug your aquarium filter.
- Lift the lid of your aquarium filter’s canister.
- Carefully remove 10-25% of your biological filter media.
Unplug your aquarium filter.
Lift the lid of your aquarium filter’s canister.
Carefully remove 10-25% of your biological filter media.
Step 5
Insert the New Media into the Filter Canister
- Slowly replace the existing biological with your new pipe media: 10-25% a week, during water changes, is ideal to avoid ammonia spikes.
- Do not replace all the media at once.
- You have successfully replaced your biological media with a more robust and effective alternative.
Slowly replace the existing biological with your new pipe media: 10-25% a week, during water changes, is ideal to avoid ammonia spikes.
Do not replace all the media at once.
You have successfully replaced your biological media with a more robust and effective alternative.
Enjoy your long-lasting biological media!
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Author
with 2 other contributors
Farhan
Member since: 02/07/2022
133 Reputation
1 Guide authored
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Team
York University, Team R-2, Melo-Thaiss Winter 2022
Member of York University, Team R-2, Melo-Thaiss Winter 2022
YORK-MELO-THAISS-W22SRG2
2 Members
1 Guide authored
