Aquarium bottom filter: purpose, pros and cons

Water filtration is the most important and necessary factor for the comfortable life of fish and other living things in an aquarium. The choice of water treatment systems depends on the volume of the home reservoir, fish species and host preferences. You can achieve the optimal balance of the aquatic environment using various filters, the bottom one is one of them.

The purpose of the bottom filter, otherwise called false bottom, is the compulsory purification of the aquatic environment of an artificial reservoir using a water pump through a false bottom made of a special grate and large and medium-sized pebbles laid on it. Since the filtering device is located at the bottom of the aquarium, it belongs to the internal ones.

The structure of the cleaning element is not very complex and rather compact.

By the method of filtration through a false bottom water treatment systems are of direct and reverse action.

• Straight - the most common cleaning method, the system consists of a special filter mesh, a layer of soil, a pump. The liquid, under the influence of the compressor, seeps through the soil and the cleaning mesh between the false and the real bottom and, already filtered, returns to the aquarium. The cartridges used for cleaning are installed together with the compressor under the artificial bottom. They cannot provide high-quality water filtration, waste of life settles on the ground and gradually contaminates the aquarium.
• Reverse - this method is most effective due to the fact that the water pump through the false bottom and the ground pumps water in the opposite direction. Waste and soil particles enter the filter, are cleaned and pushed into the tank. Thanks to this, the liquid in the domestic reservoir does not stagnate, and the bottom siphon should be carried out less often than with the direct cleaning method.

Like any mechanical device, a bottom filter has its pros and cons.

Advantages:

• forced and uniform mixing of water layers;
• the false bottom of the reservoir practically does not occupy the internal volume;
• low price compared to other types of cleaning systems;
• water purification at a fairly high level by mechanical and natural means;
• maintains the biological balance in the reservoir;
• evenly distributes soil pressure to the bottom of the aquarium.

Disadvantages:

• for the installation of the bottom filter and subsequent maintenance, it is required to temporarily place all residents of the home reservoir in another container and completely clean the reservoir of living plantings, decorations, soil and drain the water;
• incomplete water purification - fractions of waste products of the aquarium population partially settle on the ground or fall through the grate;
• drainage pipes require regular cleaning, which is associated with certain difficulties (complete dismantling of the filtering system and destruction of the ecological balance);
• the inability of bottom filters in large aquariums to efficiently and reliably perform their work (a large amount of liquid and resistance negatively affects the performance of their functions);
• inadmissibility of installation in aquariums with a large number of live plantings, since this type of filter takes nutrients from plants;
• the inhabitants of the aquarium (small fish, fry, shrimps and snails) can penetrate through the cracks in the grates into the space between the filter and the bottom, complicating the maintenance of the reservoir.

To make a filter device for a 20 liter round aquarium, we need the following materials and tools:

• pipes made of polymeric materials;
• plastic corner for cable routing;
• junction box for connecting channels;
• plexiglass;
• protective (mosquito) mesh;
• water pump with the ability to adjust the water supply;
• various tubes for connecting the pump to the drainage system;
• hacksaw;
• drill or screwdriver;
• roulette;
• hose.

First, let's take measurements of the home tank.... Based on the size, we calculate the length of the tubes that we need to install the drainage system. Pipes with a diameter of up to 30 mm are most suitable. Cut out a circle according to the diameter of the plexiglass aquarium bottom. Then carefully drill holes (you can also use a soldering iron) with a diameter of about 10 mm, as close to each other as possible. We are preparing a round hole for the central pipe into which the pump will be mounted.

After we mount the tubes into the system, you need to make slots in them. We install a pump in the central pipe; for uniform circulation of water on the side farthest from the pump, you need to drill more holes. We connect the tubes to each other, on them we install plexiglass with a protective mesh and a central pipe with a compressor. After installing the structure, soil is laid in the tank and filled with water. For some time, a performance check is carried out, and only then can pets be launched into the home reservoir.

After a while, bottom sediments and waste products of the population of the home reservoir begin to interfere with the operation of the filtering system. The volume of circulation and the quality of water purification are significantly reduced. This can lead to the development of dangerous infections.

Procedure:

• the tank is completely drained;
• fish, plants and other population temporarily move to another container;
• soil, grate and other equipment is removed from the aquarium;
• everything is thoroughly washed under running water without the use of detergents;
• if some parts have even minor damage, they must be replaced immediately;
• the bottom of the reservoir is cleared of debris and dried;
• we install the filtering system in place;
• we return the rest of the equipment;
• pour water, check the performance;
• we launch fish and other inhabitants of the aquarium.

The bottom type system is a fairly productive method of purifying the aquatic environment in an aquarium, which promotes a natural way of filtration (through the soil). The great advantage of this system is the ability to make it without much difficulty with your own hands.

Next, watch a video with tips on how to make a do-it-yourself bottom filter.