First The Item list
Motor from a Whisper Mini internal filter. (free it came with the 5g tank and it's been lying around for a while)
LOCK&LOCK containers 3pack for about $9
1/2 inch tubing $1.18
Aquarium sealant about $5
plastic endpiece of an old uptake tube
cheap bubble wand from walmart that was laying around with suction cups
Total cost - about $16
Tools
Power drill
Knife (boxcutter or razor)
Scissors
q-tips
1. Drill the holes for the Tubes.
I didn't have a 1/2in drill bit so I had to use the box cutter to make the hole big enough.
2. Cut a straight line from the uptake hole to the power cord hole, at the center of the line cut a line at a 90degree angle as to make a "T" This gives just barely enough room to push the plug through.
3. Push the plug through the container (not an easy task)
4. Cut the tube to desired lengths.
5. Place tubing into the holes.
6. Place the tubing down into the output of the motor. Seal with sealant.
At this point you should have better sealant than the stuff I used. Remember to put this on THICK the first time. It won't seal to itself.
7. Seal all of the tubing inside and out of the container. Seal all holes. Q-tips come in handy to get those hard to reach areas.
8. Let cure for two days.
9. cut the bubble wand to about 2"
10. drill holes in it as a "spraybar"
11. Check for any leaks in the canister by placing it in a sink and filling it and the sink and plug it in. slowly lift the canister out of the sink and check for leaks and if it's pumping.
12. Place the "spray bar" into the end of the output tube.
13. Place the uptake tube guard over the input.
*Optional - I covered Mine with electrical tape because I heard that darkness is good for the beneficial bacteria.
You can use just about any type of filter media in this. I used the old carbon from the UG filter that was in the tank. (for the beneficial bacteria) an AC sponge and a small bag of Purigen.
Viola! you have your own canister filter.
In use. (sorry the tank is kind of blah right now)
I hope this helps.