So after reading and looking at pictures I think I have my design.



I found 30x8x6 plastic flower pots at the local hardware store and would be the perfect OHF container. I plan to create 2 of these to filter my 125 powered by 2xMaxiJet 900 powerheads that are 230GPH each and only use 8watts. There will be a 3-4" overflow so incase the media gets clogged the water can fall though 2 1/2 " holes with out spilling over the top making a mess. The bottom of the flowerpot will have holes drilled in it and there will be a later of floss, coarse sponge and levels of bio media of rings or lava rock.

What do you guys think?

Pretty neat idea. I was thinking about doing something similar for a filter for my pond. I have a couple of those window boxes. Mine already have holes in the bottom for drainage if you take the bottom off of them. Let us know how it works out.

Thanks :)

I stumbled across these when I was looking for a strawberry pot for breeding and started to think this would be perfect for a filter. I will put the powerheads as close to the top as possible but if this works good would be a very efficient filter. I also thinking about adding some plants in the top. Any recommendations on plants to use that have the root system submerged and grow up and will use lots of nitrates?

looks like a good idea, I like the overflow safeguard, good thinking Dan!!

Parrotsfeather if you can get it in your area. Either that or Water Hyacinth would be perfect in there.

Well just did a quick test, the powerhead is perfect :) Damn them things are impressive.

So now need to buy the flower boxs and fittings and get working!

Cool idea. Lets us know how it works out and add some pics when your done.

Hydrophonics. Great for all kinds of herbs.

Back home, we used to do this because it's a lot cheaper than buying canisters or hang-on filters. In fact, when I went back home last 2006, I still see a lot of them using overhead filters. My only problem with this is like when you want to work on something inside the tank (scaping, etc.) you have to take the filter down. But otherwise, I find this a very cost cutting alternative to those expensive filters. Thanks for sharing bro.

This post has been edited by sinned77: May 7 2008, 02:52 PM

i like using the plastic container with the lid, it' cheaper, and has all size for you to choose.

This post has been edited by OrangeHorn: May 7 2008, 03:40 PM

i am glad you decided to DIY the overhead filter Dan,i bet you would love the end result.

Have you thought of stacking the pots like the bakki shower in pond/Koi filtration technology?
Here's a picture of what I am talking about...

looks like a great plan, dan.

could i get a explanation of where it goes on the tank?

or connect to tank. does it just sit on top?

also will it cover half or the whole top?

This will sit on the back of the tank across the top and the powerhead will be 6-8" under water and may make intake pipes closer to the bottom with a prefilter. I have a 72" 126g and will run 2 of these across the top and will have 12" of play but I also have a center support and need to measure that. I have thought of running a multiple tier system but will do one level first and if that does not seem like its enough the will add another level. The flower box are cheap like $6/ea so should be a low budget filter that uses low power. If this works out it will will use 2 watts more then an ac110 and have way more surface area.

I also got one of these and going to get a couple more, only like $5 each and thought may be good to use as a planter for plants to add like an internal fuge in a fresh tank.

This post has been edited by danz: May 7 2008, 08:37 PM

Thanks I am going to have to look into this more :)

Where in the world did you get those Betta traps? I've been looking all over the place for those exact ones and can't find them anywhere. If you pick some up for me I'll gladly pay you to ship them here.

$5.49
http://www.bigalsonline.com/BigAlsUS/ctl36...tasecurityhouse

Well spend a lot of the night reading about bakki filters and the media with FIR but is very costly $200 for 22lbs for the media and there is lots of debates on how good it works. Koiphen.com had lots of great real information as well found some awesome articles. They say that it gets rid of the ammonia and nitrogen though the air in each level and is exposed not enclosed which helps the efficiency of the filter but this is also the downside of it as it makes a mess so dont think its good for indoor use. Very cool information though. Need to see if I can apply come of these concepts from it

Same concept as a distallation packed column which is a counter flow of liquid and gaseous phase.
The good thing about the W&D system is this; if you provide air flow in it, you can rid of ammonia and nitrite very fast.
If you totally enclosed the system and make it anarobic, you will not rid of ammonia and nitrite very fast but you will be able to minimize nitrate.
You guys understand this concept?

DAMN dANZ YOUR A REAL HANDY MAN!!!great work