How to Use a Canister Filter on a Drilled Aquarium

Canister filters typically stand below the aquarium and are attached to it via inlet and outlet tubing. In many cases this tubing is placed over the rim of the aquarium, which makes it difficult to place a canopy onto the top of the tank. Drilled aquariums contain a number of neat circular holes, normally placed just below the rim. Filter tubing and electrical cords for heaters and submersible pumps are passed through these pre-drilled ports which allow a canopy to be easily placed onto the aquarium rim.

Things You'll Need

• Aquarium with pre-drilled ports
• Canister filter
• Sintered glass tubes
• Pouch containing activated carbon
• Filter floss

Instructions

1. Close the plastic in-line valves on the inlet and outlet ports on the lid of the canister and remove the lid. Ensure that the gasket remains in its depression in the lid.

2. Remove the three stackable filter material trays.

3. Fill the last compartment with sintered glass tubes. Beneficial bacterial colonize this biological filter material and convert the toxic, metabolic waste from the fish into less harmful substances. Return this tray to the canister filter.

4. Rinse the nylon pouch of activated carbon under a running tap and place it into the second filter tray. Return the tray to the canister.

5. Fill the last tray with filter floss and place the tray into the canister.

6. Wet your finger under a running tap and run it over the gasket in the canister's lid. Ensure that the gasket is lying correctly in its depression. Place the lid on the canister and secure it with the attached clips.

7. Attach one end of the intake tube to the intake port on the canister's lid. Feed the opposite end of the tube through one of the pre-drilled ports in the back glass pane of the aquarium.

8. Place the hard intake pipe into the aquarium and push the free end of the intake tubing over the intake pipe. Secure the intake pipe to the sides of the aquarium with adhesive suction cups.

9. Attach one end of the outlet tube to the outlet port on the canister's lid. Feed the opposite end of the tube through the of the second pre-drilled ports in the back glass pane of the aquarium.

10. Place the hard outlet pipe into the aquarium and push the free end of the outlet tubing over the outlet pipe. Secure the outlet pipe to the sides of the aquarium with adhesive suction cups.

11. Open the plastic in-line valves on the inlet and outlet ports on the lid of the canister filter.

12. Push the priming button on the canister filter four to six times, if your canister model has one.

13. Turn on the canister.

References

• Aqua Hobby: Basic Types of Filters
• American Aquarium Products: Diagram of a drilled aquarium with a Canister Filter and UV

Resources

• Advanced Aquarist; The Basics Of Water Movement In The Reef Aquarium; J. Warrick