Airlift filter: advantages and making it yourself

The health and cleanliness of your aquarium are essential to the happiness of your fish and plants. An efficient and well-liked method for accomplishing this is by using an airlift filter. This kind of filter is excellent for many aquarium setups because it is mild and effective at the same time. This post will discuss the benefits of adding an airlift filter to your tank and provide step-by-step instructions for making one.

Air bubbles are used by an airlift filter to move water and filter it. Water is drawn up by the air bubbles as they ascend through a pipe and are forced through a filter medium. This maintains a gentle flow that won’t disturb your fish or plants in addition to helping to keep the water clear. The design’s simplicity makes it a favorite among DIY enthusiasts and aquarium enthusiasts alike.

We’ll go over the advantages of using an airlift filter in your aquarium in the sections that follow. We will also walk you through the process of creating your own custom filter from the ground up. Making an airlift filter can be a fun project that improves the aesthetics and health of your tank, regardless of experience level.

In case you’re searching for a cost-effective and efficient method of maintaining the cleanliness of your aquarium, an airlift filter could be the perfect choice. This post will explain the advantages of airlift filters, such as their low energy consumption and ease of use, and walk you through creating one at home. Creating and utilizing an airlift filter can be an easy and satisfying do-it-yourself project that improves the health of your aquatic environment, regardless of experience level.

Purpose and principle of operation

Toxic to aquatic life, ammonia and nitrites progressively build up in a closed ecosystem. Aquarium life may perish if a particular concentration threshold is crossed. Fish waste products must therefore be removed from the aquatic environment with extreme care.

Aquarium airlift filters serve multiple purposes simultaneously:

• enrich the aquatic environment with an air mixture;
• ensure the circulation of water flows inside the tank;
• filter water from mechanical impurities.

The system consists of components like an air and water tube, a sponge, and a compressor.

The air filter operates in a straightforward manner. The compressor is connected to the air supply and pumping tubes. The compressor’s air flow enters the filter at the bottom, where it turns around and ascends naturally. Dirt and water are drawn into the sponge by the reverse thrust that is produced. The name comes from the fact that this appears to move like an elevator from the outside. After going through the sponge filter, the water is retained and then purified before being returned to the aquarium. Because the air compressor is outside, the aquarium has less interior space.

Although they have a more intricate structure, new airlift filters operate on the same idea. The filter is made to resemble a plastic container filled with layers of different filter materials. Corner containers that save space. They work well in tiny aquariums. These highly developed airlift systems completely preserve the biological equilibrium and oxygen saturation of the aquatic environment.

Pros and cons

Aerofilters provide a number of benefits.

• they work silently, there are only sounds of running air bubbles;
• a sponge that fits well to the tubes is absolutely safe not only for large, but also for small inhabitants (shrimp, snails, fry);
• a compact device effectively saves space;
• the filter part is easy to disguise among stones and algae;
• the device can be easily moved from one tank to another;
• electricity and space are saved by using an additional water aerator;
• if desired, you can make a structure that will look beautiful in the interior of the aquarium;
• an airlift can be made independently with a minimum of investment and labor costs.

Using this system has some drawbacks as well, although they are not very significant:

• the filter material is short-lived;
• the design will not cope with filtering water in a large-volume aquarium;
• it will not clean out large contaminants.

DIY manufacturing

You will need the following materials to create an airlift filter by hand:

• a 1.5 liter plastic bottle;
• a sharp knife;
• a piece of padding polyester, which will act as a sponge;
• a handful of pebbles.

Take note! An air compressor, which serves as a pump, is also required.

Procedure for manufacturing in detail:

• Cut off the bottom of the bottle with a sharp knife at a height of about 10 cm.
• Cut off the top of the bottle at a height half that of the bowl, we get an "umbrella".
• Remove the lid and the ring from the neck (in the process you will need another one from another bottle).
• The remaining middle part of the bottle is cut lengthwise and rolled into a tube, fixing it with rings. The tube will unfold itself to the desired diameter.
• Put the tube on the neck of the "umbrella" and secure it tightly with one ring like a clamp.
• Put a handful of stones, preferably porous, into the lower cut-off bowl.
• Immerse the umbrella into the bowl with the tube up. It should stand tightly and not wobble.
• Wrap a large piece of padding polyester around the tube inside the bowl. It is necessary to take into account that it will shrink when wet.
• Insert a hose from a compressor inside the tube. The air filter is ready.

This kind of apparatus stabilizes itself at the aquarium’s bottom, purifies the water, and adds oxygen to it. The cushioning polyester is taken out, cleaned, or replaced about every five days. After cleaning, rinse the sponge with aquarium water to preserve any beneficial microorganisms.

An appliance from the store performs no less well than a homemade one. You may take a red, green, or transparent bottle. In addition to serving as an anchor, the pebbles at the bottom of the bowl rapidly fill with beneficial microorganisms for the aquatic environment.

The airlift filter is an excellent supplement to any aquarium configuration. Both novices and experienced aquarists favor it because of its ease of use and potency. It maintains your tank clean and your fish healthy without requiring a large, noisy filter because it uses air to create water movement. This technique gives your aquatic pets a more peaceful and natural habitat while also clearing out equipment clutter.

Making your own airlift filter is a worthwhile endeavor. It provides you with a better understanding of how filtration systems function and enables you to tailor the filter to the particular requirements of your tank. All it takes is a few simple materials and some time to make a filter that works well and looks great in your aquarium.

All things considered, the airlift filter provides a useful and efficient means of keeping an aquarium healthy. It’s a great option for improving your aquatic environment because of its advantages and the satisfaction that comes with doing a do-it-yourself project. This kind of filter is unquestionably something to think about, whether you’re starting from scratch or upgrading your existing configuration.

Video on the topic

Homemade airlift filter with your own hands.

DIY AIRLIFT FILTER | The water is cleaned, and the fry and shrimp are safe! From what was!

DIY airlift pump for a filter.