How about a filter

Unlike conventional setup of aquaponics which utilizes a growbed filled with growmedia such as gravel or Leca, my leca is only placed into the growpots suspended on styrofoam slabs on top of the gutter. Thus from what Ive read, an external biofilter is required for such setup to aid in the nitrification of the water.

After two weeks of operating with the normal aquarium top filter, I wasnt satisfied with the water quality of my system thus I went to an aquarium shop to seek for help in solving my murky water. Part of the problem is that I havent cycled the water fast enough (pump is to small) and I dont have the sufficient amount of filtration material.

The owner of the shop suggested that I use a bigger filter and include lava rocks (will regulate pH) and other inert materials like ceramic tubes or bio balls for bacteriae to live in. This 3ft long setup will cost me RM165 excluding the pump which I already have. The filter tank alone cost RM110, oooh thats too steep for me as my fish tank only costed me RM130! Then I looked online and found that most pond filters can be DIYed and I also looked at some design. Most of them flows the water to the bottom of the filter then it overflows into the fish tank again.

Then I went to my hardware shop and found that I can get an RM9 dustbin with another slotted smaller bin  which costed RM5 to be used in my design. Bought some pipe fittings and I went again to the aquarium shop to get some lava rocks and more filter wools. This time the owner also told me that you could use Leca as well for the filter (to make bacteriae habitat). Great, I still have plenty of those!

All in all, the addition of the filter costed me RM80, half of which I wouldve spent on ready made item...Some sense of achievement flowed in when I saw that the quality of the water has actually improved! Usually I cant see the bottom but now I can. Yes perhaps its being contributed by the rain topping up my tank, but Im very positive that the filter contributes the most to rejuvenating the water quality of my fish tank!

Thanks for reading, now lets look at some pictures!

Youll see that most DIY filter is setup like this sketch I made of my design

Here is my external biofilter

The water which overflows into the tank will also aerate the tank during non-cycling hours

You can see the Leca contained in netsacks and to the right of the vertical pipe you can see the edge of the smaller bin, and also the lava rocks contained in netsacks as well...

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