Side drop filters

[floyd]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone would be able to explain how 'side drop filters' work and also how to make one. Are they very effective?
I just found out about them and they sound good but it's difficult to find any info about them on the net. Pictures would be good.
Thanks

[joz]

Side,corner or backdrop filters are very efficient and work a treat.
The only prboblem i sthey they don't suit small fish or when being used in a breeding tank.Due to the size of the water inlet.


The inlet is between two plates of glass which has been space usually by some small er peices.
The front peice does not reach the bottom part of the tank but usually starts abot 25% up from the bottom and goes all the way up to the top of the tank.The rear peice starts at the bottom of the tanl and usually goes upto about the 70-80% height of the tank.
Behind these sits a grate of sorts to keep the filter medium of the bottom just like most box'or cannister filters.
From in here the water is drawn up into PVC pipes either via air pumps or powerheads.
These outlet back into the tank through holes cut high into the front peice of glass in the filters glass plate.

This way as the water is being pumped out from behind the glass filter wall as it tries to equalise it self the water is dran into the filter up between the glass platesall the way up over the inside glass plate then drawn back down over the filter medium.

I have made many tankss like this but rather than having two glass plates I cut extra 32mm holes that the water would inlet through.
Though perhaps not quite as efficient for larger cichlids the were ideal for breeding and fry raising.
When breeding I had a PVC fitting with a sponge ove the inlet, this stop fry being sucked into the filter.


Here is a pic of one (not mine) perhaps not the best example but you may get the idea.http://thefishcave.com.au/graphics/sidedrop_filters/sidedrop_top_view.jpg

You should be able to see the two peices of glass I'm talking about.

[floyd]

Thanks for your answer. I now understand how they work except how far apart are the two plates of glass. Also would the filter be effective on a 6ft cichlid tank.
Thanks

[joz]

About 5mm between them would be more than enough.
Any smaller and they may clog with debris.
Just use some strips of glass to use as spacers.
With that amount of filter area you'll have no trouble with the cichlids.
So are you going to use power or air for the uplifts?

[floyd]

Which would be better? Would I get enough filtration with just air? Also I found some pictures with the filter across the back corner instead of the side. In a display tank this might be better because you wouldn't see as much of the filter but would it be as effective?

[joz]

People tend to put them into the corners for just that reason.
If you have an air pump that pushes enough air it should be fine.
I only ever used air for my side drops.But if you have to buy something you may just aswell get a powerhead or two.

[floyd]

Thanks for all your advice.