🛠️ Beginner-Friendly DIY ADA-Style Filter Guide

For 1000ml Stainless Steel Canister

Perfect for beginners – no DIY experience needed! Just follow the steps below.

✅ What You’ll Need

• • 1000ml stainless steel canister with lid (approx. 100mm wide)
• • Electric drill
• • Small drill bit (to make a guide hole)
• • 10mm drill bit (for final hole size)
• • 2 x 10mm rubber grommets
• • 2 x 10mm push-fit connectors
• • Aquarium pump (USB or standard)
• • Aquarium-safe silicone sealant (optional but recommended)
• • Tubing: 8mm x 10mm, 10mm x 12mm, 12mm x 14mm
• • Filter media of your choice

🔗 Tip: Use the filter media in the links above—it’s 100mm wide, just like the canister, so it fits perfectly snug!

🔧 Step 1: Drill the Holes

A. Hole in the Lid

• Drill near the edge, but not too close to the rim.
• Start with a small drill bit to make a guide hole.
• Then switch to the 10mm drill bit to widen the hole.

B. Hole in the Canister

• Drill near the bottom side, not at the very bottom.
• Same method: start small, then use the 10mm drill bit.

⚠️ Stainless steel is slippery—hold the drill steady and wear protective gloves.

🧰 Step 2: Insert Rubber Grommets

• Push the 10mm rubber grommets into the two drilled holes.
• Optional: Apply aquarium-safe silicone for leak protection.

👍 With a snug fit between the 10mm hole, push fitting, and grommet, leaks are unlikely—but silicone adds peace of mind.

🔌 Step 3: Connect the Pump

• Cut just over an inch of 8mm x 10mm tubing.
• Slide tubing onto the pump’s inflow and into the lid fitting.
• Insert the pump into the canister with the tubing in place.

🧱 Step 4: Add Filter Media

Insert your preferred filter media.

👍 Use the 100mm-wide one from the guide—it fits snugly and stays in place.

🔗 Step 5: Connect the Tubing

A. Inflow (Bottom Fitting – from Tank to Canister)

• Start with 8mm x 10mm tubing.
• Slide 10mm x 12mm tubing over it.
• Then 12mm x 14mm tubing on top.
• Connect to your tank’s intake pipe.

📌 This graduated setup increases inflow pressure—an ADA-style trick!

B. Outflow (Top Fitting – from Pump to Tank)

• Connect 8mm x 10mm tubing to the pump’s outflow.
• Run the other end to your aquarium to return clean water.

💧 Step 6: Prime the Filter

• Ensure pump is off (unplug or pull USB).
• Suck on the outflow tube until water fills the tubing and canister.
• When water flows out, place tube into tank and power on the pump.

✅ The filter should now be circulating water!

🌿 Step 7: Done!

🎉 Congratulations! Your DIY ADA-style canister filter is now running.

Take a step back, admire your creation, and be proud—you made this!