DIY trickle filter

I made a trickle filter for my 40 gal breeder, I made this video to show you guys how it works and how easy it is to make one.

[@superaquatics]

Excellent idea. Thank you for sharing it. Just a suggestion for the overflow risk, you could connect overflow pipes near the tops of the drawers from one side connecting to a hose & going down into the tank so in case if it does overflow, it will simply drain down back into the tank.

[@PurpleRose8725]

It's beautiful

[@injoy987]

Not to mention the capacity that this filter can handle is awesome. That thing could handle around a 125- 175 easily. Great video dude, about to check some of your other videos. .

[@jdofishtank6018]

injoy987 thanks

[@anthonyragan2696]

Very neat DIY project, and you can't argue with the cost.

[@user-lw7dp4de5n]

Anthony Ragan now if fall water to be waterdowns :-) at down level flat

[@user-lw7dp4de5n]

made by ikea :-) for bread

[@lofistudy3294]

two years using this idea and it works real good.

[@westsenkovec]

Thanks a lot man. I knew I could make my own filter better and cheaper than the ones bought in the store and thanks to your videos I won't have to experiment too much.

[@RRED2]

You can tell how good it works look how healthy your fish are and your water is pristine. Thank you for sharing. Steve :)

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks

[@alizaargueta1245]

JDO Fishtank If this oxygenates the water, do i still need airstones?

[@halozz]

ill reply, no need. im using professional over head trickle filter. no air stones require as when the water pulls down into the outflow tons of oxygen is in it

[@henryadriel001]

Thank you very much I’m definitely making one it looks so easy and the water is just so clear

[@Megatog615]

The added benefit of the first drawer is that the splash media actually helps to even out the water flow and keep it from condensing in the center of each tray, getting an equal use out of all of your media.

[@jimquitshowingmyname962]

I picked up a couple trickle filters on a business trip to Guam last month. Interesting beasts. I'm setting them up on my breeding tanks.

[@tonyv4565]

you can prevent flooding by using plastic storage containers that come with a lid instead of a shelf tower. A 3-gallon storage container costs $2-3 at walmart. Stack them on each other, apply some silicone glue, then drill some holes. It's what my friend does for his biggest fish tank

[@pondguru]

That is an excellent size trickle filter - awesome job, man. We're lucky in the UK as there are a few sellers bringing in some great aquarium trickle filters from China and I hope they become available in the US for a decent price. All the best for 2017.

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks, I wanted to buy the one in your video but to fit my tank I had to get one that was $80.

[@pondguru]

Yes its a bummer - not sure why they would cost way more in the US than they do in the UK as they all come from China.

[@hawksight200]

Pondguru Outdoors Richard it might be cause America puts an inport tax on items made in China

[@pondguru]

We get hit with taxes too but you guys must really get hammered as its way more expensive on amazon.com than ebay.co.uk

[@MrPottymouth122]

Wow... I've been dreaming up something that would do this job for compost tea. Mostly it was to remove debris but I've also been trying to incorporate a "feeding stage" for the microbiology going on in those barrels. This system is DAMN sweet genius! With such a multilayered filtration system you don't even have to shut down to clean, just hot swap a clean filter drawer for a the nasty one, (like a RAID 3 filter!), & never miss a beat.

[@Davi_uk]

Love creativity if you took this to another level you could get this equivalent filtering of a very expensive filter. Thanks for sharing!

[@just4fun-family145]

Great video, I now I’m subscribed to your channel and I appreciate all the cool ideas… After watching the video I kind a have an idea and hope it helps you. One of them was it looks as if the tray is roughly 16 inches or so wide and if that’s the case the frame on either side can be screwed into the studs in the wall as they are usually 16 inches on center. That may help with the support and could lift it off your tank to take off the stress from the actual aquarium.The other note was in regards to it overflowing, if you do left it on the wall you could then secure a pan like a plastic lid of some sort at an angle over your aquarium so if it does overflow that water would simply wash back into your aquarium as opposed to all over the place. Let me know what you think hope it helps. Thanks again for the great video!

[@Deepriver309]

Pond guru & his media is unreal i love him he keep me in this hobby always reply my emails and give me the best advice

[@1959Berre]

A trickle filter is much safer than a sump. Anaerobic conditions in the filter medium in case of a pump malfunction or a power-out are impossible, since the filter will empty itself completely. Oxygen is always plenty available for optimum oxidation of toxic decomposition products. 30 years ago I made a very simple horizontal trickle filter with a long plastic planter filled with expanded clay pellets and a layer of filter wool on top. It had just one tube with many fine holes, spraying the water over the filter wool. The water trickled through the holes in the bottom of the planter, straigth into the aquarium. Its performance was outstanding. I rinsed the wool once a week. A horizontal planter is long, low and narrow and it is very stable when put on top of the aquarium tank. It will never overflow, since it only consists of one compartment. It does not look bulky, since it only is 4 inches high. A selfmade trickle filter based on a 3 ft planter si dirt cheap, it can be made in no time for less than $15.

[@The_Penguin_City]

Muchas gracias por compartirlo! es una excelente realización de la idea.

[@commonsensetony2480]

Love that set up, well done.

[@octaandy]

Awesome video... Btw, your sons math is spot on BECAUSE you said your 2 pumps are running at 90gph each...with no leaks (output) = (input) in this configuration...

[@TheScottBuck]

Sweet idea! For your overflow concern, perhaps put the entire system inside a larger bin with holes that would drain back into the tank if that were to happen. Just an idea.

[@farazsiddiqui6689]

Thank you for your effort and sharing it with us. God Bless.

[@babypunkangel]

if you'd like to salve the problem you have with the slight chance of one of the chambers becoming clogged and overflowing all you have to do is add a bulkhead to each of the chambers so if the water reaches the top of the bulkhead the water still gets to the next chamber but a small percentage of it will get over the bulkhead and won't get filtered. if you check your filter every few days you'll know ahead of time when it's starting to clog up and you'll see how much water is skipping whatever chamber is clogged. at first when i did this i had trouble getting the draws in and out because of the bottom of the bulkhead and how it sticks out the bottom so you'll have the same problem you have with your fifth chamber going back into the tank but I solved that problem by siliconing the top half of the bulkhead inside the chamber (not using the bottom half that sticks out and keeps you from removing the tray) try it and you'll love it. if you want to go all out and add a reminder to clean, that not only tells you when it's time to clean but also tells you what chamber needs cleaning! this idea tells you which chamber is clogged without you having to look inside. all you need to do is add a small cap like a soda bottle cap tied to fishing twine leading to the top of the filter. when the water starts flowing down any of the "overflow" bulkheads because it's starting to get clogged, the flowing water pushes the cap down pulling the string that has the numbers of the chambers up on top inside of a small sign that reads "clean chamber __". when the string is pulled by the water pressure, that specific chamber number gets pulled up telling you what chamber to clean. I'm not sure if I explained that well enough... but I think you'll get the point of what I mean. it's a silly thing to waste time on but I thought it was funny so i made it and everyone loves it and wants one!

[@PeterParkerNY]

I attempted this today with a 3-drawer, top to bottom: Polyfil, Polyfil & Carbon, Lava rocks. This was worth the time and $ compared to purchasing an expensive filter. I have a 55-gallon with water not filled to the top, so if you're like me then it's gonna be LOUD. Thinking about filling it with more water and creating an above-tank basking area for the turtles now. One thing not mentioned though implied is that the submersible filter should be on the opposite end of the trickle filter so the trickling water will flow towards the submersed filter, thus cycling the entire tank. Anyways, thanks for the video!

[@SkittsMcGee]

Looking into this for my turtle tank. What pump did you use?

[@checkforfleas9452]

I did a small one to one of my tanks and I have the rest on canister filters. I like the drip one better. Its so much easier to change things and do maintenance on than my canister filters. My canister filters I have to turn of dump out and break it down. Where as the trickle I don't have to do anything but shut the pump off to get to the floss other than that its the best way lol

[@robertbaker2940]

Just built this. Working great!

[@mxr248]

My wet dry sump is designed similar to this. A guy made it 20 some years ago. Ppl that want a sump under their tank with overflow could use something like that in a aquarium and save a lot of money.

[@chenderhan]

Gonna make a larger one of these for my turtle trough. Thanks for sharing!

[@fff8e765]

I wanted to tell you that I copied yours a year ago, I had a canister filter as well, I used both the these canisters were giving me worse results than the trickle filter alone. Now I got awesome result from my trickle filter.

[@jdofishtank6018]

sergio f4t nice!

[@mohamedfaisal3025]

Hey thanks man for giving me this great idea . Keep it up

[@Maru-bl7ms]

Thank you for this man. Very helpful and informative. God Bless :) I'm gonna use my sister's same drawer as yours hahahah :D

[@aaaheim]

I used a trickle filter much like yours but there is a big issue... If u got a planted tank i learned that they will not like this filtration. It simply stripps the water of all co2 because of the effective aeration of the water and my plants slowly checked out. In a non planted tank with a heavy fishstock it´s a great filter!

[@jdofishtank6018]

You are correct

[@bobbywhite5319]

Why do you cut the GPH in half?

[@JenaTuckerAquariums]

aaaheim so if I want to use this for a outside pond filter for goldfish, the water lettuce would not live? Thanks

[@teclec]

Jena Tucker Aquariums surface plants will get co2 from the air so should be fine. Submerged plants would have the issue.

[@raisinggoldfishonabudget7058]

I bet this wouldn't work for guppies??

[@TacticalOutdoorDad]

Great build. Personally I would cut the cost right down by not using bulk heads at the bottom, just holes. Also, 1 more powerful pump would be more cost effective than 2 cheapie ones. However, great video for sure and fantastic DIY for anyone not relying on having co2

[@stoneysscapes7544]

I have been running my 3 drawer filter close to 2 year's , with 0 problems!!! I never have been concerned about "OVERFLOW" & with my pump inside of acrylic cereal storage box stuffed with pond filter foams ! I have been feeding heavy , and often as I have Cory's breeding all the time. The box is right @ the top of the surface JIC a hose were to come loose etc.( which will never happen especially when I have clamps on everything From Petco I bought the AQUEON pump & with the larger SEACHEM Media bag keeping the curious fish safe . The minute I start hearing the water churning I either top off or do my weekly 50% depending on the size of the Cory's ! Pro's - So much room for bio Media make this a no brainer way to filter my 40 breeder. Cons - Some would complain about the sound of the water but they don't have nothing better to do. So it's tricky to get everything dialed in but if you watch enough content to see what others are doing u should be good 😊

[@reuven71260]

This is exactly the idea I was looking for

[@zackabaird11]

The holes situation really is dependent on the amount of flow from your pumps too. People getting into this would be wise to reference available charts on the internet for gravity flow rates through piping to figure the adequate amount of holes/sizes to accommodate their pumps!

[@keeppdreamingg2982]

I gave you a Sub for honestly, stating it was not your idea. I've seen so many steal ideas and pretend they were the creators, especially those bigger channels stealing from little ones, so disgusting. Keep up the great work and hopefully it turned out well for you👍

[@jdofishtank6018]

Keepp Dreamingg thanks!

[@matthewhill3556]

Very insightful! Thank you :)

[@FishmanEricRussell]

I love DIY! Good job

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks

[@klee88029]

💓 it! Will utilize your info here for an outdoor bird bath. TY.

[@Jeremiah_..]

Awesome dude! I’m going to make one but it’s going to go in a tank underneath my tank!

[@missingtulips]

Aww thank you so much. I will do this with my powerhead.

[@mrdirtydeedz2873]

But damn that electricity bill. Beautiful tank and awesome DIY idea. I might try it as well.

[@jdofishtank6018]

MrDirtyDeedz thanks, electric bill not that bad

[@ritafultz2477]

Your aquarium is very clean... Loved the video....

[@jdofishtank6018]

Rita Fultz thanks

[@aramakdam7623]

i love you man, you are a genius !

[@jdofishtank6018]

aram akdam lol

[@syazwanhafidzi1745]

Gonna try this for my feeder tank.

[@cleehammer1210]

Really like it. Thanks for sharing!

[@jdofishtank6018]

Clee Hammer no problem

[@bretrohlf8098]

Awesome video man! Thanks for sharing!!

[@jdofishtank6018]

Bret Rohlf no problem

[@JackyLum]

hi there, you can make 2 more holes as a limiter for the over flow water to go out and direct go out to the tank, this can prevent the over flow on the 1st level since that absorb most of the big particles, hahahaha i have my guess room flooded the next morning with my aquarium 1/3 missing

[@barbarar2216]

i am going to put this in a biger scale for my fountain :) thanks!

[@justamannn8674]

So cool!

[@1kickass]

What do you think if i used air line hoses do make a drain out of the filter to a drain in my house and a drip 5 gallon bucket to add water and ballance the two

[@santoshkadav9174]

Awesome brother great👍 work

[@JoeNocella]

Nice job. I'd prefer this filter underneath the tank in a sump.

[@jbellomallo]

esta muy bien te felicito!!!

[@PurpleRose8725]

If you need to access that bottom drawer, every layer of those containers easily comes apart and snaps back into place. Many crafters do so to paint them.

[@giobelkoicenter]

nice, thanks for sharing bro.

[@charlesdawson5654]

very nice setup can this be down below the tank? What type of overflow box setup do u have?

[@DissYraiN]

You can find bulk pelleted activated carbon on ebay for waaaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper. I'm seeing it about $50/20 lbs. Also, to prevent problematic overflows, put a few holes somewhere on the side of the drawers where it can overflow in a controlled fashion. maybe two smaller bulkhead elbows out the front of the top drawer that run back down into the tank?

[@mikalabarnes7382]

Followed your example except for using the bulk heads. It’s been working great for the last two months, the water is crystal clear. Only problem is now I don’t know when I’d need to change out everything in my filter lol. Do I wait until it stops cleaning my tanks water or should I play it safe and change it out every other month

[@adysmith3138]

The only thing I would add is some sort of tray at the bottom with holes for the bulkheads. just in case it overflows I'd have the water running into the tray and back into the tank. Great video.

[@jdofishtank6018]

I'm confused, that's how I have the filter set up.

[@troybelanger974]

@@jdofishtank6018 He means a sump. A tray would probably not be big enough, but a small aquarium or a deep plastic sweater box to catch all of the overflow.

[@MasterAquatics]

great video. very informative.

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks

[@PurpleDrac]

I noticed there wasn't a guard on it. (both front and back of the tank) is that somethin you just leave open for the filtration or did you take them off for the video? 🤔

[@seove1]

Nice! I have the large drawer system but it sits in a sump (40 gal breeder tank).

[@jdofishtank6018]

EO Rhino nice

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Nice filter!

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

guppyNL 😉😎🖑

[@paularamos2545]

Nice set up a couple small screws through the frame will hold it in place,and u won’t even see them.....or just put it under the tank with the pumps and draws in a small plastic tub I just built the same thing on my nano tank

[@Maruolin637]

Hi, how do you drill the holes on each tray ? it looks so smooth.

[@electricwater83]

very well explained I'd love to do it but I couldn't have it siting there the look of it would just put the tank of

[@jdofishtank6018]

Agreed, I no longer use it.

[@dragomxsoldier]

can apply this layer filtration system with a 2lt bottle?

[@m72e592863]

Very nice set up.

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks

[@jc49fishniner4lif7]

awesome job 👍💯✨✨

[@jdofishtank6018]

Thanks

[@wuj3kdar0]

I like that, sir.

[@brianshleifer6602]

Awesome video nice project

[@jdofishtank6018]

Brian's Reefing World thanks

[@heartofworshipgeneration]

Thank you bro....

[@thunderempire53]

Sir can i know for how long the filter can keep the water clear and clean?

[@nagendlavaraprasad207]

wow its greatly working .but my Q? was why you use another canister filter again .

[@ml9941]

Is there a way to not hang it on too of the tank but beside it ?

[@princescdk3107]

I know it's been a while since posted but you also add a pipe to the first 2 chambers which allows unrestricted flow to the lower levels. That way when you start to see a chamber flowing through that pipe you know it's time to change the filter floss 😁

[@volvo09]

Fk'n ingenious. Love it.

[@mike75479]

You can make hole in the middle of each drawer and glue small pieces of pipe and this will prevent it from overflowing

[@DissYraiN]

ah yes like a standpipe. when the water gets high enough it overflows down to the next layer. I was thinking out the front down some tubes but this is better. maybe by sticking an inverted bulkhead fitting up through the bottom, kind of like his return bulkheads.

[@bennywang3109]

Good job. How you hold the filter up above the tank?

[@anonamoss78]

i came across an old sump made of acrylic, i didn't want it but it had a big box with a draw at the top with holes a massive empty chamber underneath with 2 acrylic poles across the bottom opening which held a piece of egg crate......i connected my canister filters out put hose to the top of the box (sat on top of my tank) and filled the entire chamber with alfagrog media....the water goes thru the top tray holes and sprinkles down over the alfagrog creating a shower back into the tank.......every video i seen so far has the bottom bio media trays (no holes except one) flood the media and only outlets into the tank via a inch or 2 piece of pipe, the water rises to the height of the pipe then spills down it......I'm wondering if my setup is any good because the bio media is only wet thru water running over it and not submerged

[@CRE8LSM]

Hey can anyone tell me if i do this and use double pumps, one to take water into the tower from the tank and one to push it back to the tank, do the flow rates have to be changed to take the height the water pushes up into consideration?

[@gwtnight467]

idk if I missed it, but what size drill bit did you use?

[@saptarshisen007]

Will this be enough for a 75 gal goldfish/ angelfish aquarium?

[@kenr4676]

Im gonna do that thanks bro

[@maxcheers9394]

Woww wat a idea

[@NoflectioN]

Could set on floor....use skimmer-dump water to first drawer then pump in last drawer back up to tank.

[@amirulfitri3304]

Hello .i wanna ask something..how often you change the water for the tank after you use the filter? Or you just change the filter media and not the water tank?its amazing what you are doing..the water become crystal clear..

[@DanTheTurtleMan_]

Would you mind if I used some of this footage in one of my videos? I will give you on screen credit in the bottom right corner saying "Source: JDO Fishtank" and then a link in the description. Awesome video though! Thanks!

[@1959Berre]

If you want the pumps to pick up dirt and debris from the bottom of the tank you should install them right above the sand.

[@robertcaccamo]

Where did you buy the elbows on top of the filter and how much did you pay for them thanks

[@treymixon3618]

very cool

[@Mikinct]

What's the price of your 3 bulk heads in bottom drawer? $5 -$10 a piece or more from Amazon?

[@Deon0026yickadee]

hey man subbing you up great video and success on this channel wow

[@jdofishtank6018]

Deon 0026 thanks!

[@deo4205]

I never thought about just putting a submersible pump IN the tank to go to the filter (in my case ill be using a sump). Great idea though, I've been looking at hang on the back overflows and freaking out to figure out how they work. I do have 1 question though, with the submersible pump in the tank, does it get clogged at all if bigger pieces of waste or uneaten food go through it?

[@jdofishtank6018]

I’m sure at some point it’ll get clogged but you can easily clean them.

[@vule1985vl]

Good stuff nice video 👍🏻

[@jdofishtank6018]

VuTube Angelena thanks

[@vule1985vl]

You giving me an idea to build one for my outdoor pond like building a big one thank you.

[@rilkatop4830]

i love this HAHA!!! could you build two more and total have three at the top HAHA!!!

[@bobg140]

i have what looks like the same canister filter that you have. aqua top brand. works like a charm. what you created is pretty much the exact same thing. the aqua top uses an inclosed pressure system to circulate the water. the bakki shower uses simple gravity. yours has three great advantages over the aqua top. much much easier to clean. yours oxygenates the water extremely better. and just compare the cost. thanks for the idea.

[@yethuraj4873]

How much days it took for cleaning