How To Build An Aquarium Filter Cheap (Part 2-2)

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🛒 Links to popular products we use:
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Sicce Shark ADV Internal Filter: bit.ly/390JuKn
Fritz Guard: bit.ly/3csfNUR
Fritz Complete: bit.ly/3spgtQi
Fritz Dark Water: bit.ly/3sx49gQ
Fritz Betta Guard: bit.ly/3svhExw
Aquarium Salt: bit.ly/3svcIsz
Algae Remover: bit.ly/3sx8nVR
Plant Fertilizer: bit.ly/31lwGKy
General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 Get all the extra benefits by becoming a channel member. / @kgtropicals
Check out our brand new website and shop for all of your aquarium supplies and fun merch!
keepfishkeeping.com
🛒 Links to popular products we use:
Seachem Tidal Filters: bit.ly/3fjkjXF
Sicce Shark ADV Internal Filter: bit.ly/390JuKn
Fritz Guard: bit.ly/3csfNUR
Fritz Complete: bit.ly/3spgtQi
Fritz Dark Water: bit.ly/3sx49gQ
Fritz Betta Guard: bit.ly/3svhExw
Aquarium Salt: bit.ly/3svcIsz
Algae Remover: bit.ly/3sx8nVR
Plant Fertilizer: bit.ly/31lwGKy
General Cure: bit.ly/2PcjXr1
Paracleanse: bit.ly/2NXlqkm
Maracyn: bit.ly/31n8dVh
Ick Medication: bit.ly/3fkZZoS

[@KGTropicals]

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[@ancilsuresh3885]

When I look closer to my aquarium , I saw tiny worms on the glass help me to figure out what's the problem and how to avoid happening this creepy stuff again

[@thescaleoceanlinerbuilder8283]

Do you know what the best way to remove hair algae, thanks!

[@brandonmms]

That laugh when he said big nuts....killed it john

[@BlueLighteningGojo]

John: “So here’s the plan.” Plan: “That’s just not going to work for me, brother!”

[@robertoram3956]

Thank you (Both Lisa and John) for the continued sharing of your side of this hobby, the adventures, hurdles, comical situations, wisdom, and the little things that make you go hmmm. We all need a break from the normal day to day, especially due to recent events, and you figured out a very cool way to do that. I, for one, was thoroughly entertained and I am positive that some of us might have even learned a thing or two along the way. I don't see it enough on the videos or live feed, so I thought I would step in to say, "Thank you".

[@JimmyDeathRattle]

This is incredible!! Definitely considering this when I get my 8 footer! Thank you for such useful information!

[@paulmccarthy7467]

It turned into an interesting project. It was good to see the issues which you have had to over come. Good project

[@jamesdoyle7317]

All I can say is, Great Videos. I learned so much about connecting a tank to the sump. I had some knowledge, but your step by step made it very clear. Thanks

[@johnnymotorboat8824]

Love the black on black look. It's like watching a video with your eyes closed.

[@SSn70s]

Filter Socks, great addition. I’m glad to see fresh water folks using them. Some are machine washable and can be used over and over. Not to mention easy to change and if you want , you can change them every few days to help keep the Trates down. Nice build !!

[@loerya99]

Another great video. It's interesting to see how the tank is put together. Thanks for explaining the steps and issues.

[@bruceperkins2921]

This is exciting! Cant wait to see it stocked. I would love a tank that size.

[@RochLachapelle]

I love that you are so honest about this hobby

[@cichlid_kings]

Mad props! Awesome tank and sump! Was nice to see how simple a well built sump can be! Enjoy the new tank! 😎

[@chazzcombs]

Very interesting. I'm looking forward to the future vids on this particular tank build!

[@fishypetkeeping]

It's so much fun to watch these. Your new style on your videos are amazing and interesting! Will definitely try making a sump like this in the future. Also, John, you making awkward mistakes is just what makes you likeable!

[@ludekuiper]

thanks 4 the inspiration John! It broth me back to the hobby.

[@XCaliKev]

Like the new logo, and how your doing video’s now. Good info, and how it’s presented to us. Good Job John

[@MargieB51]

Truly youryour best do it yourself project , ,thankfully John you and Pretty Lisa share your dream with so many of us

[@andrewmarkwell]

You could just build a two-way siphon between the two sumps out of PVC, like a horseshoe that goes from one tank and into the another. Once you create it, fill it water at your sink and put some caps on, so it will keep the water insite and keep it primed. Then place it into your sumps and remove both caps on the end under water, and you have an instant two way siphon.

[@douglasragsdale2752]

I was going to suggest the same thing. One of those K.I.S.S. things lol

[@TBizzell68]

You beat me to it

[@kevinshaw7670]

I was going to say the same thing but suggest using and aqua lifter with a 1/4 inch barb in the center to keep it siphoned. So the siphons will never break if there is power.

[@marcosgcm]

Is this to avoid the overflow in case of water pump failure or to have only one water pump instead of 2, like one tank for draining and one tank for pumping? Thank you!

[@jessebelle6596]

Great job! I really enjoyed these videos! I would love to see more like this! :)

[@bobmennel137]

I like the stealth overflow. It doesn't take up tank space. The whole system looks really sharp all in black!

[@mingbritson]

Love all your stuff -- great, great video!

[@nickschmitz7044]

Some of the best aquascapes I've ever seen or done myself were just thrown in there and wherever the material landed is where it stayed. Makes it way more natural looking if you ask me man

[@KawaiiFishKeepers]

Picking up a sump soon thanks for the vid!

[@whateverwhenever_9987]

Awesome informative video !!! I run all hob, few canisters and sponge filters on my tanks. I've never built or bought a sump. I'm not comfortable drilling into glass or acrylic.

[@MasterPhotographer]

Your videos are always filled with useful information!

[@mattstone6399]

I've always been intimidated by sumps, this was a great video! Seems simple and I'll be looking to use a sump on my nexttank

[@norussian4109]

Vaping and fish keeping 2 of my hobbies... nice

[@MontegaB]

Lookin' fit dude, glad to see you healthy!

[@ilivefortropicalfish6837]

I love this series!!!!!

[@RockosFishRoom]

awesome stuff bro. Learned a bunch!

[@geekmashup6829]

Awesome video! And I LOVE the new logo!

[@cody1995evo]

Awesome can’t wait for the cycling video just did my 125 gallon took 9 weeks to cycle, of course would have bin faster will used filter media, but didn’t have that option

[@FerrumBellator]

Was just looking for part 2 👍🏻

[@supportyourtroopsathletes6460]

Great video John!

[@alligatorwildlifediscovery2701]

Great video!

[@nickschmitz7044]

Absolutely LOVE the MC Hammer reference. 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶CAN'T TOUCH THIS NAANAAANAAA🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@LuckyLuciano_1]

nice Heart on substrate, keep going !!

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

Best filer ever- My above tank DIY does not look good at all. Really nice filter. Thanks for showing us

[@SifiFan]

Diy is sometimes the best solution. Built a small pond filter with stacks of biomedia seperated with air gaps out of a small galvonized trash can. Made it look like an old wood water tank used to fill steam engine trains. These filters outperform standard filters by far. My inside aquarium filter probably has 10 times the surface area of my tank just by modifying the filter materials instead of what came with the system. ...

[@CJBlack265]

Love the logo - ties the business name to the channel name nicely😎

[@brianmarshall1762]

Very interesting videos. If nothing else, it shows me that I may not want to build a sump unless I have someone who has done it before helping me 😬

[@rdot980]

The siphon stopper could be replaced with a check valve if your plumbing supports it.

[@djmaxson1]

Hi KGTropicals I’m a huge fan!

[@marksterlson]

Thank you for these videos, will be setting up a sump soon and have re-watched them twice for inspiration.

[@rob93aquatics]

PERFECT TIMING MORING UPLOAD. 👍🔥💪

[@aniketpatil1452]

It's 9: 30 here

[@Rustysturtles]

It's 3pm here

[@CowboyBebop010]

Great job dude :)

[@Wimpl00]

You can use a length of hose to connect the two tanks. Air pressure will equalize them. Look up communicating vessels.

[@greghoffstadt667]

Quick tech tip. Spray soapy water on the fittings before sliding them on. With the heated hose. It makes it way easier. Learned that when I worked for Boston Whaler.

[@kraigstengrim2072]

Probably not a good idea to get soap on anything that could possibly get into the tank water. Idk 🤷

[@HotGadgetMan]

Regarding Bio Placement. When you first got it together, through your excitement just put in the wrong order.. Thankfully it was something very easily corrected. phew hehe With evaporation, I'd think about covers on the sumps.

[@robertjohnston25]

Awesome tank fam! I'm really excited for yuh. I have a question still :) I'm looking to get a 220g tank this year myself with a sump. I was going to get the Reef Style with the overflows in the corner of the tank (inside) and then drain from the bottom. Both work, do you prefer one over the other? If so why? I'm guessing you like the stealthbox way more as thats what you're setting yours up with. Thanks for sharing this 2 part series, I really enjoy these types of videos!

[@jimmyreese4740]

Awesome!!

[@Mr_Manifesto]

Corrugated plastic sheets, that you can get cheap at Home Depot, make excellent lids for sumps. you can cut them for the hoses and they keep the water from splashing or leaving.

[@batbrains187]

🔥 VERY talented 🔥

[@ponak21]

Good Job !!!

[@ladarius82]

It's funny I just watched the other vid and was like he better hurry up... that was fast for my perspective lol

[@bobpurcell3814]

One thing you could consider would be drilling the sump tanks and plumbing them together, so if you have a failure the water will overflow from sump to sump rather than overfill the tank. I know its more work, but would solve any imbalance issues with the flows and pump failure concerns.

[@juriejacobs1363]

Love from South Africa

[@brookssaunders8733]

Did you try looking at Landscaping businesses near you for lava rock? Most landscaping companies have bins of different types of rocks you can choose from and they usually sell by the pound. It might be worth looking into.

[@chandlee3968]

Keith, I just obtained an oddly shaped tank in a new house purchase. It’s 5ft by 19’ by 19’ and I’m not sure if the glass can be drilled. Since I’m cautious about drilling I’m considering an overtank trickle filter. I’m not sure if you’ve filmed something similar but I think it’s a good option with my particular set of circumstances.

[@FilipAus]

How about joining the two sumps together with a syphon loop (upside down U) so that they maintain a level between themselves?

[@paulhillman2230]

Really wish you had gone more into the plumbing and balancing of sumps for the less informed. I get it mostly in theory but almost about how you balance the pump with flow from the overflow/stealth box, how full do you shoot for the sump being, how you do the math to make sure you don’t flood your living room (if that’s where the tank was) etc. like the step by step but missed an opportunity for more sump 101 kind of stuff.

[@CharlesWike]

We are setting up our sump pump and having a discussion on which is more beneficial - flexible piping versus hard pvc. Any suggestions on the pros and cons for each type.

[@CJBlack265]

Cool 💕👍

[@wendihamlett105]

Love corys in groups! It is funny how my pandas will fly around the tank then congregate around the sponge filter only to get the zoomies again as if by a hidden signal.

[@ericandersen612]

Can you do a further explanation on how you “dialed in” the sump system ??

[@glennford503]

Hi John, just found this and it's exactly what I've been looking for 🙂 I'm just about to build a sump for a 250 gallon Malawi tank. One thing that worries me a bit is what happens if, for some reason, the outflow slows down and the pump keeps chucking water into the DT. Is there any way of turning the pump off with a float switch installed in the DT somehow? 🤔

[@ihspstanktribe]

That anti-syphon set up, to avoid sump over flow...kind of like a reverse trap? In a sink or toilet?

[@T_Burd_75]

About the issue of the possibility of flooding if a pump goes out...They make float-style shut-off valves that you might be able to install on the intake line going into the sump. If for some reason the water level rises in the sump above a preset level, the water lifts the float, closing the valve and shuts off the water flow. I've found some on ebay for 1/2" and 3/4" sizes, but you'll need to find some for the size line you're using, maybe 1 1/2"? At first I was thinking of an electric shut-off valve setup using water level sensors, but in the event of a blackout, that wouldn't work. Maybe someone can fabricate a couple of float shut-off valves somewhere.

[@dr.who2]

Lava rocks can be had at home dopot Lowes. Any place sells grills

[@toma1z641]

it helped me learn somethings

[@seancrosby3921]

Nice setup. Question- do you fill the sump with clean water or do you let the aquarium drain into it prior to circulation?

[@blozzza9911]

Add albino plecos to make the tank pop even more!! (And they might breed 💜)

[@TDFrancis17]

You could use a water bridge between the sumps rather than drilling them? At least they would level out if you had a pump failure

[@77appyi]

if the water level in the sump tanks is a little below 1/2 full in each tank then if 1 pump stops then it won't overflow. the other tank..OR if the tanks more than 1/2 full if the pumps are lifted of the bottom of the tank the pump wont to have access to all the water so won't overflow the other tank ....i like the idea of 2 tanks as you have redundancy if one pump fails and when its time to clean them out you can do one and then the other a week or 3 later so you are not upsetting everything at once

[@MJW173]

hey! just a thought from a fellow filmmaker: when you're showing how you're assembling the pieces, its a lot of black on black on a black background. I know black ins kinda your color haha. it may make it slightly easier to see what you're doing though if you add some contrast, like maybe wearing a (it can be darker) colored shirt or putting a white barrier up between you and the equipment. just a small idea to make your videos that much better :)

[@michaelmiller4138]

Want a great deal on rocks? Go to your local landscape supply store. They price rocks by the ton and you can get them for pennies on the dollar compared to what you pay at most fish stores. Obviously sanitize and test the rocks prior to introducing to an aquarium but I got about 100 lbs of river rock for 5-10 dollars.

[@redheadirishgrl]

Hey thanks for the video. Can you give me an update? I purchased a new to me 180 gallon with bottom drilled holes. We had plans of a canister filer, so having the bottom holes plugged. With your video, we'd have to drill the top. How hard is that? I'm worried Also, the wood shim. Wood swells when it gets wet. Have you had issues with that?

[@Tooni_07]

Just do whatever make you feel good.. its a hobby not a job,, i even made a diy box filter powered by aerator from a very very cheqp food container,, but it work,, CC water & guppies swim energetic,, a little bit over feed just did syphon every monday & thursday, top up water.. make it fun & healthy for u & the fishes..

[@joelrogers5054]

I like the color of the bagged substrate, what kind is it? I have a blacked out 20 gal, would look great in it Thx

[@HarryHouseGames]

Anyone else watch both videos in one sitting? Lol 😆

[@chadusher7150]

Dang I see why you wanted black everything with those yellow labs would of pop out wonderfully but I’m sure they will still be great Can’t wait to see what all them labs look like in there👍😀

[@patrickmanning9824]

Just curious would a pump outlet check valve prevent siphon rather than relying on the siphon stopper outputs?

[@PaulZyCZ]

Good point about cheap cannister filters. The only time you get cheap cannister filter, it's when the retailer puts 50% sale on it and it's Eheim or similar. I was considering buying certain chinese cannister filter for my nanotank. In LFS words: We are stopping selling those, they break too often and it takes months to get replacement parts from China.

[@pilchard8741]

Hypothetically, would having two sponge filters divide the beneficial bacteria between the two filters? Or would both filters eventually reach max capacity? Would you have a ammonia/nitrites spike if you took one of those filters out?

[@inthe-sc4db]

John have a door company disconnect those extension springs. Those safety cables don't always hold.

[@Oziel_Estrada1979]

I love that water flue system, and answer one of my question, What happen if there is an electric problem. Then you show your "magic key" talking about gravity, jejejeje, so You need to invite a scientist or a water engineer to explain that. Thanks a lot I love your videos.

[@xerxesknight7410]

Could you show a diy for aquariums that don't have holes? I'm kinda new at all this sump stuff and have 3 ranchu gold fish so I heard about anoxic filters and your sump seems so easy just have to add the kitty litter etc in as well with all the stuff you added but I sadly cannot trust myself with drilling holes Help would be great!!

[@mikebrown3768]

I know I’m super later here but I don’t know where else to get my question answered. If you were to setup a 220 with only one sump/pump what GPH would you be going for.

[@ron1sims]

Question: I have picked up 90 gallon drilled aquarium for my turtle. I am thinking of converting from a canister to a freshwater sump system. Can I put a cover on top of the sump to limit humidity/water loss. I have dehumidifier in the basement and the sump would add more uncovered. thoughts

[@kchortu]

3/4" pvc u to connect the sumps

[@edgararcega3046]

Back in my days of young i legit just filled up a fish tank with water threw the fish in and fed them. I even cleaned the tank squeaky clean like once every 2 months. I don't know how my fish lived past 3 years.

[@richardfrye5780]

Still do this lol

[@TomM-hv6ui]

The lava rock is good for bacteria to grow in the sump. Its very porous for bacteria to grow.

[@quor-dariusdavis3767]

Do you have the links for all of the overflow and return equipments?

[@noahgarson4662]

amazing

[@FerrumBellator]

I feel your pain on rocks, I bought 50lbs of Dragon Stone and yup got like 4 pieces that were maybe 8 inches. 😓 and so begins my hunt for 12 inch plus Dragon Stone.

[@neptune9]

Try a local plant nursery or landscape supply for large black lava rocks.

[@jefftellock7203]

Adding check valves above the pumps would keep water from back siphoning back into the sumps if a pump stops working

[@jeffedwards823]

1 29gl sump would have been plenty,great tank.

[@mannbub]

John, I had been watching your videos since a long time and learned a lot from you. I built a sump for my 150 Gallon Frontosa tank about 10 years ago and it is still working, total build cost for the sump was less then $60.00, I do not mind sharing the information if you are interested.

[@mannbub]

I converted my old 29 Gallon Tank into Sump and it is working.