HOW TO: Build a fully integrated aquarium filter - Internal sump TUTORIAL 

Never thought of this being this easy! I really want to get a small tank and try this out! Thanks Joey for the vid - and all the others.

Love this. First video I’ve come across about internal sunp pump even after searching DIY aquarium sump pump filer. Thanks for putting this together and posting. Very accessible.

Jesus I love this guy, anything i look up re-guarding aquariums, he comes up. God bless, keep it up!

your videos are so helpful, easy to understand, shows all processes, perfect!!

Well done on this project Love the idea and was thinking of making a cube reef tank like this but was looking for a small enough skimmer that I can use and that's effective, and fit!

I really like that. I think I'm gonna get back into fish keeping again

Awesome and looks easy to build. Think I'm going to use this for my tank build! Thanks.

This is a great idea! I might try using mirrored glass so you can't see this all at the back, but for aquascaping, this would work really well for me!

Fantastic idea. It really gave me lots of new projects to pursue. Thx.

"Hello, Joey again..." and well done on all of your videos and ideas! You mentioned using less wattage pump, but not the flow rate. I'm curious about any reduction effects. Q#1 Should I stay at the standard flow rate in my various sized fish/planted tanks, as I need efficient tank flow for CO2? Q#2 Should a UV sterilizer be before or after the moving bed? FYI, Possibly adding a small bag of ceramic bio for nitrate control. Also having a custom dual colored back wall made so I can enjoy watching the media "swarm" through the clear window. Mastering this first, next step, building an entertainment center surround tank for my new love, Discus. Thanks for opening my eyes to those beauty's!

Joey I go back and watch your old videos because they are helpful and personally I think you do the best DIY videos in the hobby, though I suspect that China's entry into our hobby makes it cheaper to buy some things than it otherwise used to be. This system is great! Yeah it takes away some space, but it removes the ugliness of everything hanging off the tank. Sure, now you can buy a fully integrated tank from Fluval and a few others, but the price is nuts! I am pretty sure using the thin material, using your equipment, heater etc is a lot less expensive to turn a used tank (all of my tanks are used) into an integrated tank can be done cheaper than buying a similar tank off the shelf. There are many of us who just like DIY. It is what we live for. Thanks Joey, I know I'm late to the party, but just getting back into a hobby, means folks like you are very helpful to people like me.

If acrylic cracks you can stop the crack from traveling farther by drilling a tiny hole at crack's end to terminate it.

I believe this is one of the better filtration methods. I hate seeing equipment in the tank. This allows me to add a lot of filtration media, while still keeping it hidden. A reef tank would benefit greatly from such a filter.

Hey Joey I wanna start off my saying I'm new to the hobby I have a 13 gallon tank and I wanna start off by saying you are awesome dude I watch all your videos all so very helpful and filled with information I'm still new to taking in all the info trying to make my own thing I'm currently coming into a lot of issues like murky looking water and plants not growing but all your videos are really helpful and I hope someday to have something as Great that you got going thanks man for everything keep up the awesome job👍🏻

This has got to be your best project yet sit. Great job.

Dude you def kick ass on diy this idea is awesome ...great work

hey joey awesome video man. i love this kinds of filters but ive never known how to build them, so thank you for showing me. When i get my flowerhorn a bigger tank im going to do this forsure!!! thanks again for the upload!!

All the aquariums of the store where i work use this system! Super easy to do maintenance! There are more than 60 in total! Well done Joey!

I love these aio filters! Lots of room for media and equipment! Plus it’s with there where I can keep an eye on it

does the background fluidised filter work well with sand or is the sand to heavy for such a big volume? I have a small 12 gallon tank but i have space to put a small narrow tank behind it and turn it into something like this.

Another great video Joey. Soo easy to follow and understand, love it :)

currently working on a project using this for a Red Claw Crab aquarium, it really solved my filtration issue while trying to make it look as natural as I can

I now have a filter like this one thanks and great idea! !

This is why this mans the king - nothing like this on utube apart from joey channel

Hey, Joey. I am planning to build Back wall filter for my 60 gallon tank what type of pumps do I need. Need help please reply.

What pump did you use ? How many gph?

Another great build. Looks great and works better,what's not to like.

Cool video....some solid ideas 💡 got me thinking dude.

Wow, this is awesome, I was just setting up a 10 gallon tank with this type of setup on the side wall. I was struggling to figure out how to make the teeth for the overflow part, but this is another great option! Every time I tried sawing with multiple tools to make the teeth, always cracked bad.

All your videos aregreat, but I'm glad you're properly recording your voice. I couldn't hear you well on some of the older videos. Good luck with being famous though--I know it gets crazy!

Awesome!! Gotta try this, thanks, Joey!

Keep up the good work Joey.

great video joey i will be doing this project on the mechanical filtration side of things could i fill one section with sponges and also add my heater ?

Hi. Great videos. Learned a bunch. Thanks. FYI. I just built a couple of temperature regulator boxes. These are failsafes and prevent overheat failure of the (usually cheap) internal thermostats in aquarium heaters which tend to fail in the 'on' position. They can also turn on fans/off lights if temp gets too high. Used the STC100 which is dirt cheap ($6-15), a water resistant junction box ($5) and some old flex and sockets. Just an idea if you want to look into it. They are a/c so usual cautions apply. All the best.

Im wanting to use this style of filter for my new breeding rack how ever instead of the fluidized bed i would like to use a basic seachem matrix or bio nood filter media in the main filter section. do you think that will be fine? also is there any calculations of size i need ect? its to filter roughly 450lt of water and i have around 100lt set up for it now do you think ill need the filter area to be bigger?

Super cool thing. I made one in my 4 feet tank. Thanks from India🙏

If I did this same exact filtration on the side wall for a 55 gallon aquarium, would it be enough filtration for 5-6 adult discus? Or would that also depend on the pump used?

Awesome for sharing. LFS at my place have been selling aquariums like this 2 years ago. We call it side sump tank. :p

Hey do you think this could work with the plywood aquarium. Im planing on bulding a plywood aquarium for my turtle and i would like a good filter system for her. Thanks

hey, iam setting up a 500l aquarium in my fishroom but i want to make a internal sump filter like you showed in the vid for it but i dont know if et would be good enough to keep my water clean for period of time and i dont know on witch side i have to put it to get the most out of it ? thanks a lot

Awesome video. Quick question, if I were to do this for a marine tank what media setup would you recommend?

Great idea and I'd love to use this on my DIY tank build... I have one simple question though.. what size pump do I need on something like this for a 48x48 inch tank?? I figure 1200 gph for a sump but not sure what size powerhead to get for this application in my tank.

Thanks. I've been thinking of this but didn't know how to go about this. Now I need a drill.

I love this! Never heared of it but wow! If I ever build a custom aquarium I'll be sure to incorporate this filter design.

Planning this for my 20G cube tank, and I was thinking about putting a submersible heater in the sump just before the stage where the water gets to the return pump. I know I will want to keep the water flow going over the heater. Any tips for doing this so that I don't run into a problem with overheating ? If the heater is going to be back there, should I use acrylic for the sump partitions?

Sweet filter idea, great info, I didn't know that thin of Plexiglass would work, thanks for the video=)

Doing that fuildized idea you have now, just got all the supplies. thanks for the inspiration

I got an clear for life aquarium I just bought. how do I remove the filter in my fish tank. do I use blow drying? I take too Mich space and its hard to clean

can you use a hmf in a lrge sump compartment? ive been using a 20x12x5in thick hmf in mine for 3 weeks and my water isnt crystal clear. i was expecting better performance. i did make it .5in larger on all sides for a snug fut

You are a generous bro✌️

I wonder if it's possible to install a compartment like that in the middle of the aquarium, to split it into 2 parts operating on one filtration system?

Hey joey, really need your advice on this one right here! So I live in an apartment and I don't have much space at home, that's why I really like this video, saves a lot of space and money. I want to build this into the side wall of my 10 G aquarium. The tank itself will be planted with capped dirt substrate, I will be keeping 10 RC shrimp, 3 oto cats and a betta in there. I was thinking of dividing the media chamber into two. Putting fluidized pool sand in bottom 2/3s and putting bio balls into the top 1/3 and throwing in a peace lily and/or pothos with the bioballs to filter nitrates. Do you think all of that would fit into a 10 G? what do you think I should use to partition the media chamber with for the fluidized sand compartment, mesh or sponge filter? I know smaller tanks require more maintenance but actually I want to make a self sustaining nano tank, do you think I will be doing water changes more than 2 times per year max. with this kind of system?

Can you use acrylic paneling in a glass tank? I'm thinking about doing this to a 33 or 40 long!

Hey Joey! I was wondering: do you have a video/makingplan about "how to build" a beadfilter? Thanks so far for the awsome vids!

Hey Joey, was wondering if i can put 3 holes near the bottom to also filter out debris from the floor of the tank, i would run it on a Barebottom tank

hello joey i want to ask you this sump you make is only for fresh water aquarium or its ok for marine aquarium?

I've wanted to build one of these filtration systems for a while now, but I didn't have a guide such as this to help me along. I'm ordering pieces of acrylic cut to size so I can make an AIO 15 gallon reef tank. I decided to float mangroves in the filtration system to further help with nutrient processing.

it´s great, my main man! how can u incorporate sand (as filter media) and algae scrubber (in order to decrease nitrate level) into this project to make it even more perfect?

Interesting idea!! what kind of silicone glue and how well kept and glued the plexiglass to ordinary glass?

Ahhh man yes!! Been looking for this. So silicone is fine on acrylic? Or is acrylic glue best? I'm using all acrylic.

Joey, I've recently started to take care of red ear slider turtles from my uncle. He is very sick. I am trying to move them both to a better habitat. I bought a 60gal aquarium and its still in the box. Would this filter really work for my two turtles and keep the water clean and especially the handle odor? I really need help

Hey Joey. Will this kind of filter be suitable for my giant gaurami tank? Which is the best filter option that i can consider for the tank ? My gaurami messes up the whole tank in 3 4 days after water change :|

what about making this out of glass ? i have spare tanks all over and want to put it into one of my running tanks do you think that it would be to much pressure for the glass to hold (im wanting to do it in a 60 gallon tank) acrylic isant cheap and could you put this in the corner of the tank maybe ????

I like this filtration method and I'd like to make one for my tank. But instead of building it in the inside of the tank I would prefer to build it on the outside so it doesnt take space in the inside. Is that possible? Can I place a sump filter non over or under it but at the back so its completly hidden?

Love watching these how could i incorporate and algae scrubber a surface skimmer (or are the all same) internal overflow like the corner bucket heater spongr 2 airstones one for substrate level multicoloured mood light and volcano stone (red to mimmick lava) thanks adam

Keep up the good work!

Hey Joey I have a completely unrelated question but I really need some help. I'm currently having a swim bladder problem with my Warmouth Bass. I removed him from my tank into quarantine. I have tried everything the internet has to offer about this condition but he wont eat and he lays sideways on the bottom. I don't know what to do anymore so if you (or anyone else) have any suggestions please let me know, I really don't want to lose him.

Can I use this design for discus breeding thank? Joey plz let me know thanks

Sir you are great

Thanks for the vid joey and the many more before.. I've carried out a few of the things in your vids in my tanks and I have to say you are a genius! Not only have I had fun trying these but I've managed to save a few pounds on the electric bill :-D I Had this filter built into my nano as standard and always it would be neat in a bigger tank but never seen it done as so never had the guts to risk ruining a tank haha. However after seeing this I'm Gonna give it a go with my 250ltr.. But I'm thinking I may make a 3d background on to the front panel as to look better and it would be a 2 in 1 bonus for me. However after a few days I'm wondering if the extra weight would cause any bowing/movement to the panel. and effect how it works and or even crack? What mm sheet would you say is best? Not to fussed about tank space as there's only small community fish in there (danios, killifish, various tetras etc. and they won't really miss a few inches lol. Thanks again.

Will this work with a planted tank? Im worried about co2 loss in the filter.

do you have to do this integrated filter without the trim or can you do it with the trim

Have you made a 3d background filter and if so where would you get the background

10/10 love this design, my friend uses one for his shrimp tank to stop them being sucked into a canister or overflow. On the topic a video on how to make a fish friendly filter input guard would be greatly appreciated!

How would a clean be carried out on a system like this? For example if the mechanical filtration gets all gunked up etc.

joey love your videos bro. I have a 75 gallon rectangle tank and want to do this filter. how much space should I use for the filter the tank is 48 x 18 x 20 and will be using a 600gph pump on a spray bar. maybe a wavemaker on the opposite end. PS where can I get a DIY fishkeeper shirt :)

will a back wall sump with 3 in baffles(like your example) be good enough for a for a 125 gal aquarium?

Hello my friend, I am from Brazil and I'd like to know the name of the material you have used for the fluidized filter.. please help me. Thanks and congratulations, you have developped a great job and I got some ideas from you to my thank.

My aquarium is already set up. Is it possible to set this filter up with a set up aquarium. I don't have a sump. Just a traditional canister. Was looking at implementing a sump but this looks really appealing. Nice work!

Joey can i use this technic in a nano reef tank and put your diy skimmer and a heater in it?

Hello Joey, I just had a catastrophe with my 70 gallon saltwater tank in which all the fish died. Not sure exactly what killed them all. I do speculate one thing but not sure. after seeing some of your videos, I'm interested in turning it into a freshwater fish (possible discus fish) tank with the 3d under water fall and in tank filter. Do you believe that this is possible and do you have any suggestions. I don't want to lose a ton of space but definitely want to make it an unique and interesting freshwater tank.

How do you calculate size of intake and pump size? Is that info in your book?

thank you in advance if you decide to make a version of my future tank would love if you could make the dimensions measurements im going to use .

I was just going to ask, if you had the space, would you want to add another channel that allows the water to trick through bio balls that are not submersed in water? So rather than flowing up throught the bio media, it would trickle down?

For this kind of sump filters , Which type of power head you used ? I mean what was the Liter rate per Hour of that power head you used in the sump?

Can I know what is the size of tank you are showing in this video like LxWxH

Any way to calculate GPH or any way to optimize this to make more GPH?

Hi joey how do you calculate the size of the holes? Formula? Thanks

I just bought an 80L aquarium with a build in back sump filter. How many Litres per hour should be the water pump? A 400L/h (5x 80) should be enough?

I have this set up running on my discus tank, it can be a really powerful method of filtration

hey joey id really like to see how to build a continuous flow system you have any ideas for one of those?

Joey's other video, a 3D background, plus this video, plus the sandfall video, plus some simple aquaponics...4-in-1 ! Water heater will be in there also, so no eyesore inside the aquarium. Obviously I won't make a huge 3D to lose even more space, I might go with the rubber-mat style fake rock background.

Joey i have a question does the return hole have to be lower than the over flow holes ?

That's a great alternative to HMF wall filter. Using black acrylic would make the aquarium look good as well instead of painting back of aquarium....

I love it

I've always wanted to build filter like this but worried about on losing space in the aquarium. Plan getting 75 gallon in which become 55 with this filter in it. Never cease to amaze me, Fired Up!!!

Hey Joey any input on pumps for a 63US gallon tank. Or a 240 Liter tank europe. my pump sounds like a car lol

This is absolutely beyond brilliant, thank you so much, I'd never even think of this, will most definitely use this in some way or the other...:)

i have a jbj 10 how can i make one for this tank can u help me..?

Hey Joey, have you heard about a new filter that is being sold by "Swiss Tropical"? I saw this and will probably by this for my own tank.... But I think wit woud solve your problejs with corner inserted items, along with a way to station your Overflow Valve system.....