This is cool, I have a tip: you should take a big handful of filter media and lightly boil it with some clothing dye or food coloring to stain the pieces red or black or whatever. It helps when designing a system if you cannot only see the motion, but can track individual pieces to see that they are moving throughout the system and not just circulating in one small area like a funnel. The goal isn’t just to get everything spinning like a wheel but to have it going from the outside to the inside and the walls to the center and the bottom to the top without creating too many blow flowing spots.

I've decided to get back into this hobby with a bang, planning to buy a used 150 gallon off craigslist. Your channel has helped me figure out how to do what I want, how to deal with any tank flaws, and how to do all the pretty things I want to do. Just wanted to say it's nice to see someone so knowledgeable and passionate about something pushing the limits of his hobby. You're one hoopy frood, friend.

Actually i'm coming from the pond industry in which i have some experience in, and i just gotten into aquariums and i'm loving your videos so thanks a lot! one thing i wanted to point out is that you missed the one biggest pro for a fluidized filter (or a MBBR - Moving Bed Bio Reactor, which is how we call it in the pond industry) - the fact that because the media is constantly being moved from the bottom to the top of the water, the bacteria will always opt to take the oxygen from the air and not from the water. as the media rotates in the water its kind of like a person being drowned, and being pulled out for air every few seconds. he will hold his breath when he is under water and when he gets pulled out he will take a big breath. so what this does is giving the bacteria a lot of oxygen (about 20% in the atmosphere) and prevents it from taking it from the water, where you want to keep DO (dissolved oxygen) levels as high as possible. a lot like the trickle tower (which takes oxygen from the atmosphere and not from the water), only without the disadvantage of losing head-power from the pump regarding you having to raise water in height.

Your electric company must send you a nice Xmas gift

Well done Joey, I can always count on ***** to have a video on exactly what I need, when I need it. LOL. It's like you're watching my tank and saying, "hmm, what would he need next?" LOL. Great video very educational, but I think I'll wait on the rest of the series to come out before I decide which Sump I'm going to build. I'll be looking for the quietest running sump, as my tank is in my living room as a display. Thanks again Joey for such a great series.

Wow, your use of egg crate to mark the holes in the acylic was brilliant, thanks! I never thought of that! I guess that's just experience!

I am completely lost. I have a 420 aquarium with a 90 gallon tank underneath as the sump. The portion allocated for the k1 media measures 32.5" long x 18" deep x 23" tall. I don't feel the water up to 23". I leave about a 6" to 7" space for power outrages. How much k1 should I be using?

A little trick I learned for the live well on a saltwater tropical fish collecting boat to airate the water. We used a 12 volt bilge pump to draw the water up to the top. Halfway up was an inline charcoal canister filter. You put an elbow at the top, and for the air you put a "T" 1 inch from the elbow. Place a 6 inch riser in the "T" with a cap on it with several holes drill in it. And a 5" nipple out from the "T". When the water reaches the riser it picks up an incredible amount of air, and looks like a cascade of air bubbles coming out of the pipe. The charcoal canister filter eliminated the ammonia in the water. This rig was what we also used in a van to transport the fish in from the lower keys to Miami, and the fish were fine on arrival. But I wouldn't push that rig more than a couple of hrs without a water change. Anyway, it's a great way to bring a water bubble waterfall into the tank without an airpump.

Such interesting video, i'm going to use for the first time in 19 years of fish keeping a sump filter and i want to use this type. Wat also can be interesting is to compare on what the cost differences and technique improvements are compared in those 8 year span, deffinetely would watch that video. It would also be a interesting video series to watch "then VS now" Greetings from The Netherlands

For 15 years I have used K1 Kaldness on my koi pond system. It is super stuff for filtration, originally used for filtration of industrial waste water. It is very efficient and saves pond owners from expensive high volume filters. I agree it is noisy because of the air but at the other hand you don't need much K1 to filter a fish tank so you also don't need much air. The volume of K1 which is shown in the video for the general used fish tanks is a big overkill as it is very efficient. I used less for 30 mature koi. In most cases 1-2 ltrs of K1 is already sufficient. If I would start with a fish tank I will choose the conventional way of filtering (with foam). The benefit of K1 comes when the tank volumes are higher than most of the at home used fish tanks because then you can keep your filter volume low by using K1.

what volume of aqua kaldnes K1 micro filter media required per 100 liters of aquarium water ?

Joey I love your videos. But I'm stumped. In your fluidized sump video you use the rigid air bubble sticks. I can't find them anywhere. Can you point me in right direction? I'm sure it's something simple like I'm searching by the wrong name. Thanks in advance

Thanks for the great video. I was wondering if the k1 would still be as effective if powerheads were used to tumble the media rather than an air pump and airstone?

Really excited about this series! Hopeful I learn some things that i can put on my 500 gallon project. Keep up the great work-Jack

How many gallons of K1 media do u suggest for a same design sump, made of 110 gal tank?

How did you make the air bubbler and where did u get the parts?

Those air stones where did you get those and what air pump are you using

I wish I could just go back in the video with out starting all over trying to get all the information takes for ever. great video

Wow what amazing timing I'm just in the process of building my sump for a 6x4x2 tank. Thanks for this video!

would a fluidized sump work as a filter for a swimming pool? i’m think about similar to a natural pool? if yes, would you elavorate for us in detail here in comment section or in a new video.

Where do you buy your acrylic from? How much does it cost roughly to build say a 300 gallon acrylic aquarium? Acrylic cost that is

I built a fluidized sump but all of the media wheels are stuck at the top and the movement is only down at the bottom. How do I get the entire section to move, please? thank you so much!!

Would a few massive powerheads have the same effect with much less noise?

this sump is simply amazing, fluidized probably the best and also the most expansive.

Joey, It looked like you were using two different types of silicone when you were installing the baffles in the sump? Was that just because the one chamber was too small to fit the caulk gun in there or is there some other reason?

I enjoy your vids. I don't always agree with what you do, but I always admire that you do it. And I lovethis three part series on filters. Totally awesome. Thanks for making and sharing. And I'm looking forward to more.

I have the same system in a water disposal cleaning system. Moving plasticbits. You say the media cleans of old bacteria, but it also allows just the hard bacterias to stay in the filter. So the the weak ones is by by.

I still love going back to your videos

Very nice! A tip, you can use Perlite. It is extreamly porous and lightweight and it flows around just like that. But its DIRT CHEAP.

Another 3 part series, you love making us wait don't ya

Currently I'm using a 2500lph wavemaker and a 160lph airpump to circulate my k1 chamber. It's doing the job but I only want 1 thing to be powering it. What can I use? A powerful wavemaker?

What about in a saltwater aquarium? Is a fluidized sump a good option? Built one that follows my refugium based on this vid. You are the man! Great vid

could you combine a emerged and fluidized sump

Hello what air pump air stone strip do you use for your sump pump?

This is your basic biofilter with a mechanical filter attached....this seems like a great option for heavy load tanks or grow out tanks.

Thanks Joe Your are Great Men, Because i know less people who share their knowledge because less people know by sharing knowledge its increase.

Hi Joey, your Arowana got a really beautiful one, good job! Thank your for your work with your Videos and your handbook! Cheers

In your newest tank I think u should do a saltwater setup and show us how to do it start to finish with your own diy skimmers LEDs ect keep up the good work

You can also use wagon wheel pasta instead of K1 as a cheap alternative that doubles as a quick, nutrient-dense snack

Another awesome series, different types of sumps with their pros and cons. You've answer a lot question I had on moving bed filters. Thinking of adding one to my ap system ( in the Aquaponic world bio-filter). Fired Up!!!

The k-1 media is KING of all media!!!! Speaking from personal experience.

I’d be looking into solar especially for how big your fish room is now.

What about having the air pump take air from outdoors and exhausting the humid air back outside?

Joey you are the man dude! wish I had friends like you.

Hi what is the diameter of the pipe to move kaldnes ? thanks

Haha. Love going back to your early stuff.

Brilliant series! Can't wait to see the next two.

Hi Joey this video is very helpful. But now a days I am facing some problems with K1 medias. Initially all were floating and rotating, but now all are sinking and headrly move to upwards with air bubbles. Please tell what to do to solve this problem.

Very nice filtration mate, really efficient and can hold alot of bio media 👍

Hello, what is the clean solution for the moving bed filter, and are there alternatives if this component is not available in my country

what you need is a nice lid with rubber or silicon to muffle sound and reduce vibrations. give it a shot

Hi Joey, As i see 4 water inlets ("when inlets have water force") won't that be enough to rumble k1 without air pump? I know oxygenation is good for bacterial colonization won't that be attained by constant aeration of surface bcoz of water force? If I am right then I can plan for my sump.

Sir, Instead of using the K1 media, can we use the MMBR media they use for large industrial waste water treatment? They are priced much cheaper compared to K1 & have more surface area too..

Oh man, I thought that was macaroni in there at first. Thanks for the video - really helped me understand the process.

Which meter you used to judge db?

Good video Joey. Not to take a way from the video content, but it was cool to see your Aro again. Love that fish.

I have a 55gal main tank freshwater with an Aqeon QuietFlow 55/75 gal/hr filter. personally i am not satisfied and i want additional filtration as my nitrate seems to be high! i want to build a 10 gal below tank fluidized moving bed for additional / secondary filtration. "as a rule of thumb run pump 6x main tank per hour". 55x6=330. since i already have a filter installed can i get away with 220 gal/hr? are there any cons if i were to get a ~580 gal/hr pump? or even higher ~840?

Question... What about using a waterfall like spillway instead of using air pumps? That way you get the mixing, & air, (and maybe even more of each).

Hello, I have it in my sump. A repetition with 25x30x40. 30ltr of water. Do you think 5ltr of kandles k1 micro is enough?

The basic layout and pros and cons. Start with them, good idea. But you forgot who should use these? I have a pond and a bog and ducks and quail.

Great video. Your arowana looks amazing.

Hey Joey, Im building a 55g sump for my 125g planted tetra tank and I cant decide on Emerged or submerged media. Any reason not to do both in one sump. Though submerged will give me more water volume right? I need to get it right because I cant get it out from under my stand once the tank is on top. Thanks and Mad props on the gallery. Its looking amazing

Have you had any experience using plastic pot scrubbers as bio media? Apparently it's a widely used alternative in large pond filters. Thinking of giving it a try in my aquaponics system.

What is the benefits of k1 kaldness?

Hey King ! Would you think that puting the media in a mech bag for cycling time and then realese it will held cycling quickly?

Hey Joey, question,.. could a Sun-Sun canister filter be used as a fluidized moving bed type filter??? Basically removing everything inside the canister, and installing K1 in it...

Have you ever considered going for glass sand as a filter? It's really effective, and it has wonderful bio-filtration capabilities.

Tanks alot, Do this moving bed filter reduce nitrate?? I heard that anaerobic bacteria remove nitrate So how this aerobic bacteria can?

thinking of adding a fresh water refugium to a submerged sump. thoughts?

Holy moving bed filter. Good video joey

Hey Joey Love the video's. I want to start a saltwater tank with 2 10 gallon tanks linked with a water bridge. I would also like to have it filtered with a 10 gallon sump. What would you recommend setting up first the sump or the tanks? I just want some corals and a pair of clownfish with maybe a dragonet.

Very interesting video! Also I have to say, your arrowana is looking amazing!!

Wow. This video is old! Love it.

If you are intend to use it for a planted tank it is a benefit to replace air stream with water-pump to keep CO2 .

What is the Air pump you are using in the video to get the K1 moving so well? Thanks so much! Great Vids!

Joey which are the filtration types do you think is best on a rack system? I'm in the process of designing a rack for Discus and trying to work out the best filtration system for them

Hai TheKingofDIY I have 25x40x30 (cm) chamber with 10litre helix k1. Which air pump i have to choose? 12kpa is enough?

I found some K1 online but it doesnt look like the ones you have. This one has 5 chambers in the center instead of the 4 in your video. Does this matter? Does the brand matter?

Hey I wanna ask something. How much power (L/min perhaps) of your aerator pump used in this video? Thank you!

Hey joey I don't know if you still look at these comments but it's worth a try. Is abs pipe safe for aquarium. I don't wanna kill my cichlids all off because of a pipe choice. Can you help me?

That beautiful creature is watching you like a puppy. You have an amazing system there!

Joey, what size pump should I use in a 40 gallon fluidised sump to drive K1 media?

Ever tried to integrate a nanobubble generator to the fluidized bed filter? I am curious if this would increase the efficiency (I am basing this on the notion that aerobic bacteria needs to have a rich environment to work). Any thoughts?

Do you know if these things are hollow inside or are they solid?

hey Joey. would you see think I would see any benefit at all from a combo trickle filter that empties in to fluidized bed?

Where did you get the plastic airtube that you glued to the tile?

Brilliant idea joey! Thanks

Does this make much sound.

What do you think about using a moving sand bed filter In sump form? I'm thinking about building one as a filtration for a 40 gallon tank. More for the fun of designing and building than anything.

is that a glass aquarium ur putting the acrilic baffels in ?

I setup a hang on the back fluidized moving bed filter. Thanks Joey!

which pump do you use to aerate the k1 compartment ???

so would you recommend me having a sump on my 55 gal, I have a green spotted puffer and I thought it would be great to have a sump because of the high ammonia they put out

cant u make the media urself? Like getting tubing and cutting to the same size as that media. Would that work or no?

what kind of air pump do you use?

what sump would you recommend for a planted discus tank?

Does it have to be an airpump? Or is it possible with a wavemaker/circulationpump

Hey Joey, would you mind explaining why you need an air pump over a water pump for filtration? Seems like a water pump would have more flow for less money.

@the king of DIY - How to make the air line? Thanks fir the video.

Could you fluidize k1 with a water pump stirring it with water flow