Another way to make a hole in the sponge is to freeze it overnight in a tub of water and then use a drill to drill out the right sized whole. This prevents tearing and gives a neat finish.
I was trying too hard to be clever; so here's a comment that works. There are only a handful of go-to channels in the aquarium hobby and yours is one of them. You summed up the reasons perfectly in your reply, but I'll add two more things, 1) Your presentations are clear enough even for children to follow. 2) Your DIY products are not only cheaper than the pet store counter-parts but often better. Your doing a terrific job. Keep it up.
Haha, anytime i need to know how to do something, i search it, and a good ol'Joey video pops up. You truly are the King of diy. Thanks Joey, between you, Rachel and Dustin I have found everything I have ever needed or wanted to know. ❤🐠🍀
How to drill a clean hole in a sponge filter sponge (Poret, etceteras). Find a plastic container just large enough to hold the whole sponge without compressing it. Put sponge in container and fill with water. Put container with water and sponge in freezer and let freeze. Once it has frozen, use a forestner drill bit to drill the size hole you need in the frozen sponge 'ice cube'. Then let it thaw. - Perfect hole every time.
I tried this in my 20 high for some added filtration and it works great. The water moves more and the tank is cleaner. I have had it now for two years. Thanks Joey.
I have two hang on back filter pumps in my 150 tank and drilled holes in the inlet pipe and capped off the ends and put that black sponge on them and it's working great. My filter pump is serving two purposes now. Also have made alot of your diy projects that are working great. Thanks.
Very clear, i don´t speak english so well but i understand everything about this tutorial, thank you so much bro. Now this its clear to me, i didnt know how really works this suction process, well done.
I have been watching your videos for about 2 years now and have just started getting into fish keeping and switching to a sponge filter and of course your video is the first to pop up 👌🏻
Man! you get so many questions reconquest etc etc etc. I just want to say you did an awesome job on this video. I run all 21 tanks in the fish room running off only sponge filter I love them so so much.
Wow, this is just in time. I am starting a new 50 gal acrylic tank today, and was just getting out my old-school Lee's box filters when I discovered that most of them were cracked. I like them, but the prongs that hold the air tubing in place are so fragile. This is a cheap and better alternative!
I always have trouble with my tanks and store bought filters my fish last maybe 6 months but I built your bottle filter and now the fish I have for 18 months with clean water no issues I am building a new tank I will try this filter thanks you are the best
Awesome and informative video Joey. Im definitely going to make a few of these and have them running just to make sure Im extra prepared for the winter for if we have a power outage, usually happens atleast once a year. These look like they're much easier to use then putting a bunch of media over a bubbler lol
Wow that is such a cheap, easy to build and obviously very useful way to make a filter! Love it! Thanks for always taking the time to give us better and/or easier ways to do things. I always enjoy your vids!
Hey king of DIY, great videos👍am just starting my and my son first aquarium and I am definitely going to try some of the things you have done with all type of filters. Thank you for info like this
So buy the time i get around to doing a sump filter plus make the gravel vac like the last video and try this filter, im going to have the cleanest tank in Australia, haha. Thanks for another great video
I only use sponge filters in my discus breeding program. Nothing else compares to the slow moving water filtration of sponge filters compared to other filtration methods of the cost/simplicity
Hi, Joey. Great idea on the sponge filter! Do you think you could make an updated video for us on your current tanks and livestock? I would love to see what you have.
awesome video! looks like this would work great as a corner filter, so ill probably build one for my shrimp tank. I like the concept of being able to stack sponges. when you have it so tall that its coming out of the water, it sort of reminds me of a hamburg matten filter. that would be a good video.....
Thank you for making this video Joey it worked out good for me have had your sponge filter biuld running for allmost a month and ever since the freshwater tanks im using it on look as clear as a saltwater tank also I took your advice and used a aqua clear sponge that was for a aqua clear 30 it is being used in a 20 gallon long and the other sponge filter is in the 1.7 gallon Betta tank thanks agin for making this video joey.
hey really dig your videos. found a video where you resilicone an aquarium but now when i cut away the silicone i've accidently cut in the silicone "between" the glass, should i just push in extra silicone there or is it a hopeless case? do i need to take it whole apart and redo it?
I've watched all of your videos and thanks to you I've now built 4 of these sponge filters, 14.00 total. Although, I did find it better to silicone the plug on the rough side of the tile, every time i'd take one apart the cap would come un-siliconed from the tile. I just got into raising Discus about 2 months ago and these vids are saving me a fortune. One question, How often and how much water do you change while growing out your discus? Thanks again man!
As often as possible. 30-50% every 1-3 days. BUT my tans are on drip systems(i have a video on it), so i dont have to actually do water changes anymore.
+The king of DIY how can you find an air pump for under $5??? Mine cost $20... The rest costs about 8. You could buy a HOB filter for that... This is going to help a lot for my hospital/quarintine/nursery tank and having backup cycled media. Thanks for the idea!
First of all I enjoy your videos and keep up the good work. I made a sponge filter like the one you made the only thing I did different was that I used 3 small filters instead of 1 big one. Just so I could move them for when I buy another tank. I am fairly new at this so I wanted to ask you about how long does a filter last? I rinse it every week but I didn't know if I should buy new ones and how often? Again thanks for the videos
Good day sir! First of all i would like to congratulate you on your book. its very useful for those enthusiast who wants a personal touch in their aquariums. id like to know if you can post a video or any advice for a multiple underwater waterfall design. thanks!
When you flatten a sponge like that, if you drilled through it, the hole would come out shaped somewhat like an hourglass. You can freeze the sponge. I've used this method, learned from a friend of mine, four times now. I find a container large enough to completely cover the sponge with water, then freeze it solid. Spade bits work best for me but regular bits will do. Rinse outside so sponge bits don't get in your sink trap.
That's brilliant Joey I knew I could count on you! I'm looking to use just a small round intake sponge and airline tube with an air stone maybe stuffed with some pillow batting to put in a 3 1/2 gallon betta tank? Do I really have to have the PVC or can I do the same if I just put the air stone at the bottom of the intake sponge, and has no hole at the bottom just a hole all the way through and closed at the bottom thanks
Joey, I've been using 1/4" lawn irrigation drip line for some airline applications. It's the same dimensions as regular airline tubing, but as it is a lot more rigid it stays where you put it, and it doesn't kink. It fits all of the air accessories. You have to use connectors, they come in 90 degree for going around corners and over the lip of a tank, and it works well as a slow siphon. For some items you might want to soften the tip in hot water before making a connection, and the tubing comes coiled and needs to be heated to make it straight. I was wondering if you have tried it yet.
very good video my only conflict is how the water pump is connected with the build and the structure and what purpose it serves, you explained it with the other materials really i wanted to see how to water pump is connected and how to make it work right
What do you recommend for air pump sizes for the different size filters. I have been having trouble with some of these because my pumps are not powerful enough. Direction here would be most appreciated. Love your stuff!
Wow, thanks for the video. Is the GE silicone that you used rated as aquarium safe? Also, aside from saying "aquarium safe" on the package, is there any other way to tell if something is in fact safe for use in an aquarium/with animals?
Hey, just made a filter (amazing video and channel, by the way) because I have a pregnant fish who'll be in her own tank after her kids arrive. The new filter is in the current tank, building bacteria, and I have a question. How long do you think this filter needs in the main tank before it's ready to transfer to the new little tank? Also, this is my first pregnant fish experience. Any insight (when to move her, if I should move her, etc.) would be amazing! (freshwater tank) Thanks a ton!
Hey joe, I made a filter just like in the video and I love it thanks for the help!! Just wanted to know if it is meant to be above water filter or can it be submerged under water?? Thanks for all the videos, I watch a lot of your stuff!!!!
Very well done really appreciate the demonstration and walkthrough on the process and explaining how and why it works instantly subscribe from me thank keep it up.
Hay joey. Where do you buy your sponge ? I have looked around some. And haven't found the size you are showing in this video. Please help. And love the videos. Regards. Mark
Great video. I built this sponge filter 2 days ago. However, i could not get the three quarter inch pipe to work. i used half inch pipe, and it is working great. I bought a sponge that is for an aqua clear pump. Not sure the size of this sponge, but something like 3 by 3, 8 inches long. For people that have trouble drilling the hole through the sponge, i used a spade bit. Worked great.
I have an art studio near me and I enjoy doing ceramics. I was wondering if it is possible to make the ceramic tile out ceramic clay. Can you also make a pleco tunnel or the ceramic rings? Do you happen to know if you would need to glaze them or not? It seems odd when I get the media it doesn't need to be sealed.
Thanks Joey fore the video I am going to try it out, my tank is 700 liter and there's always things floating around that I can't get out with my eheim pomp.... so thumbs up for this video
thanks for the advice man,by the way is there an alternative to the aquaiurm sponge because belive it or not i do not have acess to them in any local store.like maybe apolesty foam
hey joey you got any ideas on how yo stock a 75 gallon community and I made the trickle filter you did and a sump since I have a black background I wanna paint the PVC tubes they white and ugly
Another way to make a hole in the sponge is to freeze it overnight in a tub of water and then use a drill to drill out the right sized whole. This prevents tearing and gives a neat finish.
I was trying too hard to be clever; so here's a comment that works.
There are only a handful of go-to channels in the aquarium hobby and yours is one of them. You summed up the reasons perfectly in your reply, but I'll add two more things,
1) Your presentations are clear enough even for children to follow.
2) Your DIY products are not only cheaper than the pet store counter-parts but often better.
Your doing a terrific job. Keep it up.
Haha, anytime i need to know how to do something, i search it, and a good ol'Joey video pops up. You truly are the King of diy. Thanks Joey, between you, Rachel and Dustin I have found everything I have ever needed or wanted to know. ❤🐠🍀
How to drill a clean hole in a sponge filter sponge (Poret, etceteras). Find a plastic container just large enough to hold the whole sponge without compressing it. Put sponge in container and fill with water. Put container with water and sponge in freezer and let freeze. Once it has frozen, use a forestner drill bit to drill the size hole you need in the frozen sponge 'ice cube'. Then let it thaw. - Perfect hole every time.
I used a hole saw and was patient with it. It was a little ragged on the exit side but worked well.
Socket of the right side on a steel plate. Sandwich the sponge between socket and steel plate. A couple hammer blows, perfect hole.
ghos282 why you so smart?
@@Garymayo What kind of socket? Like a socket wrench socket?
Thank you, I'm kind of a perfectionist, so I needed this hack
Wow Joey you sure gotten a lot more comfortable on camera this is a major throwback watching this. Keep up the good work man
These vids are still so helpful
Blesssssssssssss, its a litle Joey Fry
I tried this in my 20 high for some added filtration and it works great. The water moves more and the tank is cleaner. I have had it now for two years. Thanks Joey.
I have two hang on back filter pumps in my 150 tank and drilled holes in the inlet pipe and capped off the ends and put that black sponge on them and it's working great. My filter pump is serving two purposes now. Also have made alot of your diy projects that are working great. Thanks.
Very clear, i don´t speak english so well but i understand everything about this tutorial, thank you so much bro. Now this its clear to me, i didnt know how really works this suction process, well done.
I have been watching your videos for about 2 years now and have just started getting into fish keeping and switching to a sponge filter and of course your video is the first to pop up 👌🏻
Man! you get so many questions reconquest etc etc etc. I just want to say you did an awesome job on this video. I run all 21 tanks in the fish room running off only sponge filter I love them so so much.
Just in time for my nano shrimp tank build! Thanks Joey
Wow, this is just in time. I am starting a new 50 gal acrylic tank today, and was just getting out my old-school Lee's box filters when I discovered that most of them were cracked. I like them, but the prongs that hold the air tubing in place are so fragile. This is a cheap and better alternative!
You are awesome - i am switching from 20 to 55 gallons tank - and i will definitely try this out !
Wish you good luck and big thank you !
I love watching joeys old videos he has changed so much😂 you can literally tell that he is so relaxed now and comfortable in front of his camera😊
I always have trouble with my tanks and store bought filters my fish last maybe 6 months but I built your bottle filter and now the fish I have for 18 months with clean water no issues I am building a new tank I will try this filter thanks you are the best
this filter is really effective mostly like the canister filter. awesome vids
As always, great videos. You make me (almost) want to keep fish again! :)
Awesome and informative video Joey. Im definitely going to make a few of these and have them running just to make sure Im extra prepared for the winter for if we have a power outage, usually happens atleast once a year. These look like they're much easier to use then putting a bunch of media over a bubbler lol
wow thanks bro u are one of the most helpful people on youtube
Wow that is such a cheap, easy to build and obviously very useful way to make a filter! Love it! Thanks for always taking the time to give us better and/or easier ways to do things. I always enjoy your vids!
superb ! I really like the idea of extension pipe which came up above the level of water.
I'd recommend slicing one side of the sponge so it can easily be removed for cleaning and re-attached without removing the entire unit.
Hey king of DIY, great videos👍am just starting my and my son first aquarium and I am definitely going to try some of the things you have done with all type of filters. Thank you for info like this
So buy the time i get around to doing a sump filter plus make the gravel vac like the last video and try this filter, im going to have the cleanest tank in Australia, haha. Thanks for another great video
Thanks Joey , received some sponges for my fish room today minus the bases ...so l,m gonna be making these soon .Hope you are well and staying safe .👍
Omg joey is so small in this😂
Lol
Hahahahahahahhahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahah
baby joey 😂
I only use sponge filters in my discus breeding program. Nothing else compares to the slow moving water filtration of sponge filters compared to other filtration methods of the cost/simplicity
Thanks Joey. Another great project for the aquarium.
Very well explained. I do not have the materials so I will have to come back when I get them. Thanks for uploading this video.
Hi, Joey. Great idea on the sponge filter! Do you think you could make an updated video for us on your current tanks and livestock? I would love to see what you have.
thanks for your helpful videos, great for people who love fishes but don't have to spend a fortune.Thanks again keep up the good work
You are an excellent teacher.
awesome video! looks like this would work great as a corner filter, so ill probably build one for my shrimp tank. I like the concept of being able to stack sponges. when you have it so tall that its coming out of the water, it sort of reminds me of a hamburg matten filter. that would be a good video.....
Your awesome! My 9 yr old daughter watched this on her own and told me 'he is awesome'. I guess ur entertaining also in teaching lol
Looking at these videos now, you can appreciate all the gains he's made. He can fill out his shirts now 😂😂😂
Did this. Works great. Thanks. I use it during gravel vac and water changes too. Really helps pick up some missed "debris"
I needed to build a filter, and wow things have changed a lot since this.
Thanks again, I was following a redundant design that had a pvc tube outside of the sponge! This is slick!
Great video! I just got my 150g FOWLR aquarium and it came with three power heads.
Do you have any other youtube channel you update your fish tanks? I'd love to see an update. Anyway, keep the great work
I love you dude. You have inspired me. I'm in the process of building my 150 gal cube.
Thank you!
Hello 2013 people
Great video!
Thank you for making this video Joey it worked out good for me have had your sponge filter biuld running for allmost a month and ever since the freshwater tanks im using it on look as clear as a saltwater tank also I took your advice and used a aqua clear sponge that was for a aqua clear 30 it is being used in a 20 gallon long and the other sponge filter is in the 1.7 gallon Betta tank thanks agin for making this video joey.
Your tutorials are so helpful.
Great video! Got a couple of these filters in my fish room!!
Awesome, great information and a well put together video.
Wow! Awesome video! He looks so different now
Very simple and easy. Great video!
Very nice video. Thanks!
a really good idea of a simple filtering the aquarium, it really worked.
thank u friend for a valuable clip.
Love ur videos! I came upon ur videos recently and I'm hooked! Thank u for all the great, cost-saving ideas. U have a new fan!
This is old school! This is how the hobby started!
Like your video and thank you for sharing 👍😊
Thanks for the ideas, Joey!
hey really dig your videos. found a video where you resilicone an aquarium but now when i cut away the silicone i've accidently cut in the silicone "between" the glass, should i just push in extra silicone there or is it a hopeless case? do i need to take it whole apart and redo it?
Great video, explained everything I was looking for.
Nice video,good idea
I've watched all of your videos and thanks to you I've now built 4 of these sponge filters, 14.00 total. Although, I did find it better to silicone the plug on the rough side of the tile, every time i'd take one apart the cap would come un-siliconed from the tile. I just got into raising Discus about 2 months ago and these vids are saving me a fortune. One question, How often and how much water do you change while growing out your discus? Thanks again man!
As often as possible. 30-50% every 1-3 days. BUT my tans are on drip systems(i have a video on it), so i dont have to actually do water changes anymore.
I need to look into that. Thanks man, and get well soon!
+The king of DIY how can you find an air pump for under $5??? Mine cost $20... The rest costs about 8. You could buy a HOB filter for that...
This is going to help a lot for my hospital/quarintine/nursery tank and having backup cycled media. Thanks for the idea!
First of all I enjoy your videos and keep up the good work. I made a sponge filter like the one you made the only thing I did different was that I used 3 small filters instead of 1 big one. Just so I could move them for when I buy another tank. I am fairly new at this so I wanted to ask you about how long does a filter last? I rinse it every week but I didn't know if I should buy new ones and how often? Again thanks for the videos
when you do a water change, put some of that water in a bucket and squeeze it in there and put back in tank. I've had mine for years.
Good day sir!
First of all i would like to congratulate you on your book. its very useful for those enthusiast who wants a personal touch in their aquariums. id like to know if you can post a video or any advice for a multiple underwater waterfall design. thanks!
When you flatten a sponge like that, if you drilled through it, the hole would come out shaped somewhat like an hourglass. You can freeze the sponge. I've used this method, learned from a friend of mine, four times now. I find a container large enough to completely cover the sponge with water, then freeze it solid. Spade bits work best for me but regular bits will do. Rinse outside so sponge bits don't get in your sink trap.
Thanks man. Looking at using this with my brine shrimp.
That's brilliant Joey I knew I could count on you! I'm looking to use just a small round intake sponge and airline tube with an air stone maybe stuffed with some pillow batting to put in a 3 1/2 gallon betta tank? Do I really have to have the PVC or can I do the same if I just put the air stone at the bottom of the intake sponge, and has no hole at the bottom just a hole all the way through and closed at the bottom thanks
Love watching the old videos.
Great video.I'll definitely try one of those in the future..
Joey, I've been using 1/4" lawn irrigation drip line for some airline applications. It's the same dimensions as regular airline tubing, but as it is a lot more rigid it stays where you put it, and it doesn't kink. It fits all of the air accessories. You have to use connectors, they come in 90 degree for going around corners and over the lip of a tank, and it works well as a slow siphon. For some items you might want to soften the tip in hot water before making a connection, and the tubing comes coiled and needs to be heated to make it straight. I was wondering if you have tried it yet.
I learned a lot from this video. Thanks.
very good video
my only conflict is how the water pump is connected with the build and the structure and what purpose it serves, you explained it with the other materials
really i wanted to see how to water pump is connected and how to make it work right
What do you recommend for air pump sizes for the different size filters. I have been having trouble with some of these because my pumps are not powerful enough. Direction here would be most appreciated.
Love your stuff!
Nice idea
Very good video 👍🔔😁
looks good, I'm thinking of taking the under gravel filter I have out of my tank and adding a sponge filter instead.
I love these old videos where Joeys eyebrows are locked in the down position :P Love you man!
Thanks Joey for for some great U-tubes....
Charlie...
Nice idea. Thanks for making the video
Wow, thanks for the video.
Is the GE silicone that you used rated as aquarium safe? Also, aside from saying "aquarium safe" on the package, is there any other way to tell if something is in fact safe for use in an aquarium/with animals?
Dude this was the greatest!!! Thanks so much. Would you recommend this for a turtle tank?
Hey, just made a filter (amazing video and channel, by the way) because I have a pregnant fish who'll be in her own tank after her kids arrive. The new filter is in the current tank, building bacteria, and I have a question. How long do you think this filter needs in the main tank before it's ready to transfer to the new little tank? Also, this is my first pregnant fish experience. Any insight (when to move her, if I should move her, etc.) would be amazing! (freshwater tank) Thanks a ton!
Hey joe,
I made a filter just like in the video and I love it thanks for the help!! Just wanted to know if it is meant to be above water filter or can it be submerged under water?? Thanks for all the videos, I watch a lot of your stuff!!!!
I use similar in my tank with lights I love it
You are awesome, thank you!
Very well done really appreciate the demonstration and walkthrough on the process and explaining how and why it works instantly subscribe from me thank keep it up.
Hay joey. Where do you buy your sponge ? I have looked around some. And haven't found the size you are showing in this video. Please help. And love the videos.
Regards. Mark
Great tut
awesome filter man , i love sponges
Great video. I built this sponge filter 2 days ago. However, i could not get the three quarter inch pipe to work. i used half inch pipe, and it is working great. I bought a sponge that is for an aqua clear pump. Not sure the size of this sponge, but something like 3 by 3, 8 inches long. For people that have trouble drilling the hole through the sponge, i used a spade bit. Worked great.
Great job with this video!!
I have an art studio near me and I enjoy doing ceramics. I was wondering if it is possible to make the ceramic tile out ceramic clay. Can you also make a pleco tunnel or the ceramic rings? Do you happen to know if you would need to glaze them or not? It seems odd when I get the media it doesn't need to be sealed.
Hey Joey great idea. I was wondering where you can get cheap sponges...can I find the type of sponge you feature in a grocery store?
Thanks for the video..godbless sir...
Lol damn. I looked at the date on this... you sound like ur reading from a teleprompter. 🤣 the humble begginings
Definitely going to make one. Can i use something else if i don't have silicone?I'm just a 14 year old Fish hobbyist learning.
Great informative video. .Does a sponge filter pvc need to be at the Surface like in this video? Or can it be below the surface of water???
I love these!
Thanks Joey fore the video I am going to try it out, my tank is 700 liter and there's always things floating around that I can't get out with my eheim pomp.... so thumbs up for this video
thanks for the advice man,by the way is there an alternative to the aquaiurm sponge because belive it or not i do not have acess to them in any local store.like maybe apolesty foam
ahhh...green background looks soothing...white was eyesore
hey joey you got any ideas on how yo stock a 75 gallon community and I made the trickle filter you did and a sump since I have a black background I wanna paint the PVC tubes they white and ugly