Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
It has taken me years to find suitable resin rocks to make hidden aquarium filters from but now they're here .... some links below are to Amazon which is where I get random shekels thrown my way through affiliate programs which help to keep the lights on in my bunker - you don't pay any extra.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:21 Cutting and drilling the 'rock'
05:40 Water pump version
10:10 Air pump version
13:02 Flow demonstration
15:15 Outro
In this video I will show you exactly how to make the invisible aquarium filter and all links to materials are below. Remember to cut the 'rock' in a well ventilated area and wear a mask (for dust) and goggles (in case the drill bit snaps).
However, if you choose to buy a ready made filter I've been busy making them and they are available on the FilterPro site here: filterpro.co.uk/filter-kits-8-c.asp
The foams ('Foams' page) and filter media (Biohome' page) are available on the FilterPro site filterpro.co.uk
Hobby 'Coober rock 2': geni.us/uQRLcrB
(The rock '1' and rock '3' in the Coober range are too small to make filters from but when used in place of natural rocks sitting on the substrate they compliment the invisible filters perfectly)
USB 200 lph / 53 US gph water pump: geni.us/SBPg1p
Dremel Milti-Tool: geni.us/LAdBKEB
(There are plenty of Dremel Multi-Tool copies available at a cheaper price - I've got no experience of them as mine is genuine Dremel, still working well after many years)
Milling (cutting / drilling) bits for Dremel: geni.us/U0RS
'S' hook to hang the pump version: geni.us/oRsDTd
(I couldn't find the exact hooks I used but these are the same dimensions)
The air stones and air line is available everywhere.
Remember to use a non return valve if your air pump is mounted lower than the tank water level.
These invisible filters are designed to be slow flow background nitrate filters used in addition to any HOB / external filters or used as the primary filter in a low stock tank. It is impossible to have too much filtration.
They are also suitable as an 'emergency' filter to keep the stock and filter media alive during a power outage - I'm always stunned by how few people plan for a power outage - here is a link to a video I made years ago about emergency filters and what to do in a power cut: youtube.com/watch?v=UPcWR5YGn_Q
Please remember that if you ever want your perfectly set up up filter to achieve a full cycle (natural nitrate reduction through bacterial processes) you have to avoid using chemicals which bind / detoxify / remove the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate since that is the food bacteria needs to thrive. do. not. use. seachem. prime .... or anything else which messes with the food bacteria needs to create a strong population.
With a 'normal' dechlorinator (e.g. API Stress Coat geni.us/BHYeb ) it simply makes the water safe for life, allows the food bacteria needs to be available and once the tank is seeded with bacteria you should never have to add bacteria again. If you're restricting the bacteria population by starving it (by using Prime / Safe or similar) you will be tricked into using 'supplementary' products (e.g. 'stability') to mask the effects of a damaged biological system in an endless cycle of damage and (temporary) repair.
I made a post on my channel which explains this (and more) here: youtube.com/post/UgkxQR8CbpF8GxMbWmhjBk88kKKngpvo6d3G
(it may be too deep for some readers, but hopefully not - if you understand what is written there then you and your fish will benefit massively, both physically and financially).
If you've found anything in any of my videos useful then feel free to share them anywhere as the algorithms aren't very helpful to my channel.
The Q&A page of my website has more filtration information than you can poke a stick at: filterpro.co.uk/qa-24-w.asp
This video shows microscopic views of many types of filter media and explains why they aren't all equal: youtube.com/watch?v=QTtAUYR67Eg
I'm still shocked that no other channel has used a microscope to show the internal structure of the media they are pushing their viewers to buy - usually seachem 'matrix' (a low quality, dense form of pumice) but I'm guessing that when you get paid to say something you don't ask questions.....
Thanks for watching and happy fish keeping.
Richard
sales@filterpro.co.uk
07772848730
(I don't do texts / watsapp messages)
This is just nonsense to try and hit specific algorithms and get the video showing on YouTube:
Invisible aquarium filter
Hidden aquarium filter
Aquarium filter guide
Hide aquarium filter
Aquarium filter DIY
DIY aquarium filter
How to DIY
Best internal aquarium filter
How to reduce nitrate in aquarium
Aquarium filter tips
Aquarium filter optimization
How to set up an aquarium filter
DIY canister filter
Nitrate filter for aquarium
Biohome nitrate reduction
Anoxic filtration
Anaerobic bacteria
Full nitrogen cycle
It has taken me years to find suitable resin rocks to make hidden aquarium filters from but now they're here .... some links below are to Amazon which is where I get random shekels thrown my way through affiliate programs which help to keep the lights on in my bunker - you don't pay any extra.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
01:21 Cutting and drilling the 'rock'
05:40 Water pump version
10:10 Air pump version
13:02 Flow demonstration
15:15 Outro
In this video I will show you exactly how to make the invisible aquarium filter and all links to materials are below. Remember to cut the 'rock' in a well ventilated area and wear a mask (for dust) and goggles (in case the drill bit snaps).
However, if you choose to buy a ready made filter I've been busy making them and they are available on the FilterPro site here: filterpro.co.uk/filter-kits-8-c.asp
The foams ('Foams' page) and filter media (Biohome' page) are available on the FilterPro site filterpro.co.uk
Hobby 'Coober rock 2': geni.us/uQRLcrB
(The rock '1' and rock '3' in the Coober range are too small to make filters from but when used in place of natural rocks sitting on the substrate they compliment the invisible filters perfectly)
USB 200 lph / 53 US gph water pump: geni.us/SBPg1p
Dremel Milti-Tool: geni.us/LAdBKEB
(There are plenty of Dremel Multi-Tool copies available at a cheaper price - I've got no experience of them as mine is genuine Dremel, still working well after many years)
Milling (cutting / drilling) bits for Dremel: geni.us/U0RS
'S' hook to hang the pump version: geni.us/oRsDTd
(I couldn't find the exact hooks I used but these are the same dimensions)
The air stones and air line is available everywhere.
Remember to use a non return valve if your air pump is mounted lower than the tank water level.
These invisible filters are designed to be slow flow background nitrate filters used in addition to any HOB / external filters or used as the primary filter in a low stock tank. It is impossible to have too much filtration.
They are also suitable as an 'emergency' filter to keep the stock and filter media alive during a power outage - I'm always stunned by how few people plan for a power outage - here is a link to a video I made years ago about emergency filters and what to do in a power cut: youtube.com/watch?v=UPcWR5YGn_Q
Please remember that if you ever want your perfectly set up up filter to achieve a full cycle (natural nitrate reduction through bacterial processes) you have to avoid using chemicals which bind / detoxify / remove the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate since that is the food bacteria needs to thrive. do. not. use. seachem. prime .... or anything else which messes with the food bacteria needs to create a strong population.
With a 'normal' dechlorinator (e.g. API Stress Coat geni.us/BHYeb ) it simply makes the water safe for life, allows the food bacteria needs to be available and once the tank is seeded with bacteria you should never have to add bacteria again. If you're restricting the bacteria population by starving it (by using Prime / Safe or similar) you will be tricked into using 'supplementary' products (e.g. 'stability') to mask the effects of a damaged biological system in an endless cycle of damage and (temporary) repair.
I made a post on my channel which explains this (and more) here: youtube.com/post/UgkxQR8CbpF8GxMbWmhjBk88kKKngpvo6d3G
(it may be too deep for some readers, but hopefully not - if you understand what is written there then you and your fish will benefit massively, both physically and financially).
If you've found anything in any of my videos useful then feel free to share them anywhere as the algorithms aren't very helpful to my channel.
The Q&A page of my website has more filtration information than you can poke a stick at: filterpro.co.uk/qa-24-w.asp
This video shows microscopic views of many types of filter media and explains why they aren't all equal: youtube.com/watch?v=QTtAUYR67Eg
I'm still shocked that no other channel has used a microscope to show the internal structure of the media they are pushing their viewers to buy - usually seachem 'matrix' (a low quality, dense form of pumice) but I'm guessing that when you get paid to say something you don't ask questions.....
Thanks for watching and happy fish keeping.
Richard
sales@filterpro.co.uk
07772848730
(I don't do texts / watsapp messages)
This is just nonsense to try and hit specific algorithms and get the video showing on YouTube:
Invisible aquarium filter
Hidden aquarium filter
Aquarium filter guide
Hide aquarium filter
Aquarium filter DIY
DIY aquarium filter
How to DIY
Best internal aquarium filter
How to reduce nitrate in aquarium
Aquarium filter tips
Aquarium filter optimization
How to set up an aquarium filter
DIY canister filter
Nitrate filter for aquarium
Biohome nitrate reduction
Anoxic filtration
Anaerobic bacteria
Full nitrogen cycle
