DIY internal overflow filter for freshwater

[Brine]

Here are a few pics of my latest experiment. I bought an Aqueon 36G bowfront kit on black friday for $100 taxes included. I decided the filter was far too inadequate and since I have a strict budget I decided to use stuff I had around the house to upgrade the filtration. I have a video that is currently uploading at youtube and I'll post the link when it is ready  but for now here are some pictures of the chambers before I closed them in.
From right to left the flow goes in the first chamber from the top. This chamber will house the heater. The second chamber will house plastic pot scrubbers, the third will house filter floss and the final chamber houses two power heads and the intake from the original filter.
The original filter and the two powerheads will draw water through the system.
I will cover the whole thing with spray foam and dirt, rocks and roots.

[Brine]

the first image is the filter covered with spray foam and some dirt and rocks,
the second is the tank packed with roots

[Brine]

Done for today....going to add some substrate and plants soon.
I am not sure what I am going to stock it with yet but I was thinking about a school of exodon paradoxus or perhaps tiger barbs... any opinions?

[Brine]

the youtube link to the start of the project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yHgmiWPT68

[fischkopp]

Looking good Brian. You always had a good eye for natural looking tanks. Any ideas what you will be keeping in it?

[Brine]

Thanks Robert

not sure what I am going to stock it with yet but I was thinking about a school of exodon paradoxus or perhaps tiger barbs... any opinions?

Here is a shot of the backside loaded with filter materials.

[Stussi613]

That's a pretty cool idea.

Also, the dancing video might be my favourite yet...

[Brine]

Today I decided to figure out why the HOB was making more noise than it should. It seems that there is not enough flow through the system into the last chamber.  The filter draws water from the chamber faster than it is replaced and then it starts to suck air.   
Hmmm.....
I will have to drain the tank and dismantle the filtration experiment and modify it to increase flow significantly.   
On the one hand that sucks, no pun intended. On the other hand this is what I love to do so it will be another DIY experiment.
For now I am just running the powerheads and not the HOB filter. At least the tank is not stocked yet.
I did however put a couple of dozen Oak leaves in it already so I'll need to remove them as well.

[Brine]

I managed to fix the flow problem ( I think). I removed some of the floss and opened up the intake a bit and it seems to have sufficient flow now.
Here are a few pics of the tank so far. It is a blackwater tank with red dogwood roots and oak leaves. I still want to put in some substrate and some tall plants....maybe some vals?
There is a video uploading right now as well. I'll post that link when it is up.
Comments are totally welcome.

[Brine]

latest video of the tank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwxR-Banltw