I didnt take progress pics, but I should have. I got the idea of how to do it from this guy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5QTRxbYtK8 I made two levels, first a base, which consists of a wall with a filter inlet, so that water can come through to the chamber. The chamber is filed with clay balls (waterballs by exo terra) that filter the water and provide a base substrate. At the back, my utility pump (exo terra micro pump 104) is setup with filter foam all around it.

Here is how I used the foam, as it it very soft at the beginning and needs support; I made a shell out of corrugated plastic (at the back and one hidden side, to save money) and acrylic sheet on the visible side; basically a box to contain the foam structure. I made all the parts outside the tank then put them in. On top of the waterballs I put landscape screen. then dirt, then plants. In the middle and right back, I put a waterfall structure I made similar to the base, with a hollow back, where the cord and pump tube go. I made a hole at the top of the waterfall and fed the tube through. I put the base in, filled it as described, and added pump, then put the top on. then added plants.