Dr. Novak, I have been out of the aquarium world for thirty years but you and your techniques make me want to get back in it. Funny how our minds work, as you were scooping wet gravel out of that bucket, I could smell that aquarium water!
Since Dr. Novak’s first video I have getting local aquarium club folks to pay attention to anoxic filtration ... it’s amazing how reluctant folks are. Glad to see a recent post!
I was raised to think these where outright garbage. I was only reenforced on that idea because I was very successful on raising any fish I cared to. However I didn't even know about the nitrogen cycle back then. So from the perspective it makes sense why this would work so well. Your essentially creating a massive bed for beneficial bacteria.
I set up a 20 gallon aquarium at my mom's with your plenum idea just after I heard about it. I had that tank up and running for a few years at least. I had jelly bean parrots in there. They bred like crazy and the plants did well. Still got green spot algae once in a while though, my mom way overfed them. She ended up breaking the tank so in an emergency I set up a 50 gallon I had sitting around. That tank lasted less than a year, the plenum was definitely doing it's job in the smaller tank. Same amount of fish. But having no plenum, my mom over fed them and the nitrates got so high the ph crashed and everything died. So yes, plenums do work. And they work very well.
I got here by way of Pectec. I had never heard of this type of filtration until today. It's a very interesting concept. On another note, the antique aquarium is very cool.
Hey doc, i did the clay kitty litter and Laterite base made two square block containers out of the hobby screen used for knitting i think? Anyhow it's been almost 2yr now and have done ZERO water changes on the 75 gal.acquarium w/20gal sump. The blocks are in 20gal sump i built fr acrylic. the sump has a wet/dry intake i made from a 3drawer file container (plastic) and theres a 3in x 15in x 4in sponge in the sump as well. That's all that is in it and i must say, ZERO NITRATE!!! tHE TANK HAS A HEAVY FISH LOAD OF fIIREmOUTH Cichlids,red jewels, yoyo loaches. a bit overcrowded,.. Still Zero Nitrates. Only topoff water level adding about an inch or so every couple weeks.. Your idea is excellent brother!!!! I will say i had to let the clay kitty litter & Laterite base set for about 2months b4 i started to see results but that's normal for type of Anoxic filter set up. It is actually the cleanest looking and lowest maintenance tank i have set up out of 20+ which have deep sand substrate,planted, sponge filter,some w/hang on back. I kept having algae problems in all the planted tanks, although i believe its from 12hr of light a day. im getting ready to do some cutbacks on lighting.. Sometimes less is more. i have 1 20gal with no light only get occasional light fr above rack of tanks and i must say, no algae. the tanks with all algae(beard algae) also has l.e.d strip of blue lights on at night. Could that cause algae to bloom outa control taking over live plants,rock,driftwood,etc,.. ??? Makes one wonder doesn't it?? I am eternally grateful for the Anoxic Filter idea! U DaMan!!! THX!!
The air lift helps move water through the Plenum slowly instead of it being so slow that it may not appear to be working at all. In other words, it's no different than what we used to do in the 60s, but I've learned to slow down the flow rate because the Plenum works better.
Throughout history some sort of mechanical filter has always been use to help pick up anything that is in the water column that makes it cloudy or polluted. So therefor an in the tank box filter, canister filter, or hang on the back filter is recommended but it's not a necessity if the hobby chooses not to do it.
I will keep everyone updated. Though I have use the same method before for 10-years and it worked just fine using a canister filter. I show such on my videos.
Thank you sir for your videos. New to the Hobby and I have a 20 High. I love this filtration method.I am eager to learn more. Once again thank u for sharing this info.
Thank you for that specific explicit video. I've watched about 20 of your other video before I got that one. NOW I better understand what a fkn Plenum is!!!! It would be nice to refer to that video in your other video. YT send random video, not necessarily in the order you think people with get them. Fat thumbs up from Montréal!
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I really appreciate that synergie. And, in respect for your time, I invite everybody to leave a thumbs up. Even if it was not the best ever video. It really makes a difference to theses YT content creators. Especially the ones with less views and a niche content.
My question is based around cleaning Doc. Can vacuum a plenum tank for the fish waste that settles on the very bottom and if so can you show us a example how to video?
Sorry, I am new to this. What was the, "Rock" you first placed over the plenum? In larger tanks (50 gallons or more) would you have more than one lift tube? I don't want to take some of my tanks apart. Would they still benefit from the kitty litter and laterite bag being placed in the canister filter? Thank you.
Do you have to have a canister filter to do this tank? I'm trying to figure out what to do with the penn ugf I just purchased. It has 2 tubes. I hope you don't think I'm stupid, but I'm trying to figure out what to do. Thanks for sharing
1:25 Why having a shorter lift tube??? You can use a long tube and just use a less powerful air pump instead? Cheaper to buy, less noise and less electricity.
A half inch uplift tube will pump maximum 20 gallons per hour. A 1 inch uplift tube using an air pump can pump 50 gallons an hour. By making the tube shorter cosmetically looks better and once decorations are in the aquarium you won't even notice it's there. A nice long tube going up to the very top of the aquarium... Kind of looks unsightly. Plus the fact it's not necessary.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums We could use a smaller pump (less noise). But anyway, you got extra points for esthetic and the leftover bubbles are great for O2 in the tank and surface agitation. Thank you Dr for taking the time answering all my numerous questions!
I have a 29 gal tank set up with under gravel but with about 3-4 inches of substrate and rock and wood as well as plants. It’s been about a year now and I see it looks like the wood needs cleaning it at least take out and rinse and replace. It’s hard to gravel vac a planted tank. I also have two tall lift tubes. Any suggestions?
0:30 Cyanobacteria. Not algae, but a bacteria. Can be treated with low dose H2O2 and cut the lights for a week or two. Remove carbon before treatment. Big water change every three days. Are the fish at 8:30 the same that were in the affected tank?? If so, you can go whole hog on the cyanobacteria by using a stronger dose of peroxide if the tank contains no fish or plants. The cycle may need rebooting, though.
Hi Dr Novak, l set up my tanks using this video but I was wondering how long it will take for the tanks to cycle properly? I have used some bio-starter and some gravel and decorations from the previous setups. Thank you for all your amazing videos.
Yep once we got powerheads we started having more issues. Being old enough to go from planted soil substrate tanks with guppies and no water changes, no gravel filtering and maybe an annual or bi-annual cleaning.
Thank you Dr. Novak for this instructional video. Forgive my ignorance is the bubbler line hooked up to an air pump? Also on a recent video you showed a Brazilian setup and I believe you said they don’t use air pumps. How do you get the water flow to start in that case?
Question Dr. Can I simply buy a under gravel filter and gravels like your video and then put white fine sand on top? Will this still convert to N2? Q2. I saw this video many times still I cant understand its principle. Because Gravel are coarse so water can penetrate deeply to the surface of the under gravel filter, which means there will be oxygen rich and oxygen rich bateria only. Oxygen rich bateria cant convert to N2, only lean oxygen bateria can. Is it true? If yes, how can nitrate convert to N2 in this system? purpose of coarse graval layers are for making nitrate? Q3. Is this nitrate ion comes to plenum area water which is neutral static, takes cation from the plenum water and converts to N2? I need to take action to take care of my Nemo fish. Thx
3:42 May I suggest to put your tube in the center to get more efficiency. Because in the corner, it will also work, be it will be more prone to preferential channelling of water. 9:02 You may have answer my question later in the video. Having that preferential channelling will result in a very slow water movement from the left side, and exponentially faster until it get at the tube section. But still, you can achieve a better result with a super slow water movement more efficiently if you put the tube in the middle with a very slow air pump and a long tube.
It really doesn’t matter where you put the uplift tube because we’re not trying to make things 100% efficient. However, you can put the tube in the center if you wish but you’ll notice it won’t make a big difference.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums OMG really that's great I will use that in my sump when I decide to change out the litter thanks again for showing us this I set it up this weekend 🤗
your talkin g about all this but your not helping to say what we have to use sand or gravel, whats is it we have to buy for tank to get anoxic filtration system am confused here
After an power outage i had to restart my aquarium. I have now done this with a plenum. The plants grow verry Well and so far no algae even be seen. I measure my water with Hanna electronic photo meters. NO2,
Hello Dr. Novak! I am using a Hygger 1.5W air pump which is rated at 420 ml/min in my 50 gal aquarium with plenum. The void under the 1-inch under-gravel plate is 3 gal. Do you think this air pump is sufficient to allow 1-2 gal of water exchange per day? I noticed that you connect the airline directly to the under-gravel plate. Does the use of an air stone provide any benefit (gas exchange)?
I've been watching a lot of videos on this channel and I have to say, they're really interesting! I think I'm ready to try the Plenum on all of my tanks, but I'd like to start on my small 10 gallon tanks first. I have a question: how do you cut the uplift tubes to make them shorter? I've tried using a handsaw, but they always end up breaking. Any tips on what to use instead?
Hi Dr, can you please create a playlist for your plenum focused videos please? I've only just come across your videos but am in the beginnings of setting up my new fish room, but really keen to do plated UGF.
Very interesting! I used UGF many Yrs ago and never had issues with running them. I left the hobby and came back a few Yrs ago and decided not to use the UGF because it seemed many didn’t like them. I had a 30gallon set up for Yrs using a UGF and only thing I noticed was all that bacteria algae was under the gravel trapped between the glass and UGF. I never stripped it down to clean and tank was thriving. It was like very fine powder is the only way I can explain it. I would love to see pics of the bottom after its running a yr or so. I’m guessing many will experiment and go back to using UGF’s. The manufacturers are going to be shocked 😮 I’m pretty sure some of the top TH-camrs will be switching opinions now…
Helli from Oz 🇦🇺 Is it possible to add a layer of aquasoil over the gravel, or is this not suitable for a planted tank? I love your antique aquarium. Great video.
Thank you Dr Novak for this great info. I’m going to be setting up a 75 gallon aquarium with discus and I’m going to be using your plenum system. Do you suggest using the plenum in tandem with an anoxic filter via a canister filter or should the plenum alone suffice? My goal is happy fish and no algae battles. Thanks for your time and I apologize if this question was already asked and I overlooked the answer.
Thank you for another excellent video! I'm wondering why you didn't use laterite in this tank? I'm assembling my materials to set up a plenum. Like in your video I'm going to breakdown an existing tank, build a plenum for it and then set it back up with the same fish, filter, plants etc. I've watched several of you videos, some more than once, and the layer of laterite / flourite etc seems central to the plenum system. Did I miss something obvious (wouldn't be the first time). Take care, and thanks again for your work.
What is is the stone you put down first? You don't say what it is? Is it just dry gravel or something else? In the notes, you say, sandbed, but in the video it's gravel. In a more recent video, with the fancy goldfish, you use sand. Which is better sand or gravel? I keep reading that more water movement through your media increases biological filtration, but then you say slow. What would happen if you put a powerhead on the tube instead; would that mess up the system?
Sir, i am hoping you could answer some of the queries that come to mind: 1) does the substrate above the plenum needs to be thick..if not, how thin can it be.. 2) if we just reduce the air pumped into a UG, will it work? How slow it needs to be pumped? Like one or two bubbles per second? 3) with a anoxic filtration the nitrates will be taken care of, but what about the initial nitrogen cycle.. ammonia, nitrites.. will a slow moving filter counter those too or i need a traditional filtration system in addition , to come down to nitrate ..which will then be taken care of by this anoxic plenum..is the cannister running in this particular setup along with the plenum? Many thanks for your work, its such a great effort in your part to shine this perspective on the hobby..and low maintenance aquariums are almost too good to be true.. Kindly clear the above queries if you can.. Thank you..
1) It can be 1" thick but really no less. 2) Yes, the slower the better the water movement or just turn on air pump at night only and off during the day. 3) The nitrogen cycle will still be present but will be stymied some because no ammonia to break down, less Nitrites and less nitrates in the system. Once the Anoxic filter is up and running at full speed (45-60 days) the Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates will be gone and Phosphates almost down to zero. The canister filter is set up with a BCB like I show in my past videos.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums will this plenum work by itself without the separate BCB cannister that is running? Will it then also work with any substrate?
Instead of using air, can the lift tube be connected to a sump? I would use 1/2" tubing instead for the drain line. Do you think the drain would be too fast for the plenum? I'm think of doing it to a 110 gallon tank
So you don’t use the kitty litter in this scenario? I’m resetting mine and will reuse the substrate too. I was wondering if a layer of that clay would be beneficial?
Thanks again for all the help I got the plenum set up in my 75 gallon tank today. I couldn't fit the bio fx media I had for it to fit under it so I used plastic canvas sheet and put two under each section it has a bunch of tiny squares in it so I'm hoping it will work.
I have one of my videos that are in the archives showing a hobbiest with a couple of salt water tanks using this system. You may want to take the time out to look for it. It was only done no more than a month or two ago.
Dr Novak I wanted to get your thoughts if you would. I was considering a canister hang on back (intake and out controls) hooked inline to a pump less small canister using one for mechanical filtration and the other stuffed with gravel/baked clay (orchid substrate) or perhaps lavarock/pumice on low flow to create an anoxic bio filter. The plan was a heavily stocked 10 gallon apisto tank with some dithers and Cory's shooting (hardscape I dont have experience with plants or breeding fish) for low ph (5-6) low hardness roughly 9.5 parts R/O water to 0.5 with tap to make maybe 15-20 ppm (measured via tds meter) and 77ish degrees. I was going to use an internal waterfall filter and a spray bar to keep the water oxygenated as I've read that higher temps remove oxygen but in another video you mentioned the heat coils under gravel to oxygenate the water. Did I get bad info on the relationship between water temp and oxygen level? Do you have a preferred method to measure oxygenation? What are your thoughts on an under gravel filter from the canister (full of foams)? I looked on amazon and Lee's original 10 gallon under gravel is an option for me. One final thought I've heard kh kindof locks in your ph. Can you confirm? Many thanks in advance I greatly appreciate the source of good info.
They do sell oxygen test kits but they are very expensive and for the hobbiest but are really not needed. The higher the water temp the less oxygen is true. However, 99% of hobbiest fish tanks will have more than enough O2 in their tanks for fish if that is your concerns therefor they are unwarranted. KH aka: carbonated Hardness is a factor in pH and even if you use CO2 because once it stops your pH will bounce right back up again. UGF going into a canister filter will work but the flow must be restricted going through the UGF.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums gottcha thank you for the reply, I just got one of those chinese Ugf it has tons of slits I'm even thinking of removing the lift tubes. I was going to check out living artwork for perhaps some glowline or cardinal maybe serpae and Cory's and rams. I'm in the tampa area do you have any ideas on apistos?
Good day sir! I have been binge watching your videos and have been greatly inspired by them and am currently trying to replicate your plenum setup for my pond. Is it okay to email you to ask for some tips? Thank you!
Helpful video. I'm getting ready to set up a large 72x18x30 tank. I would like to have your anoxic plenum system in the new tank. Do you think that 2 lift tubes (one on each end), will work? Or should I have 3 or 4? Or how many? I plan to use the black Popetop 1" platform. What would you suggest for number of lift tubes? Any other modifications that I should make because this will be such a big tank? Thanks for your help
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I also have a 6 ft aquarium I am setting up now. You mentioned in another video, the lift tube should flow left to right. Would the second tube be in the middle back or the other corner in the back? I would think for circulation purposes, that the second lift tube could be placed in the front corner diagonal from the first tube. What do you think? Would also like to know if I can use eco complete?
once a week and only about 2-3 gals at that. Then I also clean the class too. After setting up this tank my Parrot fish now have spawned and lade eggs in one of the clay pots already.
Stay away from such and go with an Anoxic filter that uses facultative bacterium. The same bacteria that is in your mouth and all natural aquatic systems and it is free.
I noticed you didn't use the kitty litter and laterite in this. Is it not required? I have the laterite, but I'm search of the clay. Is safe-t-sorb the same?
You're absolutely right I did not use any laterite because of the substrate I'm using was Fluval substrate that supposedly is clay and iron built into it.
Hi Dr Novak, I have my plenum using UGF and plant fabric. I put eco-complete in 29 high tank. It's what I had on hand. I also put same setup with sand in 10 gallon. I'm building bcb baskets for my aquaclear filter. I don't have a canister or sump. My question is how often will I need to change the bcb baskets?
I’m very intrigued by this anoxic filtration but it’s all new to me and I guess in a way seems too simple. Lol. I’m really considering doing this in my 29 gallon community that has algae problems. My question is, can I use a sponge filter with this? Or does it need to be a HOB or canister? Also, is there an update on this aquarium 4 months later?
Dr. Novak, I have been out of the aquarium world for thirty years but you and your techniques make me want to get back in it. Funny how our minds work, as you were scooping wet gravel out of that bucket, I could smell that aquarium water!
Wow, thanks
Since Dr. Novak’s first video I have getting local aquarium club folks to pay attention to anoxic filtration ... it’s amazing how reluctant folks are. Glad to see a recent post!
Very hard to teach old dogs new tricks. But the Anoxic Filter does work and many just can't believe it.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums New dogs, Old tricks!!
I was raised to think these where outright garbage. I was only reenforced on that idea because I was very successful on raising any fish I cared to. However I didn't even know about the nitrogen cycle back then. So from the perspective it makes sense why this would work so well. Your essentially creating a massive bed for beneficial bacteria.
The bubbles coming out the lift tube don’t seem slow moving to me.
@@chrism4673. He is right. You're wrong😂😂😂😂😂😂
Love the antique fishtank,. I used an undergravel filter connected to a hangover filter
So whats the green filter in the middle of the tank? Thanks 🌿
Are you serious with that tank . Incredible. Simply amazing
I set up a 20 gallon aquarium at my mom's with your plenum idea just after I heard about it. I had that tank up and running for a few years at least. I had jelly bean parrots in there. They bred like crazy and the plants did well. Still got green spot algae once in a while though, my mom way overfed them. She ended up breaking the tank so in an emergency I set up a 50 gallon I had sitting around. That tank lasted less than a year, the plenum was definitely doing it's job in the smaller tank. Same amount of fish. But having no plenum, my mom over fed them and the nitrates got so high the ph crashed and everything died.
So yes, plenums do work. And they work very well.
Thanks for the info.
Is it possible to use large gravel then sand then fine gravel on top. I like a thick substrate. Thanks
I got here by way of Pectec. I had never heard of this type of filtration until today. It's a very interesting concept.
On another note, the antique aquarium is very cool.
Dr. Novak, great to see you back. Thanks for making this video, we appreciate it
The walstad method is obsolet?
Thanks, Dr. Novak! Good to hear from you again.
Hey doc, i did the clay kitty litter and Laterite base made two square block containers out of the hobby screen used for knitting i think? Anyhow it's been almost 2yr now and have done ZERO water changes on the 75 gal.acquarium w/20gal sump. The blocks are in 20gal sump i built fr acrylic. the sump has a wet/dry intake i made from a 3drawer file container (plastic) and theres a 3in x 15in x 4in sponge in the sump as well. That's all that is in it and i must say, ZERO NITRATE!!! tHE TANK HAS A HEAVY FISH LOAD OF fIIREmOUTH Cichlids,red jewels, yoyo loaches. a bit overcrowded,.. Still Zero Nitrates. Only topoff water level adding about an inch or so every couple weeks..
Your idea is excellent brother!!!! I will say i had to let the clay kitty litter & Laterite base set for about 2months b4 i started to see results but that's normal for type of Anoxic filter set up.
It is actually the cleanest looking and lowest maintenance tank i have set up out of 20+ which have deep sand substrate,planted, sponge filter,some w/hang on back. I kept having algae problems in all the planted tanks, although i believe its from 12hr of light a day. im getting ready to do some cutbacks on lighting.. Sometimes less is more. i have 1 20gal with no light only get occasional light fr above rack of tanks and i must say, no algae. the tanks with all algae(beard algae) also has l.e.d strip of blue lights on at night. Could that cause algae to bloom outa control taking over live plants,rock,driftwood,etc,.. ??? Makes one wonder doesn't it??
I am eternally grateful for the Anoxic Filter idea! U DaMan!!! THX!!
Blue light maybe the problem.
Thanks for the info too
That is so cool! :D
Great info and gorgeous antique tank.
Nice to have you around again! Thanks fornsharing!
Were the green tube connected to anything? Were you also running a canister?
Yes, I also run a canister filter with a BCB bag inside of it.
I will use this method to my future goldfish tank. Thanks for the video.
Good luck!
What is the use of the airlift? Does it help the anoxic filtration?
The air lift helps move water through the Plenum slowly instead of it being so slow that it may not appear to be working at all. In other words, it's no different than what we used to do in the 60s, but I've learned to slow down the flow rate because the Plenum works better.
Great to have you back Doctor. Love your ideas, and I want an antique aquarium like yours so badly.
Is that approx 4mm gravel
2-4mm gravel
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums thanks
Great looking tank
Sir when a plenum filter best choice for fish tank so why use a canister/sum filter
Throughout history some sort of mechanical filter has always been use to help pick up anything that is in the water column that makes it cloudy or polluted. So therefor an in the tank box filter, canister filter, or hang on the back filter is recommended but it's not a necessity if the hobby chooses not to do it.
Brilliant! A short lift tube to acheive a slow flow of water. Will love to see the progress of this tank through your updates.
I will keep everyone updated. Though I have use the same method before for 10-years and it worked just fine using a canister filter. I show such on my videos.
Thank you sir for your videos. New to the Hobby and I have a 20 High. I love this filtration method.I am eager to learn more. Once again thank u for sharing this info.
Thank you for that specific explicit video. I've watched about 20 of your other video before I got that one. NOW I better understand what a fkn Plenum is!!!!
It would be nice to refer to that video in your other video. YT send random video, not necessarily in the order you think people with get them.
Fat thumbs up from Montréal!
You're very welcome! I really have to say thank you for watching, because if it wasn't for people like you, people like me, would not exist on TH-cam.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I really appreciate that synergie. And, in respect for your time, I invite everybody to leave a thumbs up. Even if it was not the best ever video. It really makes a difference to theses YT content creators. Especially the ones with less views and a niche content.
My question is based around cleaning Doc. Can vacuum a plenum tank for the fish waste that settles on the very bottom and if so can you show us a example how to video?
Clean like any other tank, but don't go as deep with the suction.
Sorry, I am new to this. What was the, "Rock" you first placed over the plenum? In larger tanks (50 gallons or more) would you have more than one lift tube? I don't want to take some of my tanks apart. Would they still benefit from the kitty litter and laterite bag being placed in the canister filter? Thank you.
Do you have to have a canister filter to do this tank? I'm trying to figure out what to do with the penn ugf I just purchased. It has 2 tubes. I hope you don't think I'm stupid, but I'm trying to figure out what to do. Thanks for sharing
Finally, welcome back Kevin!
Thanks very much.
Where do i buy an undergravel filter?
You can buy under gravel filters from Amazon or from Petsmart or Petco still sell them
Thanks🤗
1:25 Why having a shorter lift tube???
You can use a long tube and just use a less powerful air pump instead? Cheaper to buy, less noise and less electricity.
A half inch uplift tube will pump maximum 20 gallons per hour. A 1 inch uplift tube using an air pump can pump 50 gallons an hour. By making the tube shorter cosmetically looks better and once decorations are in the aquarium you won't even notice it's there. A nice long tube going up to the very top of the aquarium... Kind of looks unsightly. Plus the fact it's not necessary.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums We could use a smaller pump (less noise). But anyway, you got extra points for esthetic and the leftover bubbles are great for O2 in the tank and surface agitation.
Thank you Dr for taking the time answering all my numerous questions!
Hi. Will this also work in saltwater tank?
Yes
I have a 29 gal tank set up with under gravel but with about 3-4 inches of substrate and rock and wood as well as plants. It’s been about a year now and I see it looks like the wood needs cleaning it at least take out and rinse and replace. It’s hard to gravel vac a planted tank. I also have two tall lift tubes. Any suggestions?
It's very hard to gravel-vac a planted aquarium, so do not worry about it.
Thats a sick tank!
Hey ,I was wondering if I should make the lift tube any higher for a taller tank like a 20 gallon high tank?
0:30
Cyanobacteria. Not algae, but a bacteria.
Can be treated with low dose H2O2 and cut the lights for a week or two. Remove carbon before treatment. Big water change every three days.
Are the fish at 8:30 the same that were in the affected tank??
If so, you can go whole hog on the cyanobacteria by using a stronger dose of peroxide if the tank contains no fish or plants.
The cycle may need rebooting, though.
That tank is beautiful and you have my favorite fish stocking it great job the way you set it up is impressive thank you for sharing 😉
Hi Dr Novak, l set up my tanks using this video but I was wondering how long it will take for the tanks to cycle properly?
I have used some bio-starter and some gravel and decorations from the previous setups.
Thank you for all your amazing videos.
how does the air flow through the lift tube?
Will this work if I use 3in of all pea gravel on top or is it to big of gravel
no the size of the substrate does make a big difference.
Ok thanks I'm gonna take everything out of aquarium soon as undergravel filter arrives and give it a shot thanks for all your help
Dr Novak, thanks for this video after long time not watching any.,👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Dr Novak are you using indirect sunlight as the primary lighting source for this aquarium?
no not at all.
Thanks for the new video's.
Glad you like them!
Good video like always, any plenum set up for 55 gallon or larger aquariums?
Sir excellent and informative video, super sir ,i want to hear your advice regularly so post video regularly
Thanks
What is the lift tube connected to that is making it bubble? And How? That's the part I don't get and every video I've watched skips this explanation
Yep once we got powerheads we started having more issues. Being old enough to go from planted soil substrate tanks with guppies and no water changes, no gravel filtering and maybe an annual or bi-annual cleaning.
Thank you Dr. Novak for this instructional video. Forgive my ignorance is the bubbler line hooked up to an air pump? Also on a recent video you showed a Brazilian setup and I believe you said they don’t use air pumps. How do you get the water flow to start in that case?
Question Dr. Can I simply buy a under gravel filter and gravels like your video and then put white fine sand on top? Will this still convert to N2? Q2. I saw this video many times still I cant understand its principle. Because Gravel are coarse so water can penetrate deeply to the surface of the under gravel filter, which means there will be oxygen rich and oxygen rich bateria only. Oxygen rich bateria cant convert to N2, only lean oxygen bateria can. Is it true? If yes, how can nitrate convert to N2 in this system? purpose of coarse graval layers are for making nitrate? Q3. Is this nitrate ion comes to plenum area water which is neutral static, takes cation from the plenum water and converts to N2? I need to take action to take care of my Nemo fish. Thx
3:42 May I suggest to put your tube in the center to get more efficiency. Because in the corner, it will also work, be it will be more prone to preferential channelling of water.
9:02 You may have answer my question later in the video. Having that preferential channelling will result in a very slow water movement from the left side, and exponentially faster until it get at the tube section.
But still, you can achieve a better result with a super slow water movement more efficiently if you put the tube in the middle with a very slow air pump and a long tube.
It really doesn’t matter where you put the uplift tube because we’re not trying to make things 100% efficient. However, you can put the tube in the center if you wish but you’ll notice it won’t make a big difference.
Thanks for showing us this. Glad to see we don't have to have kitty litter in the tank.
Yes, you can use play-sand too.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums OMG really that's great I will use that in my sump when I decide to change out the litter thanks again for showing us this I set it up this weekend 🤗
your talkin g about all this but your not helping to say what we have to use sand or gravel, whats is it we have to buy for tank to get anoxic filtration system am confused here
I Videos try to explain that you can use any substrate that pleases you to make a Plenum except keep it within the limits of granule size of 1 to 4 mm
After an power outage i had to restart my aquarium. I have now done this with a plenum.
The plants grow verry Well and so far no algae even be seen.
I measure my water with Hanna electronic photo meters.
NO2,
Within two weeks after setting up my Plenum and making the video, the Parrot fish spawned. Thanks for the update.
Well....... that’s really informative...👍👍👍
Amazing content. Thanks Dr. Novak.
Hello Dr. Novak! I am using a Hygger 1.5W air pump which is rated at 420 ml/min in my 50 gal aquarium with plenum. The void under the 1-inch under-gravel plate is 3 gal. Do you think this air pump is sufficient to allow 1-2 gal of water exchange per day? I noticed that you connect the airline directly to the under-gravel plate. Does the use of an air stone provide any benefit (gas exchange)?
Sounds like your air pump is more than sufficient.
So although you've created Anoxic conditions with the small bubbler and UGF, you still kept your Canister filter working as well?
yes that is right.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you Dr.
hi you are putting air underneath on plenum area. Hence how can that area become anoxic state? because you know Air contains oxygen
I've been watching a lot of videos on this channel and I have to say, they're really interesting! I think I'm ready to try the Plenum on all of my tanks, but I'd like to start on my small 10 gallon tanks first. I have a question: how do you cut the uplift tubes to make them shorter? I've tried using a handsaw, but they always end up breaking. Any tips on what to use instead?
Welcome back to the tube!
Dr Novak is back!
Doc.. i have a problem with diatom... would u give a tips to eliminated this brown algae..
This is a great explanation. Can you use just a sponge filter instead of the hang on back filter?
Hi Dr, can you please create a playlist for your plenum focused videos please? I've only just come across your videos but am in the beginnings of setting up my new fish room, but really keen to do plated UGF.
I wish I could but because I've done over 400+ videos it would be kind of hard. I've been doing this since 2014.
Thanks
Very interesting! I used UGF many Yrs ago and never had issues with running them. I left the hobby and came back a few Yrs ago and decided not to use the UGF because it seemed many didn’t like them.
I had a 30gallon set up for Yrs using a UGF and only thing I noticed was all that bacteria algae was under the gravel trapped between the glass and UGF. I never stripped it down to clean and tank was thriving. It was like very fine powder is the only way I can explain it.
I would love to see pics of the bottom after its running a yr or so.
I’m guessing many will experiment and go back to using UGF’s. The manufacturers are going to be shocked 😮
I’m pretty sure some of the top TH-camrs will be switching opinions now…
Very interesting. I am going to try this.🐟🌿👍😄
AQUARIUM TREASURES if you need help let me know.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I will, thank you. Thanks for the sub.
Hi. Can i use chelated iron in place of laterite cause it's hard to find laterite in my country! Thanks!
Yes
Thank you for this video it explains so much!!🙏🌿🐟🌿💚
Would having a plenum in a salt water tank have the same effect?
Helli from Oz 🇦🇺
Is it possible to add a layer of aquasoil over the gravel, or is this not suitable for a planted tank? I love your antique aquarium. Great video.
Thank you Dr Novak for this great info. I’m going to be setting up a 75 gallon aquarium with discus and I’m going to be using your plenum system. Do you suggest using the plenum in tandem with an anoxic filter via a canister filter or should the plenum alone suffice? My goal is happy fish and no algae battles. Thanks for your time and I apologize if this question was already asked and I overlooked the answer.
Thank you for another excellent video! I'm wondering why you didn't use laterite in this tank?
I'm assembling my materials to set up a plenum. Like in your video I'm going to breakdown an existing tank, build a plenum for it and then set it back up with the same fish, filter, plants etc. I've watched several of you videos, some more than once, and the layer of laterite / flourite etc seems central to the plenum system. Did I miss something obvious (wouldn't be the first time).
Take care, and thanks again for your work.
What is is the stone you put down first? You don't say what it is? Is it just dry gravel or something else?
In the notes, you say, sandbed, but in the video it's gravel. In a more recent video, with the fancy goldfish, you use sand. Which is better sand or gravel?
I keep reading that more water movement through your media increases biological filtration, but then you say slow. What would happen if you put a powerhead on the tube instead; would that mess up the system?
The order of which you put the stone or substrate, is not as important as the size of the substrate, not being so small that it will compact.
Sir, i am hoping you could answer some of the queries that come to mind:
1) does the substrate above the plenum needs to be thick..if not, how thin can it be..
2) if we just reduce the air pumped into a UG, will it work? How slow it needs to be pumped? Like one or two bubbles per second?
3) with a anoxic filtration the nitrates will be taken care of, but what about the initial nitrogen cycle.. ammonia, nitrites.. will a slow moving filter counter those too or i need a traditional filtration system in addition , to come down to nitrate ..which will then be taken care of by this anoxic plenum..is the cannister running in this particular setup along with the plenum?
Many thanks for your work, its such a great effort in your part to shine this perspective on the hobby..and low maintenance aquariums are almost too good to be true..
Kindly clear the above queries if you can..
Thank you..
1) It can be 1" thick but really no less.
2) Yes, the slower the better the water movement or just turn on air pump at night only and off during the day.
3) The nitrogen cycle will still be present but will be stymied some because no ammonia to break down, less Nitrites and less nitrates in the system. Once the Anoxic filter is up and running at full speed (45-60 days) the Ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates will be gone and Phosphates almost down to zero. The canister filter is set up with a BCB like I show in my past videos.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums will this plenum work by itself without the separate BCB cannister that is running?
Will it then also work with any substrate?
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums How do plants survive or do they require supplementation?
Plenum Do you have to use a back filter I love your videos you’re very educated
You are great sir
I salute you
Hobbyists shall be obliged forever
Please consider to write a book 🙏
anoxicfiltrationsystem.blogspot.com
Go to this link and you can read more on the Anoxic Filtration System. It has everything my book has in it.
How do you do a dirted tank?
Shouldn’t it be an “anaerobic” without air, instead of Anoxic condition , or is that wrong to say Anaerobic?
Anaerobic is without oxygen but anoxic just means low oxygen to very low oxygen from 2ppm to .01ppm.
Instead of using air, can the lift tube be connected to a sump? I would use 1/2" tubing instead for the drain line. Do you think the drain would be too fast for the plenum? I'm think of doing it to a 110 gallon tank
Yes, good idea why not.
Thanks for your video. If I only have a slow moving plenum. Do I still need a BBC basket in canister filter?
No, you do not need a BCB I just added it for the viewers to see how it's done.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I see. Thanks.
So you don’t use the kitty litter in this scenario? I’m resetting mine and will reuse the substrate too. I was wondering if a layer of that clay would be beneficial?
Yes you can still use Kitty Litter, Sand and/or dirt but it will have to have the Weedgard ground cover added on top of the UG plate.
Thanks again for all the help I got the plenum set up in my 75 gallon tank today. I couldn't fit the bio fx media I had for it to fit under it so I used plastic canvas sheet and put two under each section it has a bunch of tiny squares in it so I'm hoping it will work.
Great to hear!
Hi. What are your thoughts on using a system such as this on a saltwater system?
I have one of my videos that are in the archives showing a hobbiest with a couple of salt water tanks using this system. You may want to take the time out to look for it. It was only done no more than a month or two ago.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums thanks. I will check in the archives.
Dr Novak I wanted to get your thoughts if you would.
I was considering a canister hang on back (intake and out controls) hooked inline to a pump less small canister using one for mechanical filtration and the other stuffed with gravel/baked clay (orchid substrate) or perhaps lavarock/pumice on low flow to create an anoxic bio filter.
The plan was a heavily stocked 10 gallon apisto tank with some dithers and Cory's shooting (hardscape I dont have experience with plants or breeding fish) for low ph (5-6) low hardness roughly 9.5 parts R/O water to 0.5 with tap to make maybe 15-20 ppm (measured via tds meter) and 77ish degrees. I was going to use an internal waterfall filter and a spray bar to keep the water oxygenated as I've read that higher temps remove oxygen but in another video you mentioned the heat coils under gravel to oxygenate the water.
Did I get bad info on the relationship between water temp and oxygen level? Do you have a preferred method to measure oxygenation?
What are your thoughts on an under gravel filter from the canister (full of foams)? I looked on amazon and Lee's original 10 gallon under gravel is an option for me.
One final thought I've heard kh kindof locks in your ph. Can you confirm?
Many thanks in advance I greatly appreciate the source of good info.
They do sell oxygen test kits but they are very expensive and for the hobbiest but are really not needed. The higher the water temp the less oxygen is true. However, 99% of hobbiest fish tanks will have more than enough O2 in their tanks for fish if that is your concerns therefor they are unwarranted. KH aka: carbonated Hardness is a factor in pH and even if you use CO2 because once it stops your pH will bounce right back up again. UGF going into a canister filter will work but the flow must be restricted going through the UGF.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums gottcha thank you for the reply, I just got one of those chinese Ugf it has tons of slits I'm even thinking of removing the lift tubes. I was going to check out living artwork for perhaps some glowline or cardinal maybe serpae and Cory's and rams.
I'm in the tampa area do you have any ideas on apistos?
May i use a deeper gravel layer?
yes between 3-5" will be okay
Sir, I was looking for an update video of this System?
I have some updated videos on that tank and a new one I started too 3-months ago.
Good day sir! I have been binge watching your videos and have been greatly inspired by them and am currently trying to replicate your plenum setup for my pond. Is it okay to email you to ask for some tips? Thank you!
For a pond I think I would just stick with the BCBs and not make a Plenum.
Hi can you use the clay kitty litter in a saltwater tank or just crushed coral o both
Some in the UK are doing so. But I have not heard of their outcome as of yet.
Which eheim filter are you using?
Were do you buy the stuff haven't seen that since I was a kid
Stuff?
What? Where’s the kitty litter? No laterite? Confused, that I am.
Yeah. He's kinda all over the place with this stuff.
Is a canister filter necessary? Or only plenum will serve the purpose.
Plenum will do just fine if that is all you can do.
Are you running the cannister filter alongside ,and if so is it already cycled.
Yes it was all cycled. It was cycled before I put fish in aquarium the first time too.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums is the cannister filter set up with media and sponges .
Helpful video. I'm getting ready to set up a large 72x18x30 tank. I would like to have your anoxic plenum system in the new tank. Do you think that 2 lift tubes (one on each end), will work? Or should I have 3 or 4? Or how many? I plan to use the black Popetop 1" platform. What would you suggest for number of lift tubes? Any other modifications that I should make because this will be such a big tank? Thanks for your help
With an aquarium as big as that I would say yes split the Plenum into two parts and then have a lift tube for each 3 foot of Aquarium.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I also have a 6 ft aquarium I am setting up now. You mentioned in another video, the lift tube should flow left to right. Would the second tube be in the middle back or the other corner in the back? I would think for circulation purposes, that the second lift tube could be placed in the front corner diagonal from the first tube. What do you think? Would also like to know if I can use eco complete?
How often do you do water changes and how much of the water do you change.
once a week and only about 2-3 gals at that. Then I also clean the class too. After setting up this tank my Parrot fish now have spawned and lade eggs in one of the clay pots already.
Was wondering about your thoughts of Rhodopseudomonas palustris being used in the hobby, cultures are now being sold by Tanin Aquatics.
Stay away from such and go with an Anoxic filter that uses facultative bacterium. The same bacteria that is in your mouth and all natural aquatic systems and it is free.
I noticed you didn't use the kitty litter and laterite in this. Is it not required?
I have the laterite, but I'm search of the clay. Is safe-t-sorb the same?
You're absolutely right I did not use any laterite because of the substrate I'm using was Fluval substrate that supposedly is clay and iron built into it.
Can you just run the plenum on its on or do you still need a canister/hang on the side etc filter also?
You can run it on its own without a BCB.
Hi Dr Novak, I have my plenum using UGF and plant fabric. I put eco-complete in 29 high tank. It's what I had on hand. I also put same setup with sand in 10 gallon. I'm building bcb baskets for my aquaclear filter. I don't have a canister or sump. My question is how often will I need to change the bcb baskets?
Thanks for sharing. The BCB never has to be change as far as I know.
I’m very intrigued by this anoxic filtration but it’s all new to me and I guess in a way seems too simple. Lol. I’m really considering doing this in my 29 gallon community that has algae problems. My question is, can I use a sponge filter with this? Or does it need to be a HOB or canister? Also, is there an update on this aquarium 4 months later?
I always give updates on every video.