Can you please do a with and without test? That’s the only way to know 100% how much they are contributing. Thanks for the effort in making these videos!
Dear Gil: I have a few comments I’d like to share: Firstly, I rarely test the ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, in my, (currently seven) aquaria. Whenever I do, these parameters are, most always, close to zero. Secondly, all of my pets are small. The largest fish I own is probably a true Siamese algae eater. The second largest would be my, single, male ancistrus. Third, I feed my fish every day. I am making an effort to reduce feeding, per Father Fish. But, as my fish are small; my tanks are largely understocked; and, most of my tanks are planted, these, three poisons tend to remain at a minimum. I’m all for using kitty litter and iron-rich clay, in a sump-pump, if your bio-load is large and it keeps toxins down, with minimal water-changes. Thank you for sharing this, interesting and informative update. All my best, Sincerely, E. J. Brinegar
great update gil, it is a very impressive result considering no plants other than the pothos in the sump.. tank is very well stocked indeed! i wonder why the sponge change made i differance in the nitrate levels, only thing i can think of is it wasnt collecting bb and that the new ones did, very interesting. looking forward to the next update and more on your excellant fishroom build. your 250 gal south american tank is stunning as ever😍
My theory on the sponge change is that the existing sponges were colonised with aerobic bacteria producing nitrates and the new sponges allowed the ammonia to go straight to the baskets. I'm not really sure Jeff.
So it looks like the bcp baskets really works! Have you considered creating a plenum in the tank using kitty litter? That would be a huge surface area with kitty litter. Thanks for posting this 1 year update. I'm starting a 75 gallon tank with a similar setup soon.
I have just set up a smaller tank with a plenum and kitty litter. I will post a video in the future once I see some results. Good luck with yours mate, keep me posted.
Well done !! At last someone doing a proper test , I have been running 6 bassets on my 1200L pond my water has all zeros and only 5 ppm nitrate and never moves ! ( 3 years in ) granted my system is a hybrid but we feed handfuls a day , also a top tip if your in wa red road base is pure laterite and you can fill your trailer for like 50 bucks
Sounds like you have it all figured out mate. I am considering building a larger sump so I can fit more baskets in. I'm in north western Victoria, and our road base is limestone.
If you would like to see my pond go to fancy goldfish fanatics channel and look through his videos, best goldfish pond in the world, is my one take a look lad
I have just filmed the first nitrate test after a water change, and will test over the next few weeks an post the results. I don't have room for anymore baskets, although I may be able to fit a bag or two in there. Thanks for you interest mate.
Hi! Greetings from Singapore. Am very inspired by your experience. May I get some info on your setup so I can replicate similarly for koi pond pls. 1. What’s your tank and sump capacities pls? 2. What’s the flow rate in the sump with BCB? 3. How long does it take for the anoxic condition to set in? 4. What’s the ratio between zeolite and seachem fluorite? Million thx in advance! 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽🙏🏼
Hi, the tank is 1,000 liters and the sump is made from a 200 liter tank. I don't know whaat the flow rate is, although it isn't very high. It took a few months before I noticed any difference in nitrate levels. I only added a few handfuls of flourite into the middle of the clay. If you dont want to add flourite, you can add liquid iron fertiliser and the clay will absorb it. Good luck mate.
Hey Mate Have you ever thought of using a sulphur denitrator? I’ve built one simply out of pvc, and sulphur beads. You just dial in a very slow drip rate so that the effluent reads 0 nitrates. Depending on the system size and reactor size, you should be able to maintain nitrates around 5 ppm. The only downside is that it consumes alkalinity- if that is an issue?
I’ve never heard of it for freshwater. I’ll research it. It shouldn’t change your pH , but it will lower your hardness. If you have low calcium and alkalinity already, it could be an issue
i mean in your original video you said you changed the water ever 2 weeks and your nitrates were ~20 every time so this doesn't seem like anything changed?
The tank contains more fish now, and those fish have grown bigger, so it's safe to say that there is a larger bio load now. I have let the tank go for four weeks without a water change and nitrates have stayed around 20ppm. I don't think this would be the case without the baskets. Thanks for your interest mate.
Hello, I am interested on making my own Biocenosis filtration but I can not find any cat litter in my area, mostly are the scented and clumping one. Do you know any substitute for cat litter?
G'day. One of my baskets contains a zeolite clay that is used for adding to potting mix for things like bonsai. I think it is added to retain water and nutrients etc.
I was using the Woolworths essentials brand in the orange bag. My Woolies doesn't stock it anymore so I have been using Smitten Lightweight Clay Cat Litter. It comes in a light blue bag with a grey cat on the front. Good luck!
I wonder if you forced the water to flow through the baskets more, would you see better results. Do you notice your filter floss in the center chamber, get dirtier around the edges?
The whole idea of the baskets is to have water flow around, so the positively charged ammonia is attracted to the negatively charged clay in the basket. This means that the oxygen in the water column doesn't make it into the inside of the basket, creating anoxic conditions. The bacteria inside the basket must acquire oxygen from the nitrate molecules, converting no3 (nitrate) into nitrogen gas. There is a gap in between the level of the clay in the basket and the filter pad, so the pad gets dirty evenly all over.
These are tank dividers, and I tried pvc glue and it didn't work. The only thing that did was superglue, and after sticking my fingers to it a couple of times, I found that zip ties were the way to go!
Hi, interesting experiments! You could check if the anaerobic filtration work by collecting gaz N2 with a simple cup revert on top of each basket. Now that you collected enough info regarding this kind of filtration, what about to compare it with this proposition: roll paper filter + moving bed? Sadly we can't write link in comment anymore.. but if you check "charles lales diy aquarium filters" you may find what I share on this topic. I think you'd be convinced as well.. maybe even more ;-)
I did an experiment with an empty 10 gallon with a plenum, adding ammonia directly. It never worked. It was frustrating but some people suggested the tank is too small for anoxic conditions to take place. I don't know. I don't have the means to do what you're doing, but I'm glad to see an honest expirement with no bias. I feel like Novak gets a bad rap from the fish keeping community. People criticize it without even trying it. You are trying it Thanks for sharing the findings
I have tried a plenum without success. I have recently set up a tank with a plenum, kitty litter and it has a very slow flow. Will be interesting to see how it goes.
This is BY FAR the best take on BCB baskets outside Kevin's channel, I love the look of your tank thanks for sharing!
Thanks mate. This has been a really interesting process.
Can you please do a with and without test? That’s the only way to know 100% how much they are contributing. Thanks for the effort in making these videos!
I have plans to set up a side by side comparison in the future.
Dear Gil:
I have a few comments I’d like to share:
Firstly, I rarely test the ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate, in my, (currently seven) aquaria. Whenever I do, these parameters are, most always, close to zero.
Secondly, all of my pets are small. The largest fish I own is probably a true Siamese algae eater. The second largest would be my, single, male ancistrus.
Third, I feed my fish every day. I am making an effort to reduce feeding, per Father Fish. But, as my fish are small; my tanks are largely understocked; and, most of my tanks are planted, these, three poisons tend to remain at a minimum.
I’m all for using kitty litter and iron-rich clay, in a sump-pump, if your bio-load is large and it keeps toxins down, with minimal water-changes.
Thank you for sharing this, interesting and informative update.
All my best,
Sincerely,
E. J. Brinegar
Thanks E.J,
this has been an interesting project.
great update gil, it is a very impressive result considering no plants other than the pothos in the sump.. tank is very well stocked indeed! i wonder why the sponge change made i differance in the nitrate levels, only thing i can think of is it wasnt collecting bb and that the new ones did, very interesting. looking forward to the next update and more on your excellant fishroom build. your 250 gal south american tank is stunning as ever😍
My theory on the sponge change is that the existing sponges were colonised with aerobic bacteria producing nitrates and the new sponges allowed the ammonia to go straight to the baskets. I'm not really sure Jeff.
@@Gilsfishroom that makes sense thank you gil🙂👍
So it looks like the bcp baskets really works! Have you considered creating a plenum in the tank using kitty litter? That would be a huge surface area with kitty litter. Thanks for posting this 1 year update. I'm starting a 75 gallon tank with a similar setup soon.
I have just set up a smaller tank with a plenum and kitty litter. I will post a video in the future once I see some results. Good luck with yours mate, keep me posted.
Will do!
the WMB changed my life........thanks Gil and your team of lab technicians :)
WMB ?
When future generations look back, the WMB will be mentioned alongside the internet and space tourism as something that changed our daily lives.
@@DEXTER-TV-series The Washing Machine Hose Bracket is the amazing water change device mentioned in the video. Colin is a huge fan.
@@Gilsfishroom it's as Australian as the Hills hoist, Victa lawnmower , Vegemite and Pollywaffles :)
@@Gilsfishroom oh! Thanks for the explanation! 💚👍
Well done !! At last someone doing a proper test , I have been running 6 bassets on my 1200L pond my water has all zeros and only 5 ppm nitrate and never moves ! ( 3 years in ) granted my system is a hybrid but we feed handfuls a day , also a top tip if your in wa red road base is pure laterite and you can fill your trailer for like 50 bucks
Sounds like you have it all figured out mate. I am considering building a larger sump so I can fit more baskets in. I'm in north western Victoria, and our road base is limestone.
If you would like to see my pond go to fancy goldfish fanatics channel and look through his videos, best goldfish pond in the world, is my one take a look lad
Just watched it. That filtration is next level Ben. My old koi pond was 3,500lt and I had nowhere near as big a system as that.
Bloody awesome 🙌 Glad it’s worked mate and tank is looking great 💯
Thanks Barry, how is yours coming along?
Really interesting experiment, Gil! Changing the sponges affecting the nitrates is interesting. Glad it's working well for you! 🙂👍
Thanks Tara. 😁
It’s so funny, as I was typing the question before the end of the video “I wonder if you just need another basket?” You decided to add another 😹
I have just filmed the first nitrate test after a water change, and will test over the next few weeks an post the results. I don't have room for anymore baskets, although I may be able to fit a bag or two in there. Thanks for you interest mate.
Looking amazing, love your experiments, you make all the nitty gritty technical stuff easy to understand. Keep up the great videos buddy
Thanks mate. 😊
HUGE tank with some beautiful fish. I'm glad you were able to get your nitrates under control.
Thanks. 😀 It has been an interesting process.
@@Gilsfishroom its all a learning game
My Crypts thrive with 6 large severums - both gold and red shoulder severum. Crypts are planted in pond baskets with eco complete substrate
I am jealous of your planted tanks John .
3 weeks.... And really no change ... Impressive. . I may incorporate one of your basket ideas into one of my pond filters.
These baskets were originally used in koi ponds. You should check it out Chris.
LLS 84 Awsome Informative video sharing my friend and keep healty for you and happy with family
Thanks mate.
Thank you for a fun time
👍️52✨
Thank you too
Please, don't give up the long term experiment. Give us another update in few months!!!!
I sure will mate.
Awsome work👍🏼 good to see some positive results 👏🏽👍🏼
Thanks mate, I have not seen an update on your ponds for a while.
@@Gilsfishroom I’ve been slack to video, waiting for hubby to finish the latest project for my big pond 😉
Hi! Greetings from Singapore. Am very inspired by your experience. May I get some info on your setup so I can replicate similarly for koi pond pls.
1. What’s your tank and sump capacities pls?
2. What’s the flow rate in the sump with BCB?
3. How long does it take for the anoxic condition to set in?
4. What’s the ratio between zeolite and seachem fluorite?
Million thx in advance! 👋🏽👋🏽👋🏽🙏🏼
Hi, the tank is 1,000 liters and the sump is made from a 200 liter tank. I don't know whaat the flow rate is, although it isn't very high. It took a few months before I noticed any difference in nitrate levels. I only added a few handfuls of flourite into the middle of the clay. If you dont want to add flourite, you can add liquid iron fertiliser and the clay will absorb it.
Good luck mate.
I'm STILL waiting to see if you've taken the kiddo to Maccas yet.
She has! I caved in and said that 75 was near enough.
Can't argue with results like that. Well done mate. That'll make a big dent in your maintenance.
Thanks Daniel, and at 500lt per water change, it is saving an awful lot of water.
@@Gilsfishroom for sure mate.
De-nitrate still expensive rocks?
Yup. Tested that tank yesterday. Nitrates unchanged.
Nice experiment. Look like some solid results. How’s the fish room build coming?
Slow as molasses Ras. I have a week off soon, so hopefully I will get some plumbing done then.
Hey Mate
Have you ever thought of using a sulphur denitrator? I’ve built one simply out of pvc, and sulphur beads. You just dial in a very slow drip rate so that the effluent reads 0 nitrates. Depending on the system size and reactor size, you should be able to maintain nitrates around 5 ppm. The only downside is that it consumes alkalinity- if that is an issue?
Never heard of that Adam. Does it work for freshwater? My ph is around 6.6 now, will that be a problem?
I’ve never heard of it for freshwater. I’ll research it. It shouldn’t change your pH , but it will lower your hardness. If you have low calcium and alkalinity already, it could be an issue
@@Gilsfishroom yep
They do. Originally used in fresh drinking water in the USA.
Just google “do Sulfur denitrators work in freshwater”
I would suggest planting the pothos in each box: its roots will increase the attraction of nitrate ions from the water.
I will do that in the future. I wanted to see if these baskets would work without plants first.
Tq for your video! I have a question, what I know is zeolite is prone for clogging,isn’t that a risk?
The water flows around the basket, and ammonia is attracted into it. So hopefully the clay should never clog.
@@Gilsfishroom tq for your reply!
@lebonsimon1269 Anytime mate.
i mean in your original video you said you changed the water ever 2 weeks and your nitrates were ~20 every time so this doesn't seem like anything changed?
The tank contains more fish now, and those fish have grown bigger, so it's safe to say that there is a larger bio load now. I have let the tank go for four weeks without a water change and nitrates have stayed around 20ppm. I don't think this would be the case without the baskets. Thanks for your interest mate.
Hello, I am interested on making my own Biocenosis filtration but I can not find any cat litter in my area, mostly are the scented and clumping one. Do you know any substitute for cat litter?
G'day. One of my baskets contains a zeolite clay that is used for adding to potting mix for things like bonsai. I think it is added to retain water and nutrients etc.
Hi can you share what kitty liter brand u use? cant find the clay non clamping :(
I was using the Woolworths essentials brand in the orange bag. My Woolies doesn't stock it anymore so I have been using Smitten Lightweight Clay Cat Litter. It comes in a light blue bag with a grey cat on the front. Good luck!
I wonder if you forced the water to flow through the baskets more, would you see better results. Do you notice your filter floss in the center chamber, get dirtier around the edges?
The whole idea of the baskets is to have water flow around, so the positively charged ammonia is attracted to the negatively charged clay in the basket. This means that the oxygen in the water column doesn't make it into the inside of the basket, creating anoxic conditions. The bacteria inside the basket must acquire oxygen from the nitrate molecules, converting no3 (nitrate) into nitrogen gas. There is a gap in between the level of the clay in the basket and the filter pad, so the pad gets dirty evenly all over.
@@Gilsfishroom Cool. I like science, and didn't understand the ionization stuff. Cool.
FYI the light grids are PVC and you can just glue them together with PVC glue. Works great
These are tank dividers, and I tried pvc glue and it didn't work. The only thing that did was superglue, and after sticking my fingers to it a couple of times, I found that zip ties were the way to go!
How is your water condition after adding the last basket?
I do a 50 percent water change every 4 weeks with nitrates at or below 40ppm. I will make an update video soon.
Would like to know if this filtration system would work in a planted tank...
Sure would mate.
No reason why it wouldn’t.
Nice setup, what do you use for aeration?
Thanks mate. I have the returns right at the waterline, so there is a fair bit of surface agitation.
Hi, interesting experiments! You could check if the anaerobic filtration work by collecting gaz N2 with a simple cup revert on top of each basket.
Now that you collected enough info regarding this kind of filtration, what about to compare it with this proposition: roll paper filter + moving bed?
Sadly we can't write link in comment anymore.. but if you check "charles lales diy aquarium filters" you may find what I share on this topic.
I think you'd be convinced as well.. maybe even more ;-)
I will check that out Charles, thanks.
Can you explain the size of basket
The first basket is 30cm x 20cm x 20cm. The second basket is 30cm x 20cm x 12cm. The new basket is 30cm x 15cm x 15cm.
Thank you for your reply
I did an experiment with an empty 10 gallon with a plenum, adding ammonia directly. It never worked. It was frustrating but some people suggested the tank is too small for anoxic conditions to take place.
I don't know.
I don't have the means to do what you're doing, but I'm glad to see an honest expirement with no bias. I feel like Novak gets a bad rap from the fish keeping community. People criticize it without even trying it. You are trying it
Thanks for sharing the findings
I have tried a plenum without success. I have recently set up a tank with a plenum, kitty litter and it has a very slow flow. Will be interesting to see how it goes.
Tangki ikannya terlihat lebih baik kawan 6:23
Thanks mate. 😃