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!!
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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
@@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 🤗
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?
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.
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 UA-camrs will be switching opinions now…
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,
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is something I absolutely need to try and I apologize in advance if the question I’m about to ask has already been answered. I’ve watched many of your videos in a very short amount of time and there’s so much information that it’s difficult for me to keep it all straight. I’d like to explore your method using aqua soil and sand as well as a clay product like kitty litter or flourite red (although the clay based product you show from Australia is available to me). I’m just confused about the layer order. I know I start with plates and some sort of ground cover to keep under the plates clean (I’d like to add a thin layer of bio noodles under plates). Out of the aqua soil and clay/iron, which one would go directly on the ground cover? Obviously the sand would be the cap. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
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
I have been keeping aquariums for 45 years and never heard of a plenum. I use undergravel filters on many of my tanks. Is a plenum the same thing as an undergravel filter? If the idea is to have a very slow flow rate, couldn't you just turn down the air flow coming in to achieve that? Also, since you have the lift tube on one end of the tank, is there any concern that water is being pulled at unequal rates (slower far from the lift tube and faster near the lift tube?) Maybe it equalizes as the substrate gets clogged? What is BCB? You use the term anoxic quite a bit. Could you define what anoxic is? Thanks! Some good information in these videos!
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)?
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?
Wow want to try this on my 90gal sick of doing weekly water changes and the fish still don't look happy. For a 90gal do you suggest 1 or 2 air tubes? Also once the anoxic filter is working do I still need the canister filter that has the nitrifying bacteria or will that bacteria die out? Thanks for sharing your knowledge glad I found your videos.
Hi Dr, I GET to setup a 4ft long 75g aquarium for my work lobby, and i'm going to implement a plenum during the setup. I ordered the 50gallon pen-pask undergravel setup which is 4 trays. my 1st question is how many lift tubes should I use and the placement of said tubes i will be using the AQQA airpump you did in your airpump video. 2nd question is since i will be doing a planted tank is it ok to do a layer of laterite powder with Osmocote + sprinkled in ontop of landscaping paper cappped with black diamond blasting sand to create denitrification enviroment .. the main filter is goign to be FX4 and a Marineland Penguin 350 Bio wheel that i plan on using a UV filter in and possibly a Basket with Safe T Sorb
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?
Sir, I have set up a plenum in a 75G aquarium on 7th June, 21 as shown above by breaking down my dirted tank. The air pump for the short lift tube (around 4 inch and gravel 3 inch ) has a capacity of 6lpm without an airstone as the lift tube dia is .75 inches and I couldn't find a narrow air stone which could fit into it. Should I dial down the pressure of airstone from 6 lpm or is it ok ? Do I have to add more gravel? By the way the tank is doing great. Thanks Dr. from the bottom of my heart for all the guidance provided by you.
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?
Important question I have not seen mentioned (though I may have missed it); should we vacuum the top of the dirt/gravel while using an under gravel filter? I’ve vacuumed mines lightly but hoping not to disturb anything. Thank you for you great videos
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?
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.
I have a pothos plant, deep sand bed, lots of aquatic plants, huge slow moving HOB filter in my 50 gallon / 200 L heavily stocked tank. I only do an 8 gallon water change 2x per month. ...imagine if I knew about this too when I set it up 2 years ago? Top ups only! LOL
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Novak, I would be very interested in your opinions on the method of substrate used by Father Fish, the dirted tank with a 2 - 3 inch sand bed, heavily planted.
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.
Can I do this process in a 29 high? It has the same UG filter as a 20 gal. It's just much taller. I love using a UG filters. I'm looking to have less maintenance and less algae.
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.
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
Love the antique fishtank,. I used an undergravel filter connected to a hangover filter
Are you serious with that tank . Incredible. Simply amazing
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😂😂😂😂😂😂
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.
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.
Is it possible to use large gravel then sand then fine gravel on top. I like a thick substrate. Thanks
So whats the green filter in the middle of the tank? Thanks 🌿
The walstad method is obsolet?
Dr. Novak, great to see you back. Thanks for making this video, we appreciate it
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
Thanks, Dr. Novak! Good to hear from you again.
Great info and gorgeous antique tank.
Nice to have you around again! Thanks fornsharing!
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
I will use this method to my future goldfish tank. Thanks for the video.
Good luck!
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.
Finally, welcome back Kevin!
Thanks very much.
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.
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.
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.
Thats a sick tank!
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 😉
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.
Good video like always, any plenum set up for 55 gallon or larger aquariums?
Great looking tank
Great to have you back Doctor. Love your ideas, and I want an antique aquarium like yours so badly.
Hey ,I was wondering if I should make the lift tube any higher for a taller tank like a 20 gallon high tank?
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?
Dr Novak, thanks for this video after long time not watching any.,👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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
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 🤗
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.
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 UA-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.
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
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 UA-camrs will be switching opinions now…
how does the air flow through the lift tube?
Dr Novak are you using indirect sunlight as the primary lighting source for this aquarium?
no not at all.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr Novak is back!
Thanks for the new video's.
Glad you like them!
Plenum Do you have to use a back filter I love your videos you’re very educated
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.
Well....... that’s really informative...👍👍👍
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?
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.
Thank you for this video it explains so much!!🙏🌿🐟🌿💚
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.
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.
Hi. Will this also work in saltwater tank?
Yes
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!
Amazing content. Thanks Dr. Novak.
Hi. Can i use chelated iron in place of laterite cause it's hard to find laterite in my country! Thanks!
Yes
This is something I absolutely need to try and I apologize in advance if the question I’m about to ask has already been answered. I’ve watched many of your videos in a very short amount of time and there’s so much information that it’s difficult for me to keep it all straight.
I’d like to explore your method using aqua soil and sand as well as a clay product like kitty litter or flourite red (although the clay based product you show from Australia is available to me). I’m just confused about the layer order. I know I start with plates and some sort of ground cover to keep under the plates clean (I’d like to add a thin layer of bio noodles under plates). Out of the aqua soil and clay/iron, which one would go directly on the ground cover? Obviously the sand would be the cap. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. TIA!
Welcome back to the tube!
Would having a plenum in a salt water tank have the same effect?
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.
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.
Doc.. i have a problem with diatom... would u give a tips to eliminated this brown algae..
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
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.
I have been keeping aquariums for 45 years and never heard of a plenum. I use undergravel filters on many of my tanks. Is a plenum the same thing as an undergravel filter? If the idea is to have a very slow flow rate, couldn't you just turn down the air flow coming in to achieve that? Also, since you have the lift tube on one end of the tank, is there any concern that water is being pulled at unequal rates (slower far from the lift tube and faster near the lift tube?) Maybe it equalizes as the substrate gets clogged? What is BCB? You use the term anoxic quite a bit. Could you define what anoxic is? Thanks! Some good information in these videos!
Sorry for all the questions. I watched your other videos and they answered my questions. Great information!
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.
hi you are putting air underneath on plenum area. Hence how can that area become anoxic state? because you know Air contains oxygen
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.
I've so got to do this one.
Wow want to try this on my 90gal sick of doing weekly water changes and the fish still don't look happy. For a 90gal do you suggest 1 or 2 air tubes? Also once the anoxic filter is working do I still need the canister filter that has the nitrifying bacteria or will that bacteria die out? Thanks for sharing your knowledge glad I found your videos.
I will be doing video on 90-gal soon. I will use one because mine will only be 36” long. For a 48” I would use two, one for every 24” of tank bottom.
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.
Hi Dr, I GET to setup a 4ft long 75g aquarium for my work lobby, and i'm going to implement a plenum during the setup. I ordered the 50gallon pen-pask undergravel setup which is 4 trays. my 1st question is how many lift tubes should I use and the placement of said tubes i will be using the AQQA airpump you did in your airpump video. 2nd question is since i will be doing a planted tank is it ok to do a layer of laterite powder with Osmocote + sprinkled in ontop of landscaping paper cappped with black diamond blasting sand to create denitrification enviroment .. the main filter is goign to be FX4 and a Marineland Penguin 350 Bio wheel that i plan on using a UV filter in and possibly a Basket with Safe T Sorb
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!
For a pond I think I would just stick with the BCBs and not make a Plenum.
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?
Sir, I have set up a plenum in a 75G aquarium on 7th June, 21 as shown above by breaking down my dirted tank. The air pump for the short lift tube (around 4 inch and gravel 3 inch ) has a capacity of 6lpm without an airstone as the lift tube dia is .75 inches and I couldn't find a narrow air stone which could fit into it. Should I dial down the pressure of airstone from 6 lpm or is it ok ? Do I have to add more gravel? By the way the tank is doing great. Thanks Dr. from the bottom of my heart for all the guidance provided by you.
Yes that is what I would do, slow down the air.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums thanks a lot Sir and do I have to add more gravel?
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.
Important question I have not seen mentioned (though I may have missed it); should we vacuum the top of the dirt/gravel while using an under gravel filter? I’ve vacuumed mines lightly but hoping not to disturb anything. Thank you for you great videos
Yes you do
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums do you need to vacuum even with a planted tank, not sure i could once the plants take off?
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.
Hello Dr. Novak, How many lift tube with bubbler for a 120 g tank?
Is that approx 4mm gravel
2-4mm gravel
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums thanks
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.
Thanks
I have a pothos plant, deep sand bed, lots of aquatic plants, huge slow moving HOB filter in my 50 gallon / 200 L heavily stocked tank. I only do an 8 gallon water change 2x per month. ...imagine if I knew about this too when I set it up 2 years ago? Top ups only! LOL
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. 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.
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.
Dr. Novak, I would be very interested in your opinions on the method of substrate used by Father Fish, the dirted tank with a 2 - 3 inch sand bed, heavily planted.
will be talking about that in next video so stay tune.
Is a canister filter necessary? Or only plenum will serve the purpose.
Plenum will do just fine if that is all you can do.
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.
Would it be safe to use cat litter, non clumping, non perfumed, composed of quartz sand and limestone? Or would it raise pH ?
pH may become a problem but African Cichlids may like it.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums many thanks, really enjoying your programs, really informative.
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.
Can I do this process in a 29 high? It has the same UG filter as a 20 gal. It's just much taller. I love using a UG filters. I'm looking to have less maintenance and less algae.
Yes you can. Any size tank can be outfitted with a BCB or anoxic filter.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you! I will use the same type of setup that you did in the video. low tube for low flow.
Where do i buy an undergravel filter?
You can buy under gravel filters from Amazon or from Petsmart or Petco still sell them
Thanks🤗
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.