Anoxic Filtration and Live Chat!

[@TheWaterBox]

Dr. Novaks KZbin: kzbin.info/door/06AbbfqomU3MvOB4HE64uQ Anoxic Filter Article: www.mankysanke.co.uk/html/anoxic_filtration.html

[@vanissaberg5824]

I just made my first slow moving plenum with a 3" gravel substrate for my tank and now my fish are breeding again and are healthier than before. I'm hoping by getting more oxygen down to the bottom layers so I don't get gas pockets and ammonia spikes from it going anaerobic like it did and making my fish sick. So far it's doing very well and I'm happy with it and will probably stick with the plenum system and possibly make a BCB in the future to try out.

[@TheWaterBox]

Nice! Good to hear!

[@deneng0259]

Yep how is the anoxic going. I just set up and after 2.5weeks the nitrates drop to 5. Plenum 1 inch slow..... moving. .5" kitty litter .25 laterite then .5 kitty litter then 1 " choice soil. Covered by 1 inch 2 -3mm pebbles and finally 1 inch .5 -1 mm Carob sea sand. 40 gallon and 5 gallon homemade overhead with 250 /h flow and also a HOB 110. Trying to dial in the CO@ as you do with the charts. Thank You .

[@TheWaterBox]

I haven't had the chance to set up a tank with an anoxic system yet.

[@kirkhall2099]

There is a ponder who uses anoxic filtration for his koi pond. He started it up a year ago and all was well. He started back up in the spring but after 3 1/2 months. He is still showing ammonia and nitrite levels. Nothing has been added or any changes in pond. Just seems it can't quite finish cycling?

[@TheWaterBox]

I couldn't say without seeing how he set it up.

[@jaredl2239]

I have been watching and reading Dr. Novak's work. I'm using his undergravel plenum method of layering the baked clay layered with flourite. One tip, the baked clay will strip nutrients from your water for a little bit. Some people pre-soak it in liquid ferts before using. I did not, but after a few water changes and dosing with fertilizer my tank balanced out. Another tip, many people use the Seachem Red Flourite under the assumption it has more iron because of the color. However, seachem's website shows the regular flourite has more iron. Excited to see your results and process of implementing this method!

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for the tips

[@rockfella27]

Which fertilizer did you use to balance your tank out?

[@jaredl2239]

@@rockfella27 I think it was more the water changes that balanced my tank as I have very hard water from my tap. The substrate was initially soaking up all the dissolved minerals like a sponge, but eventually became saturated. However, the fertilizer I was using was Easy-Green from Aquarium Co-op.

[@paulmeadows6696]

All I can say is "IT WORKS". I use a plenum and bcb bag in hob. Nitrates are never over 5 ppm and have not done a water change in over 2 months. Tank is heavily planted and heavily stocked. The only real algea is on glass. Tank is a 120 gallon and and substrate is approx. 6" deep. I think the trick in using a plenum is moving water slowly where as with a sump or canister filter you want to move more water the better. After using this system there is no need for any bio media. Stop wasting money. Cheers

[@TheWaterBox]

Thanks for sharing Paul! Good to know your experience! :) SO you just mainly made a BCB back for the HOB. What did you put in the bag?

[@paulmeadows6696]

I have a searchem 110. I used a large bag with a zipper the same thing you would use for media. I used seachem florite red in the middle and kitty litter around outer side. I also use a plenum like Dr. Novac states . I had my tanks set up with substrate on the bottom of tank. What mess unless you love bba over everything. With I set up this new way I used all the same plants wood etc. I wanted to see if this system would kill it. It took a while but it's gone. Believe it or not . But when your nitrates are basically zero and phosphates are less than 1ppm after over 2 months without a water change only top up. Try it that's all I can say. It's the best kept secret in the hobby.

[@WGConsortium]

@@paulmeadows6696 Ok excellent. So the simple Kitty Litter wrapped overite. Got cha.

[@2tenaquatics]

Sorry I missed the live chat brother. Catch one soon I am sure!

[@TheWaterBox]

All good, next time.

[@deneng0259]

When you loose your power you will loose your aerobic bacteria but you will not loose the bacteria living in the anaerobic zone as Dr. Novak says. Just a perk?

[@TheWaterBox]

Going by his science, that's correct.

[@ceaser227]

I hope you show your build with the sun sun

[@TheWaterBox]

If I do it, yeh I will

[@Ttblondey]

Even Oil dri made of clay

[@TheWaterBox]

👍

[@jaredl2239]

I used this. Works great and doesn't get mushy like some people experience with kitty litter. It sounds weird to use, but all it is is baked bentonite clay.

[@Ttblondey]

For kitty litter it came from different vendor that's why the quality are different.That is what dr Novak said in one of his video.

[@Ttblondey]

I'm using it too to my eheim classic which I use a mesh to put it in.

[@TheWaterBox]

Nice, thanks fro sharing