Clarification on why some plenums use a lift tube and some don’t. Novak Ph.D.

[@bubblerings]

14:14.. I love this.. Anyone can hide some (black) bags behind decorations where water is moving well. Great idea for additional anoxic area without the plenum or filter bags. So easy! For me, right beneath my hang on the back outlets. (I just need to keep an eye on them from time to time, make sure no wastes pile up back there.) Thx doc for this video! 🌻🍻

[@michaelcaiafa6339]

One of the most knowledgeable aquarium you tubers, thank you for the information.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

So nice of you

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

👍

[@rockfella27]

He's a scientist sharing his knowledge on KZbin. Not a typical "youtuber".

[@stevecox8066]

Stumbled across your channel last week and have watched SOOOOOO many of your videos since then. I've had been using UGFs for about 20 years with just standard problems moving lots of water through uplift tubes via powerheads. Got out of the aquarium hobby as my military moves just made it such a hassle to breakdown everything every couple years to move. Just got back into playing with fish and plants again since I'm retired now and have the time to let tanks run long term. Started back with "new" way of doing business - gravel on the bottom, sponge filter (dirt magnet...told you I was listening), only 14 gallon cube so not much else except a bunch of plants. Hated the cloudiness, lack luster plant development, algae, terrible testing numbers, etc. Broke it all down and went back to my old faithful UGF. All is right except Nitrates sitting at 30ppm ish, black beard algae, and some plant die off (which I understand now). Thanks to your channel and YEARS of real research, I'll soon be breaking it down again and adding litter, Flourite Red, and more gravel since my current gravel is only about 1.5" deep. I'll lower the lift tube and replace the pump with very small usb nano air pump to slow the waterflow. Probably put the big pump on the sponge filter for some mechanical filtration and start it all back up again. Have every faith this will reduce nitrate levels and get rid of any algae issues in the long run. Just a little worried plants may take off and become a bit of a nuisance...but that's a good problem to have I guess. Anyway, thanks for the channel, research, dedication, and for sharing!!

[@later_daze_4080]

I've been watching a lot of your videos and I can't believe how much sense everything you're saying is! It seems so logical and obvious once you hear it!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Wonderful! it does make a lot of sense if you just stop and think about it.

[@rahmatnurulizam6122]

I was looking for a way to deal with nitrate with more efficient way and was feel gratitude when found your video about anoxic,plenum and etc..so much to learn i am..and so much did u really teach every single one who watch your video...i will use what i’ve learn from u on my new tank and keep learning as it grow and to thank you for what u teach..it’s really a beautiful n priceless knowledge to me..thank you sir..🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Great to hear!

[@chrism4673]

Great information! I too had questions about the Plenum process. Have three tanks currently using Plenums, one store bought UG filter, two homemade UG filters. The behavior of the fish improved almost immediately. Thanks again for your time and videos.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes, I noticed the same thing that the behavior of the fish do seem to change when you use the Plenum and a BCB in the canister filter. I really think more research has to be done to find out why.

[@michaelbrown1015]

Nevermind, you just answered my question with video! 🤣😉

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

No worries!

[@jaderainhans9095]

i had a issue where my nitrate level kept going up or what that end form of nitrate but the plant i have heavy planted wasnt enough with cichlids, the solution i found was a slow moving plenum and my read are now 0 across the board

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

That's absolutely great. Thank you for the information.

[@suzannemoran7281]

Hi Dr Novak ,I have bought so many potential bags of ' clay ' kitty litter only to be disappointed. It always goes mushy in the water so is obviously not baked. I have a bag of 100% calcium Silicate ,is that a clay that I can use for a BCB ,? Please ? Many thanks as always 🙏

[@jeffrotenheber2681]

Orange! Throw some pearl in it… that would look awesome with that truck especially with the flared out box sides..pre runner look!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Cool idea

[@jeffrotenheber2681]

Sorry Dr Novak.. that comment was for another video about a truck restoration and I didn’t realize it went to your video. I watch your videos all the time and love your content! You’ve given me a lot of ideas for future aquarium builds.

[@Tindomul1of9]

For the longest I was worried about an uplift tube as I did not incorporate it into my plenum, which I made myself. Now I feel better about it, thanks. I did end up creating a make shift uplift tube using aquarium tubing. I made it so it made contact with the screen mesh that you show you use on so many videos, and that was used in this video by the hobbyist you highlight here. It does not go through the mesh into the void underneath, but I think that would be enough.

[@theNEWTful]

I built my first UGF with air lift tubes about 40 years ago.....worked very well. Didn't know the space was called a plenum. I siliconed glass into each tank back corner to form the lifts. Was successful with both fresh and salt water.....never needed cleaning.

[@bubblerings]

To viwers.. Has to allow very Slow circulation to be a plenum. Faster flows are not Anoxic. The Plenum grows plants very well, due to the very low flow rate. Typical Undergravels were demonized for poor plant health. -Cheers on your success!

[@bubblerings]

(Dr Novak's term for his Plenum.. Now I have to google the word. Lol.)

[@howardhewitt1797]

Have been running 1300 ltr aquarium with plenum with 200 ltr sump 80 watt pumps with 6 x ft sqr BCB's , deep 8" substrate in tank. Now run the whole tank with a 6 watt water pump making full use of the plenum and undergravel filter. I used cat litter as substrate. It works really well. Saves on the electric bill! Have even found an air pump that is only .2 of a watt air lift so slow water movement = fantastic anoxic filtration.

[@howardhewitt1797]

Didn't think oxygen competed with Co2 in the water column? Just out of interest. 👍

[@marypaigeflynn4512]

I always enjoy your discussions.. very interesting thank you always for sharing!!🌿🐟🌿🙏

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Thanks

[@adkgaladkgal1799]

This is so helpful, thank you. It brings everything together. Thank you for all your time-

[@tokking7836]

How does water move through the substrate to the plenum without airlift tube?

[@kitwin9905]

Where is the bubbler in this tank? Sorry I don’t get it.

[@aquaticsal6524]

So what about the detritus that builds up in the gravel won’t that create nitrates and block water flow?

[@jaderainhans9095]

does a bag of substrate make it where i can get anoxic cycle to begin?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes

[@rustybraids]

A dremel tool could be used to modify an undergravel filter. Slits could be added or modified.

[@AnhVu-xo8hs]

Kinda late in the game but thank you so much for showing these guys ingenius simple setup.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Thank you for being part of the hobby

[@devman1950]

What exactly is a BCB and what is for and is it required along with an undergravel filter ?

[@alecthenice8115]

Thanks for the chemistry run down

[@dweaver1805]

I am stoked to start this. But few questions. 1. is there a way to calculate how much fluorite red I need for my 125 gal about 1/2 inch deep? 71x18 2. If I want a lot of plants. I want to used kitty litter on bottom, then the fluorite, then WHAT ELSE then top layer gravel? 2. A. I was going to use kitty litter, fluorite, top soil dirt, then gravel? Any suggestions? Also to that size is one air tube enough to move the water the whole length? Does placement matter like at one end or in the middle so it pulls from both sides>

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

1/2 deep sound good for FR. Placement does not matter for the lift tube. If you're using a 1 inch lift tube then as short as possible.

[@gk9417]

When you make the bags can you mix the fluorite red and oil dry together or do you have to layer them together ✌️🙏🇨🇦

[@coltscustoms]

Hey Dr. Novak at 15:45 you mentioned you could make the substrate 2" thick, would that be thick enough to develop anoxic conditions with using safe-t-sorb capped with medium grain sand? Thanks

[@PCLye]

Dr Novak Have you experimen t with Gravel and laterite but without kitty litter/clay?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes, it works well in a plenum that I'm using right now. I have also used the same thing in my Discus tank too. No Kitty litter just a substrate of your choosing.

[@PCLye]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thanks...I will try that

[@isiVideo]

Please, is it okay to use FeDTPA powder as an iron source for the plenum or BCB? I can't find laterite here in South Africa.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes, all that is chelated iron. But test out first to make sure it is safe for fish.

[@isiVideo]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you, I'll test it on feeder fish first.

[@commoncurt4569]

I'm in WPB, FL, and I have 9 Otocinclus (7 regular & 2 Zebra) in my 20 gallon, and 3 regular Otocinclus in my 10 gallon plant grow out tank. I've had the ones in my 20 gallon for about a year, and the ones in my 10 gallon about 5 months. I did loose a few when i first got them, and did read that they like softer water, and can be hard to keep due complications from being wild caught.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

That is good to hear the lady was wrong then.

[@brianwhitaker8476]

Thank you for the valuable information. Would the plant roots growing down to the under gravel filter not release oxygen and in doing so impair the functioning of the system. I recently read something that stated that plant roots respire the same as its other parts. The standalone BCB basket in a canister filter / sump would not have this potential issue. Would this then mean that a stand alone BCB might be more efficient then a deep sand bed with a void when rooted plants are involved.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

No, the plant root will not impede the plenum in any way. The plant roots do respire like you noted but they can become unreliable and still let the substrate turn anaerobic. Don’t forget that the exchange of oxygen and fluids is depended on if the plants are doing their job quite efficiently. At anytime a plant can go to rest or stop its growth then what do you do? Yes, a deep sand bed is no were as efficient as a BCB because a BCB does not clog and therefore needs very little maintenance to keep biological and chemical pathways open. A deep sand bed is a closed system, and a plenum is an open system.

[@brianwhitaker8476]

Thank you Dr Novak for the feedback.

[@MrOnlymoin1]

yes please , a long video on salts!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Sorry I keep pushing that video off, but will get to it this week for you.

[@MedievalMind]

Dr. Novak, I have been using Father Fish's/Walstad's method for a number of years with great success, but I am wanting to try the plenum. I am not able to use a sump, but will the plenum work with a sponge filter? Can I place an anoxic filter in the bottom of the tank, inside the plenum?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes it can work with sponge filter and add Anoxic filter to the plenum.

[@bscottc1]

What do you think if I put the anoxic substrate material (kitty litter/laterite) on the bottom of the tank, cover it with landscape fabric, put the plenum/ugf on top of it, and then put my planted layer substrate (eco complete) over the ugf? Would there be sufficient ionic exchange in that case do you think with the water passing over the landscape fabric as it gets pull down thru the planted substrate (slowly of course)? Or would I simply (or complexly) be creating an anaerobic condition on the bottom?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

No that will not work, sorry. Do it the way I show and you will have success.

[@kashifs786]

THNX Doc, another gr8 informative vdo .... thumps up

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

So nice of you

[@CoffeeTimeBrian11]

Useful information, how much flow rate gal/hour would you suggest for a healthy tank via plenum?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

very, slow no more than 1 -gal an hr or less.

[@truckinlow1]

I live in northwest Florida and have 4 or 5 Otocinclus in my 65 gallon. I’ve had them for almost 3 years without any issues. I have a heavily planted tank and do 50% water changes every week. Stocking is 2 large angels, 5 large Odessa barbs, a small school of cardinal tetras, and 3 diptail pencil fish. I also have numerous shrimp and one pea puffer I forgot to mention lol. I have zero nitrates in this tank. When I set this tank up I inadvertently did something you mentioned doing in the video. I put down a layer of kitty litter then put my aqua soil over the top. The reason I did this was to save money on aqua soil because it’s not cheap. If you want to see this tank and the progression my Instagram is called Distinguished tanks.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Maybe in the store they cannot keep them alive very long.

[@kye88]

My aquarium is a half moon, I have created a plenum using a 2ft under gravel filter with lift tube. the tank is 3ft long but due to its shape the plenum doesn't cover the entire bottom, will this be an issue? sub is about 3.5cm I got a little concerned when I saw the entire bottom being covered that's whey I'm asking.

[@rockfella27]

Make the sub 3.5" thick! Should be fine. 3.5 is too less.

[@aquaticthumb5193]

Why don't we have a lift tube open and drawing water in at the far end from the proper lift tube? Water would then just pass under the baked clay for the most part. Ions would be drawn past the baked clay and the problem of too high or low of a flow rate to create an anoxic condition is solved for the under gravel filter. The additional flow rate would also filter more water.

[@claywise43]

I’ve just recently stumbled across your videos and have yet to try this anoxic system. I want to try it but I do have a question, I know you talk about a layer of kitty litter and a layer of iron based (laterite), but can you mix them? Or do they need to be separate layers? Thank you for all you do

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes you can mix then or have them separated, your choice.

[@claywise43]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums great thank you! Now I’ve got to build up the never to tear down a tank and add a plenum and BCB. Lol

[@mprime007]

Thank you for providing the info!Can you add the bio balls first and place undergravel filter on top of the bio balls?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes you can!

[@mprime007]

Cool! I figured since not all underground filter is designed perfectly for every aquarium, I was hoping to combined both and place a mesh on top before adding the cat litter/laterite and then pool filter sand. Thank you for being an invaluable resource for us! There a lot of misinformation online and I spent a lot of money starting my first aquarium. I wish I found your KZbin channel when I first started my first aquarium on 8/2019 and now I have 4 aquariums with no plenum setup. I have some work to do this year to reset all of my aquariums. Question...I have a hair algae issue on my plants and scape... possibly I have the my aquariums lights on too long (8-10 hours), however, it has helped my red rooters (floating plants flourish). I do apply a liquid fertilizer once a week when I do a 10-20 percent water change. Is there any way to minimize hair algae growth especially on my different types of moss?

[@Ttblondey]

It's easier to put a bag of oil dri safe t sorb or kitty litter in a bag and hide it behind the tank than making a BCB if you don't have the time to make a BCB.Will it work the same way a BCB does I mean qn Anoxic Filtration?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Don’t know as of yet we will have to see if it works .

[@Ttblondey]

Noted

[@joejane9977]

when i use under-gravel filters too clean i dont gravel vac but i do stir up the gravel and then drain water for a water change let the rest settle for next time

[@garyives703]

The nearest I can find in the way of suitable kitty litter is kittyfriend pink cat litter, used to be called sophisticat. Its basically Danish moler clay. Do you think this would be ok to use for a bcb .

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes, if it is a baked clay. Baked clays are harder than none baked clays.

[@johnbfrommanchesterengland4580]

Hi, I'm in uk and got sanicat pink , none clumping cat litter in a 30 litre bag easily. It's good as a stand alone substrate, if your ok with the pinkish colour. It does need a very through wash x 10 ! As it's dusty ( even though it says low dust ! ). It is lightweight mind . I got it from here - www.petplanet.co.uk/p28847/sanicat_pink_cat_litter_30l.aspx?ptm_source=google&ptm_medium=shopping&ptm_campaign=under10_68771&campaign=324014531&adgroup=24641885651&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsv_BRDtARIsAHMGVSZ3RrPC8ZaLTuUJFA8h0IA75rDcXTMlRmEd0MIXtfTVQJ2Mtgfd9oIaAorUEALw_wcB#

[@finnic7959]

If I decide not to use a bubbler in an airlift tube because I have a smaller tank should I still keep an lift tube in place or can I cover the whole plate?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

The slits in the UG plate will determine that question for you.

[@sameoldguy8617]

Hello! isn't kitty litter the same as zeolite?

[@toddslingerland6110]

You mentioned you got the low phosphate fish food, I forget what brand you had mentioned, you talked about it in another video. Anyway, I googled it and couldn't find a list of the ingredients or "Guaranteed Analysis". Any way you can take picture of the label? I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your time in doing these videos and sharing your knowledge.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

The reason I didn’t mention it is it’s made in Italy but it still says it has phosphorus in it but it’s not using phosphates as a preservative for the food.

[@toddslingerland6110]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums So this isn't going to help us any, we'd still be adding phosphates to the water, Bummer. Thanks for trying.

[@7robertb]

excelent points!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Thanks!

[@logchandersubramaniam3943]

Plenum in planted aquarium with anubias and java ferns it is ok ,is it good to grow stem plants and other plants which are more demanding?

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

yes, that will work just fine.

[@logchandersubramaniam3943]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you for the clarification.

[@vanissaberg5824]

So would it work to use an aqua soil mixed in the gravel for the plants while using a plenum? Or would it create the same problem with having the extra nutrients leach out and grow algae? Or is liquid fertilizer enough for all the plants? Thanks!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Yes, absolutely

[@jumpman40823]

Making my first plenum on a 5 gallon . Using egg crate i had laying around .

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

That is what I use too.

[@christiancreed4089]

Hi Dr kevin novak i was wondering im in the uk and finding it difficult to source kitty litter (baked clay) none of the kitty litter bags state weather its baked clay so i was wondering if i could swap out the kitty litter for crushed lecca the hydroponics baked clay balls wondering if this would be a viable substitute??

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

The turbel is , is the size of the medium needs to be small 1mm or so in size to work.

[@christiancreed4089]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums i see i could do that with safety glasses and a hammer just wondering if it would work in the same way ,and thankyou very much for replying appreciate it.

[@johnbfrommanchesterengland4580]

Hi, I'm in uk and got sanicat pink , none clumping cat litter in a 30 litre bag easily. It's good as a stand alone substrate, if your ok with the pinkish colour. It does need a very through wash x 10 ! As it's dusty ( even though it says low dust ! ). It is lightweight mind . I got it from here - www.petplanet.co.uk/p28847/sanicat_pink_cat_litter_30l.aspx?ptm_source=google&ptm_medium=shopping&ptm_campaign=under10_68771&campaign=324014531&adgroup=24641885651&keyword=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAlsv_BRDtARIsAHMGVSZ3RrPC8ZaLTuUJFA8h0IA75rDcXTMlRmEd0MIXtfTVQJ2Mtgfd9oIaAorUEALw_wcB#

[@christiancreed4089]

@@johnbfrommanchesterengland4580 thanks very much finding the right stuff has been a right pain in the perverbiale i appreciate that 👍.ps its nice to hear from a fellow mancunian.

[@johnbfrommanchesterengland4580]

@@christiancreed4089 your welcome and shop around for price as maybe cheaper and if you can find a shop with it , then won't have to pay delivery, I went for more to get the free delivery in the end and if you don't like it you can use it in the garden to mulch plants . I also use it to top dress indoor plants .

[@dirtyoldfarmhand3]

Nice!

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@smack09]

👍

[@jumpman40823]

Making my first plenum on a 5 gallon . Using egg crate i had laying around .