The unbeatable filtration system for our aquariums in the entire world!

[@markkloman7828]

In the early 90s I had a 70-gallon aquarium with an under-gravel filter covered with small size natural gravel and a big hang-on-back filter. I had two big double outlet air pumps moving water through the under-gravel filter. I had plastic plants to start with, then one day, I decided to try some live plants. I struggled to get the plants to do well at all. Well, soon after that, one of my air pumps quit working. Not being able to afford a new one at that time, I split the double outlet on the other one to run both sides of the under-gravel filter. Now had 4 up tubes running at 1/4 of what they were (maybe about 6 - 10 bubbles a second). All of a sudden, my plants were doing much better, and I even bought more plants. At the time I had absolutely no clue why they were doing better or why I couldn't get plants to do well in my other tanks. It wasn't until watching this video now while thinking about all the tanks I've had in the past that it dawned on me what had happened there. Getting back into keeping aquariums again and will be doing one with a plenum and kitty litter to see for myself how it works. Thanks for the vids.

[@pimpingmrli]

I wish you would make a video just on different substrate options for a plenum. I know you talked about ion exchange. If I dont' want to use kitty litter...do I have to use sand or fluorite substrate? Or can I just add laterite powder to any substrate? What about aqua soil? What about capping?

[@Sinserg]

I used a combination of everything, soil, Seachem Flourite red, Flourite black and Fluval stratum, he doesn't recommend dirt but I didn't have any other choice, so far it's working great, maybe I am just lucky. 😅

[@Sinserg]

I use a plenum in my tank and I used to care A LOT about my bacterial colony living in my canister filter, not anymore I recently cleaned my canister filter under flowing tap water and left it really clean, I trusted my plenum and it did not disappointed me, the fish plants and all seems unaffected because I clean my filter very well, I am still extremely satisfied with my plenum tank, thanks for sharing Dr. Novak! 😀

[@clareashford7981]

Just wondering if you could use the expanded clay balls in place of the kitty litter

[@davidspangler-dk8ug]

I will always have in my tanks. They just make the aquarium experience better, and simpler.

[@kevindrewett681]

My tropical tank has been running for four years, My marine tank three years, Both tanks set up as Dr Novaks plenum design. I wish i knew about this in the 90's when my Koi pond was a nightmare . Many thanks .

[@reneesnugent3358]

I'm trying to figure out what undergravel filter to purchase. What do you recommend? I'm so confused 😕 I am not very mechanically inclined to build one. Do you have a video suggestions?

[@icarlsw34]

Thanks! I have a hard time finding very many videos talking above the anoxic filtration other than your channel. I don't think many people know about it yet.

[@icarlsw34]

I put a plenum inside my 75 gal cichlid tank. So hopefully that fixes my nitrate problem. I don't have much algae though. So maybe BCB bag helped with that. I had sand directly on the bottom. Now I have plenum with gravel and oil safety sorbs and laterite. So should be good now.😊

[@Sinserg]

And a lot people just can't understand it 😢

[@iainaquariumagic]

Amazing upload, brother ❤️

[@parkerrosengreen9138]

Hi Dr. Novak, Thank you for continuing to pump out awesome content regularly. A question about the relationship between plenum depth and the quantity of dissimulative denitrification occurring: Will a 4 inch plenum significantly outperform a 3 inch plenum in its rate of denitrification? My plenum is topped with 3-3.5 inches of substrate, and I wonder if adding a couple bags of substrate to increase the depth by an inch would improve its performance.

[@gregory7414]

I used UGF in the 1970s. Also an Aquaking hob. Kept my 55 crystal clear. It or something lowered the ph back then. No idea why. I used sand in my tanks these days. I wish they would invent an ugf for sand. I'd jump all over it. Lol

[@waynes3606]

G'day Dr Novak, I contacted you back in 2004/5 when you were sending CDs to interested people, I actually incorporated your filter system into our 10,000 imp Gal KOI pond, with outstanding results, better water parameters and clarity than other members with $100,000 pond setups, ours was completely DIY, we have now been out of Koi for some time but would now like to setup another Discus tank and would like your input, we are planning on a 4x2x2 ft tank with a sump for the Anoxic baskets, we want a natural planted tank, would recommend a plenum as well? Any input would be much appreciated. Regards Wayne, long time believer.

[@rockfella27]

Yes 💯. Go with plenum and 6x2x2 will be way better for 6 discus.

[@lugoilustrations2306]

Hi Mr. Novak! greetings from Argentina. Discovering your channel made me want to try goldfish again (my favorite fish). I will show the process on KZbin, wish me luck and success Sorry if my english is a bit weird

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

Welcome!

[@andrewderksen3342]

Maybe you have already answered this? Gravel under the 'under gravel filter - plenum? :)

[@smarties2k]

Great video. Thanks. My 1000 litre tank runs on undergravel with plenum plus BCB. If you have to clean your biological filter - it means your mechanical filtration is not working. I never clean my biological filter. Same with my medium sized tank which runs on 2 canister filter - one for mechanical that is connected in series with the biological canister filter. I never clean the biological canister filter.

[@susanmartin6834]

so I am about to set up a plenum on my 45 gallon tank, I have sand just now but will add gravel on top....but now I am confused because the diagram shown has course oral on top and fine coral underneath ? which should I put on top ?

[@jonisolis9645]

I had to add fertilizer to get my plants to grow well and not die, but then I have soft water and low fish stocking in my planted tanks and they are FULL of plants. Maybe if I had a lot more fish in my tanks and fed them well I would not need to add the fertilizer.

[@SArch-111]

You spend so much time touting the virtues of a plenum. You should try making a video that actually shows how to set one up in detail, step-by-step.

[@anoxicfiltrationplenums]

I have several videos in fact that show step-by-step instructions on how to set up a Plenum. Not only were these videos done by me, but they were also done by other hobbiest that use a Plenum and sent in photographs on their build.

[@SArch-111]

@@anoxicfiltrationplenums I can't find one that is complete, comprehensive, and presented in a clear, methodical manner. I've found several videos that show some of the steps, and other videos that show other steps, but none that contain all of the information in a single concise video. And all of the videos are encumbered by lengthy digressions and pointless, mind-numbing repetition. I'm sure you have the complete process in your head, but you need to work on your presentation.

[@קרןחיון-ו1ש]

just awesome!!!

[@RonaldCardy]

So nice to see a long term Practiced Educated & Knowledgeable person Not push the BIG BUDGET “BIG PROFIT” Commercial Stores who are Ruining this HOBBY for the quick ££\$$. Absolutely No interest in the HOBBY FISH ENVIRONMENT OR US🦐🐟🐠