Using an undergravel filter to set-up a plenum

[@hardybryan]

Tank looks great. It'll take a few months to truly break in, but I have been converted to the anoxic filtration system and my tanks are so much lower maintenance now. FYI, the best thing to use to keep sand out of the undergravel filter is the 'weed barrier' plastic sheeting you can get at hardware and yard stores. It's thin, but strong, plastic sheeting with tiny holes in it. Also, that brand of kitty litter doesn't bake their clay anymore, it's just dried, so it will break down quickly. I got the stuff for picking up oil spills at Autozone, they still bake that clay (it's literally the same stuff as baked clay kitty litter, just marketed differently).

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you for the information. I will definitely look for that plastic liner

[@LawrenceMorello-m2c]

Could a piece of fabric like an old T-shirt be used above the filter plate to keep the medium from falling through?

[@hardybryan]

@@LawrenceMorello-m2c possibly, but it'll need to be something that isn't going to break down in the water.

[@SpinsterSister]

Thank you for showing how to set up a plenum from the very first stage! I just purchased 6 of them and plan to set them all up this weekend.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions

[@quki3]

Oh wow! Thank you so much for such a clear & concise tutorial on setting up a plenum! I’m a newbie and I find that some channels forget they are talking to people new to the hobby of fish keeping and tend to show off or complicate things 🤬 I thought I couldn’t have plants with an UG filter. So glad I found your channel. 😊I’ve subscribed ☀️🌟🐡🌈

[@davcar872]

Great video. Anyone espousing Plenums and the great work from Dr. Novak certainly deserves my subscription. I'm an old salt who used to use baked special kitty litter, but the quality has degraded greatly. I have been using Safe T Sorb from Tractor Supply for many years @ $8.49 for 33 Lbs. It is calcined 100% natural Montmorillonite clay and I cap it with a substrate of my choice, according to the types of fish I'm keeping. Through the years I've learned, the flow in the plenum isn't quite as important as the depth of your substrate. It also has a very high CEC value, sucking nutrients and ferts down deep to the roots. I use the EI fertilization method and my plants are thriving.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you, I still have a lot to learn. I'm always open to advise from more experienced hobbyist.

[@phxfish3051]

Crazy how clear that tank became in the same day

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

There's a reason why undergravel filters were so popular back in the day.

[@DidisFINDen]

the tank lookis fabulous George, really nice hardscaping idea.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you Didi

[@SandyDoughty]

Looks great! I have a old undergravel maybe I will give this a try!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

You really have nothing to lose.

[@rockfella27]

Use it. Best thing you'll do in this hobby.

[@rockfella27]

Good one there. Water cleared up real fast. Subbed. Dr. Novak's channel is amazing.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I've learned a lot since I started watching his channel

[@rockfella27]

@@mexicalifishkeeper Same here. I jumped into this hobby again after 20 years realised all I did was wrong then found his channel. All 3 tanks doing fine. So less work. No algae. Clear water Only issue I face is cichlid aggression but that's a different story.

[@DEXTER-TV-series]

@@mexicalifishkeeper *Have you measured the nitrate levels? What is the result of using this plenum?*

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

@DEXTER-TV-series i was for a while when I first set the tank up. They were, on average, about 5 ppm. I haven't checked it recently, but I will just to see where they are

[@audrameyer9558]

Beautiful tank! Those Killifish are amazing 🥰 Fingers crossed for lots of spawning in the new setup 🤞

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thanks, I highly doubt that they will reproduce in that tank just because it is not ideal for spawning. They really need to have either hair algae or a spawning mop in order for them to lay their eggs. This is more of a display tank. I will be selecting two trios and moving them to a breeding tank.

[@carljewell5536]

I set mine up a while ago I've had great success with it but it did take me a minute to get the air at the right amount.

[@CatharinaShields]

Dr. Novac advised to make it a slow-moving anoxic filter; that is, if the plenum bubbler is on the right-hand side in your video, it might be going too fast. If you're using a single air pump for both sponge and plenum, you can just use a mini binder clip or a strong paperclip to clamp the tubing for the plenum bubbler off a little. Just my opinion. LOVED your video!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I have since then reduced the amount of air moving in the uplift tube to almost none existing

[@CatharinaShields]

@@mexicalifishkeeper Tank looks great, Mexicali Fishkeeper! I forgot to mention that in my prior comment, but I _did_ mean to mention that part.

[@69juamex]

Another excellent video, hope they reproduce in the new setup.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Actually I think the current setup will be more of a display tank for them. They really do need hair algae of a floating mop for them to lay their eggs.

[@shannonrhoads7099]

Fish room go brrrrrrrrrrrrr! It's like an A-10. An angry A-10. I love it! My neighbors would kill me, but I love it! Great video, I just had my speakers too loud when I started it.

[@reneesnugent3358]

I'm very grateful for your video! ❤

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Inhopenit helped, thanks for watching

[@garciaaquatics]

What a great video very educational I like it keep it up keep it coming

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I was afraid it was a bit long.

[@alexnapolitano4673]

Thanks for clearly explaining this

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you Alex, i hope you found it useful

[@adelesandry]

A comparison of breeding success between the 20g & an outdoor tub would be interesting. Beautiful fish!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I can already tell you that the outdoor tub is the best way to breed them. My outdoor tub had a ton of green hair algae which is their preferred spawning media. I still have a 18 tub which I will be placing two males and 8 females. I had that tub sitting outside so it has lots of string algae.ill do a video to show how I breed them.

[@JayRockDoesStuff]

Hey Mexicali, Awesome video. Hey How is this tank doing now, its been about 2 years and Im curious is it still running and what was your experience with it. Would you do it again or stay away from this type of set up?

[@joanvirgil6299]

Nice looking tank. I been wanting to try this typen of tank but was afraid. I must say, your video was very clear on direction. I have a ten gallon which I'm go to use. Type of fish will be trio of guppies with plants. Looking forward for your update. Also I just subscribed. Thank you!!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you Joan. So far it's the clearest looking tank in my fishroom. Also my plants are growing fast.

[@rochelle6006]

I have no idea how but since swapping out my gravel for this baked clay and laterite it has made i big difference to my tanks and ponds, no alage growth , clear water and healthy plant growth 👍🏼 You won’t be sorry best thing I did was change over my tanks and ponds to plenums and bcb bags and bcb baskets for my ponds . My shrimp numbers have exploded through every tank amd pond as well 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Good luck would love to see updates .

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Great, that is very encouraging to hear. I'm hoping my 150 turns out great.

[@rochelle6006]

@@mexicalifishkeeper the tank looked great 👌🏾😉 it’s a bit of a wait for the results but well worth it . Great video .

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you

[@gk9417]

I thought the kitty litter went first on under gravel filter then you cap it 🤷🏼‍♂️ I’ll have to watch more videos 🙏✌️👍🇨🇦

[@alexherrera3918]

Como va este tanque? se nota la diferencia con el plenum or igual or peor? Gracias !

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

hasta ahorita va bien, de hecho es una de los que el aqua se ve super cristalina.

[@alexherrera3918]

@@mexicalifishkeeper gracias por responderme. yo tengo un tanque (10gal)con plenum hace mas de tres años hecho con seachem fluoirite red y kitty litter, el problema es que los nitratos no se mantienen en zero comp antes. no tengo plantas, tenia como 10 guppies, se enfermaron con el gusano rojo y solo me quedo uno muy pequeño. como estan los nitratos en tu tanque ...en zero o muy bajo comparado con otros tanques sin plenum? ojala puedas compartir algo de tu experiencia. gracias..!!

[@frankviera9977]

Nice video

[@k.w.6304]

Brilliant, thank you!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you K.W.

[@wrmaldonado]

I'm most unfamiliar with under gravel filters. How does it work? Does it pull all the fish waste into the gravel? So then it will still need to be vacuumed out?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

@wrmaldonado it pulls everything to the bottom of the aquarium. As far as vacuum clean, I never do for two reasons. The first is because the waste becomes food for my plants. The second is that eventually, the waste will become inert and become more dirt in the aquarium. The mulm helps provide a food source for not only fry but also other microorganisms living in the aquarium .

[@wrmaldonado]

Ah cool! Thanks for the explanation. Basically plant fertilizer and bottom feeder food. It's just that everyone is so preachy about vacuuming the substrate, it seemed like a bad thing to pull all the detritus into the gravel.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

@wrmaldonado yes, but because they usually run aquariums without plants

[@mraquaticnews5676]

Nice work!!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you

[@64simon]

To much bubble up ,? Or no ? Thanks si

[@gladiatormechs5574]

i noticed you said that you DONT want the water to move fast thru the UGF... did i make a mistake by attatching a power pump to my home made UGF ?... i also have a box filter with a very short discharge tube... i always thought i needed to make a long tube for faster water flow.. i noticed that the slower the water travels thru the polyfill filter floss the clearer my water is... are power filters a gimmick ?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Yes, the slow water movement is for a plenum. Dr. Kevin Novak @anoxicfiltrationplenums does a much better job at explaining this, but here goes my attempt. The idea of the slow-moving water is to create an anoxic area where a bacteria will form that consumes the ammonia in the aquarium, thus you don't get nitrites. The plants in the aquarium will consume any nitrate that could be present.

[@FatherFish]

Take a look at deep dirted substrates. Try one and you will be surprised at how successful they are.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Hello Father Fish, yes, i actually do have have a few tanks setup with deep substrate. I have a 55 gallon aquarium that is running about 6 inches of deep substrate and it's been running since 2016. Now, that the tank is balanced, it's a wonderful tank. A self sustaining ecosystem.

[@FatherFish]

@@mexicalifishkeeper I love your little journey through the marsh collecting for your small tank. It is just wonderful.

[@Brixx-kx2jf]

From what i read and videos i watch, both UGF and DSB tank don't work.😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

@Brixx-kx2jf interesting i actually run my fishroom like an experiment and to be honest i haven't found a setup that doesn't work. I have filterless, barebottom, deep substrate, undergravel, and plenum. All of them work just fine

[@Brixx-kx2jf]

@@mexicalifishkeeper. Im not saying i dont believe you. Ive seen comments saying this works that work. Then other channels, people say none of that you just name works. Very conflicting info when it comes to this hobby.

[@audio1484]

Hi bro can you pls show how to clean the plenum tank? Like can you vacuum it and do you get fish poop build up at the very bottom of the tank over time? Pls and thank you ?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I have never vacuumed aquarium only water changes

[@MELODYMUNRO]

Looks great, I think the air flow under the under gravel plate might be a tad too high, it is meant to be very slow, a trickle. Otherwise it wont form an anoxic layer - which is the goal of the plenum.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Yes you are absolutely correct. I do need to turn down the air flow.

[@mr.miyagi3784]

I'm gonna try this. My air pump right now is not adjustable, and super strong. Do you have any recommendations for a 55 gallon tank? Type of air pump?

[@Allsortstrading]

Just a thought. Wouldn't having the uplift in the centre be better.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Maybe

[@Terboven-Aquaristik]

very nice, great job

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you

[@DidisFINDen]

is the flow the way you want it in the plenum?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I have recently slowed the flow, but I haven't had any issues with the aquarium

[@MrNatural-fq1tq]

I wouldnt put that small holed mesh on top of plates. The reason is, you want to be able to vacuum gravel to the plate to pull the much out of the plenum. The small holed mesh would prevent that from happening very well. Just use a substrate that is not too fine on top of the plates.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

If I wanted to vacuum the void, I would just use the uplift tube to access the void. The truth is you don't get much getting pasted the gravel. As for the waste saying in the gravel, that is exactly what I want. The waste will become food for my plants. I never gravel vacuum any of my aquariums

[@ohkey2999]

Is there a need to get rid of the fish poo for plenum setup?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I don't find that to be an issue

[@ohkey2999]

@@mexicalifishkeeper it will not clog without removing the sludge?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

What sludge? I have never had sludge in my aquariums

[@richardpainter9325]

After checking with the local tractor supple , I've discovered there oil cleanup gravel has silica sand . Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that a cancers compound ? Please do let me know .

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

My understanding of silica is that you need prolonged exposure to it been airborne to be of concern. But for precaution measures I would wear a dust mask if that's a concern. I personally use kitty litter which I have been able to find that brand in very Walmart i have been in.

[@k.w.6304]

Do they mean the mineral silica, or the artificial silica compound that they put in diapers to absorb liquids?

[@edwardsdeacon]

🤔 the thing with plenum filtration is it isn’t effective with a night rate of water movement going through it. That’s just going to pull the substrate through the undergravel filter. They are designed to be used without air being forced through them making them a “ slow plenum” or with the minimum amount of air ( very little circulation ) making them a “ plenum “. You may also consider adding more substrate. Unless those are a dwarf species of plant or ver shallow rooting plants the6 will need more substrate to draw nourishment from and take hold in. I wish you well with your tank.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank will will definitely look into to that

[@Nomadistar]

Finally decided to check this vid out (it kept coming up in my YT feed)...Thank you for sharing and I am a new sub over it. I found Docs channel last year and am looking forward to giving it a go. I guess I come across in texts online way differently than when I talk with people in person & it seems many seem to miss my vibe completely. ( I loathe disclaimer stuff, but it is what it is). Anyways, to my reason for my comment. I would have to go back to his vids but if memory serves? You are blasting way too much air in your plenum, those bubbles coming out of it might work if you had 4-6 inches of just sand ( because it compacts) also, I thought in one of his vids I watched that we needed at least 1in under the plates for ideal anoxic conditions. I am not saying you did it wrong or that it will not work, but I wonder about the effectiveness. Comment is already way longer than I care for, so I will stop ramblin' on. Looking forward to watching the update(s). Thank you for sharing! Tank is looking sweet!

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

You are probably right about the amount of air being too much. I'll have to address that when I install the air loop

[@darnellfisher4148]

How often do you have to change out the kitty litter?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I haven't had to yet, it's been up and running for a little over a year now

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I don't know if it's the brand I'm using it it still hard as gravel. It hasn't broken down into mush.

[@darnellfisher4148]

Thanks. I'm trying to get my mind ready to do a 75g set-up like Novak and a 75g like Father Fish.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

🤣 I'm right there with you

[@NortyShazzy]

Did you put the kitty litter in?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Yes and the laterite too

[@DidisFINDen]

lol, don't feel like the lone ranger.....silver away...

[@richardpainter9325]

It's like 10% silica at that

[@pacae911]

You copy and paste the DOCTOR KEVIN NOVAK filtration (anoxic filtration system with plenums)

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Yes I'm using Dr. Novak way of setting up a plenum

[@richardpainter9325]

I'm checking the grocery store next . Otherwise it's much sluchy of my Anglefish n corrys

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I always use grave or sand to cap the clay based substrate. I just 1.5 to 2 inches of substrate to cover up the kitty litter.

[@candycaneunicorn8024]

Gravel should never be used in aquariums. Father Fish channel has great info. More tanks are now permanently stable.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

Thank you

[@candycaneunicorn8024]

@@mexicalifishkeeper wasn't a diss it was a great video. Just wished people in the hobby used deep sand bed instead of gravel and there water parameters would be stable along with many live plant's.

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

I actually do the deep sand substrate. Several of my tanks have pool filter sand

[@LawrenceMorello-m2c]

The brand of the black UGF at 6 minutes is garbage. The lift tubes are "locked" in place by two ridiculous plastic tabs. You can count on them breaking off before long. Junk brand.

[@pacae911]

What is your tank capacity ? (Gallons). 10 , 20 ?

[@mexicalifishkeeper]

That's a 20 gallon