Instead of using pvc pipe i just cut out about an inch of the egg crate to hold up the main Louvre. Works well. I also used plastic bio balls in the middle.
Excellent resource and an inventive way to set up a large tank. Your attention to removing the middle of the cross pieces to enhance water flow under the plenum was genius. Don’t create chambers in the plenum😃
I’m so glad I found your CZcams channel when I did. I was already on the path to doing what you’re showing but I have no idea if anyone was doing it . I like what father fish was doing but wanted to try a combination of what he was doing with under gravel filtration. I was only going to do a small area in my tank because I didn’t know if it would work. I figured I would have to clean it out like I would a canister filter so that’s why I was only going to do a small area. I found your page by someone using your ideas on there tank and giving you credit for it. Then I looked you up. This has given me more information, the confidence and the right path to doing it without guessing. I started with fish tanks 3 months ago after watching different CZcams channels. I started with a 90 gallon tank the way father fish does his. I have gotten some good results but have been getting a fair amount of algae. I’ve had to scrape my tank glass twice in the last 3 months. I don’t know if that is a lot or not. I’ve only had to do 2 water changes in 3 months but it’s only been 20 gallons or so. The other times I just top off my tank. I’m starting to put together a 300 gallon tank this week and will be using this process. I have a lot of the stuff I need because I’ve been buying it a little at a time knowing this is how I wanted to do it. I’ve been pulling information from different youtube channels and can’t wait to put my version from all the ideas I have seen. Maybe when I’m done I can share my tank photos with you. Thank you for the knowledge you have given me. P.S. All my family and friends think I’m crazy because I’ve been refusing to believe that the only way to keep a tank clean is by changing 20, 50, or 80% of the water every week. To me that’s just crazy and unnatural to do. Now I get to prove them wrong. lol.
In my small 15 gallon I put in a full layer of 10~12mm hollow bioballs under a 60cm undergravel filter which was only 12mm deep. I was originally trying to get the bioballs to sit in the recesses of the undergravel filter plates but gave up and just added lots of the bioballs so that the plates are fully supported by then. This gives nearly an inch of plenum and a lot of pores for bacteria. The undergravel filter was covered with nylon insect screen which was hot glued to the plates.
Could we use the baked clay hydroculture beads as well, the ones they use for office plants? That stuff is super easy to get. I always use it as a layer in the bottom of the plant pots.
Dr. Novak i remember you said before to run the slow moving plenums slow and the BCB's fast. That is what i am doing except i have now just a bcb in a tank with very little flow and my nitrates are always zero on that with average bioload. Do 40% water change every 2 weeks. My plenum tank though 1 bubble a second and tank with a larger then average load of animals nitrates are always about 10-20 ppm. Do 40% water change every 2 weeks. Maybe it is because i run a sump and have 1.5 year old organic potting soil 1 inch thick above the kitty litter and below the 2 inch cap. I also add liquid fertilizer because it is a jungle with CO2.
How are you connecting the uplift tube? Silicone? This may sound dumb, but I'm assuming we should use a pump that is for the size of tank, yes? I ask because the reference to a 'slow' plenum sort of confuses me.
Dr. Novak, hank you for this video. Just in time for my 1st Plenum set up. I use the screen too, as the quality of our ugf here not so good, though finally found similar to what you use. The holes are not moulded nicely. My tank is 20g, 23.5" x 14" x 14". The height of ugf is 1"+, I use mix of Prodibio & Shrimp Breeder soil 1.5"+, then covered with 1" American gravel, which I bought 22 years ago (it was the only gravel available in Indonesia, forgot the brand (it was in cement paper bag, from California or nearby). Round-ish, 2-3 mm. Since we have no Fritz zyme, I use whatbI have, Sera filter biostart. This is Day-1. My plan is to build BCB, what can I use as replacement of kitty litter (we only have clump litter here?. Can I replace it with aquarium soil?
Thank you Dr. Novak for once again providing this info. Since I am setting up a plenum in a 6ft long tank like this video, I noticed 1 uplift tube. I am however planning to use 2 simple air stones with a 5” tube (can’t make smaller). Will 2 small air pumps rated for 5 to 15 gal at approx 1 liter/min be okay or will this be enough? The nano ones are about half the output and I am afraid they will not be enough. If I can, I would like to just go with one or the minimum for my size tank. Any guidance would be helpful.
Slow bubbles mine is 1 bubble a second on a 40 breeder or 3 foot x 18 inch . This tank is 2years old and i build it exactly according to Dr. Novaks video 2 years ago except i put 1 inch of organic potting soil above the kitty litter and below 1 inch gravel and 1 inch sand. Seems to working great with 25 Corys , 2 plecos, 5 guppy males and about 30 shrimp with a few oddball pygmy sunfish nano fish. It is growing a jngle of plants and never vacumn the substrate instead i just clean the sump and do my water changes there. I built a 8 gallon overhead sump .Sump is 24 inches long. When i build my plenum for my 6 foot tank i will also use 1 tube on each side and run that at 1 bubble a second each side. I think alot of people run their plenums too fast.
It's so clear to me now how a plenum should be. Thank you Dr. Novak and to Ralph for the detailed narrative and pics. Very helpful. The only part that wasn't clear to me is the vertical pvc pipe that comes out from the plenum; where does the top end of the pipe connect to? Kindly elaborate on that part only. Thanks. Cheers.
Kevin, do you recommend using the barrier (like mosquito mesh) over the under-gravel filter in a planted tank? You mentioned that plants will have a hard time penetrating through the mesh, but it wasn't clear whether you are for or against it.
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you Dr. Novak. Since my original question - i have dove into most of your posts. I found the GPH a few videos in thanks for responding in this thread. I am embarking on a 75G build - fresh water planted. I have started to collect all that is needed. *** Note to others - take the time to look through all the videos Dr. Novak has created - tehre are some answers within that are amazing.
Can you use a plenum in an aquascape aquarium with a the substrate sloping up high towards the back of the aquarium? Essentially, does this only work if the substrate is roughly even?
He could easily test the gph when he's all done. Just put a piece of hose on the end of the pump into a gallon jug and time how long it takes to fill the jug. Then adjust as needed.
This style of physical plenum is akin to the construct described by Bob Goemans. Only major difference is his design has short pvc pipe legs to even provide less restriction of flow.
Instead of using pvc pipe i just cut out about an inch of the egg crate to hold up the main Louvre. Works well. I also used plastic bio balls in the middle.
Tutorial is to the point & explained on easy terms for people to understand.
Excellent resource and an inventive way to set up a large tank. Your attention to removing the middle of the cross pieces to enhance water flow under the plenum was genius. Don’t create chambers in the plenum😃
I’m so glad I found your CZcams channel when I did. I was already on the path to doing what you’re showing but I have no idea if anyone was doing it . I like what father fish was doing but wanted to try a combination of what he was doing with under gravel filtration. I was only going to do a small area in my tank because I didn’t know if it would work. I figured I would have to clean it out like I would a canister filter so that’s why I was only going to do a small area. I found your page by someone using your ideas on there tank and giving you credit for it. Then I looked you up. This has given me more information, the confidence and the right path to doing it without guessing.
I started with fish tanks 3 months ago after watching different CZcams channels. I started with a 90 gallon tank the way father fish does his. I have gotten some good results but have been getting a fair amount of algae. I’ve had to scrape my tank glass twice in the last 3 months. I don’t know if that is a lot or not. I’ve only had to do 2 water changes in 3 months but it’s only been 20 gallons or so. The other times I just top off my tank.
I’m starting to put together a 300 gallon tank this week and will be using this process. I have a lot of the stuff I need because I’ve been buying it a little at a time knowing this is how I wanted to do it. I’ve been pulling information from different youtube channels and can’t wait to put my version from all the ideas I have seen. Maybe when I’m done I can share my tank photos with you. Thank you for the knowledge you have given me.
P.S. All my family and friends think I’m crazy because I’ve been refusing to believe that the only way to keep a tank clean is by changing 20, 50, or 80% of the water every week. To me that’s just crazy and unnatural to do. Now I get to prove them wrong. lol.
Loved this video. I wouldn’t change a thing. Can’t wait to try it!
Have fun!
Thank you sir ❤❤
My 3 years old 75g tank (shrimp w/ variety of low tech plants is healthy).
Plenum is highly recommended!!
-Philippines..
Nice tank, I would have 100% painted the lift tube, can't wait to see the final build design. 🙂
Awesome video Dr. Novak I will stay tuned for the next part :) have a good one
Thanks, you too!
In my small 15 gallon I put in a full layer of 10~12mm hollow bioballs under a 60cm undergravel filter which was only 12mm deep. I was originally trying to get the bioballs to sit in the recesses of the undergravel filter plates but gave up and just added lots of the bioballs so that the plates are fully supported by then. This gives nearly an inch of plenum and a lot of pores for bacteria. The undergravel filter was covered with nylon insect screen which was hot glued to the plates.
Could we use the baked clay hydroculture beads as well, the ones they use for office plants? That stuff is super easy to get. I always use it as a layer in the bottom of the plant pots.
Esto esta en marcha dr noak , excelente 👌 gracias por compartir 😊
Dr Novak ,disculpa puse noak 🤦
@@ainosonianunez6122 Hay una opción para editar los comentarios, en los 3 puntos a la derecha.
That is interesting how he used the pvc pipe under and around the egg crate. Good tip for the fusion paint.
Glad it was helpful!
Dr. Novak i remember you said before to run the slow moving plenums slow and the BCB's fast. That is what i am doing except i have now just a bcb in a tank with very little flow and my nitrates are always zero on that with average bioload. Do 40% water change every 2 weeks. My plenum tank though 1 bubble a second and tank with a larger then average load of animals nitrates are always about 10-20 ppm. Do 40% water change every 2 weeks. Maybe it is because i run a sump and have 1.5 year old organic potting soil 1 inch thick above the kitty litter and below the 2 inch cap. I also add liquid fertilizer because it is a jungle with CO2.
How are you connecting the uplift tube? Silicone? This may sound dumb, but I'm assuming we should use a pump that is for the size of tank, yes? I ask because the reference to a 'slow' plenum sort of confuses me.
Dr. Novak, hank you for this video. Just in time for my 1st Plenum set up.
I use the screen too, as the quality of our ugf here not so good, though finally found similar to what you use. The holes are not moulded nicely.
My tank is 20g, 23.5" x 14" x 14".
The height of ugf is 1"+, I use mix of Prodibio & Shrimp Breeder soil 1.5"+, then covered with 1" American gravel, which I bought 22 years ago (it was the only gravel available in Indonesia, forgot the brand (it was in cement paper bag, from California or nearby). Round-ish, 2-3 mm.
Since we have no Fritz zyme, I use whatbI have, Sera filter biostart. This is Day-1.
My plan is to build BCB, what can I use as replacement of kitty litter (we only have clump litter here?. Can I replace it with aquarium soil?
Would it be better to include the laterite in the substate? I was just asking as I was going to do it the way you have built your plenum.
Thank you Dr. Novak for once again providing this info. Since I am setting up a plenum in a 6ft long tank like this video, I noticed 1 uplift tube. I am however planning to use 2 simple air stones with a 5” tube (can’t make smaller). Will 2 small air pumps rated for 5 to 15 gal at approx 1 liter/min be okay or will this be enough? The nano ones are about half the output and I am afraid they will not be enough. If I can, I would like to just go with one or the minimum for my size tank. Any guidance would be helpful.
Slow bubbles mine is 1 bubble a second on a 40 breeder or 3 foot x 18 inch . This tank is 2years old and i build it exactly according to Dr. Novaks video 2 years ago except i put 1 inch of organic potting soil above the kitty litter and below 1 inch gravel and 1 inch sand. Seems to working great with 25 Corys , 2 plecos, 5 guppy males and about 30 shrimp with a few oddball pygmy sunfish nano fish. It is growing a jngle of plants and never vacumn the substrate instead i just clean the sump and do my water changes there. I built a 8 gallon overhead sump .Sump is 24 inches long. When i build my plenum for my 6 foot tank i will also use 1 tube on each side and run that at 1 bubble a second each side. I think alot of people run their plenums too fast.
It's so clear to me now how a plenum should be. Thank you Dr. Novak and to Ralph for the detailed narrative and pics. Very helpful.
The only part that wasn't clear to me is the vertical pvc pipe that comes out from the plenum; where does the top end of the pipe connect to? Kindly elaborate on that part only. Thanks. Cheers.
Glad it was helpful! The top end of the pipe is going to a powerhead.
How often should the plenum & substrates be washed and/or changed?
Could you use a thing layer of kitty on the bottom if you don't have the seachem matrix?
Kevin, do you recommend using the barrier (like mosquito mesh) over the under-gravel filter in a planted tank? You mentioned that plants will have a hard time penetrating through the mesh, but it wasn't clear whether you are for or against it.
If you're using a very find substrate, it's highly recommended. You can also use window screening that you can buy at any Hardware Store.
really glad i found your channel.
So, when you use a power head with a plenum - say 75 gallons; how fast is too fast regarding GPH?
20 gph and that is as fast as you should go
@@anoxicfiltrationplenums Thank you Dr. Novak. Since my original question - i have dove into most of your posts. I found the GPH a few videos in thanks for responding in this thread. I am embarking on a 75G build - fresh water planted. I have started to collect all that is needed. *** Note to others - take the time to look through all the videos Dr. Novak has created - tehre are some answers within that are amazing.
Can you use a plenum in an aquascape aquarium with a the substrate sloping up high towards the back of the aquarium? Essentially, does this only work if the substrate is roughly even?
Yes you can.
He could easily test the gph when he's all done. Just put a piece of hose on the end of the pump into a gallon jug and time how long it takes to fill the jug. Then adjust as needed.
Right you are.
Isn't that Seachem Matrix at 4:17 ?
This style of physical plenum is akin to the construct described by Bob Goemans. Only major difference is his design has short pvc pipe legs to even provide less restriction of flow.
I didn't see the oil dry. What color is it? Is it black?
Kitty litter and oil dry or basically the same color and when wet one may be a little darker than the other one but they are gray in color.
Why did he use oil dry ?
could you use soil?
That's really up to you a lot of people do you soil, but it's not a must have.
Why did he use Oil Dri?
Because of its negatively charged properties, which is the same as kitty litter.