The Aquarium Specialist (Wonk)
The Aquarium Specialist (Wonk)
“Nitrates will affect your TDS readings - the other damaging effect of nitrates were explained 25-years ago, Takayuki Ezaki MD; Ph.D. Prof. bacteriologist, writing on behalf of the ZNA Research Division, shared his observations of the effect of nitrates on the white ground of Kohaku. He urged that the maximum concentration of nitrate be 15 ppm, stating: "Anything more than this and the skin gradually begins to deteriorate, improving again as the concentration lessens." He recommended that if nitrates can be kept at 5 ppm or less, "the skin becomes so white it virtually shines". He ascribed the negative effect of nitrates on (1) reduced the ability to discharge metabolic toxins from the body, resulting in buildup of metabolic wastes in the skin, and (2) on the pond/aquarium water becoming less receptive to dissolution of atmospheric oxygen into the water. Nitrate levels above 10 ppm adversely affect dissolved oxygen in the water column saturation levels cannot be maintained.
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I watched her channel before and her advise is terrible. Goldfish have been bred in Asia for hundreds of years. This video is ok but the advise is not correct either. The problem is North America is that people do not understand the basics of fish keeping for Koi and goldfish and Arowana. The principle is always the same. Learn to create and keep the water. It is an art. You learn to create and keep the water and the fish will be happy and will live for many years. The genetics is not the issue. Water always is the issue and keeping and creating good water will include feeding, temperature, filtration. etc. I have kept gold fish for over 40 years without issues. Master the water. Watch some Chinese and Japanese channels if you want to learn how to keep gold fish, Koi and Arowana properly.
Do you think I could use tezontle instead zeolite? Is kitty litter zeolite?
Your fish don't seem sick...so what's the problem?
I know this is old drama by now, but I still want to chime in. I wonder where you get the 25% from, but I guess you can define success however you want. And not having any interest in a particular system does not mean you don't care about the fish and are only in it for the money. For instance, blackwater is beneficial for most species, yet people rarely have an interest in it. That does not mean you don't care about the fish. There are a million ways to keep fish, do what interests you, and let others do what interests them. If you are just interested in what is best for the fish, then you should be out there protecting ecosystems and fighting off wild catchers, not keeping them in glass boxes for your own enjoyment.
@anoxicfiltrationplenums - Hello, I’ve enjoyed learning about your plenum approach and plan to try it out soon in my fishroom. I watched your snail video today and found it helpful but also wanted to share something new I learned recently. There is a “newish” type of snail in the hobby which is doing unbelievable work inside my tanks. It seems to be the Goldilocks of snails in my opinion. The snail I am referring to is the blueberry snail. It only eats algae and leftover food your fish miss. They don’t eat plants nor do they burrow into the substrate. The most important aspect of this species in my opinion is they don’t over reproduce. Blueberry snails are live bearers and females give birth to a new snail every 3-weeks or so. They are fascinating to watch, beautiful to look at and are incredible at managing algae. I have them in two of my tanks (90-gallons & 75-gallons), and I started with approximately 10 snails in each. I highly recommend them and although pricy, well worth the investment. Check out Moonlight Aquatics as this is where I got mine. I’ve only had them for about a month so far but think they are pretty special animals. I can share a video with you if interested is learning more.
My 6ftx2ftx2ft aquarium i used 4 3ftx1ft under gravel filter plates works perfect
My cousin worked at a fish shop back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He got me started on my first aquarium. He had an under gravel filter and explained its function. I liked the idea of it. It makes sense. So in 1991 I started my first aquarium with an under gravel filter. I always made sure to have several inches of natural gravel. It works great. Over time it creates its own eco system in the gravel.
Hi Dr novak just a little about a experience I had with my plenum on my 75 gallon planted community tank this tank has been setup and running flawlessly since you setup your 90 gallon tank right what hsppend to me I was setting up my 6ftx2ftx2ft and in the process I somehow managed to jam the airline that runs the plenum on the 75 gallon cutting off the air completely to the plenum the next morning my wife noticed all the fish were gasping at the surface baring in mind I also run a fluval fx6 for mechanical purposes only on this tank so had plenty water movement so.i instantly tested the water and boom a massive nitrite spike it was then I notice the plenum was not running I put a nother air pump and airline to it done a big water change and all was well again so this just goes to show that yes all my biological work is 100,% being done by the plenum and to anyone that says they do not work this just proves they 100% work all my 35 aquariums are very stable and healthy running your slow moving plenum system thanks again for your continued support
Thanks I hope others read your post
way to much griping. How about more content instead.
LOL!
Well made honestly and you're right nothing else in the market !. Have a question for you if you don't mind. Will it filtered a 60 gallon aquarium no problem and how long is the cycle
Thank you Dr. Novak!
The problem with this is that i have to buy the light first then through trial and error i have to waste so much money just to get the right light for my newly planted tank to start pearling, this is useful information if you already bought the light but most people who want to know what light they should buy wants to know if the light is correct before purchasing and NOBODY has the money to start experimenting with twinstars and chihiros and kessils, thanks but no thanks this isnt useful. Actively telling people to "keep buying lights till you get it right" is not good advice
What's to prevent filling your tubular undergravel filter with BCB media instead of just a void? Would it be effective?
mine started as seed in the aquarium i did 2 plantings and the older one it long and tall and seem pretty happy, there are a lot of little ones spouting everywere. no co2, shrimp stratum with sand on top, notheing else special done to it in tank sponge filter with multiple air stones.DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE TRIMMING TYVM
Very clear, Dr. Novak. Very good explanation.
I am 76 and I am still learning. That is why I like your station. Very well explained.
this is why it's for aquascaping and you have too mush fish though lmaoo that's why I only have 1 betta on my 5 gallon tank with monte carlo in it.
I am a Karen and I approve this video
ALLLL Right! Thanks.
I do have a plenum-related question .... recently, one of my bubble stones worked its way back up out of the tube (suction cup failed to hold it in place) and I'm pretty sure my juvenile bristlenose pleco went down the tube and may now be down in the plenum underneath all that soil and kitty litter and gravel. Have you had this happen (losing a fish in there)? And do you have suggestions for how to get him back out?
When I first heard you use the term plenum, I googled the definition in an effort to better understand exactly what you were talking about and guess what -- the definition is exactly what you've said: a void or space. Most of the references pointed to plenum in air conditioning industry, and I began to understand that the "plenum" isn't the "thing" that you built out of plates. The space underneath the plates is the plenum. Adding bioballs or some other sort of similar material helps to develop a very robust environment for bacteria to grow in that space or void .... and that's where the magical chemistry pieces happen. 😊 So glad I found your channel!
You're absolutely right it's the space underneath the plate.
Working in Computer Electronics I have to explain to people all the time that a "Touch Screen" is really 2 separate things. It is a Video Display with a Touch panel "Digitizer" ( which is a USB device ) Overlayed on it. I think the same goes here, an Anoxic system consists of a Filter plate with a VOID (or Plenum ) under it.
Hi Dr Novak, a constructive, logical and convincing video once again. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with us. There is one area that I am having issues with: selecting the correct and best lighting for planted discus/angels tanks which are tall - over 70 cm and up to 120 cm. Are you able to recommend the way approach for us and also some lighting options?
I only want the kessil for the shimmer. Need to find a cheap way to create the shimmer. Need a lens of some sort.
I think it's human nature to unnecessarily over complicate things, especially in our hobby. You have provided an uncomplicated way to allow nature to due the work without relying on expensive or even fads that imply things that in the end, just aren't meant for the result that most hobbyists want to achieve.
Don't call people a "Karen", be an adult and call them a C***. They deserve it for being "Human Dirt Magnets". Great information on this channel. Thanks for your time and sharing of knowledge.
So true and for the record I love undergravel filter. I thought a plenum was about the void and slower then usual flow. Thank you for your videos
I don't think you should compare goldfish biology to our own. Goldfish are carp and in nature carp sift or winnow through substrate that includes sand and mud. If it wasn't their natural behavior, then I'd agree that it would damage their internals but there are all sorts of substrate sifting fish both marine and freshwater than have adapted to this feeding behavior. It's also worth noting that these types of fish remove the algae and detritus from the substrate by passing it through their digestive system and not just in their mouths. Parrotfish bight off chunks of calcium carbonate (coral skeletons) and then poop out sand. I find that my goldfish display healthier behavior when they have sand to sift through as it replicates their natural behavior. As far as the clouding of the tank caused by adding sand, that's mostly the result of not cleaning the sand properly before adding it to the tank. I've been keeping both salt and freshwater tanks with sand beds for years and I just rinse the sand until the water runs clear and have never had issues with cloudy water when adding sand to the tank. Sometimes, I'll get cloudy water a couple of days later but that's from the bacteria bloom resulting in the sand acting as added biomedia to the tank. This clears up within a day or two. Gravel on the other hand poses more risks than sand. For 1, it can get lodged in their digestive tract much easier than sand. It also becomes a nitrate sink if left inert and if you don't keep it stirred up it can lead to a tank crash once it can no longer hold the excess buildup of nitrogen. There are countless accounts of people losing their entire tank because of a sudden release of nitgrogen from their gravel substrates. Adding a plenum helps to resolve this but very few people add this step and just use gravel. Plenums can also be tricky to not only setup correctly but also maintain. Sand doesn't have this issue because the fish are able to sift through the entire sandbed as long as it's not too deep. This constant sifting off the entire sustrate bed helps to keep their waste from settling into the substrate and pushes it into their filters. I also think there is the aesthtics to consider. Plenum setups can be effective filtration systems but I would never use one in an aquascape or minimalist design due to them just not being very attractive. Most professional goldfish keepers tend to not do either and go barebottom and then grow think carpets of algae for the fish to constantly graze on but I think if you're going to do a substrate sand poses less problems than gravel and also looks more aesthetically pleasing.
LOOLLL
Hi had a dirt magnet filter when I was younger I remember that’s the first filter I had because it was cheaper 👍✌️🙏🇨🇦 I’m 69 years old now lol
"Dirt Magnet" is probably a registered trademark although we do usually call cotton swabs q-tips and copy machines xerox machines and tissues kleenex.
Could be a generic name being used or a synonym right?
I used to have a 55g tank with a underwear fder I like them way better than all the other one they make now I touched thay did not make them any more I like to get me 1
Hi Doc , I use the tubing the same one you showed and you did correct me on this a few years ago back , Doc , right I don’t know if people want to except the knowledge you offer or just be stubborn
It’s doesn’t really matter lol ✌️🙏🇨🇦
My Dad was a furnace man, it was a plenum, not an under coil filter 😊
I'm so happy that you clarified the plenum. I was going to start a 20 gallon aquarium for angelfish. I'm having a difficult time keeping them well. I've seen your videos with cutting the tube and adding kitty litter and other things. Should I put the other stuff? I'm trying to figure out how to do this with plants. I'm new with this plenum. Could you please recommend how to set it up?? I'd really appreciate it!!
Sponges, including the Dirt Magnet have no regard for the material getting trapped. Clever Marketers. That’s a positive and not a negative for fish-keeping.
Whaddup doc? I've been in the hobby for years and just heard of a plenum recently because of Aquarium Co Op name dropping you. I think people are unaware of the anoxic bacteria if they're telling you it's the same thing as an undergravel filter. To be frank the 1st time I saw you explain it... I was thinking "why is he calling an undergravel filter a plenum?" and started to space out. Then I heard you talking about charged-this-and-that and it piqued my interest and I kept listening to realize a plenum isn't an ordinary undergravel filter... it's a very specific type. Also Karen is someone who complains about petty things.
Thanks for teaching us a some awesome tip.
My tetra air pump was loud. Aquaneat is the quietest.
Okay, I'm trying to figure out how to make a 29 gallon with a ugf. I've seen different systems you have made. Do I need to cut off the tube for the ugf? Or can I just make it like this guy did with those ingredients? Do I just use one tube?
Second video I watched now. First, about the food, couldn't get a close look really. I'm in Australia. Now, there are no links, to anything I can use in relation to this video. My neighbour's goldfish survived for 5 years, with the minimal care that I provided for them, sponge filter, carbon insert in the filter, infrequent water changes, depending on when the neighbour gave me access. They survived for 5 years, now I'm the new owner, neighbour died, and all of a sudden I am bombarded with information that would have assured their demise years ago. Is it all just a lot of BS?
25:25 I agree with the nitrate control by denitrification, but water changes aren't just to remove excess nitrates from any system. Undergravel filters are the easiest way to maintain many types of aquariums! The way you use your undergravel filter, running it with a low flow rate, is the right way to keep both aerobic and anaerobic types of bacteria. That's why is more efficient that a higher flow undergravel filter. SLOW MOVING UNDERGRAVEL FILTER, my dear. That's what you have there. Bacteria in any system establishes according to the substrate available. The balance of the species will depend on the quantity and type of available substrates. Both anaerobic and aerobic types are always present. Typical undergravel filters, with higher flow, will allow more aerobic zones than anaerobic ones. That's why they produce what we can call the excess of nitrates. It's a matter of availability of surface area to promote the environment for each type of bacteria. Not any type of competition among species or anything like that, like some suggest. You don't need to dose bacteria in any way. That is a joke! You are very defensive in your videos. You might have lot's of people criticizing you. I heard once that if you want to make too much noise you should expect people get back to you! Perhaps you should redefine the method. Slow Flow Undergravel Filter (SFUF). I think you worry too much. Life is too short. Enjoy you beautiful tanks.
Reef aquariums are different than freshwater planted systems. You should use fine gravel instead of soft substrate in that bottom layer. Plenums aren't connect with mechanical flow at all. Low moving plenum doesn't exist. It's a slow flow undergravel by definition. Which is the right way to make undergavel filters, and that is what you are doing. The problem is that basically anything works. Paul does a lot of other unrelated things that aren't recommended in a close system though. His beliefs are different. It's interesting how you present this idea in a defense mode. You don't need to do that. Most of things work. If they are facts they are facts. Moe is right, by the way, he is the father of saltwater tanks, undergravel filters are great!! Better than plenums IMO. The right way to set them up is with a relatively slow flow, like you do. I agree with you in regards to the expensive way many preach nowadays! Thanks for preaching the simplicity! I do that too! You don't need to be defensive. Your aquarium is beautiful. My comments are just in regards to the definitions of the method you use. I'm glad I found your channel. Cheers, Doc.
I appreciate doctors 😊
Does this work when you are not connected to Bluetooth? I saw a review that said it didn't which defeats the prurpose of feeding while gone from the house
The Bluetooth is for programming easily, the automatic feeder. I never had trouble with me being away on vacation in the automatic feeder did not feed the fish unless it got stuck. A lot of people really shy away from Wi-Fi feeders because once again, it's big Brother watching you all the time. So far I have been using it without any problems at all and I like the ease of using Bluetooth to program it on my phone anytime I wish to change it.
I am 100% for you. Plenums do work!!!!!
I have a deep substrate on my 5 gallon tank. Works good.
Question. Have you heard of a product from Natural Rapport called Gravel Cleaner? It is a liquid. I did see it at Petsmart. Would it be better than vacuuming the gravel?
I yous this underwear oder for a long time but I had to move and I had two get red of them a I had get rid of all of them so where can I get some more
I actually currently trying to grow Algae like yours in my tank. I guess you never changed the water much? perhaps just once per month? I do google check around. Yes Light is the first thing , Turn on for at least 10 hours . I also happen to read the " Hair Algae " which I want to create likes yours. It claim never do water change much will cause it too.