Anoxic Filtration: Kevin Novak Ph.D. WCC Episode 0
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- Опубликовано: 14 окт 2024
- Dr. Kevin Novak speaks to me about Anoxic filters and how they came to be.
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Incredible video!! Thank you and Dr. Novak for sharing this vital information. I am new to anoxic filtration and I am looking forward to learning more. Thank you!
In 1980 a friend had an aquarium with about 8" of gravel over an under gravel filter huge fish load big fish. He bragged about no water change for years. I now understand how.
Thanks for doing this interview! Dr. Novak is a wealth of knowledge on this filteration technique. I'm glad he is back to making videos again. I have been using his techniques on all of my latest aquariums.
I have a 33gal tank with 4x4 BCB and a under gravel filter in this tank from watching Dr. Novak and the system works. I do have a matter filter in this tank. when I first started the tank up I did have hair algae but now since the filter has got established no algae plants are growing good I do fertilize once a week . I would love for you to bring Dr Novak back on he inspires me to try new things.
Excellent video. I like the way you are respectful with this doctor but gently brought the conversation around to the 99% of us that will never own a pond - I like the idea of a "build it and forget it" tank, as I am retired and would like minimal work for a planted tank in the 30 gal range. Also quieter the better! Thk-U.
Great video! Thank you both very much. I'm sold!
Thank you for arranging this creator spotlight on your show. Very timely for me as I was considering adding an under-gravel to a paludarium project. I see I am not the only Walstadian in the audience & I look forward to an update on your own tank Pec.
Great inspirational video, Amazing idea from an Phd, greetings from Ecuador
I think it's all to do with aesthetics, people think if their aquarium doesn't look like an amano aquascape it's failing, nature doesn't look like a Dutch aquascape. It's the misconceptions of what a healthy aquatic environment looks like. I'm sure Dr. Novak's work perfectly, so do D. Walstad method tanks and deep sand bed aquariums like ocean aquarium shop San Francisco that have been set up for decades. 🍀
Yeah like I mentioned it seems to me there are a lot of approaches. I’m planning on have other people on to describe their techniques. But I’ve never heard any of what he is saying form anyone else. So I thought this was a good starting point.
Most people going for an “Amano” tank aren’t concerned about perfect parameters. They are gardeners concerned about perfect looking plants. I think your right and they are more worried about aesthetics, and checking parameters isn’t really on people’s minds.
Novak’s substrate mix of kitty litter and flourite really does create a great micro nutrient rich base for plants. Provides most of what they need except macros, and has extremely high CEC. With everything else present, as soon as phosphates and nitrates are offered plants will utilize them very quickly. Going back to several videos from two years back when Novak’s BCB videos were newer, and some people made videos building pretty big sumps full of BCBs exactly to Novak’s specs. I asked them and most of them said after a year they realized the baskets weren’t giving any noticeable denitrification. Without plants present, the baskets just acted as regular bio media. Novak also said he has no examples of these filters effectively reducing nitrates in an aquarium without plants present. I was kinda hoping this test wouldn’t include plants to get a better idea of what is removing the nitrates. The videos I found where people testing it said it was successful, we’re the last videos those people made and they never kept up with any updates.
"You have to cater to people and what they can do."
These are the words I wish would bellow out to the entire hobby right now.
That is why we have the type and kind of common filters the industry is filled with. Are they the best method? not even close. But I can teach a child to keep their fish tank, with only fish in it, alive with the common filters we have.
So does a simple deep substrate work as an anoxic filter or not..or does it have to be a separate anoxic filtration system?
Very interesting topic and interview! Glad you didn't shorten the video.
Really interesting, and YES, what fishtex said...an interview with LRB and a compare and contrast interview with them both together after that would be FANTASTIC! I'm a fish nerd and I love stuff like this.
👍💓👍
Excellent info! Looking forward to seeing your baskets!
I think this sums up Dr Novak's stuff even better that his own videos. Many thanks!
When I was a kid UDF had narrow lift tubes. The flow rate was low.
Wide tube high flow rate UGF had/has its advantage in promoting nitrification to the greater extent. For most aquarium setup the focus is the fish, many of them. One has to say this is the primary focus for most aquarists. Nitrate and other by-products are diluted by WC; such is also the norm.
A balanced aquarium with vigorous denitrification has to be special consideration. Many aquarists have problem guaranteeing enough nitrification for their tanks (for lack of skills).
Thanks for pulling the interview together.
This is awesome stuff, Dr. Novak!!! Thankyou sooo much!!!! I'm gonna try this on my 75 gal,...Aquaclear HOB.....and my big Koi pond next spring!!!! :) I believe it all, 'little' guy!!!! !
Have been using anoxic filtration for 3 years, it works very well.
It would be interesting to hear Dr. Novak’s thoughts on the no filtration, no aeration, no CO2 approach like Lucas Bretz utilizes in over 300 tanks and then interview LRB re: his thoughts on Dr. Novak’s methods.
Yes, this!
That would be so awesome now that you mention it... such different approaches... Lucas is a Guru in his own right... the art of keeping fish in a beautiful living refugium Lol. (Algae, the great equalizer)
Lucas usually uses aeration and modified deep sand bed. Much of his stuff is designed for shrimp, plants and nano fish.
@@alekkoomanoff7281 Lucas has several tanks with large rainbow fish and large barbs too. His tanks are filtered by the substrate and plants and it works. That’s how people kept fish tanks back in the 30’s and further back before there was any kind of equipment other than the tanks themselves
I know father fish commented on one of Novak’s videos where he was saying deep substrate always fails. Father fish mentioned his shop has over 200 tanks all utilizing deep sand beds, dirt substrates, and plants, some running for over a decade without issue.
Novak started questioning what Father Fish’s definition of a “successful tank” is. Implying As if father fish just has low standards for success.
Oh thank you for doing this!! I know you've heard this question asked in Father Fish a lot too. I will most definitely make sure to share this link! I hope you're having a wonderful and blessed weekend thank you so much for sharing!!!🙏🤗🌿🐟🌿
That would be great. There are several ways to achieve equilibrium in our fish tanks.
This interview is golden! The amount of information here is delicious, so much to learn from Kevin Novak. Thanks you both for the time to do this and give it to us (the internet people).
Omg, interview with Dr novak. Shootz, awesome. Thx pecktec
Great stuff Sean! Father Fish and I have been preaching this the last year or so, and do a morning tag team stream on his channel surrounding this, and walstad/ deep substrate tanks. Thanks for this great info!
You know I've been following along with you, Lucas, and Father Fish, and recently set up 3 experimental tanks using a deep mixed substrate and plants. So far, plants are thriving...snails are happy, and a pair of fish are coming. We'll see what happens over time.
Your comment is interesting. I have been following Father Fish for about a year now, and in the beginning, he seemed more apt to say there are different ways to keep fish, but I was under the impression from him live streams that he was not supportive of Novak's method. Can you direct me a specific broadcast that may help me understand his view of this?
What video does father fish talk in favour of this system
Thanks for doing this interview.
Great interview, thanks! Love the info!
At the 1 hour mark.. you mentioned the two tank test.. it sounds exactly like Mike's video from AquaPros, is that the study you're referencing Dr. Novak?
Future interview suggestion: one of my favorites is Prime Time Aquatics. Another scientist that I love learning from.
This was amazing! So glad you released the entire content! Dr. Novak is a big inspiration to me
Has anyone ever confirmed where “Dr Novak” got his PHD? This interview didn’t establish any facts for his background and knowledge. He says he was doing government research but his information booklet only has anecdotal information from his own pond and other pond hobbyists. Does he have any “research” published in scientific journals?
He is not published. 100% fraud.
Appreciate the full interview!
Hey pectec, do update us on the plenum tank with the nitrate test. The anoxic stuff is quite facinating right? Was the heads up worth it? Looking foreward to your fluval anoxic BCBs.
Sunny Tan.
I still would love to know how small we can make this thing. I felt like he kinda danced around it. (can we make like super tiny ones, and use a bunch in a system, or does it need critical mass- so to speak.)
Yes, me too.
It seems like it's scalable based on his videos where he puts them in sumps
In his book he said they work better when they are larger. His book is free on Apple’s “Books” app. It sounds like he contradicts quite a bit of what was written in his book now though.
It's a work in progress it seems. I set one up recently as described in the ada build, it behaves as promised at a few days in. I also have anerobic substrate by design.
Glad you didn’t cut or edit. This discussion definitely had all my attention. Very interesting to listen to his experiments. Need more of these gifted people. Thank you!
Groundbreaking stuff right there!!
Thank you, that was very interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it
Great video. So glad I found this one. I have a biology degree and I really enjoy this kind of stuff. I also love your long form content Sean. Please keep it up. Thank you for sharing! - Little Bobby.
I hope I'm learning enough to set up my tank. This is a plea for help. I just ordered Penn Plax Premium Under Gravel Filter System - for 40-55 Gallon, 60 lbs washed sand for top layer 1 bag potting soil, then 2 bags of mixed fill dirt. I will use Aqua-Flo Pond & Aquarium Filter Media for a mesh over the filter. I also ordered blood worms, daphnia, and other cultures plus a soil sample from a lake. I have 30 neon tetras and 1 dwarf gourami, plants, and 20 shrimp I add crushed coral for hardness. I will be putting it all together in the next 2 weeks. Advice is welcome.
Awesome interview! Thanks for the info
I have the concentration span of a very little kid, but enjoyed this whole video. I follow Dr. Novak’s channel. There must be many ways to skin a cat. I am going to re-set my main tank and am looking to science to formulate the plan of attack.
My provisional view is to have a plenum (slow moving), followed by a layer of horticultural fleece, then a layer of laterite sandwiched between layers of cat poop catcher, then dirt (using Father Fish’s composition), covered by gravel. There will be some planting and I intend to keep Discus. I have a Juwel tank with a built in filter which I have set up to achieve good biological filtration albeit I still suffer with high nitrates. However, I could just leave the gravel on the floor of the tank (as is) and try to be regular with the gravel vac (have invested in a Python system which works really well). I have a couple of BCBs in the tank with plants growing in them (I used small pond plant baskets). Maybe I’ll look to nature for the best system as well and try to understand the science there.
The larger your fish bio-load the more pertinent his filter design becomes. He's one of the few "authorities" on this subject matter who bother to put their information on aquatic microbes directly into hobbyist's hands, and the only one I know of who puts it on this platform. The only others I can think of is Dr. Diana Walstad (the walstad method) and Dr. Tim Anec ("Tim's waste away" and an expert in heterotrophic bacteria). What all three have in common is a varied background in aquatic microbiology.
You usually have to comb through textbooks and scientific journal articles to find the type of insight he lends.
Outstanding video Sean - I am planning to build a planted tank in the near future and will incorporate something like this into the system. Most Ive learned from the hobby in one sitting in a long time.
Hey Sean I made a bcb with the small SunSun 603b filter for smaller tanks.
I found Dr. Novack several months ago. I am going to use a plenum in every tank I setup moving forward. It works too well not to.
I bought a system already intact, and overcrowded that ran for seven years before I bought it. I moved it with enough water left in it to cover the gravel. Set it back up, and have run it now more than a year. It runs perfectly. 3” of gravel with under gravel filter and a hang on back for extra mechanical cleanup. 50 gal. Stocked with 2 6”-7” African bush fish, 1 8-9” bala shark, 2 6” angle fish, 1 8” gold spot pleco. I recently moved the pleco because he is a foot long now and I replaced him with several bristlenose pleco’s.
Iam using anoxia filter on my 55 discus plAnted tank and it is working g fine . I have 5 discus. And 5sterbine Corey’s a angle fish and two. Rams . I feed quite heavy. Because I got them small they are growing nice . I used the kitty litter. But I caped with sand I used a plastic. Screen material between the top and bottom layers. . The only isue I have is a bit brown alge .
I have a 30 gal tank that I had dirted and capped it with sand i had it running for nearly a year, plants were growing insanely good then over the last month before I had to shut it down almost all my plants started dying completely off. I tore it down and did just a mix of sand and gravel unfortunately no plenum system though as I hadn't come across Dr Novak yet.
I have a 125g tank also that I recently redid with a plenum, did kitty litter with fluval fluorite red and capped that with sand it's working absolutely amazing so far.
No algae fish and plants are looking healthy as ever.
I will be installing a plenum on my 30g very soon. My 125g has 2 canisters on it a sunsun 304b and a fluval 407. Both are only mechanical no biological media. I am going to convert the sunsun to house bcb bags and that homemade chemi pure dr Novak came up with. I should add my 125g has crystal clear water as it sits tanks been setup for about 6 months so far.
Quiet down Pectec, you can’t dictate to people what they should do! Right, right. Haha just busting balls. I do learn from both of you and appreciate what you both offer. Thanks for the info
And that is how real scientist speak.
I will say this- the kitty litter baskets worked fine for regular nitrification. Beneficial bacteria grows on the media just fine. Just like anything else, lava rocks, sponges, gym socks, whatever. And you don’t have to clean the baskets except whatever collects on the top. But you still need a mechanical filter if you want clear water. And the baskets do nothing measurable in the way of denitrification. You will build nitrates just like anything else. Don’t think you don’t need to stop water changes. Best way to remove nitrates without water changes is by plants. Don’t blindly believe this “anoxic filtration “ without staying on top of measuring your nitrates and doing water changes.
Exactly. The “BCB” is simply a static substrate bed with a high CEC clay substrate. Static beds are nothing new. And high CEC clay has been used to provide a home for beneficial bacteria by German breeders for many years. I know a few breeders of wild betta species in Germany utilize a media bag full of montmorillonite clay suspended in their bare bottom tanks. They can keep the tank cleaner, and the bag of media acts as a static substrate bed.
unless the BCB has purigen
F
i wish he would mass produce BCB in the US, i would buy and try in a heartbeat.
Would you please interview someone that has one of the longest longest running anoxic/biocenosis filter? Thank you both for this interview. The kind of interview that I'm sure people will keep watching over and over.
hmmm came from his channel , this is a game changer if power failure happens , i think many people lost their fish or even quit the hobby due to that
I had a saltwater tank with undergravel filter and I had so much success. That was 20 plus years ago. Now I’m into fresh water planted and have not used them. I’m totally doing a tank with just a undergravel this way! Thank you Doc. And pelted!
Ok, I’m going to try this. Have you been experimenting? Would you come on my live and share??
I bet he would. check out the doctor’s channel. I can too but I have probably a more superficial understanding.
I can't remember if I commented on this video or not!This is a question that's brought up a lot so I'm watching the video again! I just wanted you to know I truly appreciated this interview with Dr Novak's! Although I currently follow the Father Fishe's system and I love it!
I completely appreciate Dr Novak's system as well! They may be two totally different things! This type of education is very noteworthy and priceless for me!I do understand that if used in a pond this system is probably most definitely the best! I am planning on setting up different systems just to see how they work out! You already know I love your videos and I think you are awesome! Thank you for sharing and I hope you've had a blessed weekend! 🙏❤️🌿🐟🌿💚
Hey someone was telling me they are working on a recipe for all the things FF puts in his dirt tanks. Like it’s all pulled together for you. I want to try a dirt tank like that but don’t want giant bags of stuff like he has. I think he could sell those as premixed bags pretty well. Do you know if anyone is doing that?
@@pecktec Hey, he actually does premix the soil additives and sales it on his Father Fish "get gills" for $20 It comes with the instructions.. you have to add your own organic potting soil, Black cow and peat! It's enough additive that when combined with the soils is enough to dirt a 100 gallon aquarium. I did an unboxing for it on my channel that shows what it looks like and I also show the ingredient list, instructions, plus the list of everything he uses that you can reference to. If you're interested in seeing what it looks like. I'll try to shoot you an email tomorrow if that is okay😁👍
Still a bit confused... is there somewhere to read/watch that spells it out in point form?
Do you use the plenum and/or the BCB? or do they work independently?
Novak has a forum where they discuss it a lot more. And his own set of videos. The BCB is more of a sump thing. He built one into a canister and I made little ones (probably not very effective) but you can use them separately.
Hi Dr. Novak, I'm interested about Anoxic filtration, I am very curious and totally clueless with the anoxic filtration system you've been discussing, though I really do want to give it a try. I'm having Nitrate issues with my tank set up, I'm using a 6 chamber sump as filtration, the 1st 3 chambers contain bio filter media (MATRIX, SIPORAX & BIOHOME ULTRA).The 4th chamber consist of K1,K2 and K3. I plan to put a Biocenosis basket in the 5th chamber. Would this set up work? Should I put the Anoxic filter in the 1st chamber, because water passing through the 5th chamber is rich in oxygen from the first 4 chambers. The 6th chamber would be the return pump and UV chamber. I have no experience with anoxic filtration system but based on what I've learned from your videos, Anoxic filter may be the answer to my Nitrate problem.
The only way for me to cope with Nitrate is though water change, constant water change. I am able to maintain Ammonia and Nitrite at 0 ppm but Nitrate is always at 5 ppm (water change of 10% - 20% 2x a week), 10 - 20 ppm (water change of 10% - 20% 1x a week), and 40 ppm or more should I be lazy to replace the water over a week, then I need to replace 50% of the water to make a difference.
Check out the link to his channel at the end of the video. He will probably answer you from there.
I actually built a small basket for my flex 15 and placed it above the pump in the pump chamber. Did this about a year and a half ago when I first saw Dr Kevin’s videos.
How’s the tank doing?
Honestly I couldn’t tell any difference. I wasn’t having issues before I started using it and I never tested my water before or after lol. A good test for you would be to do a small basket and add to your tank. Then test the water and take pictures weekly. After the filter starts working or is supposed to start working keep the tests going and see what the results are like.
I wonder if this could work on a smaller scale? I have a flex 32.5 and a Fluval 207 added for mechanic filtration since I have caudopunks breeding and digging all day. I wonder if I could fit a sock of kitty litter somewhere or try to turn the Fluval into a anoxic filter.
I discovered you and Dr Novak on the same day. It's been great
extremely interesting, looking at going in a new direction with a future tank. one of my tanks is set up in this manner but it will eventually have the black bottom, at that point I will set it up using the methods in this video.
I would be interested if Dr Novak has used his filter in brackish and marine systems?? Any thoughts and feedback would be great, thanks.
When I saw the length of the video, I was like "nah, too long" but I did watch/listen.
Very interesting content.
Thought it was interesting regarding preference for filters that push water up through media, etc (AquaClear, eheim classic).
Curious to see the BCB baskets in the Flex/Spec and whether small ones make a difference.
are there directions for how to make an anoxic filter for an aquarium.
Dr Novac has some on his channel for sure.
Great information, thank you both.
If you already have an undergravel filter going does adding a DIY "Moving media filter" help any ?
Thank You !
This was interesting, if not a little long to watch in one sitting. Here's some questions for your next interview:
1) I have Drum filter flowing to anoxic filter (23 baskets, 6 of which planted) which then flows into main Koi pond. Ran great for a year, then suddenly just stopped working for no obvious reason - baskets were spotless, no major build up of mulm, some plant roots had grown through multiple baskets, but otherwise there had been no changes to the pond or water for the BCBs to just stop working (Ammonia spiked, nitrates went from 5mg/l to 80mg/l). Why could this be?
2) In view of Q1 where my filter crashed, could there be any benefit in "seeding" BCBs with Bacillus subtilis which can be purchased in tablet form as a way to kick start the BCBs (back) into life?
3) Not a question but some info - When my BCBs were working I have treated pond with PP, FMG and CT and saw absolutely no ill effects to paramaters leading to the conclusion these chemicals were not able to penetrate or negatively impact the function of the baskets. (It was some Months after these treatments when the BCBs suddenly stopped working).
Great interview!
Thanks for doing this inteview!
I would love to see the doctor or peckTec do a hob filter
At the 43 minute: would a Tidal Filter work?
just stumbled upon this and it was excellent stuff.
Would love it Novak could produce canister bcb filters. I would definitely buy one!
I wonder if fine sponge block would work as anoxic media?
Very nice interview!
Very interesting, thank you so much!
Could I make a basket for a hang on back that has a flow control that almost stops the flow when turned all the way down?
I was wondering if I could use zeolite (Clinoptilolite) instead of kitty litter?
Not sure maybe.
I recently setup an Asian style filter as an experiment in my nano cube to see how it performs. It utilises an undergravel filter so this was a very interesting interview, thank you! ☺️👍
Hi, I just wondering or i can use any kitty litter (for example Catsan ), or have to be clay based kitty litter?
No just the unscented clay cat litter. In fact the stuff called “oil dry” may be a better choice.
good hearing loved it
Can I use the basket system in an aquarium by using a sump
Yes he’s mentioned that before on his channel.
Hi sir great video, I am waiting for father fish interview. Thank you.
We did one. Should be out in a few weeks.
@@pecktec 🙏🏻
Great information.
Kind regards UK.
I wish I had a guy as educated and smart as he is to help me figure out how to feed my Gizzard Shad!
Thanks
This is such a great thing, thank you Pecktec and Dr. Novak
I wonder if Dr. Novak as a microbiologist would be interested in discussing the "starter bacteria" packs vs. having a sample of a well established system either pond or aquarium for those starting in the hobby. Also the difference between ponds and aquaria as far as sustainability goes with breakdown and removal of food/debris and if there is a way to more naturally mimic that? (Electrical engineer with bio background focused in microbiology myself, but at much lower level.) Very interesting topic, thank you!
He's actually really helpful on his RUclips system
Myself and others have asked him for genus names, or identification of some of the bacteria he constantly mentions. No reply.
I don’t know that he’s actually gone that deep into it. He said his method is based of writings in text books. So I believe the assumption is that by supplying an iron source in a static substrate bed of high CEC clay, you may be able to culture the proper bacteria over time. Probably why reports of this system being effective at denitrification are so hit and miss.
Thanks Pecktec for introducing me to Anoxic filters. I've been looking for a solution like this since I started deep diving into this hobby.
@pecktec I wonder about using leca or expanded clay balls in a mesh bag for a mini bcb. I would assume each ball would be a miniature bcb....
It is not recommended as LECA balls are too big.
@@rockfella27 wouldn't each individual leca ball be a miniature bcb?
@@Tezr1969 You can try. Leca is cheap. It is clay and will probably help attract ammonium ions but Anoxic conditions may not happen because of the bigger pebble size. No clue if it will happen inside the LECA. This question has been asked multiple times and the doc has replied with "only if the size is small .. it may work" I had the same query .. I finally got Oil-Dri.
Love the interview, been following Dr Novak for a while now, I did see a video of a fan of he’s ,who made taco shaped PCBs and pushed them under her gravel and claims they worked fine, hit me back if you can’t find it on RUclips
Thank you for this interview. Very interesting. Feels like a Master-class
I've ran BCBS in sumps on 90g, 120g and 180g systems, kept discus and south americans, these filters work and work better than anything i've ever tried.
Super explanation all hobbyist must do this, thanks to dr kevin novalk and pecteck for this video
Holy, I just realized what is about Kevin I didnt like. He dumbs himself down for videos lol makes it easier for the hobbyist to understand. I hated his videos and immediately dismissed him for months until I kept seeing people talk about him
I'd love to build a tank with a built in anoxic sump. Please help me design this?
look for Dr Novak's channel and he has several videos showing his setups and how to make and use them. i watched all his videos.
Have you done any modifications to Fluval flex 32.5 gallons to add BCB basket?
I just dropped it in above the pump.
@@pecktec what’s the size of the basket?
Can I use FlorinBase Laterite Powder?
Thank you both,best aquatic breakthroughs, I going to try
I appreciate that Novak points out when he is being honest with us.
Great interview really interesting looking forward to your experiments with smaller systems for the average fish keeper particularly for us with spec tanks but for everyone looking for better ways to maintain aquariums