How to AFS BCB in canister filter the Lukeway - DIY way to get rid of nitrates

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Thanks to Dr. Kevin Novak for sharing so much good information on the Anoxic Filtration System (AFS) and his Biocenosis Clarification Baskets (BCB) and how to get rid of nitrates. I recommend you check out his site at anoxicfiltratio...
Not everyone has a sump to implement BCBs. I have a sump but it is full of other equipment including an algae scrubber. This is a way that anyone can implement a BCB or multiple BCB even if they don’t have a sump.
I used about 13% fluorite to clay.
After adding the BCB, my TDS went from 60 to 170 in 150 gallons.
The Cloudiness was 90% gone by the next morning and 100% by the next day.
Usually nitrate measures about 3-5 ppm. When I measured nitrates the next morning it was 1-2 ppm. I will keep measuring and am hoping this a great DIY method on how to get rid of nitrates.
I recommend adding a pre filter filter booster like this one:
www.amazon.com...
1-31-2018 update: Nitrates = 1 PPM. The basket (probably the flourite) is really making my algae scrubber grow fast and increasing the filtration
2-18-2018: 3 PPM nitrates. zero water changes.
3-14-2018: 3 PPM nitrates. zero water changes
Update video here: • AFC BCB in canister fi...
11-28-2022: It recently stopped working for me. I'll be going to back to a DIY algae scrubber

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12 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 216

@anoxicfiltrationplenums 6 лет назад

Great video, I wonder why so many people are having trouble getting Kitty litter and here you found the same kitty litter that I use at Walmart? It seems like everybody keeps buying the wrong kitty litter but you got the right stuff and almost feels like a little gravel doesn't it.? Great idea! Like I always said: you can always learn something from somebody and nobody knows everything.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks Dr. Novak! I love your stuff! Good question on the kitty litter. It seems to be very easy to find... Definitely like gravel. It did not "mush" or "melt" in any way for me. A pre-rinse would probably help those people out. I've been promoting your AFS BCB on Simply discus and people really like it. This thread has over 4,000 views already: forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?130047-DIY-quot-Anoxic-Filtration-System-quot-eliminates-nitrates-Anyone-tried-this So glad you like the idea. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results.

@anoxicfiltrationplenums 6 лет назад

Luke yes, I'm looking forward to seeing your results also since I've never used a BCB inside of a canister filter.👍

@HoaTran-it2hn 6 лет назад

Wouldn't the BCB clogg since there's no prefilter (mecanical filter)?

@robertdillon9989 6 лет назад

I bought the same bag (at Walmart) and it absolutely turned to mush, unusable, so I had a problem with product (consistency) with Walmart my friends!!! I will look for the green bag i saw him use in the video...for now i’m using the plenum alone with fluorite...and floramax

@robertdillon9989 6 лет назад

Hoa Tran: there is a prefilter sponge on that Eheim ... you can also put one on the intake.

@edwardsdeacon Год назад

Without doing a pre filtration this will just collect scum. The space under the bottom basket can be filled with bio- tubes/ ceramic media or packed with KY media. The bottom basket can be use for medium and fine filter foam. Everything else can be the BCB filter. Maybe add some carbon / zolite on the sides to maximize the usefulness of the filter. Overall this is a good idea.

@nappak1234 3 года назад

big appreciation from Vietnam. I have also tried the BCB system for my aquarium. Now I am waiting to see the surprising result from this amazing filtration

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Awesome. You're welcome. Have fun!

@craigathonian5755 4 года назад

Great video and a great example of creative thinking ! i've seen Dr. Novak's comment on how people can't get "the kitty litter". Hope this helps.......I have been playing with this media in all kinds of uses or applications for years now. There are several names for several catagories of use for retail. In the Auto stores or sections they're called clean-up media like "safe t sorb" or "Oil-Dry" In the garden centers it's call "soil conditioner", and in landscaping and professional sport-grounds it goes by "Turface" and "Pro Slide". It's all the same, it's baked clay. Tecnically it called "Calcined Clay"....if you are unsure if it's the right one, just look at the ingredients for the words "100% Calcined" usually followed by clay, but i've seen some companies put in a formal names for the type of clay like "Montmorillonite" or "Shale" The important thing is the 100%....Nothing else ! Cheers !

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Good info, thank you!

@tarewade9681 6 лет назад

Hi Luke, nice build, and I don't see why it wouldn't work well. I had a problem with an algae bloom causing green water in a newly planted tank that I was trying to get established. After 3 weeks with weekly 50% water changes and the green tinged water not clearing up I decided to experiment with a DIY DE filter. I had an old single stage whole house cartridge water filter laying around with a 30 micron filter cartridge. I rigged up a circ pump with it and charged it with some pool filter DE. After running it on my 125G tank overnight it made the water crystal clear. Im really pleased with how it worked and I'm sure it would work to clear up a situation like you have there.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks for the tip. A UV sterilizer should also clear up any green water issues. Cheers,

@howardhewitt1797 6 лет назад

And so it goes, Bcb's transforming the hobby. Healthier tanks world wide.

@chrism4673 3 года назад

Great job adapting BCB to new style canister filter ie. inlet/outlet on top. I used Ehiem classic. Yes the sewing is tedious but worth it. Yes the water clouds first few times on start/stop and eventually gets better(less cloudy)

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Nice! Thanks for sharing!

@rogeraquarium6872 6 лет назад

Great design. A large section of my substrate is Shultz pond soil which is baked clay ceramic and also has the same ionic exchange properties as cat litter. I think there both baked clay.

@Hatredy11 6 лет назад

Good idea with the cardboard roll. It gave me the idea try it with pvc pipe so I don't have to worry about the cardboard ripping.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks. That should work well!

@howardhewitt1797 6 лет назад

I have set up an aquarium with Bcb's, after 21days with a fish less cycle the nitrate dropped from 160ppm to zero over 24 hrs. Probably matures faster with a 3ppm ammonia at the start, unlike adding Bcb's to an already established aquarium. I'm sure the cannister filter will work fine. Good luck!

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Those are good results! Thanks for sharing.

@guppiesstories5942 6 лет назад

Hi Luke, looks like there's too much water flow in the initial stages. My 2 cent suggestion is to put a small baffle at the base to divert the flow to the sides. Also it may take at least 60days to see results so keep us posted. Great job.!

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks, I'll let you know how it goes!

@jimmy9916 6 лет назад

Look forward to seeing a follow up video in a month or so.

@JustMyFish 6 лет назад

That is really cool. Why ant I seen this B4. Now I know what to do with my old canisters. Thanks for sharing. New sub

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks! Good use for the old canisters. Have fun!

@sethdrak3 4 года назад

I just wanted to add to both you and Kevin that I personally think using pool filter sand would be best for this as it still creates an anoxic environment and from what I watched in the video it seems this sand is easier to clean and easier to add to the aquarium even as a substrate with much less cloudiness. As well as this pool sand is inert so it shouldnt effect water parameters at all I don't think tds would rise with this. But I was pretty astonished to see the size of basket you used and how much nitrate removal was gotten with the size of aquarium.

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Could work, I like the idea of trying it. Also like your American flag pic bio pic!

@Tindomul1of9 6 лет назад

Great Idea, I hope it woks and that the media is not too thick and creates anaerobic zones rather than anoxic.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks Caesar. I hope it works as well! On Dr. Novak's blog website he says "The size of the BCB’ are only restricted to their weight and what one can lift easily without getting a hernia". Many people often make them 11X11X7 so I bet the canister filter size will always be the limiting factor.

@Tindomul1of9 6 лет назад

oh great. I didn't know that.

@laurenjacoby5124 6 лет назад

Great idea, thanks for sharing! I'm going to make a lukeway BCB in my canister filter.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Glad you like it. Good luck and have fun!

@jpbsc2009 6 лет назад

I commend you for trying this. The only variable that I can see which could be an issue is the flow rate of the canister. Since they do have different flow rates there could be an issue getting the water through the canister without back up occurring? The water flow inside my sump appears minimal compared to what I imagine would happen in the vacuum of a canister. I guess you know by now if it worked when you started it. I hope it lowers the nitrates, as I have 2 canister filters not in use at the present, and will certainly try out your method.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks Jerome. The flow of the water through the filter actually increased because there is only a small pre-filter restricting it's flow. The water has open access to flow around the basket. I'll be adding additional prefiltration to it soon though and can post a video about it.

@veneshpillay3635 6 лет назад

Good idea, never thought of using a canister. Hope it works. Thanks for sharing.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

You're welcome. glad you like it!

@GSP-76 3 года назад

I'm just wondering why the fluorite needs to be put into the center in a hole...you can spread it out as your adding the kitty litter, it doesn't have to be in the center...the iron will leech regardless of where it's located. Very nice to see this work inside a canister though...the Sunsun HW3000 has flow control so that canister could be a great candidate for this type of setup.

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Good idea also. I've seen other people do it that way.

@drummking15 4 года назад

I've been diving deep and learning as much as I can about Anoxic filtration /BCBs for this past week. It just blows my mind that this topic is not talked about more and utilized more by freshwater hobbyist. I am very interested in your canister BCB set up. I have an empty Sunsun 304b. Question, I saw in your update video that you also have a sump with a algae scrubber etc. Do you believe that If i use this in correlation with my other Sunsun 304b that has Biohome and course sponge, that this could keep my Nitrates lower than 20-30ppm with 15-20 peacocks in a 55G?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

I think the algae scrubber helps a lot but you have a good chance. Even it helps you reduce water changes by more than half that would be lots of time and $ saved. More time just enjoying the fish instead of carrying buckets of water.

@kalawai2000 6 лет назад

I hope it works out. I’m looking forward on this as an alternative use of a canister filter.

@adkgaladkgal1799 3 года назад

Can't wait to try this, thank you!

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

You're welcome. Let me know how it goes!

@astroboyskygazer2248 3 года назад

Fish keeping has become so commercialized with all these high tech accessories in the market. Save your money folks. Throw dirt and plants in your aquarium. That should save you a lot of worries and troubles... no water changes... no filtration... just keep the tank ecology healthy.

@saltysphynxmuse907 6 лет назад

Great job! Looking forward to your updates.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks! I'll will post an update

@eugeniovazquez7444 6 лет назад

Yes you must update , I have the same EHEIM filter , before I start cutting up my basket , hopefully you’re BCB will works, I know those filters can control the flow rate what rate you to be low , medium or high

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

I have it on the low setting but I bet the higher would also work

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Agreed there should be more prefiltration. I added another canister filter full of just mechanical filtration to the intake. Coarse to medium to fine to prefilter the water even more before it gets to the BCB canister filter.

@stephenchow5161 3 года назад

im going to try this as well on a small cannister. if working then i will graduate to the big eheim

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Hope it goes well!

@mendy3115 3 года назад

Hi. I'm making BCB for the first time. I got the same cat litter as yours but the new look. It still says on it it natural, fragrance free, non clomping. The thing is it feels cloming (moddy) to me. Do you think it is different in the new look bags or it just take a while to wash all the small particles?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

I would just test some in a bowl of water. Make sure that it stays as gravel and doesn't "melt" Have fun!

@mendy3115 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm thanks. So far it looks like it's melting. How long did it take you to wash it?

@mendy3115 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm are you able to post a link you bought the cat litter? I think the new look is also made different. Do you know maybe of a different company I can use?

@mendy3115 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm it seems from the reviews on Walmart that people don't like the new version...are you able, please, to recommend another company I can use for the bcb?

@mendy3115 3 года назад

I'm contacting Walmart meanwhile to see if they can send me the old version

@fishrrelaxing9361 6 лет назад

What’s the update on this? I would’ve personally put a solid base on the basket to make sure everything flowed around but water takes path of least resistance and this should still create lots of bypass just not sure if it would be enough.. I would also would have made several smaller baskets so I didn’t have to destroy the canister baskets with just a thin piece of planting under each one to insure bypass.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hi John, I'll post an update soon. :) so far so good. That would be an option as well. The BCB does sit on top of a canister filter basket mesh which I figured restricted the flow around the bottom a little more. Lots of different ways to do it. :)

@lucadonninelli1475 2 года назад

Great video in Italy i don t find the litter what i can use insted ? Thank yuo

@LukeAlm Год назад

zeolite could also work or any natural clay that is contains 0% additives.

@seongkianchng1846 6 лет назад

Gosh. You got that much cloudiness even after rinsing the kitty litter thoroughly? Hope it clears up. I think a further improvement could be some kind of handle that could help you lift up the massive basket to remove it during future filter maintenance.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

The cloudiness surprised me too because I rinsed it so much but it was mostly gone by the next day.

@glengombik8930 5 лет назад

Great idea I'm also following the bcb full cycle system. I opted for a DIY above sump with gravity flow and plants growing in the baskets (spider and pothos) for extra ammonia removal. What are you using to seed the bacteria? A suggestion to avoid the immediate cloudiness is to run the filter with removed tank water in a 5g bucket from a water change.

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Hi Glen, good idea. I added this to a tank that had been running for a few years so I didn't do any seeding.

@ianfreida4041 6 лет назад

Can someone please explain why water needs to flow around this media and why it won’t work if it flows through it? I thought that the reason why Dr. Novak wants water to go around it instead of through it is because he doesn't want to use it as a filter that will clog up he wants to use the kitty litter like a magnet to grab the negatively charged ammonia/nitrate off the water. if you have your mechanical filtration on the bottom of the canister and kitty litter on top inside a net wouldn't it achieve the same thing rather than cutting holes through these media baskets?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hi Ian, there is a great description here: www.mankysanke.co.uk/html/anoxic_filtration.html Good luck and have fun!

@ryaneveley6337 6 лет назад

To get anaerobic bacteria it has to be a oxygen free space also takes a long time to build up but when it does nitrates turn to nitrogen thus completing the cycle

@blkicemike4857 5 лет назад

i think it creates LOW-OXYGEN atmosphere so Anaerobic bacteria can thrive..

@majorbruster5916 4 года назад

Begging your pardon, but I think you will find that ammonia (NH3) is not negatively charged - it ionises to ammonium (NH4+) in the presence of excess hydrogen ions. The litter has a cation exchange capacity (CEC) that exchanges sodium for ammonium ions. The anaerobic denitrifying bacteria that build up in the filter utilise nitrates and eventually form nitrogen (N2) which is the end product of the nitrogen cycle.

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

@@majorbruster5916 Like the science adder!

@Moocow9991703 Год назад

Could I just use all flourite red instead if using cat litter struggling to find the correct one in the uk 😢

@oscarcamejo5870 6 лет назад

thanks for your time

@CaptainNemo49 5 лет назад

I'm planning on adding a canister filter, impressive video you have presented !! I don't have a clue what canister you have modified nor the size......... any info would be greatly appreciated.

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Thanks for the comment. It's an Eheim canister filter but any large canister filter will work. Have fun!

@drummking15 4 года назад

Doesn't the flow have to be very slow with very little oxygen for this to work? I'm concerned about using my 304b becuase the gph on it is 264

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Yah, for the most part, the slower the better but you could always put plastic with less holes around the basket to limit the flow into the basket. Along with a solid plastic bottom of the basket so water doesn't flow right into it. Good luck!

@varanidguy 5 лет назад

How did this project work out?

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Worked great until I moved.

@mendy3115 3 года назад

Great video. Do you need to do anything with the cat litter besides washing it? I remember from somewhere but can't remember where, that to bake it...do I need to?

@LukeAlm Год назад

Just rinse and use. I would try a little first to make sure it doesn't dissolve. Have fun!

@jpbsc2009 6 лет назад

A little disappointed that Dr Novak hasn't commented.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Me too. haha. I asked him about it in a comment of one of his videos but he hasn't responded yet. Usually he responds very quickly.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Update: see Dr. Novak's new comment

@maleficent3333 2 года назад

i'm from poland, none oc cat litter recommended in anoxic filtration is present in shops here, what to look for in a substitute?

@rockfella27 2 года назад

Look for OIl-dri or Safe T Sorb.

@jaythefishman41 3 года назад

Why not use just the fluorite since it is clay just like the kitty litter? If the idea is to have water flow around basket, why not place a solid bottom instead of the mesh to avoid any flow through? I understand water may find path of least resistance around basket, however, with a powerful canister pump, it would seem a considerable amount of water will pass through basket turning it into a biological filter.

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Great idea. You could easily put a solid piece of plastic under the basket.

@jaythefishman41 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm Thanks for your response. I will be converting a canister soon. Great video!

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

@@jaythefishman41 Thanks Jay, have fun!

@M7ofATC 4 года назад

Do you think a bcb would work inside of a fluval fx4 canister?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

I think almost any canister would work. That canister has a high flow so I would put plastic with less holes around the BCB basket to limit the flow into the basket. Along with a solid plastic bottom of the basket so water doesn't flow right into it. Have fun!

@jamiemonk9694 3 года назад

Has this worked for you Luke as I have a canister filter but don't want to chop it up unless I no it's worth It, how is the cat litter holding up

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

No issues with the cat litter. I would test the litter you want to use and make sure it doesn't turn to mush. If it doesn't you're good to go. Worst case scenario if you decide to change it back is you'll just need some new baskets.

@jonisolis9645 6 лет назад

UPdate on this please!

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hi Joni, I will post an update soon. There are some "mini" updates in the description

@DEXTER-TV-series 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm many thanks !

@mendy3115 3 года назад

What is the name for the plastic with the holes. I would like to buy one. Thanks in advance

@LukeAlm Год назад

Hello, that is sewing canvas plastic. Look for it at a craft shop or online. Have fun!

@Kingshukpalchoudhury 3 года назад

More research is needed on alternatives to attapulgite clay and laterite.. Maybe baked clay derivatives..like clay brick granules, or exfoliated vermiculite.. And instead of laterite..use iron salts as direct iron supplements..like ferrous sulphate, ironite etc.. This would make it much more universal and globally applicable solution.. Zeolite already works..more alternatives required..

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Good ideas. I supplemented iron as well to my tanks which seemed to help. It was almost a requirement when I run an algae scrubber.

@thefishylife6823 6 лет назад

Do you think it would work in a aquaclear hob? If it's just a big media bag full? The water would rise up and around the bag?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

The aquaclear HOB filters I've seen are pretty small but if there was space to make a basket of at least 4x4x4 with an inch or so around the basket for water to flow, I bet it would work.

@coreyroberts2831 6 лет назад

Luke I know you are using a different canister than I am but here is what I did to free up room inside my SunSun 703B. I bought this pre-filter that is designed to be used with pretty much any canister filter. So instead of the bottom tray being taken up with your course, medium, fine filter media it all goes in this pre-filter freeing up the bottom tray in the canister. I think it is key to filter the water really well before it gets to the BCB to prevent clogging up the media. Let me know what you think. By the way, its very easy to install. All you do is cut the intake tube and attach the end from the tank to the "IN" on the pre-filter, then attach the other end to the "OUT" and that's it. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMQ7UL2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Oh ya, those prefilters look great. I actually added that recommendation in the comments. You can also check out the DIY 5 gallon canister filters for large, cheap options. Good luck!

@coreyroberts2831 6 лет назад

Found a better price on the pre-filters. www.ebay.com/itm/Modular-External-Canister-Filter-Table-Top-Nano-Aquarium-Fish-SUNSUN-602-603/281520517967?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=580547199293&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Nice find. Thanks for sharing!

@bige8397 6 лет назад

I picked up one of these to use as a pre-filter for my canister. Haven't had a chance to set it up yet. The top seal and clamps appear to be solid. Not sure how long they will last as a pre-filter though. Time will tell. www.ebay.com/itm/122716227600

@coreyroberts2831 6 лет назад

Looks pretty descent. Would be nice if it had the medium and fine sponge as well. Let us know how it holds up.

@blkicemike4857 5 лет назад

ya know i've been thinkin about a Moving-Bed(K-1) type filter using a Sun-Sun canister filter, But this idea might work a hella-lot better,.. So given a year or so has passed, how'd it work out for ya?? I just found this video today..

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Worked great for about a year until I moved. I would do this and/or an algae scrubber.

@bige8397 6 лет назад

Will be doing this with a Pro 3e 2076. Is there any advantage to low, mid, or max water flow through the filter? Looks great btw.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Thanks! That should work great. I turned mine to the low setting to start but Dr. Novak has said the more water passing by (as long as it is not through it) the more it will have a chance to grab things as they pass by and filter. I'll probably turn up the speed on mine later on

@bige8397 6 лет назад

I will be keeping tabs to monitor your :) .

@seongkianchng1846 6 лет назад

How do you remove the sliding handles from the eheim baskets? Was it a destructive removal process? How is the filter performing so far?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

The handles came off easily for me by using a screwdriver to release the tabs. You can also do an awesome 5 gallon DIY canister filter. Just search for it on RU-vid. Filter is working great so far. Good luck!

@seongkianchng1846 6 лет назад

Thank you for the tip! I am looking at modifying my eheim 2080 in a similar way, but without any destructive modifications like cutting the plastic baskets. So that in the event I want to sell the canister, I have the option to revert it back to its original form. I look forward to your next video update!

@Ttblondey 3 года назад

Can we use burned clay, the one that is use for pot.

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

As long as it doesn't turn to mush then you should be good to go. Have fun!

@oscarcamejo5870 6 лет назад

it has to have the Kitty litter to Oil-Dri in it. what does that mean

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Oil-Dri is another type of clay based cat litter.

@oscarcamejo5870 6 лет назад

luke why do you show 2 different types of kitty litter?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Just to show that either one will work. They both look the same to me but some people may only be able to find one or the other.

@oscarcamejo5870 6 лет назад

wondering why if fluorite red is clay based then why not use just that?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

I asked Dr. Novak that same thing here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-yINbj43LwL8.html&feature=em-comments He replied that "it has to have the Kitty litter to Oil-Dri in it. The seachem red is just for iron only."

@MarcassCarcass 5 лет назад

Haha, that looks just like my 150 gallon tall and stand! Boy I miss that thing, sitting in storage. Anyhow, I would've left even more space for water flow around the BCB and I'd make sure that prefilter foam is real thick. How thick is it?

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

I added an entire extra canister filter before the BCB canister filter to filter the water

@MarcassCarcass 5 лет назад

@@LukeAlm Yes, great idea, I would guess that your anoxic filter should definitely go without getting clogged now. But yeah, I guess Dr. Novak is no longer uploading videos on youtube and many of his videos have disappeared. Do you know what happened to him? Also, can you show me any definitive information on how big an anoxic filter should be for a certain size aquarium?

@MarcassCarcass 5 лет назад

@@LukeAlm ...oh I see now, he used an 11" x 6" x 3" bcb for his 50 gallon aquarium.

@MarcassCarcass 5 лет назад

@@LukeAlm Now I see that he replaced that bcb with a 4"x4"x4", a 16 gallon sump for a 50 gallon aquarium. Sorry for all the replies, but just wanted to share the knowledge with anyone that comes across this.

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Not sure why he stopped producing videos but he seemed a very sensitive to any negative comments. Here's some good info though: www.mankysanke.co.uk/html/building_an_anoxic_system.html

@Randhart 6 лет назад

looking forward to see how this works out, if it goes well I may even give it a go ;)

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

so far so good. I'll post an update soon

@khaldrogo8559 3 года назад

Hi Luke, loved your idea of how you incoperated the BCB into a canister filter... Excellent. It has inspired me to do the same with a canister myself now. I do however have a question. I have a 500gph canister full of media, tank is fully cycled and canister has a good enough colony of BB in it. I have a spare canister (roughly 350gph). I was thinking of making a BCB for that canister filter and then hooking the intake of 2nd BCB filter to the 1st established filters outlet and returning the water from the BCB canister back into the tank. Do you think this arrangement would work?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

Seems like a great idea to me. I would use one canister as a mechanical filter and then the second with the BCB. Cheers.

@khaldrogo8559 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm would you have (in my setup) the first (already established filter) or the second filter (BCB) as the one that is powered?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

@@khaldrogo8559 I would put the canister with mechanical filtration first.

@khaldrogo8559 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm so would the mechanical filter have the pump working, or would that only act as the dummy filter?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

@@khaldrogo8559 In my setup, I added a prefilter canister first and used the second canister filter pump so the water was pulled through the canisters instead of pushed.

@SMGAR-cl6pg 6 лет назад

I made a 5 gallon canister filter, and thought about a BCB integration. My only question/concern was nitrogen gas build-up.....inside of the canister. Any thoughts?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Should work great. Seems like canister filters automatically expel any air that gets sucked.

@SMGAR-cl6pg 6 лет назад

I found a basket that gave me one inch space all around, and 6” High. I lined it with window screen material and zip-tied a craft mesh lid.....took out 3/4 of bio media and got it going. I rinsed it in tank water (was doing a change anyway). I’ll be sweating for the first week cause I have a 16” koi that’s been hanging in a 50 gallon tank until the pond is complete. He is 15 yrs old and has been managing with the 5 gallon DIY canister filter and water changes every week. Can’t wait for the AFS to cycle.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Nice, would love to see how you made your own 5 gallon canister filter.

@SMGAR-cl6pg 6 лет назад

Took a 5 gallon bucket and got a gamma seal lid (all Home Depot), and 1/2” uniseals. Hole on side of bucket, near bottom, to ball valve to coupler to pump. Hole in top of gamma lid to coupler, to ball valve to tank. Inside, I used fluorescent light diffuser plastic to make shelves for BCB basket, one for bio, and one for mechanical filter pads.....

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

That should work great. There are some good DIY videos of how to make a 5 gallon cansiter filter on youtube.

@marklee4138 Год назад

Did the anoxic canister work?

@LukeAlm Год назад

It recently stopped working for me. I'll be going to back to a DIY algae scrubber

@marklee4138 Год назад

@@LukeAlm oh, by not working you mean you used the anoxic filter for algae issues? How about you ammonia and nitrate levels?

@sirbreakemstuff 5 лет назад

Im wondering why you didnt just use all fluorite in the BCB box? I thought florite had the same crystalline structure as kitty litter. als how long did it take for the BCBto colonies .

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

I'm sure there are lots of different ways to make a good system. It would be very interesting to see the results of a variety of methods to find the "optimal" setup. The setup time really depends in your system, water flow, bacteria seeding, nutrients, iron content, etc... you should start to see results though within 4 - 12 weeks

@goodsamaritan6112 3 года назад

any info or update? hows your water parameters?

@LukeAlm Год назад

It recently stopped working for me. I'll be going to back to a DIY algae scrubber

@dergibog27 5 лет назад

Looks like it's been a year since posting. Can you please share your results? Is it worth making? Excited to hear back!

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Definitely worth making. I moved a couple months ago but it was running for 11 months and worked great.

@simplelife6827 6 лет назад

Could you use the pre filter booster as the BCB for nano set up?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Makes sense to me. Maybe get 2 prefilter boosters and use one as a BCB and the other as a prefilter.

@simplelife6827 6 лет назад

Luke, setting up new tank soon, will give this a try.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Fun, good luck! Let me know how it goes.

@rockfella27 2 года назад

Luke is the canister Eheim Professional 3?

@LukeAlm Год назад

Yep, that's it!

@rockfella27 Год назад

@@LukeAlm Perfect DiY !

@rockfella27 3 года назад

How's it going for you luke?

@LukeAlm 3 года назад

It was going well until I moved. I haven't setup my tank again yet.

@rockfella27 3 года назад

@@LukeAlm Cool. thx for replying.

@trungnguyen-su7lz 2 года назад

Is there any replacement for that cat litter ?

@rockfella27 2 года назад

OIl-Dri OR Safe TSorb. Look for baked clay. Kitty litter is baked clay nothing more.

@trungnguyen-su7lz 2 года назад

@@rockfella27 is hydroton leca clay or zeolite suitable ? I cannot find same products you say in my country

@rockfella27 2 года назад

@@trungnguyen-su7lz Zeolite has been used by some. Try to make biggest BCB possible.

@trungnguyen-su7lz 2 года назад

@@rockfella27 I will try. 1 more question plz we need slowest flow in this filter, am i right ?? Thank you

@rockfella27 2 года назад

@@trungnguyen-su7lz No just the opposite. Water should move as fast as you can manage without disturbing the contents of the basket.

@tonychung8295 6 лет назад

Where did you get the material to make the plastic basket? Your basket is too large.

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hi Tony, Thanks for the comment. You can find the plastic sewing mesh at Joann's, Hobby Lobby or probably other similar stores. I asked Dr. Novak about the "optimal" or ideal size and he replied on one of his youtube videos; "Luke, 7x7x11 is what is used in ponds this is the optimum size." however on Dr. Novak's site anoxicfiltrationsystem.blogspot.com/2014/01/thank-you-for-devoting-so-many-years-of.html , he also commented: "The size of the BCB’ are only restricted to their weight and what one can lift easily without getting a hernia." That's the great thing about this type of filtration, many sizes work

@coreyroberts2831 6 лет назад

I clicked on this link and it says it has been removed???

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hmmm... that's weird. Try this one: anoxicfiltrationsystem.blogspot.com/2014/01/thank-you-for-devoting-so-many-years-of.html

@coreyroberts2831 6 лет назад

Awesome, thank you! Going to do this to my SunSun 703B today. I also have a Fluval 306 on another tank that I will be trying to figure out how to fab a basket for. By the way, how are your Nitrates doing so far?

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

Hi Corey, I just measured today (1-31-2018 and my nitrates are 1 PPM. The basket with flourite seems to also be "super charging" my algae filter and growing tons of algae to filter the water.

@trungnguyen-su7lz 2 года назад

Can I user JBL vocalno mineral instead of seachem flourite red ??

@LukeAlm Год назад

Good question but I don't know.

@anjelicadixon7719 6 лет назад

I love You!

@jaxthegreat01 5 лет назад

Luke, can this be done with an FX6 or an XP4 Cannister?

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

Hi Will, I imagine this would work with pretty much any canister filter as long as there is enough space to flow around the BCB basket (not through it!). Have fun!

@jaxthegreat01 5 лет назад

@@LukeAlm thanks for the quick response.

@209Control 6 лет назад

Update ??😎

@LukeAlm 6 лет назад

I'll post an update soon. :) so far so good.

@poporingrursus 5 лет назад

Hey Luke, did this work?

@LukeAlm 5 лет назад

I moved a couple months ago but it was running for 11 months and worked great.

@poporingrursus 5 лет назад

It worked for me - I ran it in my eheim 2217 - it kicked in after ~1 month. I got increased algal growth almost immediately - so I had to swap back to the conventional filter.