Hi, I believe that there is video in which he does talk about fertilisers.I used to follow him, but some of his logic doesn’t make sense. He completely rejects fertilization of any planted tank.
We have a <"couple of Dr Novak threads">. I think his biocensosis buckets may work, but not in the way he thinks.Hi, I am very interested in hearing your opinion.
Hi @dw1305I think his biocensosis buckets may work, but not in the way he thinks.
I think that the biocenosis buckets produce nitrate via conventional aerobic nitrification. A picture is worth a thousand words, and this picture (<"Dr Novak's blog">) tells me <"all I need to know">.How do you think they may work, Darrel?
Yes, the deep sand beds (that marine aquarists use) work on this principle. People have tried <"denitrification coils, Jaubert plenums etc.">. I think @foxfish knows more than I do.And, do you think they could be used in an aquarium instead of a pond?
I am in no way qualified to say if the whole method is legit. I respect the fact he mentioned his background in research and how he used his findings in the pond hobby and subsequently in aquariums.Hi @Sarpijk
It's a shame that the video is so long. I've looked at snippets from it. I have heard of Dr Kevin Novak somewhere but I can't remember where. Have you formed any conclusions about his anoxic filtration system?
JPC
That is one problem I have with him, a lot of the statements <"he makes are definitely wrong">, and if his baskets work, they don't work for the reason given. In his blog he saysWhat I find intriguing is the statement that nitrates are equally bad as ammonia
Which is just b*llocks.Each biocenosis basket acts like a giant magnet that attracts ions (positive ions) out of solution; I explain that in my blog. So the nitrogen cycle as you know it and have explained, is not relevant with the Anoxic filter. High oxygen loving bacteria are not its primary reliance; that is only with conventional filtration.
You were just ahead of your time, these are the <"Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands"> that are now used a lot in waste water treatment.The koi pond method that seems to have worked amazingly well is based on a deep suspended bed of gravel that is heavy planted and has flowing water over the water surface.
That's technically possibleHe completely rejects fertilization of any planted tank.
If this simple sealed bottle garden experiment is truly successful, the complex Biosphere experiment in Arizona, US is an embarrassing multi million $ failure. The biosphere is not self sustainable as scientists had miscalculated the sustainability of oxygen cycle, among other life supporting parameters.That's technically possible
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...garden-thriving-40-years-fresh-air-water.html
Apologies for digging up an old thread but it's relevant... I've just stumbled upon this theory and it has piqued my interest. Casting my mind back, the single most successful planted aquarium I had, in term of being genuinely algae free, included a heated cable in the gravel. I also enjoyed great plant growth. It was my most successful tank. I never experienced the build up of black nor algae in the tank. The glass stayed very clean. I discarded the cable in all tanks since then and have have always fought with algae. There are invetibly other variables such as type of lighting, fish being kept, the plant choices etc but I do find myself wondering about the role of the heated cable gently keeping the gravel from stagnating.
Hi @bugsCasting my mind back, the single most successful planted aquarium I had, in term of being genuinely algae free, included a heated cable in the gravel. I also enjoyed great plant growth. It was my most successful tank.