DSB vs PLENUM

[broomer5]

Okay folks -
Not to stir up the debate again - but I am looking for real life observations here.
Opinions are welcome - but experienced ones only please.
I've read Bob Goeman's book "Live Sand Secrets" and I understand the chemical and biological workings of the plenum system with live sandbed. I'm setting up a new tank soon and would like to hear the pro's and con's of using a plenum vs a DSB.
Nitrate reduction is my obvious goal.
Tank will be a 75E All Glass ( 125 will have to wait )
I understand that both sandbed systems work great - but who out there has used a plenum with live sand, and who has used the DSB.
I'm looking for answers from folks that have had their tanks running either of these methods for at least a year or more.
What results have you seen, and are you satisfied with your choice.
Thanks in advance
Brian

 

[fshhub]

the dsb is easier to build, maintin and replace if neccessary, especially replace
also, the plenum really isn't used much anymore, if you look at the book, it is a couple of years old(pre dsb debate, ithink) plus, i don't know for sure, but the plenum i have heard can trap detritus like a ugf, the dsb is what mother nature uses herself, i personally follow her techniques and use the dsb and have had great luck, our NEW tank is 4 months old, and doing reat, the trates have never been over 20, and are coming down, as it matures; and i use NO skimmer or filter(only for circ. nad the occassional carbon) at all, in 4 months, NATURALLY, this is a good sign IMO,
i'm sold on the dsb
and as i mentioned, if you do later have to change it, a plenum, you literally have to take everything outta your tank to do it
HTH

 

[fshhub]

forgot to mention, thsi is the easiest we have ever ahd it as far as maintenance,not only does it seem to be doing fine, but we have an out break of feather dusters, and polyps, which we did not buy, they apparently came on the lr and are regrowing, this is a definite sign of good water
so again i am conviced the dsb and lr is the way to go

 

[nm reef]

I prefer the DSB.
I am aware of the plenium method and how it is set up. I've also researched the 2 methods...the info I have seen lead me to go with a DSB of 4-6 inches combined with 100+ lbs of LR and a low flow gravity return refugium. Been working like a charm. Zero nitrate/nitrites...system stable and flourshing. Will soon add more ls over existing DSB. Maintenance is simple...virtually zero nusience algae...promotes diversity and looks nice.
I'm definitely pro DSB

 

[burnnspy]

I use a plenum and have for 2 yrs, I do no maintenance and have never had Nitrates. Obviously there is a lot of fiction involved with plenum setups.
BurnNSpy

 

[diatom]

Broomer~
Just out of the shoot I should say that I use DSB as my main bio filter. That being said I believe there is strong evidence that both methods perform very well, perhaps equally well. So the question for me is why bother with the extra work of the plenum? DSB is simplier (although a plenum isn't excatly difficult) and more natural in my opinion. I think you'd be happy with either setup, but personally I prefer the DSB.

 

[aquamane]

Originally posted by fshhub:
<STRONG>the dsb is easier to build, maintin and replace if neccessary, especially replace
also, the plenum really isn't used much anymore, if you look at the book, it is a couple of years old(pre dsb debate, ithink) plus, i don't know for sure, but the plenum i have heard can trap detritus like a ugf, the dsb is what mother nature uses herself, i personally follow her techniques and use the dsb and have had great luck, our NEW tank is 4 months old, and doing reat, the trates have never been over 20, and are coming down, as it matures; and i use NO skimmer or filter(only for circ. nad the occassional carbon) at all, in 4 months, NATURALLY, this is a good sign IMO,
i'm sold on the dsb
and as i mentioned, if you do later have to change it, a plenum, you literally have to take everything outta your tank to do it
HTH</STRONG>
What is DSB?
AquamanE@mindspring.com

 

[fshhub]

AquamanE
a dsb is a deep sand bed, usually 4 to 6 inches deep, some people will go 3, but not as effective

 

[dburr]

The plenum uses the special grade sand and the DSB uses the fine stuff.
I had a plenum for about 10 months and set up a bigger tank with the DSB 2 months ago.
I have seen many more critters in the DSB in this short time. Why? I don't know, my personal experience. I'm sold on the DSB.

 

[predator]

I personally run a dsb and love it.

 

[maury]

I have ben using a plenum on my 55 that is fairly overstocked for the past 7 months. Haven't done any water changes and the nitrates have remained at zero. Everything is thriving. Of course I am also running an ozonizer which will also degrade the nitrates, so who knows! I am setting up a new 240 and I am thinking about doing a DSB with that one. Both it seems are fairly maintainince free.

 

[broomer5]

Thank you all for you replys !
After talking to my reef guru buddy, reading up on it, and your own experiences, I've decided DSB it will be