plenum system poll

[sduerk]

How many people use a plenum system. I hear a lot of you all use a deep sand bed. Is this another term for a plenum? I have a plenum system in my tank but it came in the already established tank.

 

[fshhub]

dsb's are not the same as plenums, just as effective, but less work to set up and change if the need ever arises
i do not have a plenum,but do have a dsb

 

[ebeckels]

I have a DSB in my tank and refugium...no plenum

 

[lordofthereef]

i have plenums in my xenia farm tanks, but not in my show tanks.

 

[dinhouse]

what is a plenium?

 

[nacl-h2o]

I ues a plenium in one and a DSB in the other.
A plenium is a nitrate control system simular to DSB, but using a space under your sand bed for denitrafication. They both seem equal in there ablility to control NO3. And they both have there advantages.

 

[kung fu]

I'm using a modified plenum system in my sump. Basically I've got a plenum space (about 1.5 inch) separated by screen and eggcrate. On top of that I've got an Aragonite sand bed (about 3.5 inch) seperated by another screen and eggcrate. On top of that I've got a layer of LR rubble with a bunch of caluerpa growing on top.
Water drops down into my sump, goes through a chamber with the skimmer, through a filter sponge, then slowly across the plenum chamber, then into a return pump chamber and back up to the tank.
Dinhouse: Here's a quick link with a decent description of plenum systems:
<a href="http://www.threestepstoareefaquarium.com/jaubert.html" target="_blank">http://www.threestepstoareefaquarium.com/jaubert.html</a>
If you're really serious about looking into plenum and DSB systems I'd also recommend Goeman's pamphlet called "Live Sand Secrets." Most LFS can get this or you can pick it up on Amazon....
Peace...

 

[lordofthereef]

hey kung fu,
why would you use a skimmer AND a refugium?? having the refugium kind of defeats the purpose of a skimmer! oh well, to each is own i guess.

 

[lordofthereef]

also one more thing to add, a refugium..espectially with a plenum, really defeats the skimmers purpose. thats just my OPINION.

 

[kung fu]

Well...I don't pretend to be an expert at all here...so bear with...
If anything...the caluerpa I keep in the sump isn't probably functioning as a true refugium...but it does allow for photosynthesis 24 hours a day (after the main tank lights kick off the lights down below kick on). This helps keep pH stable 24 hours...
And really with a skimmer there to remove organic matter as it's main purpose, I would think that it simply aids the system overall. I believe the whole plenum/DSB idea is really more towards the control of nitrates...
The guy that helped set up this system actually spoke to Goemans on the phone in regards to this system...the big G seemed to think it made sense...
So far, it seems to rock...
Ideas...opinions...
Peace...