Plenum vs. dsb

[crm13]

Has anyone here ever tried doing a plenum system setup in their regugium instead of a deep sand bed to help aid in nitrate removal? If so, what were your results? Please, inform me of any pros and cons of your plenum setup. Thanks for responses.

 

[streetdoc]

Do a search in the DIY section. There are extensive posts there on pleneums. I believe RazorEQ has pics and diagrams. I have a fuge for my reef that has a plenum and DSB (trying for the best of both worlds) for about 6 months now. everything in the tank and fuge is great so far and I have a Mangrove that I picked up from the beach when hurricane Francis rolled through that just started to sprout in there as well.

 

[crm13]

Thanks Streetdoc. I have actually already done that, but didn't notice any accounts of experience with plenum systems, just a lot of guesses based on theory and a lot of "it should"'s and "it's supposed to"'s. Oh, and speculation's on amount of work. I guess I was hoping to hear from someone who has actually tried one, or both such as yourself. Since you have actually used one, do you agree that they are a lot of work, or should I say anymore work than a dsb? Glad to hear that you have had success with it so far.

 

[streetdoc]

My fuge was a cheap experiment using a large rubbermaid container to see how it would work before I sunk a lot of time and money into something I would get rid of. Turned out to work well and I haven't had the time (or the desire) to redo it. I figure if it ain't broke.... Anyway, it has not taken any extra effort as of yet. I have some macro algeas as well as several shaving brushes and now the Mangrove plant that is sprouting. I had 2 emerald crabs in there to help with the algea but had to take them out because they were devouring my macros almost entirely and growing like weeds. I'll try to find the thread I used for mine.

 

[streetdoc]

search DIY for refugium posts by RazorEQX and the thread: "help with fugie design" let me know if that does it for ya. I think I might be able to ster you to a place that has plenum designs as well if you can't find it here. I read the books and read the posts about different types of filtration and thought I would try to build a system that incorporated the components from several systems into one. So far it has worked very well.

 

[crm13]

Excellent. Thanks, Streetdoc. I really appreciate your help. I was looking into possibly trying one in my fuge because I have heard they are very effective. More so than a dsb, I'm not certain... but I figure now is the time to experiment with it since I just recently set it up. Anyways, thanks again.

 

[redxlch]

I took two test kits (Mardel & Aquarium Systems FasTest to a "new" LFS that just opened up. He has been in the hobby for 14 years and has been running a Jaubert plenum for a long time and swears by them. 0 nitrates on the test kits.
I was convinced.

 

[tsx]

Thanks for the picture:yes:
I have a plenum w/ 4 to 6 inch sand bed since 98 w no problems

 

[crm13]

Sweet! Sounds convincing enough to give it a try. I am looking forward to setting it up. I had read a lot about them and thought the theory was pretty sound. After learning about it, I wondered why it wasn't more commonly used in refugiums people set up on this board. Maybe there was some unwritten downfall you don't read about. Good to hear successful accounts. It doesn't sound like too much of a pain to set up; or is it? Maintenance wise?

 

[streetdoc]

Basically looks like mine. I used three layers of different size sand, the bottom 2 seperated by a screen to keep the critters from going all the way down. The coursest on the bottom and the finest on th top.

 

[redxlch]

Originally posted by crm13
Sweet! Sounds convincing enough to give it a try. I am looking forward to setting it up. I had read a lot about them and thought the theory was pretty sound. After learning about it, I wondered why it wasn't more commonly used in refugiums people set up on this board. Maybe there was some unwritten downfall you don't read about. Good to hear successful accounts. It doesn't sound like too much of a pain to set up; or is it? Maintenance wise?
Not sure why people don't use a plenum. I guess it's the DSB vs. BB debate. I have read a theory that the substrate solidify, I've read no verirification that this has "actually" happened.
As far as setting it up, no prob. Got the egg crate from Lowes in the lighting section, use a few layers of fiberglass screen (not metalic) and medium to large substrate. I used 2 -4 mm Coral-Sea aragonite. Live sand to be added this week.
Maintenance hopefully will be minimal. The idea behind the plenum is not to disturb the water void.