silverado61
Well-Known Member
Anybody ever use a plenum under a deep sand bed? How is it done, what's involved and what are benefits and pitfalls?
Plenums
- Thread starter silverado61
- Start date
bang guy
Moderator
It can function as a deep sand bed with a little less sand as a benefit.
It's more work to set up.
It doesn't work if you set it up wrong.
It discouraged detrivores and the larger sand bed infauna from venturing deeper into the sand turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It collects detritus turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It reduces waterflow to the deeper parts of the sand bed turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
Did I mention there's a big risk of it turning into a sulphur dioxide bomb?
It's more work to set up.
It doesn't work if you set it up wrong.
It discouraged detrivores and the larger sand bed infauna from venturing deeper into the sand turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It collects detritus turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It reduces waterflow to the deeper parts of the sand bed turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
Did I mention there's a big risk of it turning into a sulphur dioxide bomb?
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/397044/plenums#post_3537879
It can function as a deep sand bed with a little less sand as a benefit.
It's more work to set up.
It doesn't work if you set it up wrong.
It discouraged detrivores and the larger sand bed infauna from venturing deeper into the sand turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It collects detritus turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It reduces waterflow to the deeper parts of the sand bed turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
Did I mention there's a big risk of it turning into a sulphur dioxide bomb?
LMAO! Thanks Bang Guy. I thought there might be a problem with all that stagnant water not moving underneath the plenum unless there was some kind of flow provided. I didn't realize there was a lot more to it than that. I didn't even find that much info about them. The idea just drew my attention to it. That's why I posted the question here.
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/397044/plenums#post_3537879
It can function as a deep sand bed with a little less sand as a benefit.
It's more work to set up.
It doesn't work if you set it up wrong.
It discouraged detrivores and the larger sand bed infauna from venturing deeper into the sand turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It collects detritus turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
It reduces waterflow to the deeper parts of the sand bed turning it into a sulphur dioxide bomb.
Did I mention there's a big risk of it turning into a sulphur dioxide bomb?
LMAO! Thanks Bang Guy. I thought there might be a problem with all that stagnant water not moving underneath the plenum unless there was some kind of flow provided. I didn't realize there was a lot more to it than that. I didn't even find that much info about them. The idea just drew my attention to it. That's why I posted the question here.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
I think Bang is on the right track.
I saw a study years and years ago comparing plenum and non plenum systems and the bottom line was it made little to no difference nitrate wise.
For my money I would rather have macro algaes or other plant life balancing out and stabilizing the system then plenum or dsb type operations.
But that's just me and my .02
I saw a study years and years ago comparing plenum and non plenum systems and the bottom line was it made little to no difference nitrate wise.
For my money I would rather have macro algaes or other plant life balancing out and stabilizing the system then plenum or dsb type operations.
But that's just me and my .02
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys. Plenum thought deleted.
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Wait! I've researched this a little more just for the heck of it and it's starting to sound like a plenum is just another version of an undergravel filter. Correct?
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/397044/plenums#post_3538140
Wait! I've researched this a little more just for the heck of it and it's starting to sound like a plenum is just another version of an undergravel filter. Correct?
yes and no. LOL
Undergravel filters do have a plenum (space) below the filters plates. But the water is flowing through the plants to keep it oxygenated to encourgae the aerobic bacteria ammonia->nitrIte->nitrate cycle
a plenum under a dsb has no flow and is designed to use anaerobic bacteria to break down nitrates to nitrItes then to nitrogen gas.
So yes it is a physical plenum under an undergravel filter.
But no it is not the same thing and is actually the opposite.
my .02
Wait! I've researched this a little more just for the heck of it and it's starting to sound like a plenum is just another version of an undergravel filter. Correct?
yes and no. LOL
Undergravel filters do have a plenum (space) below the filters plates. But the water is flowing through the plants to keep it oxygenated to encourgae the aerobic bacteria ammonia->nitrIte->nitrate cycle
a plenum under a dsb has no flow and is designed to use anaerobic bacteria to break down nitrates to nitrItes then to nitrogen gas.
So yes it is a physical plenum under an undergravel filter.
But no it is not the same thing and is actually the opposite.
my .02
silverado61
Well-Known Member
Oddly enough, I understood that.
Thanks.
Thanks.
beaslbob
Well-Known Member
Quote:Originally Posted by silverado61 http:///t/397044/plenums#post_3538173
Oddly enough, I understood that.
Thanks.
Geee
I must be posting better.
LOL
Oddly enough, I understood that.
Thanks.
Geee
I must be posting better.
LOL