Modified Plenum?

[Reefmedic79]

Idea?

Was thinking about the possibility of putting a plenum under a DSB, but with one adjustment. I was thinking of having a 2-3in. plenum under 6-8 DSB with some standpipes in the back corners with low flow powerheads attached. In a sense it would be like a big undergravel filter, but due to the water working its way through 6-8 inches of sand it would still come into the plenum anerobic and then cycling back to the surface and being re-oxygenated. My thought is this would prevent the build-up of Hydrogen sulfide, but still have the anerobic benefits.

What are you guys' thoughts?

FYI, I have very little knowledge with the use of plenums as this idea has just been bouncing around my head for a couple years while planning my ultimate fish system when I've got the time and resources to do so.

The ultimate plan was to have a system that comprised of 3-120gal tanks One for the DT, one for the sump, and one for a remote DSB/Fuge. With the water flow into the sump before being returned to the DT.

 

[Dre59]

I like ideas Tagging along.....

 

[Big E]

I'm not sure why people insist on trying to build a better mouse trap. Plenums on their own work fine if you follow the maintenance & build procedures.

DSB & plenum combo makes no sense & their isn't any extra benefit.

If you can find it, get Bob Goemens book on plenums.

The keys are getting the right sized grain sand, plenum dead water area height,sand height, most rockwork raised above the sand & correct maintenace.

You vacum the upper 1 1/2" of the sand occasionally........... that will eliminate any issues with build up of hydrygen sulfide.

 

[Reefmedic79]

Not trying to re-invent the wheel, but if we stagnate in our ideas, we're bound to stall in our advancements.

Does anyone have a more productive response?

 

[Big E]

Umm............okay.....

I'm just trying to explain a DSB & a plenum are two different approaches & combining them isn't going to get you to a better place.

FYI, I have very little knowledge with the use of plenums as this idea has just been bouncing around my head for a couple years while planning my ultimate fish system when I've got the time and resources to do so.

So, telling you to get Goemans book isn't productive? Telling you to strictly follow the rules of running a plenum to be successful isn't useful?

I ran a plenum in a 75g tank as a sump to my 120g tank. I had no rock covering the whole 48x18 area of the bottom. I vacumed the upper 1 1/2" of it every 2 months. When I took it down the whole 4" bed was completely clean & void of detritus.

Good luck with your experiment

The key is keeping the bed from accumulating detritus to avoid accumulation of phosphates or the bulid up of hydrogen sulfide.

 

[GrampaDon]

It sounds like you are describing a RUF. And I'm not sure you can slow down the flow enough going thru it to maintain anaerobic conditions.

 

[Reefmedic79]

What is a RUF?

 

[GrampaDon]

What is a RUF?

R everse
U ndergravel
F ilter

Pumping from the top down into the bed.

 

[tonyf]

Little point in wasting time on a plenum as they don't make any difference in practice.

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

 

[dallasg]

this might help
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2002/9/aafeature