Plenum Filtration

[Uncle99]

For as long as I can remember, or at least for more than 25 years, in addition to live rock, I run a plenum area under my sand, and pull my water through the sand, up a stack, and back in the DT.

While I have never encountered a problem with this setup, I wonder these days if it has any benefit at all considering LR, is really the filter. Some tell me it creates a large area for filtration and I guess that makes sense, but, in the end, I have not found anyone else doing the same. My tank is not drilled and I have no place for a sump.

So I ask, is there any value at all in keeping this process active, or should I just Shut the flow to this area down??? Or maybe it doesn't matter? I don't know...

Comments...

 

[saveafish]

From what Ive always understood is a Plenum is the same to the now called cryptic zone. Ive never heard of a Plenum system crashing or having a life. DSB has about 6-10yrs lifespans. Some of the longest. Running stable systems has. A Plenum system. I. Think Bob Gomans is his name. Has one he sat up in. The 1950's. It's. a solid system.

 

[lapin]

User Subsea has one for many years. I think he runs his in reverse. You might message him. He is usually found in the plant macro section.

 

[thegrun]

The problem with undergravel filtration is that it tends to trap detritus and tends to lead to higher nitrates. The reverse plenum where you pump water under the sand rather than pull it down through the sand is a little better, but it still leads to elevated nitrates.

 

[LPS_Blasto]

For as long as I can remember, or at least for more than 25 years, in addition to live rock, I run a plenum area under my sand, and pull my water through the sand, up a stack, and back in the DT.

While I have never encountered a problem with this setup, I wonder these days if it has any benefit at all considering LR, is really the filter. Some tell me it creates a large area for filtration and I guess that makes sense, but, in the end, I have not found anyone else doing the same. My tank is not drilled and I have no place for a sump.

So I ask, is there any value at all in keeping this process active, or should I just Shut the flow to this area down??? Or maybe it doesn't matter? I don't know...

Comments...

What you're describing sounds like an undergravel filter, and NOT the same thing as a plenum. A plenum has no acrive flow through it.

A reef plenum is often said to be "cryptic". All flow through a cryptic reef plenum is passive.

They are 2 completely different types of filters, operate in different manners, and achieve different results, with regard to the notification process.