plenum

I had great success in the past with three tanks utilizing a plenum. I did not use one in my newest tank, and my only observation thus far would be that it did not mature quite as fast as when Plenums were used. I also have had many conversations on this topic with friends and we all feel that plenums seem to be most beneficial on smaller tanks
(55 gallons and smaller). This is only based on our experiances of course
 
hey garf/scott......what are your thoughts on using crushed coral along with seaflor reef sand(1-3mm) as a combination substrate for the plenum????? I was thinking of placing the crushed coral first then followed by the reef sand just to avoid any poss. of the reef sand going thru the plenum even though it states on the bag that it can be used and is ideal for plenums....
 
I built most of my early plenums with crushed coral. It was only after GARF started using seaflor special grade that I heard about it. I think you would be fine either way. My current plenum in my farming unit is made of a combination of Crushed coral and Seaflor that is all mixed together due to it being torn apart and moved three time in the last few months...

Thanks,

Scott
 
alex, I guess in generic terms it is considered a seperate space(void) between two items that provides an area for exchanges to occur.....ie gas or air exchange,diffusion/ventilation ect.... in our saltwater systems I suppose this area would provide the water below the plenum gravel to maintain a o2 level above zero... not sure if that helps or if that was what you were looking for........
 
hey garf/scott..... do you have any sugg for plumbing the plenum/filtration for this 475. all of the plenum/filtration will be in another room below the tank. I'll have a single 2" drain coming from the center over flow. what I have to work with is a 150 gallon rubbermaid container and a 150 gallon (24 x 24 x 76) tank, and a 6 foot skimmer from LR. I was thinking of having the two inch drain plumbed into the rubbermaid(I could use this for extra live rock, or refuge, filter sock ect) I would have the skimmer pull from this rubbermaid, then have the skimmer return into the 150 gallon tank with plenum set up below the rubbermaid. I would also have a gravity drain from the rubbermaid spilling into the 150 with plenum to handle the additional flow that the skimmer won't. Would this plenum system work????? any feedback or sugg??????
 
cbl,

I would use the calculator I posted earlier to figure out the materials.

As far as the rest of the system, I like the ideathe 150 gallon rubbermaid overflowing to the 150 gallon tank. IMO one of the keys to efficient skimming is maintaining a constant water level at the skimmers input. If you can maintain a constant level, it is easy to fine tune. If the level is constantly changing due to evaporation the skimmer is a pain to keep adjusted.

Everything else sounds great...

Thanks,

Scott
 
scott, thanks again for the feedback!!! Good point on the skimmer.. hadn't thought of that but I think it will work out ok..
 
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