View Full Version : Plenum or not to plenum, that is the question.


popeye
04-23-2007, 07:16 PM
I am setting up my 50 and am having trouble deciding on a simple dsb, or adding a plenum(Jaubert type) to it.. One of the guy at a lfs says that they are toxin factories as well as dsb's and says to put it in my sump so I can control it, but everything I have read and from the other lfs where I am pretty tight with the guys they say either is fine. I plan on a least 4" of sand with a mix of oolitic and sugar with some coarser stuff and rubble around the top for that natural reef feeling.
So what do you think Dsb, or dsb+ plenum, and why?

CarmieJo
04-23-2007, 08:12 PM
Oops, I just answered in your other thread.

popeye
04-23-2007, 08:24 PM
Thanx for the articles Carmie, I am still up in the air...But leaning more to just dsb of mixed grian size..

Rob
04-23-2007, 08:47 PM
plenums (as far as i know) have for the most part been considered obsolete by many hobbyists.. these people then choose to use a standard DSB, SSB or BB setup instead.

if the goal is nitrate processing i would opt for a DSB. DSB are better than plenums IMO because they can be managed and maintained easier to prevent them from becoming toxic. this is near impossible with a plenum system

Rob
04-23-2007, 10:50 PM
conversation has moved here

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/4207-popeyes-50-reef.html