Plenum or not to plenum, that is the question.

[popeye]

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]

Oops, I just answered in your other thread.

[popeye]

Thanx for the articles Carmie, I am still up in the air...But leaning more to just dsb of mixed grian size..

[Rob]

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]

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