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- Thread starter Rainman
- Start date
As amusing as it is, I was just curious. I tried a plenum on a 20g high tank, and it worked OK, but not great. I had some shrimp-like beasts creating holes down into it constantly. Whenever that would happen, I would see major outbreaks of hair algae. I switched it to a dsb and in the 4 months it was up beyond that saw nothing of the sort. (No skimming, no fish)
But, I wondered what your idea was behind the plenum? Increased denitrification? Detritus sink? Ever see Delbeek's presentation on the plenum?
Wade
But, I wondered what your idea was behind the plenum? Increased denitrification? Detritus sink? Ever see Delbeek's presentation on the plenum?
Wade
I originally planned the plenum to provide denitrification (i.e a Jaubert style plenum in a sump to add to the benefits of an essentially Berlin system). But, as far as I can see, it doesn't seem to be doing much at all.
I've got plenty of liverock, as you can see, I do regular water changes, skim (quite dry) and only have three fish (coral beauty, sailfin and a chromis).
While ammonia and nitrites have both been 0 since the cycle ended, nitrates have ranged between 10 and 50ppm, depending how much water has recently been changed. I mean it may be working, but I was expecting nitrates to be down at zero.
It was built according to the specs provided by Jaubert (2.5cm plenum space, with about 12cm of 2-5mm gravel above. I'm not sure why it hasn't worked as expected.
It may be because, until recently, there was a layer of finer sand on top. I have recently removed this and will test today to see if it has had any effect so far.
I've got plenty of liverock, as you can see, I do regular water changes, skim (quite dry) and only have three fish (coral beauty, sailfin and a chromis).
While ammonia and nitrites have both been 0 since the cycle ended, nitrates have ranged between 10 and 50ppm, depending how much water has recently been changed. I mean it may be working, but I was expecting nitrates to be down at zero.
It was built according to the specs provided by Jaubert (2.5cm plenum space, with about 12cm of 2-5mm gravel above. I'm not sure why it hasn't worked as expected.
It may be because, until recently, there was a layer of finer sand on top. I have recently removed this and will test today to see if it has had any effect so far.
Hey Wade,
Would you say that there is still a trend towards DSB at the moment? I've read about people trying to remove them. If that's the case, what would you say is the most favoured way of denitrifying, and how do the 'sweet' tanks have 0 nitrates?
Would you say that there is still a trend towards DSB at the moment? I've read about people trying to remove them. If that's the case, what would you say is the most favoured way of denitrifying, and how do the 'sweet' tanks have 0 nitrates?
FYI: I never said there is a trend toward DSBs.
I think the whole rush to remove DSB's, however, is very much unfounded (much like the last theory of death due to age and toxic metal buildup). Its a new and totally untested theory thats bogus.
I'm still a huge proponent of DSBs. I can see no justification for alot of the current hype and trend to remove them. I'm betting that most people who do will see a sharp increase in nitrate levels and algal persistance and a sharp decrease in species diversity in their tanks (of critters, detritivores, et al).
Wade
I think the whole rush to remove DSB's, however, is very much unfounded (much like the last theory of death due to age and toxic metal buildup). Its a new and totally untested theory thats bogus.
I'm still a huge proponent of DSBs. I can see no justification for alot of the current hype and trend to remove them. I'm betting that most people who do will see a sharp increase in nitrate levels and algal persistance and a sharp decrease in species diversity in their tanks (of critters, detritivores, et al).
Wade
I've been running a DSB for over 4 years now and have a beautiful tank. I know 6-7 other locals who are doing the same and probably 20-50 online types who have great older tanks with DSBs.
That said, I think if your circulation and filtration/water changes are insufficient, you will indeed see a buildup of nutrient levels in teh sandbed as detritus builds up there. Also, if you have a tank with critter predators in it (wrasses, butterflies, dragonets) you might not have a great turnover of nutrients either.
My suggestion when I help people set up new tanks is to go with a dsb, seed it heavily from uncured rock or from existing tanks from local reefers and let it mature for some time. That allows it to get colonized well by critters and it helps greatly in the future.
But, thats just my $0.02.
Wade
That said, I think if your circulation and filtration/water changes are insufficient, you will indeed see a buildup of nutrient levels in teh sandbed as detritus builds up there. Also, if you have a tank with critter predators in it (wrasses, butterflies, dragonets) you might not have a great turnover of nutrients either.
My suggestion when I help people set up new tanks is to go with a dsb, seed it heavily from uncured rock or from existing tanks from local reefers and let it mature for some time. That allows it to get colonized well by critters and it helps greatly in the future.
But, thats just my $0.02.
Wade
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