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09-05-2003, 01:04 PM
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#1
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 70
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anyone use plenums anymore?
i was wondering if anyone here uses a plenum successfully. Also, when you use one, do you have to change out the sand eventually? i had an undergravel filter once in a freshwater tank-when i removed it, there was all kinds of debris under it-is that basically the same thing w/plenums? I was just curious 
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L.
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09-05-2003, 02:47 PM
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#2
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Southeast MI
Posts: 680
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farmgirl
I had one set-up in my old system! It seemed like it was working good but I ended up taking it down because I had to move the tank. I don't want to have a DSB or Plenum in the main tank because of the space they take up. Although I do plan to set-up another plenum in a refugium when I set-up my new system this fall. Here’s a drawing that shows how I set up my old plenum.
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09-05-2003, 03:56 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 70
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so, did you have a skilter? Also, do you have to siphon the sandbed?
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L.
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09-05-2003, 04:09 PM
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#4
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Sailfin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Noblesville, Indiana
Posts: 2,444
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Our reef has had one since the beginning, almost 5 yrs ago. Never changed the sand, but have added some.
Our FOwLR has had one since the beginning as well...4-1/2 yrs old.
~ Shirley
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09-05-2003, 04:29 PM
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#5
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Stress Monger
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 3,186
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I currently run a plenum system in my 55 RR main Tank. It's been up for 1 3/4 yrs now and has been moved once. We moved, about 5 miles, the tank with the SB still in the tank so as not to disturb the plenum. I do not vaccumm the SB nor do I replace any of it unless I have to. Pics can be seen here of the plenum and how it was constructed. This is the same link as the "main Tank" link in my signature.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...&threadid=6655 |
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09-05-2003, 05:04 PM
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#6
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Big Fishy
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Southeast MI
Posts: 680
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Quote:
Originally posted by farmgirl
so, did you have a skilter? Also, do you have to siphon the sandbed?
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Nope I didn't have the skilter!  I just set-up the plenum like the drawing. I was using a regular wet dry with a DIY skimmer in the sump.
I had a lot of sand critters to stir the sand up so I didn’t have to vacuum the sand. It had only been set-up for about a year so I cant remark on age, But from what I have heard they last for years!
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09-05-2003, 05:05 PM
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#7
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 70
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do you have to have a sump w/these?
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L.
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09-05-2003, 05:33 PM
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#8
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Sailfin
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Noblesville, Indiana
Posts: 2,444
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Yes, and skimmers, too, but unfortunately, no refugiums.
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09-06-2003, 12:25 AM
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#9
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Stress Monger
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 3,186
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I do have a sump, bio balls removed and replaced with LR. For all practical purposes I run my system skimmerless... I do have one that came as part of my sump but I don't use it un;lees my tank is really having a major problem. Right after we moved, 5 miles to a new house) I used it because I had some critter die off from the move. |
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09-06-2003, 11:43 AM
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#10
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 70
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thanks for all the info. I have been reading some on the GARF website, and thought it sounded interesting enough. Maybe with my next tank I'll try one, now that I have a better understanding of how it operates.
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L.
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09-06-2003, 12:09 PM
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#11
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Stress Monger
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 3,186
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You might find thid interesting. Also go to the "Think Tank" and read up on DSB's and some of the other threads on Nitrates and Phosphates. Lots of good information.
http://www.thereeftank.com/forums/sh...=&threadid=745 |
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09-07-2003, 04:56 AM
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#12
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 150
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Here's my take: plenum systems are intended mainly for tanks that have some activity and refugiums should have no activity, so far as sand disruption goes. In other words, a refugium should be fine without the plenum set up. Just make it deep and keep anything out of there that will upset the balance. Sure worms will get in there but they will get in with a plenum system anyhow. Just my opinion.
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