hybrid system question

180gallonreef · 04-08-2007, 03:36 PM

hi, i am planning on building my own tank and redoing all the equipment i have. i have been doing research on filtration, my question is about the plenum systems. when you set up a plenum, you have a void under 4-6" of gravel and sand, the void is approx. 1 to 1.5". and they say not to put a whole lot of rock on the surface of the sand because that will interfear with the gas exchanges from the sand. so if you were to drill the bottom of the tank and incorporate a closed filter system like the nu clear filters Nu-Clear Aquarium/Water Canister Filter - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store
in my thinking you could put as muck rock on the surface of the sand as you wanted??? am i wrong? with the filters hooked to a pump you would force the water to be pulled through the sand and down to say a bio ball filter and then pipe the water back to the surface of the tank, i am only talking a few hundred gal an hour though. any ideas on my thoughts?
i was also going to put a large skimmer and a 180 gal sump/refuge with calupera and a dsb with live rock and other things in the basaement.

bluespotjawfish · 04-08-2007, 04:16 PM

I'd do more reading about the plenum filters. They are anorobic filters so I don't think they would work right with what you are talking about. Also, I just took mine out because it couldn't control the nitrates with it in there!

04-08-2007, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
180gallonreef Bryozoan Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 41 View Gallery Karma Komment	hybrid system question hi, i am planning on building my own tank and redoing all the equipment i have. i have been doing research on filtration, my question is about the plenum systems. when you set up a plenum, you have a void under 4-6" of gravel and sand, the void is approx. 1 to 1.5". and they say not to put a whole lot of rock on the surface of the sand because that will interfear with the gas exchanges from the sand. so if you were to drill the bottom of the tank and incorporate a closed filter system like the nu clear filters Nu-Clear Aquarium/Water Canister Filter - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store in my thinking you could put as muck rock on the surface of the sand as you wanted??? am i wrong? with the filters hooked to a pump you would force the water to be pulled through the sand and down to say a bio ball filter and then pipe the water back to the surface of the tank, i am only talking a few hundred gal an hour though. any ideas on my thoughts? i was also going to put a large skimmer and a 180 gal sump/refuge with calupera and a dsb with live rock and other things in the basaement. __________________ -180 Gallon AGA MEGAFLOW -DIY Solid oak stand canopy and accesory cabinet -1-250watt 14.5 megachrome double end MH -1-250watt 20k megachrome double end MH -4-96 watt compacts(2 actinic-2 sunlight/actinic) -70 Gallon DIY acrylic sump with Chaeto w/ litttle giant 4mdqxsc return pump -36" tall LIFEREEF skimmer/ little giant 4mdqxsc supply pump -4-way oceansmotions with REEFFLO dart 3500gph and 4 revolutions -200# mixed live rock / 250# sand (Soon to be a 360 gallon main display w/ return on one end to make it a room dividing tank and 180 gallon refug/sump)

04-08-2007, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
bluespotjawfish Tridacna maxima Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 4,427 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: hybrid system question I'd do more reading about the plenum filters. They are anorobic filters so I don't think they would work right with what you are talking about. Also, I just took mine out because it couldn't control the nitrates with it in there! __________________ Lorraine To BB and all Bluespots - Journey of the 2nd Year ...The 2nd Year - Photoshow Check out Mr. BJ and friends... Mr. BJ's Aquarium - PhotoShow

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