Plenum with water return below the sand

jdrmd · 06-27-2009, 08:09 PM

I bought a 135 gal tank recently and all the plumbing was already setup. The bottom has eggcrate wrapped in screen covering the bottom. The eggcrate is elevated above the bottom about 1 cm by plastic and pvc(the guy did a really nice job setting it up). The water return is directed below the screen wrapped eggcrate in two places adjacent to the internal overflows. The tank was used as a fish only tank before. I am setting up a reef tank with live sand and rock. What is the current opinion on this kind of setup. It is kind of like a plenum but has the water returning to the plenum space. I would really appreciate some thoughts on this kind of a setup.
thanks
john

mps9506 · 06-28-2009, 12:53 PM

For a reef, I'm not generally a big fan of plenum setups. Or in general for that matter (everyone will have a different opinion on this).
It doesn't achieve anything that you will not achieve with sufficient live rock, good protein skimming and proper nutrient control.
That is not to say don't use it, if you are interested in setting up a tank with that method it is fine, however IMO not needed.

Frankie · 06-28-2009, 01:02 PM

It doesn't matter Mike. Set up like this and it is not a plenum any longer. It would act more as a fluidized bed.
Personally I would not set this reef up this way. Having a return plumbed up from the bottom is stupid. Too risky for a complete tank drain during a power outage. I would use the holes for a closed loop for added flow and come over the top for the return.

swissgaurd · 06-28-2009, 01:54 PM

i ran a plenum for yrs and it worked well
water going underneath would not make it a plenum and probably not work well
i think it would operate like an undergravel filter.
i would just use a 4" sand bed with live rock.

vic

jdrmd · 06-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frankie

It doesn't matter Mike. Set up like this and it is not a plenum any longer. It would act more as a fluidized bed.
Personally I would not set this reef up this way. Having a return plumbed up from the bottom is stupid. Too risky for a complete tank drain during a power outage. I would use the holes for a closed loop for added flow and come over the top for the return.

The return system has a small surface return which will stop the siphon in the event of a power outage. I was wondering if anyone had tried this before. I can change the return system fairly easily. I don't know about a closed loop system. Could you elaborate?
Thanks
John

BLAKEJOHN · 06-28-2009, 02:49 PM

A closed loop is closed circulation system. Basically the water is sucked out of the tank and returned directly to the tank in a different location without going through a sump.

06-27-2009, 08:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
jdrmd Tunicate Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 2 View Gallery Karma Komment	Plenum with water return below the sand I bought a 135 gal tank recently and all the plumbing was already setup. The bottom has eggcrate wrapped in screen covering the bottom. The eggcrate is elevated above the bottom about 1 cm by plastic and pvc(the guy did a really nice job setting it up). The water return is directed below the screen wrapped eggcrate in two places adjacent to the internal overflows. The tank was used as a fish only tank before. I am setting up a reef tank with live sand and rock. What is the current opinion on this kind of setup. It is kind of like a plenum but has the water returning to the plenum space. I would really appreciate some thoughts on this kind of a setup. thanks john

06-28-2009, 12:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Plenum with water return below the sand For a reef, I'm not generally a big fan of plenum setups. Or in general for that matter (everyone will have a different opinion on this). It doesn't achieve anything that you will not achieve with sufficient live rock, good protein skimming and proper nutrient control. That is not to say don't use it, if you are interested in setting up a tank with that method it is fine, however IMO not needed. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

06-28-2009, 01:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
swissgaurd Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: mississauga,canada Posts: 540 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Plenum with water return below the sand i ran a plenum for yrs and it worked well water going underneath would not make it a plenum and probably not work well i think it would operate like an undergravel filter. i would just use a 4" sand bed with live rock. vic __________________ [SIGPIC TANK ON PRODIBO 82 gallon mixed reef, dual 250 watt 20K radium, in a PFO pendant powered by icecaps,2x 110 VHO actinics/ ice caps.approx.70 lbs indo rock.tunze top up system. junior MTC calcium reactor.ASM G3 skimmer,SWISSGAURD, powder blue tang,mated pair of GSM's,multicolor angel,green wrasse,ocean tang, sps,zoos,softies,frogspawn,mushrooms,candycane,,xe nia, nass.,astrea snails,serpant,brittle stars,sea cucumbers tank running on redsea pro.converting to D-D salt

06-28-2009, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
BLAKEJOHN Elegance coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KINGSTON, I.L. Posts: 1,071 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Plenum with water return below the sand A closed loop is closed circulation system. Basically the water is sucked out of the tank and returned directly to the tank in a different location without going through a sump. __________________ 110 gallon acrylic 1 Yellow Tang, 1 Blue Tang, 2 Eng Gobies, 1 Six Line Wrasse, 1 Tomato Clown, 1 Lion fish RBTA, Longspine Urchin, Approx. 200 snails Red Monti, Purple Rim Monti, Leathers, Elegence, Yellow Polyps, various Zoa's, FrogSpawn, Ricordias, Greenbirdsnest, Pink Milli, Blue Milli, Bonzai, unknown Acropora's, Purple Digi, GSP, Bubble Coral, Staghorn, Slimer

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