Question about Plenum tanks

[psariandras]

I want to have a DSB(about 4.5 inches) for my 29gallon tank and include a plenum space, but I have been able to determine what the height of the plenum space should be.

What is the minimum size for the plenum space?


I want my tank to use live rock as bio filtration and want to add the DSB and plenum to supplement filtration. Is it impractical to have a DSB and plenum on a 29 gallon tank?

I don't want the height of the DSB w/ plenum to reduce the amount of LR to the point where it is ineffective for bio filtration, or have the height of the sand bed and amount of LR reduce the amount of water in the tank to a critcal level.

[Mr.Firemouth]

Your 29g can have a plenum, but niether the plenum or the DSB in a 29g is practical. I would recommend 1" of oolitic sand on the bottom of the tank and control nutrient export with water changes. In systems under 75g water changes are the most efficient way to control accumulated nutrients. A weekly 5-10g water change would sustain a very acceptable environment.

As far as plenums are concerned you can talk to the master at www.saltcorner.com

Here is my last correspondence with Bob Goemans...
>Hi Bob,
>
>I spoke with you at past IMAC's and the pleasure was all mine.
>I currently operate the forum www.uberfrags.net and my user name is Mr.Firemouth.
>
>I have been breeding FM's for over 25 years and desperately wanting to breed an albino form. Wish me luck!
>
>I have been trying to pursuade cichlid lovers to use plenums for nutrient control in their systems but most want some type of references. I was wondering if you will update your site or link to another site that may be recording the results of plenums used in FW?
>
>I will be at the IMAC Chicago this weekend. Hope to see you there!
>
>Thanks Rich
>
Hi Rich,
My son-in-law is next for a heart transplant by Dr. Copeland, so we are not going anywhere while he awaits a donor heart that is appropriate.

I have received over the years quite a few emails from those using the plenum in FW tanks, e.g., goldfish, cichlids, plant tanks, and discus to mention some. All were very successful, and about five or more years ago ran a test with a cichlid group where CaribSea provided all the substrate free. Every test tank had far less nitrate/better water quality than the tanks without a plenum. I’m not sure if any of that data remains somewhere, but if anyone wants a plenum, they are again being custom-made by a company, and the plenums for cichlid tanks now can come with a Enkamat nylon matrix covering the grid so cichlids can’t dig deeply into the substrate. Contact Todd Schwarz at tdmosch@gmail.com for more info if desired.

When things clear up here, remind me and I’ll see if some FW info can be added somewhere on the site.
Bob

If you contact Bob or Todd Schwarz at tdmosch@gmail.com you can have many more detailed answers.

IMO, WC's are your best strategy.

[psariandras]

Will a Protein Skimmer used on a 29 gallon supplement filtration and reduce water changes?

Or is the 29 too small for a PS?

Thanks for your help :)

[Mr.Firemouth]

The fact is that the water within a 29g can accumalate DOC's very quickly. The water changes will control ALL nutrient export where as the skimmer will only remove those DOC's that are positively charged ions to the surface of the bubbles. On a larger tank(100g and up) the water environment becomes more stable because it takes longer for the DOC's to accumalate, therefore water changes are less frequent.

As much as an inconvienance WC's are they are the very best solution for a 29g to ensure a healthy environment. SW tanks can "crash" very quickly and you can lose much of your livestock. For that reason alone the water changes will prevent the likelyhood of a systems crash.(which were very common in the 80's-90's because so many people refused to do appropriate water changes. Some thought that adding fresh make up water as plenty of clean water.)

The money that you save on the skimmer can be used for salt mix instead. Also weekly WC's eliminate the need for most supplements unless you are heavily stocked with fast growing corals. So more money saved.