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[Tangster]

First off no you don't need or have to use a Plenum and I would not put a DSB in a toilet let alone my main aquarium The toilet thats where they really belong and wind up at sooner or later. But if you want a Plenum best study up on them a far better system then a DSB. But with a Plenum I saw some sand sizes posted here some where that where supposedly to be ideal for a DSB Not a Plenum.. A plenum requires sand of a totally different grain size . What I find to work the best is the custom sea floor mix of this size sand 1.25 to 1.95 mm .. But when you build the plenum you have to include a method to remove the accumulated bio sludge every yr or so.

As for anything you ever read by the Sandman Dr S (: just read it then try to forget it . More problems then fixes in his wisdom..

First off I have to ask why do you think you need a DSB or plenum ? what is there to be gained from the us of one . Actually they are not worth all the work worry and trouble and expense at the end of the day and or their life span.

The only place I would use a plenum is in a refugium or a DSB either thats where the are safe and can not cause a totally wipe out if a rock slips or a critter digs to deep. And in the refugiums there is the only thing man has about several thousand feet of Ocean depth that can uptake /consume and or totally breakdown and and remove the by products of either system Hydrogen Sulfide and Methanes and Nitrates.. Plants ! there are no magic bugs that can do this although the Dr would have you think differently .

These systems are not safe or easy to maintain and not something one wakes up one day buys a book reads then applies on a Large scale in their main tank. The experts use small tanks and they loose them all the time .. A million reasons why (: but the fail as do most of their ex followers systems did and still do.

It matters not to me what way anyone tries to run their systems But if you want to truly build a good solid system use less sand and make a nice refugium and build a DSB or plenum in there and they do not have to be huge like many would tell you either.. About 1/10 the size of the main tank is all you want or need . Good luck with what ever you choose