What size sand / gravel? Plenum or no?

IMO Argonite is best substrate from everything i have read, also the Reccommended granular size is 0.05mm to 0.2mm for the bed. Also from my understanding a Plenum is unnessarry and possably counterproductive.
Here are some great papers on sand beds
Deep Sand Beds
The Deep Sand Bed - One Of The Most Effective Filtration Methods. | Aquarists Online | Saltwater Aquarium Resources And Information

 

PLENUM needed?

Well do most people use Plenums? What kind of maintanence do you need to perform on a Plenum?

My tank has a kind of S curve to to front of it so a Plenum will be a bit tougher to build.

Can I get away without using a plenum?

TYIA!

 

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

 

Great! Thanks for the input Tagster

Thanks Tangster... I think I'll skip the plenum and DSB and just go with a sugarsized grain sand about 2-3 inches deep.

I didn't want to screw with building the plenum anyway...

and I'm going to use 130 lbs of argamax caribsea sand in my 90 gallon tank.

I am planning on buying about 10 lbs of Garf Grunge to kick start the tank / sand...

Thank you again.

 

So If I have CC in my tank, what kind of cleaners should I be using?

 

I have a 75 gal tank (started 4-14-08,) First I added my rocks, about 90 pounds. I let that sit for a week or so, next, I've added 80 pounds of fiji pink sand (sugar sized sand) It's not live, but, over time, it will be live. I've read so much about crushed coral, don't do it. so I didn't. Add your rocks first, worry about sand second. Let the rocks process for a week or so, then add the sand.

 

My bed is 1-3 inches, depending on the shifts. (75 gal tank, 80 pounds of sand) Sometimes, holy cow, where did that 5 inch peek come from??????

 

OOPS! There's a complete debate about 6" deep beds.

 

no reason you can't put a plenum in the sump if your using a sump.my daughters tank would no keep fish alive till i redid it with a plenum so i know they work well

 

I'm using fiji pink, sugar sized, 80 pounds in a 75 pound tank, about 1-2 inches deep. With the shifting sand, I don't have any problems.