Jaubert plenum for NNR, status ?

[George Pontis]

I read a basic description of the Jaubert Plenum for nitrate reduction, in Kurtz's
"Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums". The idea sounds good on paper, but I wonder if
it has withstood the test of time. Anyone using the system, or comments on the
effectiveness of it ?

George

[Marc Levenson]

George, I've never used a plenum myself, and nitrates were a big problem
for the first few years I kept tanks. Then I figured it out:
http://www.melevsreef.com/reducing_nitrates.html

Currently, I have a 280g reef with a 3" to 4" sand bad (it varies), and
nitrates are around 1.5 to 2.5ppm (pretty darn low).
http://www.melevsreef.com/parms.html

Plenums are still used by some today, but for the most part I believe
many have chosen not to use one.
Marc


George Pontis wrote:
> I read a basic description of the Jaubert Plenum for nitrate reduction, in Kurtz's
> "Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums". The idea sounds good on paper, but I wonder if
> it has withstood the test of time. Anyone using the system, or comments on the
> effectiveness of it ?
>
> George

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Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Rocco Moretti]

George Pontis wrote:
> I read a basic description of the Jaubert Plenum for nitrate reduction, in Kurtz's
> "Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums". The idea sounds good on paper, but I wonder if
> it has withstood the test of time. Anyone using the system, or comments on the
> effectiveness of it ?

Don't know if it will help you or not, but there was recently a two-part
article in Advanced Aquarist that did a scientific study of plenum
systems compared to non-plenum systems. You can read about it here and
make your own conclusions:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/7/aafeature

[George Pontis]

In article >, says...
> George Pontis wrote:
> > I read a basic description of the Jaubert Plenum for nitrate reduction, in Kurtz's
> > "Simple Guide to Marine Aquariums". The idea sounds good on paper, but I wonder if
> > it has withstood the test of time. Anyone using the system, or comments on the
> > effectiveness of it ?
>
> Don't know if it will help you or not, but there was recently a two-part
> article in Advanced Aquarist that did a scientific study of plenum
> systems compared to non-plenum systems. You can read about it here and
> make your own conclusions:
> http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature
> http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/7/aafeature
>

Thank you for these references, I found all that I needed there and more. It was
refreshing to see what a careful approach they took, and the data that led to
their conclusions. As for my own foray into a reef aquarium, a conventional system
with DSB but no plenum should be just fine.