layering fuge

[jesspete]

Anyone heard of or tried this?

Layers of fuge floor, bottom to top:

one layer bio balls
egg crate
screen/mesh
substrate

 

[weaglereefer]

Sounds like a "plenum" setup that was commonly used on older reef tanks. I think the ex president still runs one.

 

[seedless reefer]

Yup sounds like a plenum but I don't think you want bio balls anywhere there.

Something like this
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/arganpics/IMGP1187.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/my-plenerific-adventures-anecdotal-plenum-info-54350.html&usg=__0KjG10wHAgazNl_nsTy5qZiwTVk=&h=758&w=1010&sz=183&hl=en&start=10&um=1&tbnid=mzxw0TxfJgvwuM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dplenum%2Bfuge%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS300US300%26sa%3DN">http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc71/arganpics/IMGP1187.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/my-plenerific-adventures-anecdotal-plenum-info-54350.html&usg=__0KjG10wHAgazNl_nsTy5qZiwTVk=&h=758&w=1010&sz=183&hl=en&start=10&um=1&tbnid=mzxw0TxfJgvwuM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dplenum%2Bfuge%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS300US300%26sa%3DN</a>

If you put bio balls where they can't be gotten to for cleaning I think you are asking for ongoing headaches.

 

[jesspete]

That's what I thought about bioballs. Guy Rich was talking to was talking about running that setup at home and never fights nitrates. He couldn't remember what it was called and had a hard time researching it.

 

[george]

Here's an article where Advanced Aquarist did some testing of DSB and plenum setups: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2005/6/aafeature</a>

The bioballs in the setup in question are simply there to hold up the plenum "roof". The entire area is anaerobic and extremely low flow (seepage only) so cleaning and circulation isn't an issue.

 

[jesspete]

Thanks! Once I knew what it was called, it was easier to research. I saw some people just use pvc elbows to hold up bottom layer instead of bio balls. I thought we put more lr in the fuge, but my husband said not if we're using it in the DT. This true?

 

[seedless reefer]

I have rock in my fuge.

Alot of rubble. Great place for pods to chill.

My philosophy is the more rock to filter water the better.

But what do I know?

Some people use no rock some might put only one piece in.

The fuge I just took down had Mt. Everest lol.