Plenum and GARF's Bullet Proof Reef system

[Tazzmacd]

I have been doing a ton of research for my new tank, and will continue to red and do more research before I decide what to create but I have a question. I have been to the GARF.org site and have been reading up on their so called Bullet proof Ree system and the use of a Plenum. Now as I see it, this is nothing but a reverse undergravel filter system that is pushing the water down into the bed and having that come back up through the sand instead of drawing the water down like a normal undergravel filter.

I was wondering what everybody here thought about this system setup? Pro's/Con"s? Has anybody tried this, what were the results like?

Thanks

Cheers!!

Pat

PS the tank I am looking at is 24X24X96, just under 300 Gallons

 

[Anonymous]

I strongly suggest that you take a look at our Archives. There is a The GARF Filesthat will be helpful in your research.

From a marketing point of view, calling anything something-proof should raise a flag. In software engineering, we have something call fool-proof program. There is also child-proof device and spill-proof container. None of them work particular well. Take a look in the Archive, and do you own research.

 

[liquid]

Welcome to Reefs.org!

Personally, I've never used a plenum and most people believe that plenums work no better than deep sandbeds. I would recommend a deep sandbed any day over a plenum.

Shane

 

[Tazzmacd]

I strongly suggest that you take a look at our Archives. There is a The GARF Filesthat will be helpful in your research.

From a marketing point of view, calling anything something-proof should raise a flag. In software engineering, we have something call fool-proof program. There is also child-proof device and spill-proof container. None of them work particular well. Take a look in the Archive, and do you own research.

Been to the Garf Files, there is a lot of rants over there, nothing major in the way of discussions though. Oh and the Bullet Proof, I agree, that's why I was looking for anybody that using them. Trying to cover all the bases right now so I can make my mind up on what system to use.

Cheers!!

Pat

 

[Len]

I have never known anyone outside of GARF who has implemented the bullet-proof system effectively. It's really an unproven methodology at best, and I personally find it unsound and illlogical. For a tank your size, I'd stick with something proven such as a simple DSB system with skimmer and a refugium. GARF's bullet proof system is marketed to those with lesser patience and finance which does not sound like the type of person you are I'm glad you're doing a lot of research and jealous of your proposed 300g tank

 

[Tazzmacd]

Well it has only taken me about 6 years to convince the better half that we should get a nice large show tank. And since we are in the planning stage of redoing our basement I found the perfect wall for it. I was planning on doing a simple DSB system with skimmer and a refugium, just doing the proper sizing of everything, trying to figure out if I want to do a plywood tank, a glass tank or an acrylic tank. Right now I am leaning towards an acrylic only because I can get a 4X8 sheet of 1/2" acrylic for $330 cdn while a 24X96 piece of glass just for the front is averaging out to be $600. So for a little more then the price of the glass front I could have enough for my tank and refugium.

Cheers!!

Pat

 

[Anonymous]

The bullet proof tankscan work, but you cannot have any fish in the tank and must pay careful attention to your water. FWIW, GARF is located above what is basically the world's largest calcium reactor so it is rather easy for them to not supplement the water much. Also, if you try the bullet-proof you have to stick with softies. Sally Joe's tank also has VHO's on it, not NO's like they reccommend for the bullet-proof tank.

As for the plenum, there are plenty out there who use them and like them. I have never seen anything that shows that they are superior to a DSB. Besides, a DSB is a lot easier to set up and maintain. I would forget the plenum.

Keep up the research and asking questions. Knowledge and patience are the key.

 

[Anonymous]

Just to comment on your original post- a plenum is quite different from a reverse-UG. A plenum has no flow, and the water below the sand has no oxygen. Not sure how GARF is describing it however.