Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Hello Bob,
About a year ago I sent you an e-mail regarding questions I had about a plenum versus a muddy bottom. In your response you convinced me that the plenum was the way to go. I am finally in a position to get the new tank going and I have read your various booklets numerous times to make sure I set the plenum up correctly and maintain it properly. In your books you mention that I should never have any deep burrowing animals. My question is would an anemone cause disruption of the anoxic zone.
Thanks again for taking time to help me.
Ruben
Hi Ruben,
Interesting question and of course depends on the type anemone. If it's a sand anemone, that is to say one that buries its foot area into substrate and retracts fully into the substrate when disturbed, that might cause a slight disruption in the anoxic zone. But probably not enough to cause enough disturbance to see a fluctuation in nutrient levels. In other words, the foot of the anemone would probably attach itself to the screen covering the plenum grid or the dividing screen if used. The anemone would then move slowly through the sandbed until it finds an area of its liking and probably remain there until something further disturbs it. This slow movement would not overly disturb the bed and if anything, its foot will only cover a small portion of the screen at any one time. Therefore I see no problem for the anemone or the biological efficiency associated with a plenum system. However, if something was added that would tunnel and have "open" tunnels that connect the bulk water area with the plenum grid area, then that would pose efficiency problems.
Hope this helps.
Bob
