Dr. Dean Jaubert was the marine aquarist who developed this particular filtration system for marine aquariums. What is it?
The Jaubert Plenum system of filtration consists of the following:
A protein skimmer, as we know, removes dissolved organic compounds (DOC's) which can be converted to ammonia and is done by foam fractionation.
A plenum is a structure built underneath the DSB that maintains an open oxygen poor, CO2 high space that fosters anaerobic bacterial growth. In this environment, nitrate can be converted into nitrogen gas (denitrfication). The plenum can be constructed of PVC tubing. Here is a view of a plenum constructed of PVC tubing covered with mesh to support the DSB:
The DSB is placed over the plenum and is usually 4-5" deep. The upper parts of the DSB are oxygen rich and convert ammonia to nitrate. The plenum is oxygen poor and converts nitrate to nitrogen gas.
There are some problems with the Jaubert system:
The Jaubert Plenum system of filtration consists of the following:
- deep sand bed (DSB)
- protein skimmer
- plenum
A protein skimmer, as we know, removes dissolved organic compounds (DOC's) which can be converted to ammonia and is done by foam fractionation.
A plenum is a structure built underneath the DSB that maintains an open oxygen poor, CO2 high space that fosters anaerobic bacterial growth. In this environment, nitrate can be converted into nitrogen gas (denitrfication). The plenum can be constructed of PVC tubing. Here is a view of a plenum constructed of PVC tubing covered with mesh to support the DSB:
The DSB is placed over the plenum and is usually 4-5" deep. The upper parts of the DSB are oxygen rich and convert ammonia to nitrate. The plenum is oxygen poor and converts nitrate to nitrogen gas.
There are some problems with the Jaubert system:
- bacteria detrimental to the system can grow in dead spots
- fish infection can develop which resembles marine ick but does not respond to treatment
- inadequate surface area to function in a nano reef system.
