Correctly set up .. A jaubert setup is near bulletproof and VERY low maintenance..pay attention to substrate size and plenum height , and you will be pleased.. make sure to have plenty of flow ..its essential when things get started,, I have been using the jaubert method for the last 30+ yrs or so.. my best tank setups by far ..
Jaubert deep gravel as part of new system
- Thread starter WillpoleReefers
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WillpoleReefers
Active Member
Liking your support for this. The Jaubert plenum compartment would be set up exactly as per original spec. Wish I could find a copy of the original Jaubert paper, historical reading if nothing else, proceedings from a conference I think. Seems not to have made it into the online age. Maybe someone has it though!
Steve
My next tank will have a deep sand bed following methods of Dr. Jaubert. There have been some changes and improvements on recommendations since they were first discussed and used. I recommend you search on Methode Jaubert or Jaubert Bac and look at some youtube/sites/forums in Europe -mostly France, they're bigger fans. Google translator is a wonderful thing. You'll find more recent (last 7-10 years) recommendations in setting up the system particularly regarding flow and construction. There's also a good overview on a Macna presentation he did (2018 I believe). It's not the slickest technical presentation - but good information on deep sand bed oxygen and anoxic conditions - the basis for the principle.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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WillpoleReefers
Active Member
Thanks so much that’s helpful, I will try adding some French to the search terms. The system will have a dedicated plenum compartment so I can trim flow in accordance with any recommendations. Good luck with your system
Steve
WillpoleReefers
Active Member
I found the dedicated French Jaubertiste forum from the search suggested. Clearly the methode is more popular here (currently visiting by chance). Yet to work out translate on my iPad so my mediocre French is getting stretched in a new direction let’s say!
Steve
Steve
I now use a web site translator in Firefox. Chrome and most others have same (as does Safari). I'm my iPhone, just click on the Aa at the far left of address bar. Seems to add translate automatically if website isn't in language of device.
srobertb
Well-Known Member
So I love a good 10-15cm sand bed. I’d calculate the amount of sand required to create this in my display and that’s what I would use. If there was room, I’d place some macroalgae on top of it.
15” sand beds are not feasible for most of us (which is why few people use them) and quite honestly I don’t think it’s necessary. Not that it wouldn’t work, just that you’ll get the same benefit at 1/2 that depth. I don’t subscribe to the bubble of death theory. I’ve had 6 year old 15cm sand beds release big bubbles during accidental stirring and no one died.
This 10-15cm sand bed plus well-lit macroalgae will provide short term and long term stability. This type of filtration will automatically grow and contract based on your bioload and allows for tremendous leeway while proving stability.
I would not use gravel. Ever. It is a detritus trap. I’ve seen too many “old school” tanks that use gravel and it becomes a nutrient sink as things are trapped in it.
15” sand beds are not feasible for most of us (which is why few people use them) and quite honestly I don’t think it’s necessary. Not that it wouldn’t work, just that you’ll get the same benefit at 1/2 that depth. I don’t subscribe to the bubble of death theory. I’ve had 6 year old 15cm sand beds release big bubbles during accidental stirring and no one died.
This 10-15cm sand bed plus well-lit macroalgae will provide short term and long term stability. This type of filtration will automatically grow and contract based on your bioload and allows for tremendous leeway while proving stability.
I would not use gravel. Ever. It is a detritus trap. I’ve seen too many “old school” tanks that use gravel and it becomes a nutrient sink as things are trapped in it.
WillpoleReefers
Active Member
Thanks for that advice!
Hey!
Nice to hear about your thoughts about a jaubert system.
I have myself a thread here talking about my entire experience with a Jaubert system.
It's a bowl which is 1 year old.
Honestly I can't complaint of anything and I wouldn't do different.
I'm getting ready to make another 4 gal tank, it will be a full Jabuert again.
Nice to hear about your thoughts about a jaubert system.
I have myself a thread here talking about my entire experience with a Jaubert system.
It's a bowl which is 1 year old.
Honestly I can't complaint of anything and I wouldn't do different.
I'm getting ready to make another 4 gal tank, it will be a full Jabuert again.
WillpoleReefers
Active Member
Great to hear of your experience with the Jaubert nano tank! I have read through your thread, interesting. My sump with the Jaubert section has now been constructed as detailed in my build thread. Below is the method of plenum construction I used.
Steve
HomebroodExotics
Well-Known Member
I think its a great plan. But here's what I would do or change personally. Set up your plenum as an under ground filter and use a small air pump. For substrate I'd use baked clay plain kitty litter, oil-dri, or any brand of aquarium zeolites and stack that about 3 inches or so. Forget about it forever.
NOT for saltwater it isn't..forget the kitty litter.Aragonite is what you want. I've use good 'ol FCC with good results ,with some ARM underneath,,Have another tank with a thin layer of ARM on the bottom , followed by 3.5" of tropic eden grand select aragonite , topped with coral rubble and shells..the top layer holds bristle worms,amphipods,spaghetti worms,tiny shrimp ,etc..That's your detritus crew . Without it the top layer will become a mess as others have stated..Another good idea is a remote tank with plenum.NO inhabitants. Water is pumped int this tank with a slow flow and back into the main tank or sump...this way your DT has a 1-2" sand bed directly on bottom which can be vacuumed,stirred etc to clean.. AND- willpolereefers = thats a nice design , but what will keep the substrate from getting underneath ? you have to be real creative as to how you lay the top screen, that's why I like PVC pipe it keeps any substate out of the plenum void space...just sayin' .
CoastalTownLayabout
Active Member
Hey Steve, nice job on the plenum structure. The only thing I’m not sure about is how you have the screen cut to pretty much same size as the plenum structure. I think Hot2na may be pointing this out as well.
I would always size my plenum structure to leave room around the edges. The screen was cut larger so you could lap it over onto the bottom of the tank or remote sump. This way there’s no chance of any substrate material working its way under into the plenum.
Hope that makes sense.
I would always size my plenum structure to leave room around the edges. The screen was cut larger so you could lap it over onto the bottom of the tank or remote sump. This way there’s no chance of any substrate material working its way under into the plenum.
Hope that makes sense.
Subsea
5000 Club Member
Yes, I operated a Jaubert dsb plenum for 20 years. Five yeas ago, I reduced sandbed from 6” to 2” and reversed flow up thru the plenum. At the same time, I removed lights from macro algae refugium, composted tomatoes with Caulerpa and seeded unlit refugium with cryptic sponges.
So, this tank has operated for 25 years with one move 12 yeas ago. Pardon dirty glass and unkept sandbed, Outdoor gardening between vegetables & ornamentals has kept me busy.
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Subsea
5000 Club Member
Build Thread - 25 year old 75G Jaubert Plenum on top with 30G EcoSystem Mud/Macro
The tank has seen little change in 25 years. Jaubert Plenum was designed to use facultative bacteria in a low oxygen environment to perform denitrification biochemistry. Substrate was 6” deep with false bottom making a Plenum under substrate. Plenum performed well until the introduction of...
www.reef2reef.com
Let’s talk biochemistry & denitrification:
Bob Goemans, as curator for John Penacamp Park in Florida Keys, after a hurricane evacuation, found all display tanks in good running condition after 2 weeks with no electricity and he coined the term Natural Nitrate Reduction. He emulated Professor Jaubert and the Monaco State Aquarium. In those early days of reefkeeping, the focus was on managing nitrate accumulation.
With a 25 year mature system, I dose ammonia to maintain nitrate > 10ppm. Corals and biodiverse filter feeders with emphases on cryptic sponges are the biofilter
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@Hot2na , Talking about the sand bed height and plenum height, is this something dependable on the tank size that could be eventually reduced for smaller pico / nano?
Subsea
5000 Club Member
Depends on your definition of Jaubert
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