Handy Reef

[kendog261]

Hello everyone

I have been doing fresh water tanks for years and my kids want me to set up a saltwater tank. So I think its time. Ive been doing alot of reading on all kinds of sites and Im stuck in a couple spots. One question I have is has anyone set up a tank using the "HANDY REEF" system?
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/6279/ArticleHandy.html

If so what are your opionions of this system? Is using a Plenum a good idea? Or should I go another way?

I have a 55g tank that I was planning on converting to a sump/refugium. Im still looking for a main tank but it will be around 100g. I also have a 220w light fixture to start with. The kids and I are making DIY live rock as we speak "what a fun project"

Any comments or suggestions.

[bertoni]

[welcome]

I would avoid plenums at this point. There isn't much evidence that they actually work, and I don't particularly like the looks of the substrate.

The comments about aragonite dissolving are not accurate, IMO. Aragonite can dissolve, but isn't going to do so in significant quantities unless the pH gets far out of bounds.