Another DSB Thread

[bayoupr]

What are advantages of having a deep sand bed as compared to a shallow sand bed? I am changing from a 125 to a 180 sometime after the first of the year and trying to decide. Right now I have a 1.5-2" sand bed. I cannot seem to get my nitrates lower than 20. I have tried all sorts of stuff ranging from Matrix to pellets. I did the vodka thing, the instant ocean natural nitrate reducer and no effect. I do 25g bi weekly water changes. I have read that a deep bed will help with this but have also read that a deep bed can become toxic. Does it become toxic over a period of time or when disturbed?

 

[RocketSurgeon]

Does it become toxic over a period of time or when disturbed?

I would investigate a REMOTE DSB.

A DSB will become toxic if disturbed. Over time, I'm not sure that it is toxic, or just useless. Either way, if it is remote, you can disconnect, repair or replace, and re-connect to the system.

 

[rivoth]

A good place to start is this reefkeeping article on sand beds:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-06/rs/feature/index.php

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

The best way I have found for reducing nitrate is a well lit refugium with lots of macroalgae.
Before I added a refugium my nitrates were always 10-20ppm. Since the addition of the fuge they are undetectable.
I have a 2-3 inch sand bed in my DT and I "disturb" it on a regular basis to keep it clean with no adverse effects.
IMO an un-disturbed sand bed is a time bomb. You can vacuum a DSB as long as you do small sections at a time to let the micro fauna rebound.

 

[jeff@zina.com]

What are advantages of having a deep sand bed as compared to a shallow sand bed?

Stickies are stuck for a reason...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1652103

Jeff