bb vs dsb

[oysterxfast5]

Probably wasting your time but i like a straight up answer instead of reading forever.
Why Bare bottom over deep sand bed?
isn't the sand bed essentially a giant biological filter.

 

[fishdoc11]

Your not going to get a good answer IMO. The ONLY way to sort it out is to do a bit of reading
There are a million ways to run a reef tank and the best one for you is the one that works best for you.......hard to tell what that is without a bit of research.
Chris

 

[oysterxfast5]

I don't have a problem with mine. It has only been going for 10 months+ and my parameters are mostly in check, Havening a battle with nitrates. sand bed is only 1.5-2 inches deep.

 

[m2434]

Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Those who have sand will argue for sand, those who have BB will argue for bare bottom. There had been much debate about this... Personally I like BB if there is a LOT of flow and otherwise prefer sand, but thats just my .02.

 

[oysterxfast5]

Never had bare bottom and don't have super high flow so i guess i think dsb is better but then again i have no experience with bb so i have no right to argue about it.

 

[faded1004]

yea, i agree. sand is nice, but i do see some benefits to bare bottom, with the right flow, everythign will stay suspended. but, mainly love the white sand. i like it white and deep. : )

 

[spike78]

http://ronshimek.com/Deep Sand Beds.htm

This info helped me make my decision. I found the book helpful too...

 

[mxett]

Why not both? BB in display with a dsb refugium or rdsb in a bucket next to the sump? :rollface:

Then you get the best of both worlds: Nitrate reduction plus the ability to maximize flow in the display, plus, if using a filter sock, the ability to keep the rdsb clean.

AND, if your rdsb should ever go 'bad' :smokin: you just take it off-line and start another.

Infact, (just thought of this so may be silly) you could have one rdsb running and after 2 years or so, start another next to it. Leave them both running for a couple of months (to allow the new one to work, then take the older one out. Then you could keep constant nitrate filtration that shouldn't go bad.

AS was already mentioned, there are many ways

 

[oysterxfast5]

I dont think my ywg would like me too much if i took his home away thought. But running the sand in the fuge has crossed my mind before. Getting ready to go to school so i will read that when i get home.

 

[oysterxfast5]

thanks for the info. I am setting up a new tank here in a month or two and was wondering what to do so i think i am just going to get some fine sand.

 

[ActinopteryGuy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10948033#post10948033 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by spike78
http://ronshimek.com/Deep Sand Beds.htm

This info helped me make my decision. I found the book helpful too...

Interesting article. I am a huge fan of sand. I do not have a 'true' dsb since its about 2"-3" but I never mess with the sand and the tank has been super stable for well over a year now.
I have been thinking about going bb, replacing the sand bed or adding to it. I am going to stick with it and add to it.

 

[Chibils]

The biggest reason for running a dsb is because sps like far too much flow. 15-45x turnover is usually recommended (I've seen numbers all over that range) and it just blows sand around everywhere.

 

[ActinopteryGuy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10951591#post10951591 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chibils
The biggest reason for running a dsb is because sps like far too much flow. 15-45x turnover is usually recommended (I've seen numbers all over that range) and it just blows sand around everywhere.

Im confused, did you mean reason for not running a DSB?
I have 30x turnover and my sand stays put, but I have a mix of sizes.