Deep Sand Bed -- Anatomy & Terminology

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15358887#post15358887 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
Whys we are talking about a bucket of sand--not a bucket of bolts:lol:
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one can be used for phosphate removal and the other for nitrate reduction... still reef related..
 
Didn't I tell you Water Keeper is watching over us :)

As long as there is water keeper humour will be allowed on this great site :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15341171#post15341171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
I found a use for old sand---I just lifted some interlock on the front poarch that had sunk a bit---worked great in there ;)
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When dos sand become old???
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15371810#post15371810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
When dos sand become old???
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when it starts to go grey and the tank ends up in a nursing home on display ;)

from alot of posts it is suggested that it be replintished or not used again after two years.
Some posts suggest that its buffering capabilites are actually quite minimal on a system and that you can use the original sand for ever.
Personally as long as keep it lose and not clumping(necessarius snails and bristle worms do this well) and top it up occassionly because it does disintegrate then I see no problem with it aging.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15371810#post15371810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sisterlimonpot
When dos sand become old???
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Context? If you need to move, then there can be issues with reusing the sand. If you buy a used tank with sand, that sand probably shouldn't be reused. If a DSB goes bad or the sand becomes saturated with phosphates, then that might be called old sand. If it turns to lead thru atomic decay, then that would certainly be old sand. :D
 
Old sand, new sand, grey sand, nursing home sand, atomic sand.
Wow, a lot of things can go wrong with sand. I don't know why you guys bother with all of that trouble.
I wonder when dolomite goes bad. :D
OK let me go and look at my no maintenance gravel :lol:
 
I see that my reef buddy Whys our discussions and learned from your expertise----I will miss that greatly.
Good luck Ryan-- to where ever you have moved on to in cyberspace

Sincerely,
Scott
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15395558#post15395558 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capn_hylinur
I see that my reef buddy Whys our discussions and learned from your expertise----I will miss that greatly.
Good luck Ryan-- to where ever you have moved on to in cyberspace

Sincerely,
Scott
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edited post

I see that my reef buddy Whys has moved on. I have enjoyed our discussions and learned from your expertise----I will miss that greatly.
Good luck Ryan-- to where ever you have moved on to in cyberspace
 
Oh come'on guys... admiration defeats my purpose. Don't make me argue... ;)

Thanks for the kind words tho, and right back at'cha!

JStraz, glad I could help.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15440711#post15440711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Whys
Oh come'on guys... admiration defeats my purpose. Don't make me argue... ;)

Thanks for the kind words tho, and right back at'cha!

JStraz, glad I could help.
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okay--who let you back--now I have to take back all the nice things I said about you;)

IMO every refugium should have a deep sand bed--what do you think Ryan:D

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>Back To Reef Central Ryan</b></i></big></big>
 
When you guys say that old sand saturated with phosphate should not be re-used. Why is it that a rinse with fresh water won't help?
 
Because the inorganic phosphate sticks to the sand (aragonite/ calcium carbonate) and a fresh waer rinse won't break it loose.
 
If that is the case, then we have to throw out the live rocks too ? Does cooking live rock get rid of the phosphate? If it does, then can we cook sand to get rid rid of phosphate on it?
 
Your question is about sand exposed to high levels of phosphate phosphate that has been removed from the tank. I would not reuse it or old gravel either. I would reuse liverock but wouldn't let it dry out.
Soaking either phosphate laden rock or sand in clean low nutrient seawater over a period of months may ecncourage the phosphate to equilibrate. Alternatively , phosphate laden rock can be briefly soaked in vinegar or another mild acid. The upper layers will dissolve and can be rinsed away along with any phosphate. Sand would be mush.



Paul I thought all your gravel turned to mud years ago.
 
DSB grain size and distribution

DSB grain size and distribution

Hi,
Can someone help me on my confusion with sand grain size in a DSB? Mostly what I read in the forums is the DSB should be a large % (85) "sugar" size aragonite sand, which I think is 0.5mm, the balance at 1-2mm. However Inland Aquatics, where I'm getting a microculture and detrivore kit recommends this:

At least I lb. * of Aragonitic substrate per gallon, consisting of the following:
* 15% Live Oolitic Aragonite Sand to seed the bed
* 45% Dry Oolitic Aragonite Sand
* 25% CaribSea Reef Sand
* 15% CaribSea Aruba Shell

Is the 45% Oolitic Aragonite 0.5mm?

Also, is there a way to calculate how many lbs of sand I need to get a 4" bed, based on sq. ft. of bottom surface area?

Thanks in advance for any help on this
 
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