Deep sand bed or shallow?

[JStraz4991]

What do you guys think is the best way to go a deep sand bed or shallow.its goin to be a FOWLR and later on in the future i am going to add coral.

 

[Playa-1]

Both, A shallow sand bed in the tank and a remote DSB.

 

[JStraz4991]

im not goin to have a sump thats in the future

 

[Been_There8]

Thats how we all start off too. Fish only with live rock, and then we add corals. No, but seriously, i say shalow, i think a dsb looks disgusting when it gets covered with algae. Thats just an opinion though, i went BB and dont regret it a bit!

 

[JStraz4991]

would a 3 inch sand bed be suffiecent

 

[Blownsvt]

i think i am going to do a 1-2" sand bed in my tank.

 

[JStraz4991]

what about i have 2 inch sand bed and have 60- 70 punds of live rock.i have a 40 gallon breeder

 

[christ102]

1-2 inches, shallow for me.

 

[JStraz4991]

ok thanks i thinks thats what ill do

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

You're probably better off going with a shallow sand bed.

 

[James77]

A SSB is the best, add a RDSB if you start having nitrate problems. I do about 1" of Caribsea Seafloor Grade over starboard, and it does not blow around at all. Whenever I blast my rocks with a powerhead, at least once a month, I blow all the sand with it to clear out any detritus.

 

[iceman79]

i agree DSB looks crappy in time SSB is the way to go

 

[Henry Bowman]

2"... no more.

 

[JStraz4991]

ok thanks for the help guys i think 2 inches is what ill do.and what about live rock du you think 60-70 pounds is good for a 40 gallon

 

[uncleof6]

would a 3 inch sand bed be suffiecent

3" is not deep enough for a DSB to operate properly. The minimum is 4", and a range of 4" - 6" is most common. Most of the negatives (anecdotal) I read on DSBs are due to improper set up, and improper operation of the in tank DSB. It is not hard to properly set up an IN TANK DSB, you simply have to do it the right way. Things that need to be considered are the grain size used, and the flow rates in the tank, to name two. The DSB has to be "seeded" with the right type of critters, (packaged "live" sand is not good enough-- nor is most available "live rock." It must be fed and matured prior to adding "predetors" that feed on sand bed life, or the populations will never reach a sufficient number. (Just some examples) Like I said, it is not hard, you just have to approach it methodically. There is a right way and a wrong way.

A properly running DSB (in tank) will not have diatoms blooms on the surface (save new tank syndrome-- which self corrects) and the surface will be clean and "white." A THIN layer of Larger gravel/shell mix (caribsea grand bahamas or super reef) will keep the oolitic sand from blowing around the tank, and also provide building materials for burrowing fish to build their homes.

In tank DSBs have been in use since the 1960's, and have singley (along with "protein skimming" and live rock) been the most successful method of keeping what is known today as the "reef tank."

RDSBs can aid in the balance of the system, however it is removed from the main food chain. In a marine system "EVERYTHING" that is organic based, is a food source. (That may be too encompassing, but it is the idea, if not specifically so)

Regards,

Jim

 

[aleonn]

I made the mistake of making a DSB of 5-6" in tank. Now it's full of algae and other gunk. For my new tank I'm targetting 2-2.5".

 

[newyorkstyles]

Educational Video on Deep Sand Beds

Educational Video on Deep Sand Beds

Here are 2 educational videos illustrating a brand new deep sand bed, as well as a mature deep sand bed on 2 separate systems. I hope these videos help you guys understand deep sand beds better.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NL8rihCxnfE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NL8rihCxnfE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YYDTXCQ2XA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5YYDTXCQ2XA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

 

[bertoni]

There's a lot of personal choice involved. This thread might help:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=803688

 

[Dustin1300]

I'd say go SSB with a good amount of live rock

 

[Mighunter]

Newyorkstyles, thanks for those video's. Question as I'm gathering up what I need to set up a new 265 gallon tank...can I do a shallow sand bed in the display tank and a deep sand bed in the fuge and get the same benefits?

Thanks
Joe