Deep Sand Bed

[jculver]

Capn.......in one of your postings from a week or two ago you said this: "IMO stay away from the deep sand bed in the display tank---very controversial now as to their effectiveness.
I would limit the sand to 1-2 inches.
Later on if you feel the need for a deep sand bed you can run it remotely as in a refugium. That way it is easier to maintain and keeps some of the possible problems with it out of the display tank."

I have a 180 gal tank that has just cylcled and it has a 4" SB. After reading what you said I am concerned that this is going to give me problems. Any suggestions or comments(from others as well)?

 

[sdc19982002]

If your concerned about it, remove 2 inches of sand. You can do it now without adverse effects, but I f you wait 6 months from now it could cause major issues.

 

[jculver]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14838114#post14838114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sdc19982002
If your concerned about it, remove 2 inches of sand. You can do it now without adverse effects, but I f you wait 6 months from now it could cause major issues.

What problems will I encounter with a DSB?

 

[sdc19982002]

Not sure that you'll have any problems with the DSB, I know that there has been a discussion about it lately but I dont pay much attention because I dont run one. I do know that it will take several months for your DSB to become fully functional with bacteria, so if your wanting to get rid of some sand you could safley do it now. If you do it when it's fully established you stand a chance of nuking your tank.

Edit

The key is not to disturb the DSB when it's established.

 

[jculver]

Okay....Thanks.....I'll do some more research!

 

[drummereef]

I haven't had any problems with my DSB. It's been running for probably close to 10 years. My nitrates are 0. If you are really going to do it I would have a 6" bed. There's a grey area between shallow and deep where the sand can turn into a nutrient sink instead of helping, imo. In my new display I'm going to run 1" or less of sand and plumb in a remote refugium. This way I can take it off line without tearing the system apart.

 

[jculver]

Interesting....great, thanks!

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

My 180 has a 4" sand bed and has been running for 15 years.
I stir and vaccuum the gravel in scetions and have never had a problem.
Any sand bed whether shallow or deep needs to be maintained to work correctly in my opinion.
That includes keeping your clean up crew up to par.

 

[cloak]

Uncle Salty 05, drummereef

I'm a big fan of DSB's myself. I would love to see an up to date picture of your tanks.

 

[fishwonder]

Deep sand bed is better

Deep sand bed is better

I changed my plan from BB to DSB. I think it's more beneficial than shallow or BB.

 

[jculver]

Awesome....Im gonna stick with the deep sand bed! Uncle Salty 05, I also have a 180 and would love to see your pics as well. Since I just started mine I could get some ideas from ya! Thanks to all!

 

[Whys]

I like Capn, but we disagree on this. I'm of the belief that the display tank is EXACTLY where a DSB belongs.

A DSB will not automatically give you problems. You have to ignore its needs first. Primarily, it is critically important to rejuvenate the sand critters once a year or so with some fresh liverock (ideally) or some sand from another established tank. Otherwise, your DSB will eventually suffer from depopulation and become toxic instead of beneficial.

Take good care of it and it will take good care of your tank. I have a 5" DSB for 6 months and have never had measurable nitrates.

Waterkeeper has also kept long term DSBs successfully. You just have to stay interested enough in the hobby to care, as lost interest is really what dooms many DSBs.

JM.02

 

[Uncle Salty 05]

jculver and cloak, I am a bit of a techno dummy but when I get home tonight I will try to download some pics for you.
Jculver, I am a Hoosier transplant. Born and raised in Terre Haute.

 

[cloak]

Burp alert!

 

[mg426]

I am a fan of DSBs just not in the display. I have a 7 inch DSB in my remote refugium and less than 1 inch in the display.

 

[the great]

Is 2" of subsrate considered shallow.

 

[Whys]

Yes. A DSB needs at least 4". Some substrates claim they are a DSB at 3", but I wouldn't chance it.

 

[WaterKeeper]

As Nikita said, keep it at 4" or "we will bury you".

 

[cloak]

Burp alert!

I'd love to see an up to date picture of those DSB's. No $h!t. I'd really get a kick out of that.

 

[Whys]

Mine doesn't look too different than it did 3 months ago. I don't have much in the way of predators in my tank right now, so the benthic life has really populated the top inch.

At 3 months old: