DSB in a bucket for nitrate control
- Thread starter JohnL
- Start date
hi guys i hope this thread is not dead and burried,
I think i have managed to read it all but pls accept my appologies if this has been covered already
i hope to set up a remote dsb next to my sump the problem being that my sump is taller then the average salt bucket, if i plumb this in with bulk heads and a large exit, the water will have to travel up and over the side of the sump, will this cause a presure issue and pop the lid of bucket?
could this be resolved by standing my ro top up bucket on top to keep the lid on?
do i have to use a sealed container for this situation?
I think i have managed to read it all but pls accept my appologies if this has been covered already
i hope to set up a remote dsb next to my sump the problem being that my sump is taller then the average salt bucket, if i plumb this in with bulk heads and a large exit, the water will have to travel up and over the side of the sump, will this cause a presure issue and pop the lid of bucket?
could this be resolved by standing my ro top up bucket on top to keep the lid on?
do i have to use a sealed container for this situation?
Rather than get into fluid dynamics and related pressures, it is simply easiest to design a system which will flow down hill with no points of resistance. It is difficult to figure out all the permutations of where water might finds its point of least resistance. My systems are very complex so I design to make life easiest trying to minimize leak or overflow possibilities.
j.p. harrington
New member
o.k. so the more sand you got the better so would a DSB in you tank refugium sump and a couple of buckets or rubermaids not be better than just one 5 gal. bucket or is all that just over kill? and how much sand or buckets should one keep on a 55g tank with low to normal bioload and a couple of soft corals?
OCEAN SIZE
BACK REEFIN'
Seems like a couple 18" buckets, dark with high flow over the surface and oolitic sand seems to be best from what I'm reading. For a 55g, you may not need large buckets, just a couple tall dark chambers (if you're pressed for space).
I plan to have a couple on a manifold and take 1 or the other offline periodically to flush, rinse, bake (in the sun), reuse the sand. I don't think it needs to be thrown away, just cleaned out thoroughly and re-populated with bacteria again.
2 chambers, with 1 "live" at all times sounds better to ensure no N spikes.
This is just what I've surmised from this thread and am planning as a result. One of the best threads around, very worthy of a weekly bump. If this works as reported by many (starting with Calfo), there's no reason everyone shouldn't be doing this on every tank. I'm sold.
I plan to have a couple on a manifold and take 1 or the other offline periodically to flush, rinse, bake (in the sun), reuse the sand. I don't think it needs to be thrown away, just cleaned out thoroughly and re-populated with bacteria again.
2 chambers, with 1 "live" at all times sounds better to ensure no N spikes.
This is just what I've surmised from this thread and am planning as a result. One of the best threads around, very worthy of a weekly bump. If this works as reported by many (starting with Calfo), there's no reason everyone shouldn't be doing this on every tank. I'm sold.
raleej337
New member
I have a 90gal tank with yellow tang, blue tang, pair of maroon clowns, sixline wrasse, 3 stripe damsel and diamond gobby. I have been battling my 80ppm nitrates for months. Last month I've decided to hook RDSB using a plastic trash bin with around 40lbs of silica sand. I just have tested my nitrates earlier and have a reading of 20ppm. I hope this will continue to drop as the RDSB matures. I will post an update after another month.
sailfintang
Member
Okay guys I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on this topic. Was informed of this method to resolve my no3 issue rather then build a "coil denitrator" or try 50% water changes. I can already say it is interesting stuff.
Here is my problem I do not have the room or ability to plumb in a 5 gallon bucket. What I do have is one of those hang on back cpr refugiums like seen here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3618&pcatid=3618
Iam using the Medium 19-1/4"L x 4-1/2"W x 12"H
I am wondering if i could fill that with sand about 2 or 3 inches below the top and use the pump that is provided in order to lower my no3, would that work on a 80 gallon total system volume? Also how long was it taking before no3 reduction was noted, I am sitting at about 40-60ppm.
Here is my problem I do not have the room or ability to plumb in a 5 gallon bucket. What I do have is one of those hang on back cpr refugiums like seen here:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3618&pcatid=3618
Iam using the Medium 19-1/4"L x 4-1/2"W x 12"H
I am wondering if i could fill that with sand about 2 or 3 inches below the top and use the pump that is provided in order to lower my no3, would that work on a 80 gallon total system volume? Also how long was it taking before no3 reduction was noted, I am sitting at about 40-60ppm.
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sailfintang
Member
ANyone, is this thread still kicking? I am 25 pages into the original post and I see xome have used smaller bckets but I wonder if this hang on refugium will work, probably get a sand bed of 8-10 inches in there with plenty of flow? still looking to se eif there is a minimum sand depth for this? Semmes this would be the cheapest and most effective no3 removal, of course its the last one i have not tried.
WOW! That took a long time to read! What a great thread!
Interesting how the exact same questions seem come up over and over again every X number of pages.
Anyway, I realize if your nitrates are 0 that increasing the efficiency is a bit of a moot point. However, I was thinking; since these RDSB’s work because of thermodynamic principles, I wonder if placing a small heater at the bottom of the bucket would help increase the efficiency?
If nothing else, I wonder if this would allow you to take advantage of those extra deep sand beds over ~18� What about supplying the RDSB with chilled water at the same time?
Thoughts?
Interesting how the exact same questions seem come up over and over again every X number of pages.
Anyway, I realize if your nitrates are 0 that increasing the efficiency is a bit of a moot point. However, I was thinking; since these RDSB’s work because of thermodynamic principles, I wonder if placing a small heater at the bottom of the bucket would help increase the efficiency?
If nothing else, I wonder if this would allow you to take advantage of those extra deep sand beds over ~18� What about supplying the RDSB with chilled water at the same time?
Thoughts?
ransomed4ever
New member
I was just wondering where everyone got their bulkheads for this. I see Ace possibly has them, I know my local menards and farm supply store don't. Do most of you just order them online?
Because shipping is usually more than the bulkhead.
Because shipping is usually more than the bulkhead.
gmneil
New member
try www.glass-holes.com they have free shipping on orders 10$ and over i just ordered a couple bulk heads from them
RDSB vs. bigger skimmer
RDSB vs. bigger skimmer
Wondering what the prevailing thought is. Should I keep my 7" rdsb (a l6"x12"x 8" container with fast water flow directly over it), or ditch it and upgrade my skimmer, for which I would need the additional height now occupied by the rdsb.
My tank is a 125g, I have a aquac 180 and am thinking to upgrading to octopus extreme 200 or asmg3. Thnks
RDSB vs. bigger skimmer
Wondering what the prevailing thought is. Should I keep my 7" rdsb (a l6"x12"x 8" container with fast water flow directly over it), or ditch it and upgrade my skimmer, for which I would need the additional height now occupied by the rdsb.
My tank is a 125g, I have a aquac 180 and am thinking to upgrading to octopus extreme 200 or asmg3. Thnks
