DSB in a bucket for nitrate control

[Cody Ray]

I think I finally figured out what seaclone skimmers are for, lol! You could easily fill one almost to the top of the tub that enters the skimmer body with sand, and I'm sure that the constant swirling of the water would prevent ANYTHING from settling on the surface of the sand. Might need to replace the pump with something smaller, might be a bit too much IMO.

 

[emora]

ChinChek if the flow is to high through the sand there will not be any anaerobic or anoxic areas and threfore there will be no nitrate reduction.

Anthony is saying to have a slow flow OVER the sand rather than through it.

Although its probably still better than using the seaclone as a
skimmer ;-)

 

[Cody Ray]

This is what I really ment to get across

The water would enter through the bottom like normal and exit though the top like normal, except there isn't any air being bled into the pump. The key is that when the water exits the top of the tube it is swirling, which would preven ANYTHING from settling on the surface of the sand. However, a much smaller pump would be needed, the maxi-jet 1200 would create a sand storm!

 

[captbunzo]

This is what I really ment to get across
The water would enter through the bottom like normal and exit though the top like normal, except there isn't any air being bled into the pump. The key is that when the water exits the top of the tube it is swirling, which would preven ANYTHING from settling on the surface of the sand. However, a much smaller pump would be needed, the maxi-jet 1200 would create a sand storm!

You're missing one REALLY important point - that is that water flowing through your tank, and especially out and throw piping, etc, is LOADING with oxygen. At least it is in comparison to the defintions of anoxic and anerobic.

Rather, the only thing you need is the small amount of water flowing across the top of the sand. With the small water volume and the moderate flow, it will wash all things away wonderfully.

And, btw, I believe what you are describing is called a Fluidized Sand Filter. I believe they are more often and appropriately used in fish stores and larger aquariums.

The REAL experts here - Please correct me if I am wrong...

 

[Cody Ray]

Hmm, still am not getting the idea across. The water isn't traveling THROUGH the sand. The tube that feeds the skimmer only lets water out from the top. If the sand is poured around that tube (which is inside the skimmer) than the water entering the skimmer goes through the tube, out the top, fills the chamber, and exits the skimmer body. The top layer of sand will be oxygenated, however the skimmer itself is deep enough that most of the sand will be oxygen-poor.

 

[Cody Ray]

Also, like I said, a smaller pump would be used, and air is NOT added like it would normally be if it were being used as a skimmer.

 

[emora]

The water isn't traveling THROUGH the sand.

I got it.

The major issue I see is the size. You cant fit much sand in there. You wont get much of a result either. I rather defeats the point of using this method.

Just get a cheap 5 gallon bucket.

 

[Cody Ray]

I would, however I do not have the room in my stand, it is only 10" wide!

 

[mwood]

The issue I had when I tried a DSB in a bucket is the sand storm. I used a rio 1100 with a valve to turn the flow down and still ended up with sand everywere. Locked up the return pump and was a PITA to clean up. After that I just yanked it and put in more LR. It's a cool idea, but not worth that risk.

Marcus

 

[emora]

The issue I had when I tried a DSB in a bucket is the sand storm. I used a rio 1100 with a valve to turn the flow down and still ended up with sand everywere. Locked up the return pump and was a PITA to clean up. After that I just yanked it and put in more LR. It's a cool idea, but not worth that risk.

Marcus

Way too much flow

 

[emora]

I would, however I do not have the room in my stand, it is only 10" wide!

Perhaps you should consider a different solution.

 

[mwood]

Way too much flow

Rio 1100's are rated at 300 gph. If I had it turned down to 250 or 200, that is too much flow? In a 20 gal tote with 4" of water on top of the sand?

 

[Anthony Calfo]

I have 1100 gph going through a 20 gall marsh refugium with 3" of sugar fine oolitic sand... and all from a 1" nozzle! Not a grain of sand disturbed, so to speak.

The solution: a $1.49 Aquaclear powerfilter foam block slitted and slipped onto the end of the feed line. The water diffuses gently through a foam block.

Be resourceful my friends.

 

[mthedude]

I'm thinking if you took a plain old 5g bucket and placed it in the sump you could feed it with raw water from the overflow if you rigged up some sort of drip tray w/prefilter to difuse the water over the surface of the sand more, then just let the water spill over the sides and back into the sump, it wouldn't be devoid of light in my setup as my fuge is next in line w/my sump but I think it would probaby work. Cheapest way to zero nitrates for thos of us who have been plagued w/NO3 since day one.

 

[Cody Ray]

I have 1100 gph going through a 20 gall marsh refugium with 3" of sugar fine oolitic sand... and all from a 1" nozzle! Not a grain of sand disturbed, so to speak.

What pump are you using to create all of that flow?

 

[A.G]

Hi guys,

I am posting to tell every one that I have tried the remote DSB bucket in my 80g tank and am happy to say that my Nitrate is undetectable.

I had problem with maintaining corals coloration for over a year because of nitrate . All my corals are regainign their colors back after 3 weeks of installing the DSB bucket.I have not done any changes to my setup exept for the DSB bucket. I used 5g bucket with very fine dry sand collected from a beach.I had over 50ppm No3 and believe me I have tried every thing to get it down.Thanks to Anthony am now back on the track .

If any one had a Q about my DSB please feel free to ask.

A.G

 

[Marcelog]

If any one had a Q about my DSB please feel free to ask.

How much flow do you have going through it (pump)? How much sand/water (inches).?

You said ask

Marcelo -

 

[A.G]

am using pump rated for 250gph.Sand is about 10-11" deep

 

[captbunzo]

Again, I say, way too stinking cool...

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Thanks AG