DSB in a bucket for nitrate control
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trmiv
Active member
Bringing this back from the dead. Any more updates from people who have done this? I really want to try this on my new 75, but I really don't have a clue how I would plumb this.
Since the primary purpose of this is nitrate reduction, could this be used in place of a macro algae refugium? If I went that way, I could do this under my stand with an elevated bucket, pump water up to it from my sump, and let it drain by bulkhead down to the sump.
Would the best way to do this be to plumb the bulkheads (supply and drain) on opposite sides of the bucket? That way the water enters one side at the top, flows over the sand, and drains out the other side? Would I want both at the same level, or one higher than the other?
Since the primary purpose of this is nitrate reduction, could this be used in place of a macro algae refugium? If I went that way, I could do this under my stand with an elevated bucket, pump water up to it from my sump, and let it drain by bulkhead down to the sump.
Would the best way to do this be to plumb the bulkheads (supply and drain) on opposite sides of the bucket? That way the water enters one side at the top, flows over the sand, and drains out the other side? Would I want both at the same level, or one higher than the other?
trmiv
Active member
Yea, that might work. Seems like a bucket would be the easiet setup though. I'll have to see what I have room for when I get my new stand.
My question is, is this method of nitrate reduction more efficient than macro algae growth? Would I gain addition beneft from also growing and pruning macro in addition to this method? Note that I'm not referring to a "refugium" but simply a macro algae growing area the sump.
My question is, is this method of nitrate reduction more efficient than macro algae growth? Would I gain addition beneft from also growing and pruning macro in addition to this method? Note that I'm not referring to a "refugium" but simply a macro algae growing area the sump.
Anthony Calfo
New member
macroalgae in the sump cannot even begin to compare in potential (its inferior) in this application if typical.
trmiv
Active member
Ahh, nice. I can then supplement this with phosban in a reactor to reduce phosphate. I'm going to give this a go on my new 75, I'll try to get two buckets under the stand, but we'll see how it goes. 1 at least. With my large horizontal overflows flowing directly into my ASM G1X recirculating, DSB in a bucket, and a phosban reactor, I should be able to stay on top of my nutrients well.
Only thing that I need to worry about is the logistics of this. How I'm going to cram it under my stand, how to plumb, how to return back to the sump, etc.
Only thing that I need to worry about is the logistics of this. How I'm going to cram it under my stand, how to plumb, how to return back to the sump, etc.
superedge88
New member
While plants are good at using up nitrates and the like, they are usually not the only form exportation used in a tank simply because they are not very efficient at using up these nasties (at least in the amounts that we would like them to) A pound for pound comparison would not be very fair between the potential of nitrate reduction in macroalgae grow out vs. DSB. The sheer amount of surface area that a DSB has that can hold the anaerobic bacterial colony is staggering, while the surface area of macroalgae for the consumption of nitrate in direct comparison is not even close to that of the DSB. Lighting a macroalgae grow out area constantly is not really an option, so with the day and night lighting periods the consumption of nitrate is not a 24/7 mechanism, while the DSB is a constant mechanism for the reduction of nitrate. While I have not given you any real proof, I think that I may have hopefully made a couple of good points that may make things a bit more clear as to why the DSB in a bucket has a greater potential to remove nitrates than your average size macroalgae grow out tank.
superedge88
New member
YES, If you use aragonite sand you will be adding to your tank's ph buffering ability. Even more benefits to adding a bucket full of sand to the tank!
Cody Ray
New member
I see your point, however, (and this is anecdotal) I have had better results from macroalgae than sand. I think maybe a combination of the two would be best. My biggest issue with sand is that if there is a spike in nitrate (for reasons unknown) the bacteria can't catch up fast enough to prevent lose of life. If the same happens with macroalgae, it simply grows faster.
superedge88
New member
When you state that you have had better luck with macroalgae than sand are you talking about the DSB in a bucket? OR are you talking about sand bed (maybe 6") in the main tank? I am specifically referring to the DSB in a bucket (over 12" deep, unlit, high flow over surface)
Cody Ray
New member
I have run sand both ways. I actually used a fluval filter and just filled it with sand, leaving a few inches. I never noticed any difference in nitrates. When I had a regular DSB, I allways had high nitrates. With macroalgae, I have NO nitrates. Like I said, this is anecdotal, so it might just be my system.
superedge88
New member
The low nitrates may also be from your feeding habits, low fish load and the like. Good to hear that you are enjoying super low nitrates!
DSB: 2 Major benefits-Nitrate & pH
DSB: 2 Major benefits-Nitrate & pH
The major benefit I see in my DSB is stable pH along with nitrate reduction.
When NH3 is metabolized aerobically it produces NO3 and H+ ions. This is the bad news as a fish tank is always heading south, to the acid zone
But with the additional step of anaerobic metabolization, NO3 is reduced to N2, HCO3- and CO2.
So the alkalinity keeps getting regenerated offsetting the H+ production.
In my tank with a large bio-load, my pH stays right about 8.1. In past years I had to adjust the pH upward a lot.
DSB: 2 Major benefits-Nitrate & pH
The major benefit I see in my DSB is stable pH along with nitrate reduction.
When NH3 is metabolized aerobically it produces NO3 and H+ ions. This is the bad news as a fish tank is always heading south, to the acid zone
But with the additional step of anaerobic metabolization, NO3 is reduced to N2, HCO3- and CO2.
So the alkalinity keeps getting regenerated offsetting the H+ production.
In my tank with a large bio-load, my pH stays right about 8.1. In past years I had to adjust the pH upward a lot.
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