DSB in sump or more water volume

[cfd3lsd]

I have a 20g L with a high bioload and a sump that has runs with 19g. Total water volume is 30g minus lr. I have been performing a 15-20% water change every week do to the bioload. No issue thus far with the param.

I have been considering adding a DSB to the sump but I wonder if the reduction of water volume is worth the benefits of the DSB. The sump is not lighted, so I have macro algae (chaeto) in the display.

What are your thoughts?

 

[bheron]

Space is a concern with the DSB, but I wouldnt let that stop you if you really want a DSB. My only concern, however, is total area of the DSB...

Now, I cant come up with the exact numbers here, but I know I've read that you need sufficient space for a DSB to do what its meant to do (ie - you can't put 4" of sand in a small area and expect it to work as a DSB).

BUt do some searching on here -- there's more than enough on DSBs -- and you might find what I'm talking about. Im 99% sure its right, so check first.

 

[cfd3lsd]

If I went with a DSB in the sump, it would be 36'' L, 13.5'' W, 4'' H. In the end, my sump water volume would be reduced from 19g to 11g and total water volume reduced from 30g to 21g.

 

[bheron]

Hmmmm. That actually sounds like a good size to me - 36" long by 13.5 should be enough.

Let me ask this: do you fully understand what a DSB can and cant do? What are you hoping to get out of it, etc? B/c, if you want it bad enough, 9g of water is ok to give up IMO.

 

[cfd3lsd]

I had 6'' DSB in a 90g before worked great for reducing nitrates. However, this is a much smaller tank so I'm worried about the water volume loss. I'm wanting to keep my nitrates at 0, but reduce the number of water changes that I'm doing to about 5% per week from 15% per week. I could try and reduce the water changes without the DSB, but I don't want a spike in nitrates (or anything else). Also, I'm looking to provide the most stable environment.

The DSB in not totally necessary, I'm just always looking for ways to improve.

 

[cfd3lsd]

Oh, forgot to mention that the display is bare-bottom.

Overall, I'm not having any issue at this time. I'm just trying to be proactive and give myself a break on the water changes.

 

[cfd3lsd]

Any other thoughts on this subject out there?

 

[bheron]

i think you should do the DSB and forgo the water volume loss.

 

[kevensquint]

I think that if you have BB, you should keep everything in line with that. By adding a DSB fuge to a BB tank may be counter productive, I did it once and the fuge ended up polluting the display. MO

 

[Wiggawam]

IMO dsb are kinda iffy in small tanks. I would if your tank is barebottom leave it out and skim like crazy. That's what I do on mine and have a refuigium on my softy tank. All going well so far.