dsb, or no dsb

[jong101]

So i set moved tanks probably 4 months ago at this point, and when doing so, i set the tank up initially w/o a sand bed, just lined with eggcrate and about 80lbs of live rock. i have 120lbs of sand ready to be added for a deep sand bed but at this point everything seems perfect. my params are great, coral looks the best i have ever had it, and am afraid that adding the dsb is just gonna cause problems. I need some input on what to do, please anyone with experience in the bb vs dsb debate, help me out.

 

[jong101]

anyone?

 

[cloak]

Check this out.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=595109&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

 

[crvz]

well, regardless of dsb vs. bb, if your tank is doing great and corals have never looked better, why are you now itching to change anything?

 

[redfishsc]

Personally, if it ain't broke, don't fix it

I would also prefer to put the DSB in a remote location, like a sump or refugium--- not the main tank.


That being said, if you aren't having nitrate problems, you'd probably be just as well by adding a refugium with macro/chaeto and some rock rubble for amphipods and such, and to provide some extra nutrient export if you think you'd need it.

 

[jong101]

yea, i am planning on adding a chaeto grow area, but that answers my question, i guess if its not broke dont fix it.

 

[Anemonebuff]

I had a DSB in the main tank and it was a pain to stop the sugar sized sand from going all over, usually ending up in my sump. It also became a nutrient sink. I have been removing it over the last 5 months and the tank is reacting beautifully. In the future I will add one on as a remote DSB.

Like stated above, if it ain't broke do not fix it.

 

[jong101]

well, setting up a remote dsb is beneficial from what i have read, but would you do it inline from your overflow, or from a pump?

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I've been BB for about 3 months and have had the same experience with coral (looks best ever) and parameters (easy to maintain and so clean). The tank as a whole is not quite as pretty as when I've had sand, but I barely notice the Starboard my eyes are on my colored sticks and fish -- which are doing awesome. The amount of flow you can pump through a BB does wonders for a tank. Eggcrate is what I had under my sand as well, with just that I'd just caution about it being a trap for detritus -- for the long run clear it out and go straight on the glass or on some HDPE.

 

[madadi]

when done right, a DSB should not be a detritus trap. i have a huge DSB in my sump and the sand is always clean but full of life. i don't use sump socks. its just a matter of getting the right amount of flow. i hate the look of DSB in a main tank though. i just have an inch or two of sand in the there.

 

[hottuna]

look in the "advanced" topics section ...discusses new nitrate theory and says a medium depth bed is better..