DSB or Refugiem?

[Oceandreamadean]

Hi all,
I'm in the very beginning of my 1st salt water reef tank, & was originally going for a sump with a DSB but am now unsure after reading a lot of negative postings about it.
If I decide against the DSB, should I go the Refugiem route or is there better options out there?
HELP needed please, as I'm getting to the stage where I need to make a decision one way or another. I've also heard of sumps with nothing in them apart from the normal (like skimmer & pumps). Any advise much appreciated :thumbsup:

 

[JammyBirch]

I have a DSB refugium, not sure why there is so much negative press out there on DSBs there is probably just as much or more great reviews out. I love it.

Mine has 3-4" of sand, with rubble, chaeto, cerith snails going to town. I do control the flow through it and it is reduced flow. Maybe that's the big deal on DSBs, to much flow could make a mess.

I don't think you could go wrong either way, or just do both...

 

[cloak]

How big is your tank? There's a lot of hobbyists out there that have beautiful reef tanks without either one.

 

[Oceandreamadean]

Hi,
Cloak, my Display tank is 72"x36"x30" & my Sump is 72"x24"x20".
My sump currently has 3 chambers - one at 12" for my skimmer, the middle at 48", & the last also 12" for my return pumps.
Like I said, originally thinking of going DSB - hence the large middle chamber, although easier enough to add some more baffles/chambers.
Just don't like the idea of a DSB becoming saturated in years down the line & then having a potential time bomb on my hands.
I have also heard of people having neither. How would this work? Nothing at all in the middle chamber, with high or low flow?

 

[formsix]

If I was going to do a DSB I would do a remote one. I have a refugium in my sump -- the main purpose is to breed pods, but I also keep live rock down there for increased biological filtration. I didn't want my display packed with live rock, so I put about 20% of the typical recommended amount of rock into my sump rather than the DT.

I also like having a refugium area because it's a place to put hitchhiking critters that I don't want in my DT. However, mine now has "monster crab" and I'm not sure he would like company... but he is fun to watch.

 

[cloak]

Deep sand beds in small footprints don't really do a whole lot for much larger fully stocked display tanks IME. It kind of sounds like you don't really have the faith in a DSB to begin with. Pass.

Here's a picture of my 10 gallon sump btw. No baffles, no refugium, nothing. Keeping it clean is real easy, and that's pretty much what it's all about these days. GL.

 

[Oceandreamadean]

You're right Cloak, I don't have a lot of faith in them as it seems like there's potential for all Hell to break loose. I'm also going to try running my sump without anything in it to start with & see how it goes.
If the levels are good & constant I'll run with it, but if not I'll revise the situation & perhaps try to I introduce a few things - cheato, crushed rock, filter wool etc.
By choice I'd rather stear clear of the DSB :mixed:

 

[cloak]

I didn't mean to discourage you regarding the DSB, it's just that there's really more to it than just throwing a bunch of sand in a tank and waiting for the magic to happen. If you ever do decide on one, just do A LOT of research first. GL.

Here's a picture of the DSB I used to have btw. (4") This was going strong for about 9 years until I woke up one morning to find a crack running straight down the middle of the tank. So sad.