DSB parameter thread

[Trigeek]

After reading several long and interesting threads regarding various idea for reef aquaria substrate, I though it would be useful if we had a thread where we could post objective info on our sandbeds. This is by no means an attempt at scientific data collection. Far too many variables are in play within individual systems (bioload, skimmer efficiency, use of macro, water change amount/frequency are just a few) to render any part of this data collection reliable in terms of what makes a working DSB. However, I think it may be useful to start collecting info on what people are doing, or have done, with their DSBs. The questions are:

depth of bed

origin of sand/size of sand

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)

length of time in existance

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)

anything else you wish to add


I haven't listed any questions regarding water parameters because many factors can influence parameters other than DSBs. This info can go in the "anything else" section if you feel it important to add. I'm not looking to prove or disprove that DSBs work, just want to get a data base on what other reefers have done and are doing and for how long.

Hope this proves to be useful.

Pete

 

[Trigeek]

Here's mine:

depth of bed
4"

origin of sand/size of sand
southdown

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)
no plenum

length of time in existance
4 1/2 years

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added
5 "recharges" from other hobbyists or LFS tanks and ordering online

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)
had a sand sifting star, cuke

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)
display

anything else you wish to add
I noticed a significant depletion in my pod and worm population after adding the star. I ended up returning the star to the LFS and brought things up to speed again by ordering a critter kit online. I'm currently going to add a DSB to a new 90g setup (waiting for our kitchen to be redone to set up the tank). I'm going to use a DSB of 6-7inches in the display and am considering adding a wasting plenum, but not totally sure of that yet.

 

[lbear]

^

 

[The_Nexis_One]

Tank: 125 w/ 27g Refug.
______________________

depth of bed
4"

origin of sand/size of sand
Southdown (unwashed)

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)
No Plenum

length of time in existance
(at this point the Refug. was ~1 year old)

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added
Once from LFS Curing and stock tanks (freebee)

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)
zippo (nadda, None)

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)
Refug only - Display was 1" CC

anything else you wish to add
This was when my setup was a single 125g AGA, I added the Refug after fighting nitrates for 8 months or so... added the 3" DSB (dim: 12"x42"x3") was sufficient to strip the Nitrates to "0" (Zero) in just about 2 months! I was in Awe and became a life long DSB man...


Tank: 157g Custom w/ 27gal Refug:
______________________

depth of bed
6" in Display, added 1" in Refug (4")

origin of sand/size of sand
Southdown (unwashed and with a 3" reef-rack to keep bottom of DSB from being disturbed in Display)

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)
No Plenum

length of time in existance
~3 years for Display (~4 years on Refug)

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added
Once at start up, some new LS from LFS curing/stock tanks (display only).

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)
None.

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)
Display and Refug.

anything else you wish to add
I used 2" PVC to build a flat support structure which I zip tied egg grate to the top of (2"PVC + 0.5" OD 2" PVC couplers + 0.5" Egg Grate = 3" Reef Rack). This kept me from wasting 5-6" of my LR from being buried. and made sure that if a PH fell or a critter went nuts, it couldn't get too deep in the DSB. After 3 years + when I broke this down (moved to new home) the DSB was 100% healthy, no bad smells, no clumping, no issues what so ever. I removed 70% of the DSB from the Refug when I moved and reinstalled the same sand +1" when I set it back up at the new place. (Couldn't remove all the sand due to Mangrove roots, etc. - moved tank with part of the DSB intact and retained dampness by sealing with plastic bags and good ole' duct tape...


Tank: 40Breeder w/ 27gal Refug:
______________________

depth of bed
1.5" Display & 5" Refug (and growing).

origin of sand/size of sand
Southdown from Display - all but the originall install of .5" was dried and has been added in .5" per month (or there about).

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)
No Plenum

length of time in existance
Refug has been going for... ever (see above) and has recieved more sand - working up to 6"... ONLY because I'm planting Seagrasses not because of efficiency.

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added.
2 times, once from Garf (junk), once from a friends tank whom I seeded last year from my own display.

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)
Display=none, Refug= TigerTail Cuke.

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)
Display/Refug.

anything else you wish to add
Working great, Happy.


Thanks,
John.

 

[GARFVolunteer]

depth of bed

4"

origin of sand/size of sand

Mix of crushed coral and CaribSea Sea flor Special grade

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)

Home made plenum using nylon screening, egg crate and sch 80 3/4" pvc pipe.

length of time in existance

7 years in June

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added

Occasionally added GARF Grunge (Good)

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)



location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)

anything else you wish to add

 

[GARFVolunteer]

depth of bed

4"

origin of sand/size of sand

Mix of crushed coral and CaribSea Sea flor Special grade

plenum/no plenum (describe type of plenum)

Home made plenum using nylon screening, egg crate and sch 80 3/4" pvc pipe.

length of time in existance

7 years in June

how frequently was fauna (pods, worms etc) added

Occasionally added GARF Grunge (Good stuff)

what type of sand sifting animals in bed (cukes, types of stars etc)

brittle stars, bristle worms pods etc. That came with the grunge.

location of the bed (display tank or refugium/sump)

Currently the bed is in the display

anything else you wish to add

WIll be moving from the 120 gasllon to a 150 gallon. At that time the plenum will be taked apart and reassembled in the farming unit and sumps. THe display will have enough sand to cover the bottom.

Thanks,

Scott