DSB question

[T Diddy]

Hi everyone, I tried this post in another forum, but got no response. Any help would be greatly appreciated...

I've had my 140 gallon display tank up and running for a few weeks now. It is in a dedicated fishroom, and I am trying to plan out an expansion for a refugium and frag tank. My idea was to incorporate a low flow raceway over a DSB across the back of a 30 Gallon long which will serve as the refugium. The refugium will empty into another 30 long frag tank, and then into the sump downstream from my skimmer. Both the refugium and frag tank will have separate returns so that I can control flow.

Please comment on the advantages and disadvantages of having a DSB without regard to water flow. I need some feedback on incorporating the DSB. Is it a good idea or not?

 

[goodreef]

When you say DSB, do you mean < 4 inches of fine sand? If so, it is usually recommended that you have the fastest water with ZERO detritus over the top.

Note that detritus accumulation at the top of your DSB is no good as it pollutes the top of the sand. Also, the decay of this will affect the O2 level at the top.

3 reasons for fast flow that I can think of.

1. remove detritus

2. move O2 deeper into sandbed

3. even out the O2 level throughout the sandbed.