DSB works!

[Crit21]

I just checked my nitrates for the first time in a couple of months. It was well above 40 when I last checked it in late February, and I was wondering if the deep sand bed I set up in my sump in November would ever really work (only a foot square x 5 1/2" deep of the fine grained aragonite Trey sold--no plenum). As you know, routine water changes only offer temporary nitrate relief, so I wasn't expecting to see a huge improvement this soon, particularly with a foot square DSB--maybe just keep nitrates steady at best. My nitrates are zero! I had to use a different test kit to make sure the first test wasn't in error. This is cool!

Well, I'm convinced now.

 

[Crit21]

Anyone else using a DSB?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

in my tank, but bb sump

 

[Crit21]

you have a DSB in your tank? how deep?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

drifts from 4"-7"

 

[Crit21]

I thought about doing that in my tank, but4 1/2 cubic feet of aragonite sand in my 125 sounded like a lot of money at the time (still does) You have aragonite sand in your 210G? Do you get algae growth where the sand touches the sides of the glass?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

yes...i got a great deal from lfs for $13 per 40lb. bag

a little but my mag float with razor attatchment gets it right off....tank is realatively new though.

 

[Crit21]

Hmm. Sounds like maybe you had access to some Southdown or Yardright playsand? We'd kill for 30-cents-a-pound aragonite out here. I think we're over a buck a pound thanks to high shipping costs.

I do like the sight of deep sand in a tank, but I only used 1" in mine. That wasn't my biggest motivation for low sand level in the tank. I've read all kinds of stories about needing a DSB to be undisturbed for it to work well. I can't provide that environment in a reef tank full of critters. I went with the sump DSB for that reason, and for cost.

Well, it took almost 6 months to kick in, but I'm happy with the eventual results. I'd be interested in hearing how your nitrate levels are doing. How long since you started using the DSB?

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

no.... it's carib-sea(reg. price $19 per 40lb. bag)

 

[Crit21]

LOL, there's nothing regular about $19 per 40# bag in Colorado!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

thats the lowest in PA too
it pays to be loyal to a good lfs

 

[racer69]

Dan, I have always run a DSB in my tanks. Mine varies from 3" in the front to 6" towards the back.

 

[ReefJerk]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7307512#post7307512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
...a little but my mag float with razor attatchment gets it right off....tank is realatively new though.

Sorry to hijack, but... can you talk to me about the razor attachment? where'd you buy it? did you make it? do you have any pics? that has got to be one of the best ideas i have heard of in a long time.

 

[calvin415]

Not sure if this is the same one Matt is using, but here's one you can buy...

http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/...id=42&osCsid=fdad3effc3838d1ec4f7b9613b813c9a

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

they sell them alot of places, but i know one of RC's sponsors sells them.....www.toofishy.com(Something Fishy)
....you simply super glue it to mag float and then adjust the blade holding piece to get best clean

 

[ReefJerk]

thanks alot.