Dsb's work, what makes them work best?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6454531#post6454531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by npaden


That's the issue with a reef tank, there are so many variables it is hard to tie it down to one thing.

FWIW, Nathan
Click to expand...


Tell me about it . It can also be so frustrating trying to figure the one issue out .:lol:

For a while I went beating my chest like a gorila when My new BB beat my problem for me . After I had time to boast and get it out of my system , I realized I wasn't smart enough to make a DSB work .:(

Now I check threads like this trying to learn what I did wrong so I can beat the DSB monster I built .The other time is spent defending BB which I'm tired of doing . It's just I know how to make them work so I'm stuck in the middle .

So how's that rambling for a stressed out dude trying to be a reefer .
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6454585#post6454585 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J_Geisinger000
Im thinking of going bb for my new 90 gallon sps tank
so that I can get the amount of flow that I want with out having to worry about blowing sand everywhere
Click to expand...

Not being mean, but what does tha have to do with this thread. Clearly npaden isn't having sand storms with his high flow tank.
 
joefish,
If BB works for you then why change things? Unless there is something your BB is not accomplishing for you (aesthetics, perhaps?)
 
Yeah, I think Joe's tank looks great.

I think I can get away with the flow in the longer tank. I think to run streams in a tank with fine sand it probably needs to be 6' long or they can't be run full out.
 
I think that J_Geisinger000 does have a legitimate concern but it is something that many reefers have found a work-around for so it shouldn't be a show stopper unless you don't want to go through the trouble of figuring out how to make the two work together (high flow and DSB).
 
Sorry J_G, Flu talking. What type sand are you using Npaden. I have read more recent stuff on this site that seems to point to aragonite sand not having much advantage, as calcium carbinate tends to bind po4.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6454660#post6454660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by romanr
joefish,
If BB works for you then why change things? Unless there is something your BB is not accomplishing for you (aesthetics, perhaps?)
Click to expand...

well do to leaks I'm actualy taking a break for now . I am planning a new setup though .

That was a FYI so you don't think I'm up to something .


Now a new tank would mean options again . I like the look of sand better , of course . So yes to a point aesthetics.:D

I know what I can do with BB , now I want to learn DSB's . There are more critter options with DSB's .

There's other reasons but why get overly boreing .:cool:
 
i have some questions about the DSB.....

am i to understand that a DSB acts as a de-nitifier because of anaerobic processes that happen deep within the sand bed?

if this is so, it leads me to ask the question;

lets say i have a 2+ year old DSB, and everything is well, but then one day while doing routine maintanence, i accidentally dig into the sand bed shifting a large portion of the sand, not only on top, but deep within the sand bed. have i then just ruined my DSB for any lenght of time (short , or long)?

if i HAVE disabled the sand bed from de-nitrifying, what then are the consequeces? will i have numerouse and large, nuisance algae outbreaks? or will the system be able to re-stabilize in time that there would be no effect?

and if this isnt the case, maybe someone should dirct me to a link where i can read more info on the DSB.

the whole idea of a DSB to me is very unclear, but i am a big fan of sand, from an asthetic point of view. although if i felt that a sand bed would ruin my reef, i would definatly go BB, which i am considering for my new 75g.

so, the stated question is my biggest concern regarding a DSB.

if anything i wrote was debate causing, please ignore it!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6454675#post6454675 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by npaden
Yeah, I think Joe's tank looks great.

I think I can get away with the flow in the longer tank. I think to run streams in a tank with fine sand it probably needs to be 6' long or they can't be run full out.
Click to expand...

Thanks .:D

heres a link to the last picture before dismantleing it .

120g


Sorry , that was my baby so I love to show her off . It also goes to show that there are more then one way to keep a reef tank .:p
 
I have 750lbs of southdown tropical play sand in my tank.

I personally don't worry about disturbing my sand. I don't really intentionally stir it up, but when I move something around (clams mostly) I'll dig around a spot to place them. I've never noticed any issues because of this. I also redid some plumbing a while back and ended up moving a TON of sand. The only issue that I had as a result was a small diatom bloom and some of my sps corals got a little covered in sand for a while and I had to be careful to keep the sand from covering them up and suffocating an area.

FWIW, Nathan
 
hey joe whats on the bottom of your tank
?
I know its a bare bottom but it looks like you have something there or did you paint it?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6454916#post6454916 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by J_Geisinger000
hey joe whats on the bottom of your tank
?
I know its a bare bottom but it looks like you have something there or did you paint it?
Click to expand...

I'll whisper it , if trolls hear me they will come running .....


Star Board , it's a marine board that is UV resistint .





:lol:
 
I learned from experience that a disturbance of a portion of the sand bed will not necessarily spell disaster. I had a powerhead that accidentally got pointed towards the substrate and dug down to the glass in a section that was about 4 in deep. I would say that less than 10% of the sand was impacted and there were no perceived ill-effects from this accident.
 
Joe- I don't think you really have a choice. You obviously know how to go BB, that 120 is incredible. Why mess with sand?

Not trying to be controversial, for the record I think the 10 foot tank with DSB is incredible too.
 
West Marine .

Not being rude but if you have any other BB questions please PM me . I'd like this thread to stay on track .:)
 
interesting reading on this site

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/deepsandbeds.htm

here is an part of an article that ANTHONY CALFO wrote

"One last mention of the improper implementation of plenum and deep sand bed strategies collectively. We should like to dispel the most common corruption of the application for those interested to know or try it. Severe criticism of their use has faulted them for becoming "nutrient sinks": trapping and accumulating detritus to levels that cripple water quality and fuel nuisance algae growths. The reality of the matter may likely be that an incorrect application of the technology caused the rift. As aquarists, we too often have inadequate water flow, which prevents detritus and organic particulates from being properly exported by protein skimming and other filtration dynamics. In turn, excess detritus settles in pockets and migrates deep into the substrate. Furthermore, course sand and gravel is still quite popular and allows particulates to settle and accumulate rather easily. The killing blow to a flawed application with course substrates in weakly circulated aquarium is the unfortunately popular employment of intermediate depths of sand at 1"-3" (25-75mm). In this mid range, the sand is often too deep to be wholly aerobic and yet not deep enough for efficient denitrifying faculties. As such, the two dominant (and desired!) biological populations are restricted if not excluded at large and the sand bed may become a dead zone... a nutrient sink. However, intermediate sand depths can be maintained successfully (often, in fact!), but require due diligence with regular sifting naturally or mechanically (by the aquarist or by creatures in the aquarium), strong water flow in the tank, realistic bio-loads, etc."
 
on making a DSB work

on making a DSB work

Hey Now all,

I figure my question would do well for this thread as I hope I haven't just done something to prevent my two month old DSB from working properly.
Some facts are that its a 40breeder tank with 5-6 inches of aragamax .1-1.0 sand. I have had it up and running for two months. I added tons of critters and miracle mud etc...from ipsf.com about a week into it...40 pounds of cured live rock also in there.
Yesterday I added my corals which were being housed in another tank. Dr. Ron said to go slow on the addition of adding corals and fish. I have just read where Eric Borneman stated that corals are efficient killing machines.
I am a bit worried that my two months of patience has now ben blown since I added about 10-15 lps and softies in the tank yesterday.
Will corals alone if added too early really decimate infauna populations and prevent a DSB from working properly?

Thanks!

take care,
Jared
 
Nah I don't think adding corals will deplete your infauna, but your dsb is probably not fuly functional yet I have heard that it takes 3-6 months before it actually if fully operational. If I am wrong someone will correst me, so stay tunned for a better answer.
 
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