Help phasing out DSB

[FortyFour]

Thanks for the dialogue everyone. Quick update for those interested.

I felt I had enough live rock in my DT and sump to keep up with the bio load, so I disconnected the refugium from the DT completely. I removed all macro algae, water, and the first inch of sand into a bucket. I discarded the rest (the anaerobic layers did smell), and rinsed out the tank. Added back the macro, water, and little sand I saved (mainly for microfauna), and topped it off with tank water from the display tank. I've left it disconnected this entire week with a power head for circulation. No real ammonia readings, but I don't trust my 5 yr old API kits. I'm leaving it disconnected until tomorrow or the next day when I get my newer test kits in the mail. Then I'll reconnect it to the display when the water chemistry looks good.

I'll let you decide if this is relevant, but during this time my male clown showed signs of flukes. Another variable during this time was a slight kalk overdose. Whatever it was, it appears he fought it off naturally over the course of 3 days.

 

[atreis]

I removed mine for a couple weeks while replacing most of the sand (saved off some of the old for seeding with pods) and noticed no ill effects, and some benefit after replacing the sand.

...1200lbs of sand collect from the reefs off the Florida Keys ... All the sand was returned to the ocean ...

Not a good idea, assuming some of the animals (fish, corals) were obtained from stores that likely get supply from the Red Sea, Pacific Ocean, etc... This could result in the introduction of non-native invasive species (pods and bacteria) into the local ecosystem. Aside from the animals being smaller, it's no different from letting your pet snake go in the Everglades.

 

[Windy2]

Sure there is... the sandbed has sequestered all kinds of organics and compounds. A true DSB will have an anaerobic layer and depending on size, depth and health, can have very poisonous amounts of hydrogen sulphide.

In general, one should be careful when disturbing large areas of a DSB at a time.

Do you have research or data to back up your statement?

 

[atreis]

I did mine disconnected from the system so that the disturbance wouldn't impact the system.

 

[CStrickland]

Not a good idea, assuming some of the animals (fish, corals) were obtained from stores that likely get supply from the Red Sea, Pacific Ocean, etc... This could result in the introduction of non-native invasive species (pods and bacteria) into the local ecosystem. Aside from the animals being smaller, it's no different from letting your pet snake go in the Everglades.

+1
Unless the tank never had anything from anywhere but the keys Id put the sand in the trash. Besides the pods there's algae concerns too, like people who use caulerpa for export are supposed to double bag their trimmings before they go to the dump cause it's making such a problem in some parts of the ocean. We've all gotten a frag that let one tiny piece of nuisance algae into our tank where it thrived, wouldn't want to do the same in the ocean. Also, lionfish.

 

[slief]

For what it's worth, I think DSB is often maligned without a real basis.

IME, If managed properly, it's golden.

I agree. I've been running mine for nearly 6 years and never once touched it. Not even for a vacuum. That said, I have seperate sump where my filter socks and skimmer are located. All that water then flows through the refugium wheere the 36"x30"x4" deep mud/sandbed is located. I have no issues with waste collection in the DSB and don't feel there is any need to touch it. Between the several hundred pounds of live rock in my system, the DSB, socks, a quality skimmer and my 2nd refugium (which is a display refugium), plenty of soft corals etc, I have 0 detectable nitrates in my system. I have very healthy fast growing corals both soft and hard and a very healthy heavily stocked tank with very fat overfed fish.

Bottom line, I love my DSB and consider one of the many components that contribute to the long term health of my tank. Best part is that I change out less than 25% of my total water volume a month, never vaccum and never really do large water changes and have no nuisance algae in my display.

 

[Subsea]

This is what I've been wrestling with, because I agree with what you're saying.

But I'm worried that by removing layers slowly over time, I will eventually get to toxic layers deep in the sandbed and release it into my tank. And since I have the ability disconnect it from my display completely, there might be a safer way.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

To your point "I will eventually get to toxic layers deep in the sandbed and release it I to my tank" I would say to use a different approach to removing DSB. If your tank is 4' long, then do complete removal of substrate in 1'-2' sections.

I have had a sandbed on tanks for 40' years. While they do not need to be DSB, a 1" substrate on bottom of display tank eliminates the need for much live rock and provides more open spaces in aquascaping,

I have had DSB tanks set up for 20+ years. I presently have a 30G ecosystem mud filter/refugium coupled to a 75G Jaubert Plenum with a 5" deep coarse (2mm-5mm) aroggonite. Stability and ease of maintenance are what I like. I put much effort and biodiversity in the selection of janitors and detrivore for the sandbed. For me, the complex food webs and multiple nutrient pathways provided thru biodiversity are what intrigues me about this hobby. Nutrient recycling is an important aspect to my system husbandry.

 

[FortyFour]

Happy to report that all went smoothly. Thanks to all for the input.

 

[Windy2]

There are so many deathly afraid of sand beds, I am surprised you didn't nuke you whole house.