Question regarding remote DSB and water going into it

[stlouisguy]

As I think about adding a remote DSB to the system I am building, I want to keep it as clean as possible yet get the most from it. My thought is to use a 55gallon tank with the top drilled for gravity feed back into the tank. But the water that goes into the remote DSB would come from the skimmer output, which should still have the nitrates but not the crap that can foul it.

Am I missing something with this idea?

Thanks.

 

[capncapo]

Sounds like you have the right idea Clark but ..... I think I would place it somewhere where it is easily accessible. From what I've read there are 2 schools of thought on remote DSBs.

The first is that they simply don't work as a true DSB. That is the thought of Dr. Ron Shimek. According to him, they are at best a nutrient sink which will eventually need to be replaced.

The second is that they really do work as a DSB and that the nitrates are really used by the bacteria. Anthony Calfo has been touting his "DSB in a bucket" concept which is essentially what you will be doing. His claims are that the sand should not need to be replaced but even if it does ... sand is cheap.

Going on those two lines of thinking I would make sure that you can easily replace the sand.

 

[stlouisguy]

The way I am designing it is very easy to take on or off line. To stop it all I need to do it move the skimmer output back to the sump and unscrew one bulkhead and its off line to work on

It will be kept in the dark with some liverock on top of it that will help with pod growth, it will be 7" deep and gravity drain

 

[capncapo]

If it's going to be kept in the dark and will be fed by your skimmer I'm wondering how it will support pod life.

Lots of pods eat algae and some pods eat other pods. I think I would have a refugium instead which requires light.

 

[stlouisguy]

I am thinking it will have ambiant light from the room and the grow out tank, just not direct life. If it cant sustain life then it cant. I dont have room for both a fuge and dsb, and it seems the benefits of the dsb outweigh the fuge. I could partition off the end section of the sump as a fuge, its big enough and I could change the auto top off hole to deepen the water level. Been thinking about that.

 

[zt444a]

Can't do both? Why not a small light, like a clip on Viper light or something? Or a small dual strip T5?

Howie

 

[stlouisguy]

I could light it up, but a DSB doesnt need light and the main reason for it is nitrate exporting. I could go with light and have a fuge with a DSB but just havent explored that thought path yet. I would have plenty of room for it with the tank being 26" tall and the sand only being 7" deep.

thoughts on a fuge with DSB?

 

[capncapo]

Works the same as a DSB .... just has critters!

Infinitely more interesting to look at and would have the "magic" word ....biodiversity.

 

[stlouisguy]

Okay, that settles that.

I am going to go with no macro algae though if I can get away with it.

 

[frenchie]

get power compact bulbs from walmart they have 6500 k bulbs for regular lamps and there cheap. good for fuges

 

[capncapo]

Chaeto is an excellent pod home and a great way to transport them to your tank. Just hold it above the tank and shake it.

We need to somehow make you conform ....... you WILL be assimilated!

 

[stlouisguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8306099#post8306099 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capncapo

We need to somehow make you conform ....... you WILL be assimilated!

Does that include dressing up as a maid?????? No thanks

 

[capncapo]

I said assimilated .... not sissified!

 

[zt444a]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8306190#post8306190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capncapo
I said assimilated .... not sissified!

Of course he'd never tell Fade that...

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[capncapo]

HEY!

I know for a fact that Johns cammos were in the the laundry when that picture was taken ....well....at least I hope!

 

[stlouisguy]

Seriously though, the reason I am trying to avoid macro is that I had a bad experience with the last batch of Chaeto that I received. Before putting it in I had differant stuff, but was told it could go sexual and to go wtih Chaeto. Unfortunately there must have been some slime algae in it and now my fuge I cant get the red menance to go away.

I may go with some in the sump if I partition off a section, but I really have a bad taste in my mouth about it

 

[DrBDC]

The purpose of the rdsb for denitrification purposes is great and I believe Calfo managed a 1500 gallon aquarium with just that IIRC. But, problem with your design is the skimmer waterflow. In order for that to be effective and stay clean the longest possible time you want a very slow flow like maybe even just a mag3-5 flow level and no lighting. Paint the outside of the tank black and even get something to cover it for light blocking. I'd fill with sand all but the top few inches. Just barely below the highest level you can get a drain bulkhead installed at. Keep the fuge seperate. It's 2 different functions in this case. The on/offline ease is a must so you can change it when necessary.

 

[stlouisguy]

If the flow is too great from the overflow I can "T" the return and just put part in the DSB and return the rest to the sump

Just drilled the tank, will post a pic on the build thread in a bit

EDIT- This will be the fuge, will use a rubbermaid container that is completely dark after reading a bit more on it. But I am proud of my first tank drill!