Remove DSB or not

[MMM33732]

A few years ago I added about 4" of sand to a chamber of my sump (approx 12"x12" area. For whatever reason, I used play sand. I'd like to get rid of it now but am not sure if it would cause an issue. What do you think, keep it or get rid of it? Also, is it safe to suck it all out at once or should I do an inch or so a day?

 

[greaps]

Remove it, 4 inches depth is borderline to not enough depth for a DSB to work properly. I'v read across the forums 6-8 inches is more common for nitrate reduction.

 

[MMM33732]

Think its still leaching any silicates? What's the removal process? All at once or little by little?

 

[Browndawg80]

I would shut off all the pumps, siphon the water out into a brute can or whatever without disturbing the sand, shop vac the sand out all at once then return the water all in one swoop. Good luck.

 

[billsreef]

Think its still leaching any silicates? What's the removal process? All at once or little by little?

It's not going to be leaching silicates anymore than the glass of your tank is Consider the sand inert. 4" is the minimum for a functional DSB IME. If you are going to remove it, I'd do it in small portions. Though the question begs asking, why do you want to remove it?

 

[MMM33732]

Well I was under the impression that since its play sand, the additional silicates would fuel some nuisance algae growth (which I've been having for some time now, however its mainly red and green cyano) There also isn't really a need for it to take up space in my sump if its not deep enough to do anything.

 

[NewMariner]

Well I was under the impression that since its play sand, the additional silicates would fuel some nuisance algae growth (which I've been having for some time now, however its mainly red and green cyano) There also isn't really a need for it to take up space in my sump if its not deep enough to do anything.

You realize your glass from your tank is made from sand right? You'd have to get rid of your glass tank as well if this were the case.

 

[MMM33732]

I know realize that, however its always been touted that play sand causes algae blooms. At least diatoms. If I have no need for it mind as well get rid of it.

 

[billsreef]

A lot of people jump to the conclusion that silica sand will increase silicate levels in the water and fuel diatom growth, they are all forgetting that the glass of the tank is made from the very same silica and in both cases would need an incredibly acidic environment to dissolve any of it

 

[jonwright]

How do you know it isn't doing anything?

 

[MMM33732]

Okay, so of course it may be doing "something". The general consensus everyone keeps saying is 5" depth is the minimum needed for a DSB to "work".

 

[TreyK]

I would just pull it all out. No point to it really. Its probably all filled with detritus anyway. I remember when I had a DSB on my first tank. that thing was soooo disgusting when I decided to get rid of it.