Sand bed question

[LuHockey2]

I have heard a DSB referred to as a "ticking time bomb" in the tank. I am about to do a tank move to upgrade my tank and I am trying to decide whether to go with a 1-1.5" bed or a 3-4" bed. I personally like the sound of the DSB because it creates a help with keeping nitrates down & it seems to create a more natural environment in the tank.
But, if there is a danger that the sand bed can release gases into the tank wiping it out then it would not be worth it to me, I would just go with some decoration sand and move on.
So, I am asking for opinions on the depth of the sand bed & how likely it is that the sand get disturbed enough to wipe out the tank. I do not plan on touching the sand in any major way once the rock is in place and water is added.

Thanks for any help!!

 

[STEELERFAN747]

Lu. I am currently in the same situation. I have a thread with pretty much the same question. I have been told that detritus build up will be a big issue and it seems like they are saying not to go deep but rather stay shallow and try keeping watchman gobies or horse shoe crabs to help stir the bottom.

I have not however heard of anyone that can personaly tell me of this happening to them.?

I have also heard of a particular system that is suppose to eliminate this.

Try to do some research on it. But the main idea is you take some pvc piping and make a rectangle using pvc elbows, then you get a sheet of plastic waffle grill used to decorate the bottom of flourescant lights. (buy at Home Depot) Place it on top of the piece then get some vinyl screen and cover the top. You could hold it tobether with tie straps.
Place it on the bottom of the tank and cover it with sand.
Use coarse sand or crushed coral for bottom cover then fine sand on top.
This is suppose to eliminate the problem. But like I said, research this.

Hope this helps.

 

[Zoos]

I think he's referring to a plenum, but there is no proof that they actually work, and I have heard of them crashing as well. anyway do your research.
and the (waffle grill) he's talking about is called egg-crate and can be found in the drop ceiling department.
thanks
Felix

 

[ReefHoBo]

I have a light not deep sand bed and it work well for me right now. i dont like to go bare bottom becuase it doesnt look natural. i heard dsd matain better ph though

 

[Donkin]

My old 110g reef had a 4 inch sand bed. I just broke it down after it was up for around 5 years... never had any problems with it. I did have 3 sand stars, a tiger cumber, 2 watchman gobies and 5 queen conches. They all did there part to keep it pretty stirred though. My new 50g has a 4" bed as well and I will make sure to get a few sand dwelling critters for this one as well. O and lots of waterflow seems to help too, Im talking 30-35 times tank volume per hour. This is all in my own experience though.

 

[Ryanqk]

Yeah i have a 1-2 inch fine sand bed in my display which gets turned over enough by the inhabitants, but in my new fuge i have a 3 inch sand bed, coarse sand. I am considering putting a couple of sifting critters in there to manage the DSB but its only a 10gl fuge so im not too worried. Im running a coralife SS65 in the fuge so that keeps things good too

 

[rdmpe]

I have a 4"-5" southdown dsb in my 180 and I wouldn't do it any other way. Will I feel the same in ten years? Have to wait and see.

With my DSB, the things I think are important are
- atlantic cucumbers to keep the sand bed healthy, I have three, about 6" long each
- queen and/or fighting conchs for same reason
- no sand sifting stars since they live off the pods and worms that I want in my sand bed
- lots of flow to keep things suspended so they go to the overflow
- I don't stir my sandbed at all. The cukes, crabs, conchs, etc. take care of that. Also, my two wrasse bury themselves at night in the sand