setting up my first bb reef what things do I need to know vs Dsb.
- Thread starter keto
- Start date
mr.wilson
.Registered Member
Unlike tanks with a substrate, you will need to siphon detritus and wipe away algae weekly. You will have less light reflection, there will be nowhere for gobies, shrimp and wrasse to live, you will have less dentrification capacity and biodiversity. If you have no substrate or remote sand bed, you will not be able to achieve a higher order ecosystem.
If you're still sold on a bare bottom tank, you can minimize detrital settling by installing a closed loop that projects flow across the substrate in a circular motion (end to end). The flow dynamics should be set-up to move that water to the surface and across to the overflow box. Avoid directing water in the opposite direction of the overflow. at the surface. You should also have several mechanical filters in your overflow and sump. These should be rinsed or disposed of daily.
You would also have better success if your rock work was supported by a minimized base. This will allow water flow and siphon access. Snails, shrimp, urchins and serpent stars would be the best cleaners. Hermit crabs should be excluded, as they will kill your snails and assume their identity.
If you're still sold on a bare bottom tank, you can minimize detrital settling by installing a closed loop that projects flow across the substrate in a circular motion (end to end). The flow dynamics should be set-up to move that water to the surface and across to the overflow box. Avoid directing water in the opposite direction of the overflow. at the surface. You should also have several mechanical filters in your overflow and sump. These should be rinsed or disposed of daily.
You would also have better success if your rock work was supported by a minimized base. This will allow water flow and siphon access. Snails, shrimp, urchins and serpent stars would be the best cleaners. Hermit crabs should be excluded, as they will kill your snails and assume their identity.
stan zemanek
New member
first thing i would say is now you can start to enjoy the hobby instead of having all the head aches dsb's cause but you will have to work for it. I set by bb up about 18 months ago and i can tell you i have not had a single issue with algae in fact i rarely have to clean my front glass!what you will have to do about 2 times a week for the first 6 months is go in with a turkey baster and blast the rocks clean(you will be amzed at what leaches out of the rocks even after the cooking process)and either siphon out the detrius or get some high flow going and catch it in a filter sock. i have a bb softie tank so i cannot use high flow so i just keep 2 filter socks running all the time.the other thing you should consider is a good clean up crew and a good skimmer
Avast Marine
.Registered Member
There is a ton of info on this site, although most of the great "how to" threads are a year or so old. Focus your searches in the SPS forum and look for longer threads from last year.
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