Slowwwwly removing a DSB

catman78

New member
Like the title says. I have a 4-6 DSB in a 120 4x2x2 that's round 2 years old.

I figured I would remove it a cup at a time or so.
Any issues with spreading out the process over 4-5 months.

I can not do this all at once.

thanks
 
That would depend on what kind of biological filtration you currently have going. Why are you removing the dsb ?
 
I hate the way it looks.

I run GFO and Carbon 24/7 through BRS dual reactor.
Skimmer Deltec APF 600.
750 ml NP Pellets in reactor.

Medium Fish bioload
 
IME/IMO as long as another biological filter is in place (ie: usually LR) you can safely remove a DSB in an hour or two without harming aquarium inhabitants.
Use a hose and syphon it out.
Results of removing a DSB loaded with crap can be dramatic IME.
 
I've done it. Many in our local reef club (URS) have done it.

I had lots of stony corals (including Acropora) in that aquarium, too.
The one thing you don't want to do is stir up the mulm and make the aquarium really cloudy with crap.

Suck up everything including the "smoke" (actually detritus) trapped in the sandbed. I'd run a mechanical filter while doing this... a 100 micron sock will do.
 
see details

see details


here


keep in mind that the aquarium I'm removing the DSB from in that thread and drtango's aquarium went on to become TOTM after DSB removal.
Many other reef aquariums in our area were vastly improved upon DSB removal.
 
Mechanical like in canister? I'd have to borrow one.

As far as hose size. Would a garden hose work?

I have a few filter socks I can use on the returns.
 
Gary saw the thread. Wish me luck.

How much rock do you have in the tank? Hopefully a good amount.

If you're in no rush, I'd remove some sand with each water change, using a medium diameter hose.

Not only will this disturb less at once, I bet you will find a depth to your liking before you reach the bottom.

Assuming the sandbed is dirty looking, do you have any nassarius snails to help keep it aerated?

Bristleworms, pods, or other critters to help with detritus?
 
bristleworms pods and nassarius all create detritus :)

it's the detritus from these critters that can become a problem.
poo = PO4

JMO but in this case I would get rid of the entire DSB and (if deemed desirable) add new sand
 
Nassarius snails will get to uneaten food before it starts decaying. And they help cultivate a sandbed, preventing matter from being trapped.

Bristleworms and pods eat all kinds of matter, and can reach everywhere in your tank and rock.

The waste matter they produce is negligible compared to what they eliminate, and good flow and skimming will export much of this.
 
I have around 100 lbs of rock.
Sandbed has sand sifting starfish and several Nasarius. Pleny of hermits and snails.
 
Waste produced by detrivores and herbivores in a closed system can significantly affect skeletogenesis via elevated levels of PO4.
(Elevated PO4 can inhibit calcification.)

Once you get rid of the sandbed you can relocate the sandsifting stars and Nassarius.

If you have any SPS I'd like to hear of your observations after the DSB is removed.
 
The most plausible issue with removing a sandbed at one swoop would be any possible release of hydrogen sulfide into the water system. I've been through the process with a shallow sandbed without issues.
 
System volume is around 120 gallons.
2 year old 4-5 inches of sand in a 4x2x2 tank.

Plan:

1. Have 30 gallons of water mixed. Maybe more? How much ?
2. Have canister filter ready to run.
3. Have filter socks on returns from main.
3. Shut main pump, skimmer, ato, etc..
4. Remove any corals currently sitting on sandbed.
5. Use 5/8 id hose to start siphon into a 30 gallon brute.
6. Replace water from premixed 30 gallon batch.
7. Turn on main, skimmer, canister filter.
8. Run 2 cups of new GAC and 1 cup new GFO in BRS reactor.
9. Wait and see.....

How do this sound?? Please chime in with suggestions or modifications to plan.

thanks all
 
No, LR is zip tied to PVC frame that has egg crate on top.

I'm having second thoughts doing it all at once.
I'm thinking perhaps I'll take my time and shoot for a section at a time.
Weekly, Pick a 6x6 area and remove until I hit bottom.
Move some existing sand into new hole.

Any thoughts. I cannot remove inhabitants of tank and do it all @ once.
 
Back
Top