Thinking about trying a deep sand bed.. any tips
- Thread starter Vadafallon
- Start date
Vadafallon
New member
My main issues currently are some algae problems, which i hope to resolve with my /sump refug, new skimmer and carbon/GFO reactors. Also keeping my temp stable, which i will resolve by using a apex jr. and two new heaters.
I had just read that it keeps your tank more stable and keeps nitrates down. To much info pushed into my brain in such a short time lol.
I had just read that it keeps your tank more stable and keeps nitrates down. To much info pushed into my brain in such a short time lol.
Ron Reefman
Active member
My personal opinion - DSB is a relict. If you cant keep your nutrients under control using modern techniques (powerful efficient skimmer, detritus traps, reactors, bio pallets, well formulated food sources etc) DSB wont help you. And if not for that purpose for what other reason you have to keep this UGLY looking thing in your tank? 'Sand' animals require thin layer of sand and will be happy with that and saying you need DSB to keep those is silly. I would put sand in the tank for only one reason - esthetics. It just looks good!
And if you really need to do DSB (guess everyone of us can come up with reason to do some unreasonable things) - go with remote DSB so you can dump it without destroying your tank when it get full of crap and will be ready to explode.
Wow, I had no idea the rest of us with DSB's were/are so stupid. Gees danil, you might try and be just a bit more PC with your opinions... as that's all they are! As for using "modern techniques"... some, many, maybe even most of us, like having reefs that run as close to natural as possible. And you can count on some of your 'high tech' equipment 'blowing up' long before my DSB does!
To the OP, seriously consider the DSB in a refugium rather than in the tank, unless you really want those DSB critters in the DT (most of which you won't see). I have a DSB in my refugium, and I think it helps, but I don't have any hard evidence. For nitrate control you might look into a diy coil de-nitrator. It's easy to build, hardly costs anything and I've had 0 nitrates for over a year. I even went 10 weeks without a water change and still had 0 nitrates.
Mock
Saltwater Junkie
Softie tanks.... Go DSB... SPS.... Go Shallow to BB...... DSB's are nutrient traps. Softies like the Nitrates they will produce and if you like running 5 10 or even 20ppm in Nitrates, its the way to go...
As far as critters that need DSBs.. I know of none that NEED them... I know of plenty that would rather have them but I have kept just about everything that I can think of in a 1" to 2" bed....
After working in this field for years and being a hobbiest too... I have never set up or did maintenance on a tank that had a DSB that didn't have a higher than average Nitrate issue.
As far as critters that need DSBs.. I know of none that NEED them... I know of plenty that would rather have them but I have kept just about everything that I can think of in a 1" to 2" bed....
After working in this field for years and being a hobbiest too... I have never set up or did maintenance on a tank that had a DSB that didn't have a higher than average Nitrate issue.
Vadafallon
New member
Thanks for all the input guys. I think i am just going to do a DSB in my refug and call it a day. Any suggestions on the best place to buy the sand? Any good sites? Also should i run the same type of sand in my main tank?
Vadafallon
New member
HAHAH pew pew *ducks and runs*... Yeah there is soooo much info out there. I have learned a ton in the past year though.
davocean
Active member
It's often a topic that gets heated, like I said, there are benefits from each way, it's not a bad idea to keep an open mind and discuss these things like mature adults.
If you are chasing nutrient issues, there are better ways than just throwing a sand bed at it, in fact that most likely would add to those issues until it balanced out.
WC's, aggressive skimming, fuge w/ chaeto, maybe bio pellets or phosban, those would be my first move towards chasing nutrient issues.
If you are chasing nutrient issues, there are better ways than just throwing a sand bed at it, in fact that most likely would add to those issues until it balanced out.
WC's, aggressive skimming, fuge w/ chaeto, maybe bio pellets or phosban, those would be my first move towards chasing nutrient issues.
Vadafallon
New member
Yeah i am going to do a 4inch bed in my fuge and just a regular 2 inch sb in the main tank. I will be skimming like a champ and i picked up a GFO and Carbon reactor. Should help. My algae issue isn't nuts or anything, plus i am moving to a new tank so i plan on scrubbing the rock clean of any algae before moving over to the new tank.
davocean
Active member
I would choose a remote over sand in my fuge if you can swing it, I'm not crazy about sand being close to my return pump, but if you do, maybe try to contain it so it doesn't enter return area.
If you're going to go shallow sand in display, I would lean closer to an inch, and vac or siphon occasionally.
If you're going to go shallow sand in display, I would lean closer to an inch, and vac or siphon occasionally.
elegance coral
They call me EC
I would never advise a new person to install a Shemik DSB. Most new hobbyists have enough trouble with elevated nutrients, algae growth, and poor stony coral health, without putting a fertilizer plant on the bottom of their tank. A Shemik DSB is simply going to make the newbie problems worse.
My advice would be to simply keep the system clean. Don't allow fish poo to build up in the sand, or anywhere else in the system. If you keep the system clean from the beginning, you will have much less stress in this hobby.
My advice would be to simply keep the system clean. Don't allow fish poo to build up in the sand, or anywhere else in the system. If you keep the system clean from the beginning, you will have much less stress in this hobby.
davocean
Active member
That is one person I haven't put much reading into, so I'm not sure what defines a Shemick DSB
I agree using a DSB to chase nutrient issues is not the best solution, and stated that.
My use of DSB's are primarily used for sand dwelling Sea Anemone's that require 4" or more sand to thrive.
If I did not keep those, I would probably have a shallow bed, an inch or less as I also previously mentioned.
I suppose my first question to Op should have been what is the purpose in going DSB, rather than just answering OP's question or discussing the benefits from each type of sand bed or no sand at all.
elegance coral
They call me EC
In short, Shemik advocates allowing fish poo, uneaten food, dead microbes, and all kinds of rotting organic matter to accumulate in a deep pile of sand, until there's enough rot and decay to support hundreds of thousands of poo eating bugs and worms. He claims this is a great way to create an environment for delicate coral reef species. What it really creates is an environment for cyanobacteria and algae.
I keep a large sand dwelling anemone as well. A ~16" haddoni. I've probably had her for pushing ten years. I agree with you that these animals MUST have sand. It isn't optional. That doesn't mean I have to keep the sand filthy like Shemik advises.
I personally think, in most cases, the depth of sand should depend on what the hobbyist likes to look at. I keep about ~2" of sand in most of my tank. Right around the anemone it's a little deeper. Maybe 3", or a little more. I keep my sand clean with a gravel vac when I do water changes. This keeps it bright white, and looking good. At least to me.
I don't think a new hobbyist should keep a particular depth of sand because they've read that it develops some magical powers of filtration at a particular depth. If they simply learn to keep their tank clean from the beginning, it will make their lives so much easier.
I keep a large sand dwelling anemone as well. A ~16" haddoni. I've probably had her for pushing ten years. I agree with you that these animals MUST have sand. It isn't optional. That doesn't mean I have to keep the sand filthy like Shemik advises.
I personally think, in most cases, the depth of sand should depend on what the hobbyist likes to look at. I keep about ~2" of sand in most of my tank. Right around the anemone it's a little deeper. Maybe 3", or a little more. I keep my sand clean with a gravel vac when I do water changes. This keeps it bright white, and looking good. At least to me.
I don't think a new hobbyist should keep a particular depth of sand because they've read that it develops some magical powers of filtration at a particular depth. If they simply learn to keep their tank clean from the beginning, it will make their lives so much easier.
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