To reuse or trash altogether?

[dreaminmel]

I will be moving this summer (2 miles down the road) and have this one dilemna that I just can't decide on... all suggestions are welcome as I'm sure I'll get mixed ones.

For the past 3 yrs I have had a DSB weighing in at 120lbs. 40 lbs crushed coral on the bottom and 80 lbs of fine sand on top. I am unsure of what I want when I move as it would be the perfect time for a major revamping. I have plenty of time to work with as I'll have the same landlord w/ no one occupying the new home and our current house is being torn down for a business some time after. I will be chaning everything over from my 72 bowfront to a straight rectangular 75 gallon. (sick of cleaning the curved front... ) The 75 gallon will be set up at the new house prior to the move so it can go through any cycles it wants prior to my corals and fish moving in.

I do prefer at least some sand as it is more visually acceptable to me as far as replicating a natural reef. I'm not so sure though that I still want the DSB as my current one does have some graying areas deep within that are starting to scare me. For the past 3 yrs my routine has been to suction the sand bed really good about once or twice a year. (Really haven't had an issue w/ the crushed coral showing which I'm kinda surprised about).

I have found that I'm having to add Seachem's Reef Buffer to maintain my pH. (Yes, the alk is also low and Ca is high per my tests) I'm not sure if me achieving the "perfect" B-Ionic dosing schedule will cure the pH problem or if it would help to add some new crushed coral for buffering. But, if I added new crushed coral I would want the fine sand on top which would again result in my having a DSB.

Then, the problem of do I reuse some of my fine sand for about a 1-2" bed?

Oi... suggestions?

 

[bigkev76]

I would recommend seeding a new bed with some of your older sand, but probably discard the rest. The less dirt from the other, the better.

 

[Stephany]

How do you clean the bowfront now? (in the market, possibly)

What do you think a shallow sand bed of medium grained sand?

From what I've read moving a dsb is not recommended. You can re-use it if you wash the heck out of it... which would be really really stinky, take a long time, ... or you can get some new stuff.
I also recommend seeding.

 

[Blugobi]

Being a DSB advocate, I would recomend to start new, using about 10-15lbs for seed. I have always had a DSB in the past, however my current set up is 1" of Southdown which I seeded from another local reefer. If you truly want to have the benifits of DSB, you can try the 5 gal bucket method.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=595109

GR

 

[dreaminmel]

bigkev76 - That's just the thing... A little over a year ago I moved this entire system, sand and all. I left the crushed coral in the tank w/ a little water and put the rest in 5 gallon buckets w/ tank water in them. I didn't toss or replace any of it. When we got everything to our current house I simply dumped the sand back in, filled the tank w/ all new water, placed the rock and put my livestock all back in. Granted I didn't have SPS then but I had absolutely no problems related to that process. I'm wondering if those gray pockets are something I should actually worry about or not as I came across them during that move as well...

Stephany - I use a magfloat and really do love it. My only real pain w/ cleaning the curved front comes in to play when I'm trying to scrape coralline off and it seems to me the front is harder than the sides but it could also be my short arms and lack of elbow grease in that particular position of reach. I probably wouldn't change from the 72 to the 75 except that we have one of our lizards in a 75 currently, my husband would love to put her in the 72 bowfront and in doing this trade I'd get my flat glass that I prefer. I've also found my pictures come out better throught he flat sides than the curved front but that could be my lack of skill as well.

I am considering a shallow bed of medium grained sand... think this is what Gary M is doing?? I'm not sure what size is considered medium grain though and if I do retain even a shallow bed I'd like the grain to be able to pass through a cucumber or goby... That's another part of my issue... I have a Green Mandarin and need to make sure I keep his dinner plate full...

Blugobi - I read a bit of that thread and must admit I am intrigued by that option. My tank, however, is all self contained. No sump = no plumbing to worry about. I've been told for years that I need a sump and at this point am convinced that I do not. If a sump is the only real way to correct my low pH then I'll have to adjust my opinion but at this point I'm still experimenting w/ other options on that. Would there be a reasonable way to employ the bucket without having a sump? Actually, if I was to do that plumbing I might as well do a sump as well... sheesh, my head is starting to hurt.

 

[bigkev76]

It sounds like the pockets are spots of settling deitrus that should be removed manually. Other than that, if the sand bed isn't too old, try and move it again. The worst that can happen is you will need to run some carbon and phosgard, not a big deal.

 

[dreaminmel]

So moving-wise it could be done but maintenance-wise would a shallow bed be better?

I know there's pros and cons for everything. I'm trying to figure out what may work best long term w/ my tank I guess.

W/ my low pH problem and the fact I have a mandarin, would a shallow bed using 3 bags of the Meridian Oolitic from http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...atId=8119&prodId=15294&catId=1095092&siteid=6 work OK if seeded w/ some of my current fine sand? I could siphon that during water changes to try to cut down on detritus buildup. Nitrates aren't an issue in my tank but I'm not sure if removing my current DSB will change that or if my live rock will keep that level down if I go w/ a shallow bed.

 

[Kent E]

use very little and seed a new bed.

That being said, I recommend you use almost no sand. I was planning on using sand as I like the looks, but I couldn't because of flow. NOw I feed vast amounts and it doesn't collect. everything seems very happy

 

[bigkev76]

That substrate would look great. It is course enough to be able to clean and stir it up without a big mess, seeded with some of your sand it would work awesome.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: To reuse or trash altogether?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7149267#post7149267 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dreaminmel

For the past 3 yrs I have had a DSB weighing in at 120lbs. 40 lbs crushed coral on the bottom and 80 lbs of fine sand on top. I do prefer at least some sand as it is more visually acceptable to me as far as replicating a natural reef. I'm not so sure though that I still want the DSB as my current one does have some graying areas deep within that are starting to scare me. For the past 3 yrs my routine has been to suction the sand bed really good about once or twice a year. (Really haven't had an issue w/ the crushed coral showing which I'm kinda surprised about).

Same here.
I had CC below Southdown for several years and the CC never worked it's way to the surface like everybody said it would- even with multiple Leopard Wrasses stirring up my sandbed nightly.
You could reuse your sand or CC, but the fine gray matter should be removed. I would recommend washing your sand if you choose to reuse it. Otherwise, you might choose to start with new sand (the premium CaribSea aragonite blends aren't terribly expensive) but make sure to seed it with some of your sand dwelling worms and pods.
Congrats on getting rid of the bowfront- they can be a real PITA.