U.K. DSB critter packs???

[KaZeR.UK]

I've searched and searched and for the life of me, cannot find any suppliers of DSB critters apart from Copepods or Amphipods (which I already have).

Does anyone in the U.K. Have any idea where I could order some or know where I could pick some up around Merseyside??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Ron Reefman]

Just what kind of animals do you want in your DSB? I had a 45g DSB that was 8" deep for 6 years. I never put any critters in with it. You don't want the DSB stirred up.

 

[KaZeR.UK]

Worms preferably with other such critters to help with airation and processing the detritus in the sand bed. I have my nassarius and cerith snails to help with the top layer.
My sand bed seems to be void of anything other than the copepods and ampipods previously mentioned due to a diamond back goby (has been donated to someone else's tank).
Maybe I should just buy some live rock and hope for some hitchhikers?

Thank you for your reply.

 

[KaZeR.UK]

I might of misread your reply. Are you saying I don't want any critters stirring the sand bed or I shouldn't do it manually?

 

[Ron Reefman]

Is the Deep Sand Bed you are talking about in your display tank or is it a DSB section in your sump? Either way, how deep is the sand?

I was talking about a DSB in your sump or refugium. People do 4" to 8" deep sand and don't disturb it because an anaerobic bacteria will develop and it can process nitrate into nitrogen gas, cleaning it out of your water.

If you are talking about the sand in your DT, how deep is it? I only do 2" to 3" and I very rarely touch it, but I do have a crew that keeps it fairly clean.

 

[shadowmonster]

I attribute the success of my 4" DSB to a healthy population of micro fauna within the substrate. (worms, pods etc) The grain sizes were also mixed up causing the sandbed to be in perpetual motion over time too. The large particles would rise to the top while the smaller stuff would sink to the bottom. (or vice versa) The life within it only facilitated this exchange.
A DSB consisting of very fine particles that is never turned over via the life within it is just a recipe for Hydrogen Sulfide IME. (among other things)

The link below might help, although I'm not too sure what their shipping policies are. Maybe you could contact them though and they'll point you in the right direction.

http://ipsf.com/