Scungili
New member
In my short 2yr experience with Reef Aquariums I found certain rules to be necessary when thinking about a sand bed.
It can be broken down into 2 categories.
1) A sand bed that gets cleaned regularly.
2) A sand bed that does not get disturbed.
DSB is a term often used to describe sand beds of 4-5" or more. I find this term distracting from what should be considered an undisturbed bed. Also and undisturbed bed can be as shallow as 2"or less even, if the sand grain is fine, as in "0" grade or sugar sand.
When people say DSB, it disturbs me. Because a novice which I was not too long ago, and still am in many aspects, may be confused. It doesn't matter if your sand is "deep", it matters how anoxic the lower layer can get. Meaning, a shallow by some standards with a finer grain, can produce a anoxic environment.
People with "DSB" or Anoxic (undisturbed) sand beds should NEVER stir, or vacuum, or get a jaw fish or predatory starfish or predatory snails (like olive snails) .
These creatures or practices can incorporate "prematurely" nutrients into the lower layers. The sand bed should be left alone for many many months even years to mature slowly. AND NOT DISTURBED.
Contrary, if you choose to have a sand bed that is deep and still disturb it. (in case you wanted to keep a jawfish) Then you should choose a coarser grain.
If you want a finer grain and want to keep a burrowing fish like a leopard wrasse, then you should choose a grain that is not too fine and not too deep as to cause nutrient pockets.
IF you just want a small layer for decoration, then a coarser grain should be easier to maintain.
It can be broken down into 2 categories.
1) A sand bed that gets cleaned regularly.
2) A sand bed that does not get disturbed.
DSB is a term often used to describe sand beds of 4-5" or more. I find this term distracting from what should be considered an undisturbed bed. Also and undisturbed bed can be as shallow as 2"or less even, if the sand grain is fine, as in "0" grade or sugar sand.
When people say DSB, it disturbs me. Because a novice which I was not too long ago, and still am in many aspects, may be confused. It doesn't matter if your sand is "deep", it matters how anoxic the lower layer can get. Meaning, a shallow by some standards with a finer grain, can produce a anoxic environment.
People with "DSB" or Anoxic (undisturbed) sand beds should NEVER stir, or vacuum, or get a jaw fish or predatory starfish or predatory snails (like olive snails) .
These creatures or practices can incorporate "prematurely" nutrients into the lower layers. The sand bed should be left alone for many many months even years to mature slowly. AND NOT DISTURBED.
Contrary, if you choose to have a sand bed that is deep and still disturb it. (in case you wanted to keep a jawfish) Then you should choose a coarser grain.
If you want a finer grain and want to keep a burrowing fish like a leopard wrasse, then you should choose a grain that is not too fine and not too deep as to cause nutrient pockets.
IF you just want a small layer for decoration, then a coarser grain should be easier to maintain.
