DSB vs Nano ?

[914]

Ok... so i've gone and bought one of those neat AGA 7gal bowfronts.

i plan to make a hood for it, with PC lighting (one of the flat bulbs, the largest i can fit. 27w? the CSL 96w bulb *almost* fits).

i'm also thinking sort of internal-sump.. essentially an overflow, with an area deep enough for a heater to hide and low-water section with a submersible pump pushing water up to two or three nozzles back over the edge. *maybe* a little tiny skimmer, but probably water changes would be a better idea.


anyhow...


how does one reconcile the very small size of the tank with the desire for a DSB? we all know *why* a DSB is a good thing, but how does one accomplish it in a Nano, without it being a Nano-DSB with only three inches of water?

i'm thinking of 'gating' it... ie, only an inch or a half in the front, near the bow, but sort of terrace steps towards the back, making it the 'required' 4" in the back.

the question is... do you think this will be enough volume to get the nitrate reducing benefits? will it matter if i'm doing 1gal water changes weekly? (no)

will having acrylic or plexi dividers mess up the DSB fauna?

hmmmmmmm....

 

[esmithiii]

I would go the full 4" in the nano. I know that you loose critical height, but water quality is critical in such as small tank.

E

 

[auto_loader]

I think the general consensus in the nano world is that a DSB will not work properly in a nano. You're probably better off with an inch or so of sand and weekly water changes.

If you want a DSB you would probably be better off having the DSB in a sump and having your main tank with a smaller amount of substrate.

 

[914]

hmmm..

well, i suppose i'm stuck with fairly regular water changes no matter what, not having much else in the way of nutrient export options.

i've pretty much decided to go with the 2x36w PC from CSL... model PC15232-ABS in an ABS hood, internal ballast, fan etc..

it *just* fits on top of this little tank (i hope, that from the measurements)


anyhow, i'll keep reading / thinking about DSB in this little tank, but i'm thinking now.... it might not be the best idea.

on my (75) current tank, i love it... it's made the thing nearly work-free....

 

[Rich-n-poor]

post some pics of your progress when you do. I have a 5 1/2 gallon tank that I turned into a ghetto prop tank running only 13 watts pc's

I have been using this to prop shrooms and polyups and on the rare ocassion as a quaratine tank.

However I am going to add another 13 watts pcs for 26 watts total thats about 5 watts per gallon and might just go nano with it.

Currently i run an old skilter on it which gives me circulation and some protien skimming.

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Mercedes 35 hp