Deep Sand Bed

[JHOV2324]

Should I get a Brittle star? Are they Reef Safe? Will it sift or shift through the sand?

 

[inkblue]

i have a buCket oF liVe sand iF u want some... :flower::flirt:

 

[JHOV2324]

I just put in 40lbs of sand on top of the 15lbs of sand I already had in there. I don't think I'll need anymore sand. Thank you though, much appreciated.

 

[ShaunW]

tRue, but are tHere any proS or conS witH that :scratch::tub:

I would think that there are mostly CONS. With a SSB (shallow sand bed) and a BB tank combination you will not have the nitrate removal ability and also a dendritus build up region (SSB). The best way to get the most out of the system is to have a DSB some where, unless you go competely BB and are willing to do all that is involved with such a system (i.e. big skimmer, lots of flow, etc.).

So the combinations I would recommend:
1. DSB system.
2. SSB with a remote DSB.
3. BB with a remote DSB.
4. BB system.

 

[JHOV2324]

Is a pistol shrimp good for a DSB.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

sand sifting gobies i think are cool.. i used to have a white one with a yellow face and to neon lines one on each side of its face... sifted sand all day... i think they look cool..

 

[inkblue]

I would think that there are mostly CONS. With a SSB (shallow sand bed) and a BB tank combination you will not have the nitrate removal ability and also a dendritus build up region (SSB). The best way to get the most out of the system is to have a DSB some where, unless you go competely BB and are willing to do all that is involved with such a system (i.e. big skimmer, lots of flow, etc.).

So the combinations I would recommend:
1. DSB system.
2. SSB with a remote DSB.
3. BB with a remote DSB.
4. BB system.

can a separAte fuge act as a remotE sand bed, oR is theR a formuLa per gaLLon of water to lbs of sand

:Thinking:

 

[House of Laughter]

All,

As you may know, I am a big believer in DSB's BUT after all my reading and belief systems challenged, I designed and set up my in wall 180 with a SSB (becuase I like the look) and a remote DSB (this was after long conversations with Shaun and many other reefers here).

I get "the look" I want, and homes for the critters in my tank who constantly sift my sand all over the tank.

The DSB is in my FUGE (here ya go INk) and is about 4" total. I also have a few snails, crabs and recently added stomatellas who are breeding in my frag tank (go figure). I also have probably 20lbs of live rock, rubble etc. This sand bed was seeded from my old 92 corner display as well as 10lbs of GARF grunge and some sand from fellow reefers.

Pro's -

1) I get the look I want in my display without the possibility of crashing
2) I get a place for my favorite critters
3) I get the benefits of a DSB
4) I get the benefit of easily replacing the DSB when it gets close to its life expectancy

Cons -

1) You will eventually have to replace the remote DSB
2) you don't have alot of sand in your display
3) since it is a shallow sand bed in your display, if it gets moved by power heads, animals or the like, you have some bare bottom anyway

Hope this is helpful

House

 

[ShaunW]

can a separAte fuge act as a remotE sand bed, oR is theR a formuLa per gaLLon of water to lbs of sand

:Thinking:

With a remote DSB you need to take into consideration your main tanks bioload when designing the sandbed. So I wouldn't have a 120gallon tank that has a 10 gallon remote DSB. The DSB in this example would become overwelmed very fast and have a short life span (I would predict it at about 1 year).

So I would suggest trying to achieve the most surface area for the DSB as possible with probably a 30 gallon tank DSB being a minimum size for a 120 gallon tank.

How big is your fuge?

 

[inkblue]

:headache: s0 maNy cHoices... oK, maybe i wasnt paYing attention but whY wouLd you have to rePlace a remote DSB

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I would say ink to drop the possibilities of releaseing bad stuff from the old DSB into the water.

 

[ShaunW]

I would say ink to drop the possibilities of releaseing bad stuff from the old DSB into the water.

Correct, . Think of the DSB as a biological container that is empty when first introduced. Over time it fills up with the biological waste (simplified statement) from it functioning in the tank. Since the area of the DSB is finite, it will eventually fill, then it will no longer be able to continue to effectively remove/harbor waste. It then, like a contain filled to the brim, leaks.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

LOL Solbby your statement was simplified?


I used "BAD STUFF" LOLOLOLOL

 

[inkblue]

oK, so wHen thiS remote SB fiLLs uP with bio-waSte, do you rinse it out oR use new sand alTogether... tHis is a dilemma coZ what happens to all tHat life in the saNd and tHe pods. i guEss you sacriFice tHem

:bigeyes2::happysad::starfish::scratch::dead1:

 

[ShaunW]

Using new sand is easier and safer! It ensures that you won't have any potential problems with the old sand. You really shouldn't use the old sand unless you "cook" it and bake it to remove any locked up phosphate/nitrate.

The sand will become re-populated with life very quickly. Remember live rock contains many of the critters present in the sandbed, so it will act as the seed stock for the new sandbed, :bunnies: .

 

[inkblue]

wOnt it mini-Cycle tho since you are puttiNg in new sand (remoTe) in an estabLish'd tank...

:bigeyes2::bagfish::redface::tub:

 

[ShaunW]

Yes, however it would be minimial and almost unobservable, since the live rock would be extremely well established at that point and would temporarily pick up the slack.

 

[inkblue]

oK... tHanks. now i juSt have to fiGure out hoW to pLumb a remotE DSB

:goldfish2:dog::biggrin::chef::sgrin:

 

[JHOV2324]

So in the long run a DSB isn't good.

 

[ShaunW]

So in the long run a DSB isn't good.

Yes!