Dsb

willuk · #1 03-15-2008, 08:38 AM

Hi

I'm thinking of putting a deep sand bed in my sump, can anyone tell me how you set this up, i.e. depth, layers, lighting if required etc...

Many thanks

PeterMC · #2 03-15-2008, 08:43 AM

Why would you have a sand bed in your sump?

Wouldn't it just become home to all the nitrate and waste?

What would you benefit from having the sand?

I'm kinda new to trops so forgive me if I haven't heard of this before, am very curious though?

willuk · #3 03-15-2008, 08:52 AM

Hi

The sand itself is alive with critters that help with filtration. However with all marine issues there are pros and cons and grey areas. That I guess is part of the fun. I have heard people having great success with DSB and others just say NO No they are a pain. Its all down to personal choice and knowing your set-up and what will or wont work well.

All the LFS that I have been to seem to have one. There is one in Great Harewood Blackburn who has a 35ft one! But that said I'm not so sure it works to well!

willuk · #4 03-15-2008, 08:53 AM

Oh meant to say as I understand it yes it would have waste in the sand which is what the critters want!

telboy · #5 03-15-2008, 12:07 PM

http://www.reefsuk.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=48

hi willuk take a look on there mate, theres a few threads bout dsb might help ya

willuk · #6 03-16-2008, 10:52 AM

Cheers Telboy

I'm still not sure about it, and whether I need it on this tank, but possibly on the next. I still have not found out if lighting is needed if the sand is in the sump. I'm off to my LFS now so will ask questions then.

Alan · #7 03-20-2008, 10:35 AM

I have a DSB and yes they are a bugger to get going but once working they are fantastic. I have combined mine with an algae scrubber.

Contact www.stm-shop.co.uk and ask for advice about the best sand to use and how to seed the filter I'm sure they would be more than willing to help as they use DSB's in their systems.

The minimum depth of sand is said to be 4" I have opted for about 7".

Once up and running they are fantastic mine is absolutely full of life within the caulerpa I have thousands of critters swimming about and in the sand I have a whole host of different types of worms predominantly bristle worms even right at the bottom of the sand bed.

The trick for getting them to work is getting the critters in there as quickly as possible before the sand bed goes black, if it goes black that area is dead. In order to prevent this from happening you need to push the handle of a teaspoon to the bottom of the sand bed and then twist it this enables oxygen rich water to get to the base of the sand bed.

The aim is to create a slightly anaerobic environment that facilitates the slow uptake of nitrate as well as ammonia and nitrite. As a test of the effectiveness of the system I ran my reef for 6 months without a water change and monitored the situation closely nitrate peaked at 15 ppm.

Send me a pm with your concerns and I will see what I can come up with.